Welcome to the nation of a string of mesmerizing islands for a beautiful and dreamy getaway, Maldives! This is an island nation where the blue sky collides with the scenic ocean to make an unparalleled heaven on earth. Its white-sandy beaches, fascinating landmarks, sprawling greenery and vibrant culture make Maldives one of the most popular destinations.
This breathtaking place is a compilation of luxury and comfort around nature. Doesn’t it already sound interesting? Here’s a guide for you to know the place better before you plan your itinerary.
- Why the Maldives
- Geography
- Weather
- Nature and Wildlife
- History
- Culture
- Connectivity
- Types of Holidays
- Book a Flight to Maldives
- Where to Stay
- What to Eat
- Things to Do
WHY THE MALDIVES
Maldives offers you a stunning tapestry of a thousand islands with renowned underwater marvels, luxury resorts, culturally rich local islands and pristine beaches. Get the epitome of a 5-star holiday experience when in the land where luxury meets sustainability. The unique culture of the country is a fusion of South Asian influence.
We can say that it is the best country to let your hair down and enjoy a blissful vacation. Be it sipping drinks with your lover at a beach restaurant under the open sky or rejuvenating yourself with spa therapy, Maldives is a laid-back holiday destination!
GEOGRAPHY
Situated in the Indian Ocean between the two rows of atolls, Maldives lies just on the other side of the equator. The island nation is made up of 1190 coral islands encircling a lagoon that emerged around about 26 real ring-like atolls. Each island consists of coral reefs surrounding the lagoon. Due to its strategic area of over 90,000 square kilometers and easy access to the major routes of the international sea in the Indian Ocean, tourists come over to enjoy the tranquility. However, it is only 298 square kilometers of Maldives that possesses dry land.
The nation doesn’t have any hills, but dunes can be found on a few islands, which might reach 2.4 meters above sea level. Again, the islands are too small to consist of any river. However, there are marshes and small lakes that add to the beauty of the islands. The people are widely dispersed around the atolls. The nearest neighboring countries are India (600 km away from the north) and Sri Lanka (670 km to the east).
WEATHER
Maldives is an island of sunny and warm weather that prevails around the year. Starting from the month of November till the end of April, the Maldives witness low temperatures ranging between 23°C to 31°C. The weather conditions remain moderate and pleasant for tourists coming from around the world; thus, making these months the best time to plan an exciting vacation to the land of pristine white-sandy beaches and lush green landscapes. Also, this time is heaven for tourists who have an itinerary filled with exploration and sightseeing.
However, there’s a shift in the weather from May to October due to strong winds and heavy rains. During this period, surfers can enjoy the most since the waves are perfect for water activities like wakeboarding and popular surfing.
NATURE & WILDLIFE
Although Maldives has a small land area, this scintillating tropical paradise of Maldives is home to a wide variety of terrestrial species, wildlife and biodiversity. Explore this fascinating ecosystem surrounding these delightful islands. You can encounter mammals including geckos. Along with the modest landscape diversity, the marine ecosystems of the Maldives are full of life. From whales and dolphins to hawksbill and sea turtles, Maldives water inhabits incredible species.
With more than 2,000 species of fish, Maldives water hosts stingrays, Manta rays, eagle days, jellyfish, anemones, squids, octopuses and giant clams can be found here. The coral reefs are the biological treasure of the nation. This holds the eighth largest position in the world, offering a vibrant landscape under the water and essential habitats for innumerable marine species.
HISTORY
You would be amazed to know the island was under the influence of sultans and kings for more than 900 years. The architectural sights from those eras have greatly contributed to the rich history of Maldives, reflecting the glorious past. Hukuru Miskii, famously known as the Old Friday Mosque, is the oldest and most prominent attraction on the island nation. Its extraordinary style of architecture, carved wooden panels, and lacquer craftsmanship of 1658 make the mosque more attractive. Another famous mosque is the Grand Friday Mosque. Built with pristine white marble, the Grand Friday Mosque is the biggest. It has striking architecture with a golden dome and a soothing view of the water.
Apart from mosques, there is a three-storeyed National Museum with rich historical treasures, the official residence of the President of Maldives called Mulee Aage Palace, and the Tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu commemorating the national hero of the island nation. In 1973, the island nation had its first resort establishment, and since then, Maldives has become a famous tourist place.
CULTURE
The culture and lifestyle of this vibrant island nation revolve around the water. It won’t be shocking if you find similarities between Maldives’ culture and that of the Africans, Arabs, Indians and Sri Lankans. That’s because of their strong influence on Maldivians who assimilated all of them to develop their own unique culture. If you have a keen interest in the cultural aspects, you can still notice the Dravidian influence on Maldivian’s lifestyle. All Maldivians are proud of their emerging unique culture and identity. Here, the official language is an origination of the Indo-Iranian Sanskrit called Dhivehi, which has all the influence of Maldives.
Music and dance are an integral part of Maldivian culture. It has its influence from the styles of North India like Kathak and Bollywood music and movies being very popular amongst the masses. If you want to know interesting facts about the island nation, you must see Bodu Beru, a popular folk dance in Maldives. Also, take a ride on the Dhoni boat to acquaint yourself with the Maldivian culture. To learn more about the culture, book your accommodation in the local islands in the Maldives.
CONNECTIVITY
Coming to connectivity, multiple flights operate from Middle East Asia, South East Asia and Europe to the Velana International Airport, while chartered flights fly passengers from the major cities of SouthEast Asia and European capitals. Take a daily flight to travel to any of the domestic and international Maldivian airports. Followed by your arrival or departure, get scheduled ferry services to reach from Male to your desired atolls. If you have pre-booked a resort, you have most likely pre-arranged your transfer during accommodation booking. Generally, resort travelers get speedboat transfer or by seaplane, especially for islands further afield. So, flights, seaplanes, ferries and speedboats are the possible transports to connect to these atolls.
Nonetheless, seaplanes offer quick transfer to the resort islands. However, these are a bit pricey. For budget travelers, it’s ideal to pre-book a local boat of Maldives called Dhoni. Even though the resorts are far from the mainland, WIFi facilities are widely available in the resorts, hotels and cafes. However, it depends on your location whether you will get quality and high-speed internet. Local islands may not offer WIFI accessibility. In that case, consider buying a local Maldivian SIM card. The country has two major network operators – Dhiraagu and Ooredoo.
TYPES OF HOLIDAYS
As there are different types of holidays available in Maldives, it is best to know the reason for your travel to the island nation. From exotic honeymoon resorts with exclusivity and privacy to family resorts where you can explore the wonderful sights with your entire family, spa and wellness resorts offering rich baths and mellow whirlpools to calm and re-energize yourself, there are plenty of resort options.
Opt for a luxury resort to enjoy a luxurious trip of high-standard accommodation and exquisite dining. For travelers on a budget, book budget resorts, guest houses or hotels to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Maldives at a reasonable cost. Above and beyond, you can plan your dreamy destination wedding to celebrate the most beautiful day of your life in this paradise. In addition, adventurous travelers can have a surfing vacation, and professionals can book corporate holiday packages. To know more about these amazing holidays, check out:
BOOK A FLIGHT
When planning to travel to the white-sandy beaches of Maldives, book your flight tickets first. Air travel is the most convenient mode of transportation for reaching the island. The Velena International Airport, or the Male International Airport, is the main gateway of Maldives, located near Male City on the Hulhulé Island in the North Male Atoll. Numerous flights fly to the island regularly from different countries. Apart from Velena International Airport, there’s Villa International Airport and Gan International Airport built to make travel easier. So, booking flights isn’t a hard job, but knowing how to crack the best deals is a catch. No matter where you have interests, Maldives has so much to offer for tourists from all walks of life. If you want to know more about flight tickets booking, look at:
WHERE TO STAY
Maldives is a heaven for all types of people with distinct preferences and budgets. There are countless accommodations including:
Resort Islands
Experience the majestic beauty of the island by confirming your stay at a luxurious resort on a private island. Have a look at the breathtaking views of these resorts here:
Male’ City
Male’ is one of the most jam-packed cities in the world but the city is still a fascinating place to stay. There are multiple things to explore including museums, restaurants, historic sites and more which you can see here. Get a detailed guide before visiting the Male City.
Local Islands
If you aren’t just travelling for a calm and private holiday, local islands are the best places to acquaint yourself with the local culture and traditions. And, of course, the trip won’t disappoint you in this regard! How? Check out yourself:
Liveaboards
Dive, explore and relax on your Maldives holiday with world-class liveaboards. The pristine reefs and exotic underwater views will please your eyes to the fullest! See how:
Hotels and Guesthouses
If you are keen to get an insight into the island nation, guesthouses are the best and latest accommodation for exploring the country in an affordable way. Maldivians don’t stay there like homestays, but guesthouses are entirely managed by the locals. Besides, hotels are a great option to accommodate yourself throughout your stay in the country. From budget-friendly to luxury, Maldives has a lot to offer. You may check the list of hotels and guesthouses here:
WHAT TO EAT
The local food of Maldives has a mind-blowing mix of spices, flavors and aroma, having an oriental influence of Sri Lanka, Arabic and India that bursts inside the mouth when eaten. Maldives has several cafes and restaurants that offer aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and serve satisfying food on the table. Whether Mas Huni, a shredded, smoky tuna fish preparation or Garudhiya that’smade with freshly caught fish, this soulful fish soup tastes best with rice, chillies, onions, curry leaves and coconut; the lip-smacking local Maldivian delicacies is a must-try.
Some other foods that you can gorge on while enjoying the beauty of the blue lagoon and intoxicating sea breeze are Fish Curry, Bis Keemiya, Hedhika Tuna, Fried Yams, Aluva Boakibaa, Mas Kashi and lots more. Moreover, Maldives doesn’t only serve local food. Satiate your taste buds with delicacies around the world and non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (on the resort island). For more details, check out:
- Top 10 Traditional Maldivian Cuisine
- 10 Best Things To Know About Maldivian Cuisines
- Top 10 Restaurants in Male’ City
THINGS TO DO
Maldives offers you the best of all worlds. So, whether you are asking for a spa holiday or an adventurous one, dipping your feet in bioluminescent water under the sky, engaging in water activities or visiting the historic heritages, exploring Male city and suburbs or relaxing on a private island, this island nation gives you heavenly time that you will relish forever. Here’s a perfect list of the top itineraries you can explore:
- Top 10 Fun Things To Do in Maldives during Your Trip
- Top 10 Dive Sites in the Maldives
- 10 Things to Do on a Solo Trip to the Maldives
- 10 Most Exciting Ways To Explore The Underwater Life Of Maldives
- Top 10 Pre-eminent Things to do in the Maldives
CONCLUSION
Travel far from the hustle-bustle to relish a romantic candlelit dinner holding a glass of champagne with your partner. The island nation has so much to explore that makes it an ideal holiday destination for all tourists. Whether you love adventurous or relaxing holidays, exploring historical sites or engaging in a business holiday, Maldives is the best place you can find on the earth. Moreover, you can host your dream destination wedding or spend your honeymoon in privacy. Since the country has remarkable connectivity across the world, you can travel easily to experience an island nation. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a serene view of water outside the airport!
