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| Scuba Diving | Surfing | Dolphin Watching | Excursions | Visiting Male' | |
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| Diving - Dive Sites > Mushi Mas Mingili Thila ( Shark Thila ) | |||||
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| Dive Sites > || Maldive Victory Wreck || Guraidhoo Corner || Banana Reef || |
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|| Kuda Rah Thila ( Broken Thila ) || Mushi Mas Mingili Thila - Shark Thila || |
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| Mushi Mas Mingili Thila ( Shark Thila ) | |||||
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Location Shark Thila lies within the bounds of the reef itself, but at a considerable distance from the other reefs, in the northern section of the Ari Atoll. The closest islands are Fesdu, Halaveli, Maayafushi and Ellaidhu. The thila, which is about 70 metres (230 feet) in diameter, extends in depth to some 10 metres (33 feet) beneath the surface. Dives The dives that can be made at Shark Thila are limited to the thila, and the boat must be moored at the peak of the reef; very experienced divers however can enter the water off the reef and reach their destination by following the currents. In any event with thilas such as this one, which stands in isolation, it is wise to make use of this technique only if one truly has sufficient experience. In the area around Shark Thila the currents can sweep along with tremendous force, although in the lee of the base of the formation, calmer waters can always be found. A general impression of the singular seascape and the enormous variety of fish can be obtained by making a circuit around the thila. In order to do this, however, one should await the right moment, when the currents are not running too hard. Life Forms This thila is distinguished by an unrivalled abundance of fish, foremost among them 16 grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) who live in the area around the reef, making Shark Thila very famous. Equally noteworthy are the giant schools of snappers (Lutjanus kasmira) that swarm in huge numbers from one reef to another. In the open ocean currents, on the other hand, one often encounters eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), but the thila itself is practically surrounded by all the other species of pelagic fish. Moreover, the area of the reef is enlivened by the entire array of tropical reef fish, noteworthy among them of course morays (Gymnothorax javanicus), which from time to time poke their heads out of their dens, sometimes in pairs. And the dive may be made particularly cheerful by the company of humphead wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus). Safety There are occasions in which the theoretical and practical principles of hydrodynamics must be kept firmly in mind and observed scrupulously, and this dive is one of those occasions. One must designate a safety stop along the mooring line of the boat, and the scuba diver must refer back to those lines in order to find the point at which he entered the water. It is therefore extremely important to pay close attention to the instructions given by the divemaster. If one should happen to be dragged by the current to some distance from the reef, then the safety stop should be made in open water. The more powerful currents can drag a team of divers hundreds of metres in just three minutes. Like in any dive in the area around isolated reefs, it is crucial to bring a parachute. Respect for the Environment If the earliest divers to explore Shark Thila had only behaved with some respect for the environment that is exercised today, the reef would certainly have a different appearance today. In a place that is swept by abundant currents, such as this, it is especially important to keep at an appropriate distance from the corals. In case of forced halts, there, it is necessary to seek out dead or at least dying corals. Photography In the presence of the appropriate currents, and if the water is sufficiently clear, excellent photographs can be taken of sharks. Some time ago, divers regularly fed to the sharks; therefore, probably mindful of those years, the sharks tend to approach divers closely. In order to take a full-frame photograph of a grey reef shark two metres (six and a half feet) in length, the best lenses to use are 24 - and 20 - millimetre lenses. The best lenses to use to photograph this remarkable seascape are fisheye lenses. In the higher, shallow portion of the reef, if the currents are not too strong, macro 35-, 50- and 105- millimetre lenses can be used to make remarkable photographic portraits of the fish.
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 A small Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) with vivid coloring swims along, its mouth agape, in order to feed by filtering the tiny particles of zooplankton in suspension in the water.
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 Perhaps frightened by the arrival of a scuba diver, a number of saber squirrelfish (Sargocentron spiniferum) take shelter in a cranny of the reef.
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 The soldierfish (Myripristis vittata) enlivens, with its red coloring, the upper section of the reef of Mushimasmingili.
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