Jemeluk Bay, Amed, Bali
Karangasem Regency is a regency of Bali, Indonesia. The east side of Bali is its place of coverage and the regency seat is Amlapura. Part of this regency is Amed and the scuba diving spot of Jemeluk Bay.
Maldives Boat Club
Crystal blue waters, leisurely drift dives, nutrient-rich warm water… The Maldives is definitely a diver’s dream place. The breathtaking sandy beaches with azure waters are just an asset to the underwater life that the Maldives have to offer. The more than a thousand islands of Maldives have some good coral reefs to brag about but it’s the abundance of sea life all over the country that really distinguishes the Maldives from other diving destinations.
Myriad channels and water passages are formed between the atolls, making drift diving from liveaboards one of the best ways to experience the Maldives marine life. The channels are beautifully adorned with colorful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonians. Allow the currents to move you along and make sure you keep your eyes wide open, as almost everywhere you look there will be something interesting to see. The Maldives Boat Club is of the best liveaboard options, with three vessels touring in the area offering a wide variety of options to choose from.
The best time to go diving in the Maldives is northwest season (December to April), when you can enjoy the larger pelagic species such as sharks and jacks – seen east of the atolls. During the same season, on the west side of the atolls, manta rays and whale sharks are also of the spectacles you should expect to see. If you really want to make sure though that you will see manta rays and whale sharks the southwest season is the best time to do it. Hammerhead sharks also inhabit around the area, usually seen around 2-3 points and more specifically at the Hammerhead point, in the North Ari atoll. In spite the rumors, shark fishing is banned in the Maldives.
Useful facts: You will need an entry permit to be able to visit the country, but it is easily issued upon proof of your confirmed hotel or liveaboard reservation. The official language is Dhivehi, but communicating will not be a problem since English is widely spoken in all major tourist areas and resorts. Currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. Any major currency can be easily exchanged in banks, tourist resort islands and money exchange points. Credit cards are the primary method of payment in resorts and liveaboards, but check in advance whether your card is accepted by the specific resort/liveaboard.