Laam Atoll is a wonderful place to go if you want to see the best of the Maldives’ underwater life. Beautiful coral reefs and lots of sea life make this atoll famous.
In Laam Atoll, you can see the clear, pristine coral reefs and how they were formed. The sea around this beautiful atoll is home to some intriguing fish, like the Napoleon wrasse. Laam Atoll is home to a variety of exotic marine life.
You will be able to observe the underwater life of these coral islands with excellent visibility. On the southern edge of Laam Atoll is the Gaadhoo-Hithadoo Sea, which is a wonderful place to visit. It is between the islands of Gaadhoo and Hithadhoo.
This area has been identified as a nursery for vibrant reef fish that lay eggs. Unique species like the Mobula Alfredi or the Reef Manta Ray (En’madi) can be found in this area. These are some of the largest marine species that live in the Maldivian waters. They can often be seen in shallow waters. During the monsoon season, these famous species also move around the archipelago.
These iconic species also migrate throughout the archipelago during the monsoon season.
These charismatic species, which have an average width of around 3 meters, swim towards their prey with wide, open mouths. They move in the monsoon, but you can see them in Laam Atoll and elsewhere in the Maldives. These species can be found in shallow waters during the northeast monsoon. That’s April and December.
The ‘king’ of reef fish, the Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), also lives in these healthy waters. Locally, this fish is known as Maahulhun’bu Lan’daa. Two studies were done on this species in the Maldives, and it was found that they live in 50 different spots in Laam Atoll.
Maldives was the first country to strictly prohibit the export of this fish in 1995. The elongated body, prominent hump on its face, and distinct lips reveal a unique presence in the ocean. The royal and unique look comes from the bright colours and beautiful patterns. You can glide with this fascinating fish through these clear waters.
Within this area, you can also find the Green Turtle (locally known as Velaa) and the Hawksbill Turtle (locally known as Kahan’bu). In this area, you can spot these species near seagrass meadows and reefs, as well as on the stunning reefs and beaches.
The Gaadhoo area is the best place to swim with these beautiful species. This is a nesting beach for these species. These two species of turtles are the most commonly seen in the Maldives. If you want to see something special, this is the place. They forage in shallow waters and build nests on the beach.
The wonderful whale shark (locally known as fehurihi) is the other specialist fish. This is the world’s largest fish. This is the biggest fish in the world’s oceans right now. They can dive up to 1000 m, but you can see these species, especially adults, feeding at the water’s surface. Their body pattern, which consists of light dots and stripes on a black background, gives them an appearance that is regal. Our 1000-rufiyaa note features an illustration of this shark, one of the most famous species in our beautiful island nation.
This area is also home to various rays and other types of fish. This amazing place is an important part of our ecosystem and is home to beautiful marine life.
