Turtles, Manta Rays and Sharks! We have it all at Coco Bodu Hithi
May, 12 2017
Did you ever think of the Maldives as an adventurous place? Our reef is one of the best in North Malé Atoll, and Hawksbill turtles are frequently spotted near the Water Villas and Escape Water Villas where you have direct access to the House Reef. You might be lucky enough to spot Chloe, one of our superstar turtles! Oriental sweetlips, giant parrot fish, and octopi also live close to the island. For advanced swimmers looking for something more dramatic, the reef on the east side of the island, near the Coco Residences, is where you might see sharks, Eagle rays, giant table corals and sea anemones.
Our resident Hawksbill turtles live wild on our House Reef, but there is a very high chance of seeing them at Turtle Point, just 15 minutes off the island by boat. This is one of the most loved snorkeling sites off Bodu Hithi and here you will learn about how these dignified creatures with striking markings use their beaks to probe into spaces between corals to find sponges and invertebrates to eat. They are naturally happy here and protected as part of our commitment to contributing data to the Maldives sea turtle identification program. Since 2012, more than 180 have been identified by our marine biology team who use the unique pattern on the turtle’s heads to name them individually.
Although shy, the large Nurse sharks that inhabit the waters at Shark Point, just ten minutes away from the island, are happy to live in the company of adventurous humans. Heading to Shark Point gives you the best chance of seeing these mysterious, misunderstood creatures of the deep. Sting rays are also seen regularly here as are the clever Remoras that attach themselves to sharks for a free ride, leftover food and added protection.
Manta ray season for us is December to April. These incredibly graceful gentle giants park themselves up at Bodu Hithi Thila, an underwater cleaning station where smaller fish work across their elegant span to give them an annual makeover. At this point just 15 minutes away from Bodu Hithi, you can swim and snorkel around them. They’re at ease with an audience and it’s a genuinely fascinating scene to witness.
