Maldives Cruising Guide

The information in this volume comes from various sources: publications, cruising notes, reports from friends and local seafarers. First thanks go to the crews taking turns on board the Dhoni Stella boats from 2006 to 2008 and, in particular, to the owner of the yachts, Ali Shareef and the captains: Abdulla Hameedh (Barey), Mohamed Nasir and Mohamed Raha. A special thanks for their invaluable contribution: to professor Paolo Colantoni of the Geodynamics and Sedimentology Institute of the University of Urbino for indications of a geological nature; to Paolo Cosmelli and Marco Dossena for the section devoted to fishing; to Hussain Areef (Iboo) for the details on the archipelago's surf points; to Gianluca Rossetti and Alba Chigi of Albatros Top Boat for the underwater photographs and the information on the atolls of Laamu and Huvaadhoo; to Ahmed Nasru for consultancy on the local language; to Mohamed Hameed of Antrac Maldives for the invaluable explanations of customs formalities; to A.U.M. Fawzy and Inthikab Ahmed of Maldivian Air Taxi for the aerial photographs; and to Abdulla Reyshan of Think Maldives for preparing the charts. Lastly, my most heartfelt thanks go to Antonio Penati of Edizioni II Frangente in Verona for suggesting and encouraging this guide and making it possible and, above all, to my parents Edoardo Molteni and Fernanda Capresi, who gave me the opportunity to discover and experience this wonderful earthly paradise called the Maldives.

Contents
The navigation history of the Maldives
Traditional boats and local vessels
Geography
Geological formation
Monsoons
Temperatures
Rainfall and humidity
The Maldivian seasons
Weather forecasts
Temperature and salinity of the sea
Ocean current
Tidal current
Transparency of the water
Waves
Fauna and flora on land
Marine fauna
Fishing
Protected marine species and bans
Marine reserves and protected islands
Environmental problem
Pollution and the disposal of solid, organic and toxic waste
Preparing your boat
Protection against lightning
Anchors and anchoring
Water and electricity
Gas, fuel and laundry service
Nautical charts and other publications for navigation
VHF
AM-FM-SSB-CW
Cell phones, web and e-mails
Medical services and hospitals
Parasites and infections
Dangerous marine life
Restaurants
Wines and spirits
Fruit, vegetables and food
Shops for nautical equipment and boat maintenance
Shops for diving and surfing equipment
Repairs and dry docking
Transport
Useful numbers for seafarers
Customs formalities and cruising permits
Customs bans

Procedures for visiting resorts and picnic islands
Procedures for visiting deserted islands and sandstrips
Procedures for visiting the villages of the locals
Local yachts charter
Scuba diving
Surfing
Navigation glossary
Navigating in the Maldives
Flash signalling
Harbours and marinas
Itineraries
Itineraries
Haa Alifu (HA) - lhavandhippolhu Atoll
Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu (HA, HDh) North and South Thiladhunmathee Atoll
Shaviyani (SH) - North Miladhunmadulu Atoll
Noonu (N) - South Miladhunmadulu Atoll
Raa (R) - North Maalhosmadulu Atoll
Baa (B) - South Maalhosmadulu Atoll
Lhaviyani (LH) - Faadhippolhu Atoll
Kaafu Atoll (K) - North Male Atoll
Kaafu Atoll (K) - South Male Atoll
Alifu Alif(AA)-North Ari Atoll
Alifu Dhaalu (ADh) - South Ari Atoll
Vaavu (V) - Felidhoo Atoll
Faafu (V) - North Nilandhoo Atoll
Dhaalu (Dh) - South Nilandhoo Atoll
Meemu (M) - Mulaku Atoll
Thaa (TH)- Kolhumadulu Atoll
Laamu (L) - Hadhdhunmathee Atoll
Gaaf Alifu (GA) - North Huvaadhoo Atoll
Gaaf Dhaalu (GDh) - South Huvaadhoo Atoll
Seenu (S) and Gnaviyani (GN) -Addu and Foammulah Atolls