All Activities
Parasailing
Are you in two minds? Can't decide what to do - water skiing
or parachuting! Want to go for water skiing, but don't want
to miss the thrill of parachuting?
The thrill and exhilaration of water skiing and parachuting
can be had together through the sport of parasailing. Fly
with a parachute over the multi-colored Indian Ocean and
at the same time be towed by a speed boat. Get an unsurpassed
aerial view of Maldives as you fly over the droplets like
islands.
Get sprayed with droplets of water. Enjoy the kick of feeling
the wind rush past you, as the boat speeds through the water.
Catamaran Sailing
A Catamaran is a vessel with a twin hull, and is propelled
by either sails or by steam. Another type of sailing, Catamaran
Sailing is very popular. Every one including novices and experienced
sailors enjoy this sport. Catamaran sails are available with
all windsurfing centers.
Once you start sailing on one of the catamarans, over the
exquisitely beautiful waters of Maldives, you will never
want to stop for even a single second.
Underwater Photography
Underwater Diving in Maldives is an amazing experience. Share
this unforgettable experience with your friends and family.
Capture your moments underwater in your camera! Maldives is
one of the best places to photograph the marine life thriving
in the Indian Ocean. The crystal clear water provides a good
visibility even in the depths of the ocean.
The best sites for capturing the amazing fish species on
camera are the atoll passes or channels. Strong currents
in the channel make it a bit difficult to remain still and
you may need to hold on to something. The 'thilas' and 'shoals'
in the atolls abound in colorful fish and corals and provide
you with an opportunity to take wonderful pictures. Underwater
cameras can be rented from most dive schools in the Maldives.
But, it is a good idea to get your own equipment as the
exact equipment might not be available.
Optical Systems:
While photographing larger fishes in the channels, use of
28 mm and 35 mm lenses provides best results. If you are
able to get close, without scaring the fish away, then a
20 mm lens will be the best option.
To take good photographs of marine life in the shoals,
use a 15 mm Nikonos, 14 mm or 18 mm lens. When mounted on
a reflex in an underwater housing, it helps you to take
shots of the reef as well as for good shots of schools of
fishes.
Macro Photography:
Capturing the images of creatures as small as 1cm is an
art only few can master. Along with the skill, some special
equipment is required. The coral reefs abound in small,
interesting creatures in varying shapes and colors. Photographing
them is an opportunity not to be missed.
Additional lenses, extensions or micro lenses combined
with films having low sensitivity emulsions in optimal lighting
give you the best results. The 64 ASA Kodachrome or the
100 ASA Fuji can be used. Use two flashes to avoid shadows
as far as lighting is concerned.
Tips:
- When shooting, keep your camera as still as possible.
- Whenever possible, shoot from the bottom of the
reef.
- Don't punch the shutter, squeeze it.
- Exhale just before you take a shot.
- To get a perfect shot, keep your arms in and stabilize
your elbows against your body.
- Maintain slight negative buoyancy if there is a
surge.
- While you are in mid-water, control your buoyancy
with breathing only.
- Use ISO 100 for best results.
- Set the camera to 'A' (Nikonos) or 'Aperture priority'
(SLR).
- Set the strobe on TTL.
- Set an aperture of: f/11 between the surface to
10 m (33 ft) f/8 between 10 and 20 m (33 and 65 ft) f/5.6
or f/4
in water deeper than 20 m (65 ft).
- Nikonos: preset focus for 90 cm (3 ft), with either
a 35 mm or 28 mm lens and stay between that and 1.2 m (4
ft)
away from the subject.
• SLR: Pre-focus 50mm lens for 90 cms (3 ft) and get
this distance from your subject, then fine-tune focus.
Maintenance of photographic equipment:
Rinse your equipment thoroughly, after each dive. If possible,
leave them in fresh water for a few minutes.
Spray an anti-saline liquid over all parts of your equipment
to eliminate any traces of salt crystals.
Check all the accessible O-rings at least once a day.
Carefully clean their seating and lubricate them gently
to keep them soft and elastic.
Get your equipment checked by a specialist at least once
a year.
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