THE SHELL BY VILLA HOTELS & RESORTS
5
In the Presence of Sharks It is truly another world underwater.
light rays that shone down at first
sharks feed on animals below them
Sound is louder and as we hear
all but disappeared all was dark.
in the food chain, however often
banging on oxygen tanks, the signal
Our first thought was that a cloud
humans are threatened by them
is clear that something is happening
was passing, however the shadow
and believe they will hunt them. In
in the depths. Our attention is
moved at a gentle pace and as I
reality, sharks are graceful creatures
directed 25 meters below sea level.
gazed up to my amazement there
and being in their presence is a
As I look around to see where the
was a magnificent whale shark
surreal and calming experience and
noise is coming from, behold I see
passing over our heads. The whale
reminds us not to be afraid.
two beautiful adult gray reef sharks
shark is the biggest fish in the
pass by, unhindered by invasive
ocean and can be identified by the
bubbles. For the few seconds that
intricate white spotted pattern,
we got to witness their beauty, it
which is their fingerprint and how
was an experience like no other in
each whale shark is identified.
this world.
Slowly gulping the tiny planktons
Our dive adventure takes place not far from Sun Island Resort & Spa, located in the South Ari Atoll waters which is home to diverse marine life including majestic whale sharks, reef tip sharks and turtles to name
which gather to the surface for the afternoon sun, the stunning whale shark sways against the current while we watch in awe, speechless as we rest at our safety stop on the way to the top.
We got back onto the boat and started to pack up before making our way back to Sun Island Resort. The main topic on everyone’s mind was how misleading the information we have on sharks is and just how graceful they are. As we entered the shallow lagoon waters surrounding the resort, we were escorted to the jetty by a dozen curious baby blacktip sharks which spend their juvenile life hunting small fishes
a few. A shark sighting means the
As we reach the surface, I put my
that gather near the white sandy
hope for another encounter with
head above the water and with a
shoreline. Sometimes they even
these majestic creatures grows
deep breath of happiness, I ponder
venture out a few feet out of the
by the second and excitement
to myself how I was not even scared
water to neutralize their pray which
flows. All our focus and hopes are
in the shark’s presence and there
in itself is an intriguing sight to
set on experiencing this thrill and
was no aggression towards me
witness.
out of this world experience in the
whatsoever. The misconception
crystal blue waters. As the time
regarding these gentle animals
passes and it becomes time for
is somewhat misplaced due to
us to ascend higher to the water
the false image created by the
surface, we have yet to encounter
Hollywood movies and creative
another shark. As we ascend slowly
storytelling which has depicted this
to around 9 meters suddenly it was
creature as dangerous and a cold-
as if the lights went off and the
blooded killer. As an apex predator,
Once we learn to respect our surroundings and appreciate sharks as a crucial part of the marine ecosystem, then we can be more at harmony with nature while coexisting for a sustainable future.