Maldives beneath the surface
As I sit on the plane back to San Francisco, I can’t help but think about the incredible experience I had diving in the Maldives. Over the past week, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some of the most breathtaking underwater scenery in the world. 
From the moment I arrived in Male, I knew that this was going to be a trip to remember. The crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean were an invitation to explore the stunning coral reefs and the diverse marine life that inhabits them. 
During my first dive at Hulhumale Neru, the poor visibility made it difficult to spot anything, but I could still sense the richness of the underwater ecosystem. Then, during the afternoon and evening dives at Rasdhoo Madivaru, I saw the power and beauty of nature at its finest. The strong currents made it challenging, but the white tip sharks that surrounded me left me in awe of their grace and agility. 
The next day, I was lucky enough to witness the beauty of Kuramath Rasdhoo and Hoholha Thila, where I spotted turtles, rays, and moray eels, among other species. The night dive at Fesdhoo Lagoon was a real treat, with the giant Manta rays and nurse sharks putting on a spectacular show for us. 
At Moofushi Rock, a cleaning station, I saw the incredible teamwork between black tip sharks and cleaning wrasse. The eagle rays and manta rays that cruised by were equally impressive. We ended the day with an evening dive at Rangali Beyru, which was a great way to cap off a perfect day. 
On our fifth day, we spent the entire day searching for whale sharks, but unfortunately, we didn’t spot any. However, we still managed to have an unforgettable day exploring Rangali Madivaru, Radisson Beyru, and Maamigili Beyru, and even got to play with a group of playful dolphins. 
Our final day was one for the books, as we brought a bucket full of fish guts to attract stingrays. Incredibly, we ended up attracting hammerhead and tiger sharks, along with eagle rays. It was a perfect way to end an unforgettable trip. 
My experience in the Maldives left me with a newfound appreciation for the underwater world and a sense of urgency to protect it. The beauty and diversity of marine life that I saw during my dives reminded me that we need to do everything we can to ensure that these habitats remain intact for generations to come. 
As I sign off, I can’t help but encourage others to explore the incredible underwater world and to do their part in protecting it. Whether it’s through sustainable tourism or reducing our carbon footprint, we all have a role to play in ensuring that this precious ecosystem remains healthy and vibrant. 