A clownfish pokes its head out of a fluttering anemone, then darts back in. I’m snorkeling through the Nemo Garden, an area rich in the predatory marine invertebrates known as anemones and the fish who love them. When I pop back to the surface, marine biologist Caitlin Rentell of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi explains their symbiotic relationship.
“The anemones have stinging cells in them so other organisms will get stung by the anemones,” Rentell told me. “But clownfish have this special mucous that basically coats their skin. And they’ve evolved so they can go in the anemones without getting stung.” The movement of the clownfish brings fresh water and nutrients to anemones, which are attached to coral reefs or rocks on the sea floor. In return, clownfish hide out in anemones to evade predators.
I spent nine days at three different Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives. Since the South Asian country is 1% land and 99% ocean, it’s heaven if you like a water-focused vacation. Activities range from quiet and educational to loud and motorized.
