The 1,192 islands of the Republic of Maldives stretch 500 miles from north to south along the equator like strands of white pearls in the blue waters of the tip of the Indian Ocean. Its total area is 115,000 feet and is the smallest in Asia in terms of population and land; If all the islands were placed side by side the whole island would be smaller than the city of Athens in Georgia! The Maldives has the lowest average elevation in the world at 4 feet 9 inches above sea level. Famous clean white sand beaches and upscale resorts with pristine turquoise waters offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. But there is more than luxury on offer here. I have just returned from an amazing week in this unique destination so I can read and tell you how many amazing experiences there are to see and do under the land and the sea.
1. Seaplanes
You will arrive at Malé International Airport in the Maldives which may surprise you not in the capital city of Malé but on the reclaimed island of Little Hulhumale. Upon disembarkation you will be transferred to the nearest pier and walk down the waterway to the waiting seaplane, the first of many unique and interesting things to do on your vacation. Although seaplanes are not the cheapest way to travel life is a journey and can be one of the most beautiful sights of your life. You can’t pay for it.
Sailboats can fly three times faster than boats making it the best way to get around the island. The cruise from the moment you depart to the summit will take a 30 minute to 1 hour flight and will include expansive views of the islands, picturesque villages, luxurious waters, sandbars, fine cliffs, islands; Kingfisher on the rocks. Rock and lagoon ships only fly during the day they don’t fly in bad weather.
We have used Trans Maldivian Airways which currently carries over 1,000,000 passengers to 80 Maldives resorts and Manta Air is the newest domestic airline to serve the Maldives.
Pro Tip: There are a few things you should know before you get on a cruise. First there are no toilets and no business class seats on the plane. No air conditioning. So even with the fan in the plane before takeoff it can get very hot. After all there are 15 seats on the plane and all of them are very close and not all seats are by the window so keep that in mind when boarding. There is no priority seat allocation.
2. Overwater Bungalows
If you’ve ever seen a photo of a bungalow on the water and dreamed of visiting it you’re not alone! Lunch Overwater Bungalow Sunbathers features a private luxury glass-enclosed infinity pool for hammocks over the water and an open terrace for sunbathing without leaving the room to sleep. Waves under your bed; All this and the stairs lead straight to the sea where you can snorkel with turtles and sometimes sharks.
Can that dream come true? Comfort and privacy all with stunning views. The villa on the water is the epitome of a vacation destination.
3. Underwater Encounters
Planning a vacation to the Maldives? Then the image of tropical fish and colorful corals underwater may come to your mind. The diving and snorkeling experience in the Maldives is one of the best in the world and the incredible coral reefs and abundant marine life make this destination a sea lover’s dream.
Between the atolls and the islands there is an Indian Ocean channel connected by a lagoon. Tribuo is a great way to see the underwater world and there is a sense of serenity that engulfs you as you swim 10 meters underwater.
Scuba diving takes place at a very relaxed pace. You’ll sail past ocean currents filled with colorful soft invertebrate coral sponges and a cleaning station where manta rays and manta rays feed on manta rays. You’ll find eagle rays and pelagic fish like the napoleon wrasse or barracuda maybe the occasional white shark or gray shark and if you’re really lucky the rare hammerhead shark.
A scuba diving license is not required to experience the underwater world of the Maldives. Put on your snorkel mask and flippers and a whole new world awaits. We waded through the water from the beach in front of our villa to see the fish and coral waiting for us at Jolly Maldives. At Anantara Kihawa Maldives we dive into a coral house where colorful reefs and reef fish mingle together. We took a boat to snorkel with giant manta rays in Hanifaru Bay sheltered where the world’s largest manta rays feed. We snorkeled with turtles and eagle rays before heading off to look for rare whale sharks from the luxurious South Ari Atoll. With a little luck and research they can be found in the Maldives all year round.
Pro Tip: With a tropical climate and warm temperatures throughout the year the Maldives can dive at any time but August to November is considered the best time to see manta rays and whale sharks.
4. Coral Farming
Pemutihan karang menjadi perhatian utama di Maladewa karena perubahan iklim. Pada tahun 1998 lebih dari 90% terumbu karang mati dalam peristiwa pemutihan besar-besaran di Maladewa. Pada tahun 2016 sebuah fenomena yang dikenal sebagai El Niño menyebabkan peningkatan suhu air laut yang berkelanjutan yang mengakibatkan pemutihan massal 72% karang air dangkal. Meskipun populasi terumbu karang terus pulih dalam beberapa tahun terakhir Maladewa dapat membantu dengan sedikit bantuan. Program regenerasi karang sedang dilaksanakan di banyak resor dan pengunjung dapat berpartisipasi dalam kegiatan seperti lokakarya budidaya terumbu karang yang kami hadiri bersama ahli biologi kelautan yang tinggal di LUX* South Ari Atoll. Kami mulai dengan potongan kecil karang yang kami tempelkan pada bingkai logam yang nantinya akan ditempatkan di pembibitan karang resor dan mudah-mudahan matang seiring waktu.
5. Fishing
Fishing is the main industry behind tourism in the Maldives employing about a third of the country’s workforce. From fishing to packaging and exporting. The nutrient-rich waters mean fish like barracuda and giant cauldrons are frequented. Snapper and grouper are widely caught but tuna is the most common fish. More avid anglers can enjoy the Maldives’ soft line as well as the option of night fishing trips that typically paddle on a dhoni trawl. Fishing is good too. Please note that spear fishing is prohibited.
6. Wildlife
Most of the mammals and reptiles found in the Maldives are aquatic animals. This is not a safari destination! Whales and dolphins are common as are turtles (green scales and leatherback). There are the occasional sea snake and some saltwater crocodiles.
The small size and isolation of the Maldives means its bird life is very limited. Only 5 bird subspecies are known locally in the Maldives including my favorite the white-breasted chirping. The waterfowl is often considered the national bird of the Maldives and is often seen on beaches or in overhanging bushes. They are very cute little birds especially when they have babies on their backs. Like human tourists most of the birds you see are either migrant visitors of homeless species or imported from Europe and there are around 160 to 180 different species!
One of the few other wildlife you will see on your vacation is fruit bats. Flying bats or flying foxes seem to attract attention in the Maldives and are often seen descending from the summit at sunset to drink from the lake or head out to sea in search of food at night.
7. Food
The food is another highlight of the Maldives for me.
Fish has long been an important ingredient in local Maldivian cuisine. With one of the few natural sources of fish in the Maldives it is no surprise that tuna is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in the Maldives. Mousse honey is a mixture of chopped tuna and chili peppers mixed with grated coconut and lime juice served on a thin flatbread called rozi. Jawari is one of the traditional breakfast dishes on the Maldives menu.
We had the opportunity to have breakfast at Sagar Underwater Restaurant in Anantara Kihawa Maldives. The octagonal dining room features large glass sides so that diners can enjoy spectacular views of marine life while dining. It’s hard to focus in the morning when eagle rays and turtles or sharks pass by!
When we attend a cooking class at Lux*Ari Atoll we are free to eat and enjoy all kinds of food where the chef teaches us Maldivian cuisine. Started with hedikar learning how to make traditional samosas then cabbage and coconut salad followed by fish curry (don liha) with fresh coconut milk tuna leek curry ginger cinnamon mango temulawak cumin – delicious.
8. Stargazing
The Maldives sky seems to be the largest in the world. Small islands without light pollution are good places to observe the universe. But no Anantara Kihawa is more prepared than in the Maldives. This purpose-built observatory houses the powerful 16-inch Meade LX200 research-class telescope for close-up observations of the star. Here as you lie in a coiled bed and watch the stars twinkle over the island’s island-dwelling sky guru Shamim teaches you about the constellations before introducing you to the most powerful telescope in the Maldives. Through the viewfinder you can see Saturn’s bright yellow ring of 300,000 stars that make up the Hercules constellation of the Moon’s craters and Omega Centauri the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way. The dazzling natural light reveals a whole new world of wonders.
9. Spas, Hammams, And Relaxation
Located on many resort islands the Maldives resort is a peaceful haven for rejuvenation and relaxation. The luxurious spa facilities offer a variety of signature treatments and a comprehensive range of products for a luxurious pampering experience. Maybe a deep hydrating skin care nourishing body scrub or a detox pack? Indulge in a Balinese or Thai massage in the water treatment rooms at Anantara Kihawa Maldives or LUX* South Ari Atoll or visit a hammam (Middle Eastern version of a steam bath) at Joali Maldives. Whatever treatment experience you choose at the spa will refresh your mind and body and make your holiday in Maldives even more enjoyable.
10. Beaches
If all this activity seems a little overwhelming then don’t worry there are always beautiful beaches nearby. Taking off your shoes and walking on the beaches of the Maldives is fun. The combination of shimmering white sand with swaying coconut trees and turquoise waters make the Maldives one of the most photogenic destinations in the world and a true vacation paradise.
Where To Stay
26 atolls offer complete vacations on 1192 islands and around 154 resort islands Where do you start looking for accommodation?
JOALI Maldives
73 Vila Pantai dan Air JOALI yang bergaya dan elegan di Ra Atoll 100 mil dari ibu kota di Pulau Muravantoo Langit-langit katedral emas mawar dan pintu berukir berukir Layanan kolam renang tanpa batas pribadi dan parkir valet serta fasilitas mewah. Pencahayaan yang canggih menciptakan suasana yang sempurna dan remote control membuka dan menutup tirai dengan cepat. Keputusan paling menantang hari Anda adalah apakah akan mandi di laut asin dan berpasir di pancuran marmer hijau zamrud atau mandi luar ruangan tropis yang diisi dengan ubin bambu hijau bercahaya. Waktu makan menawarkan lebih banyak pilihan dengan empat restoran untuk dipilih dan toko cokelat dan es krim artisan untuk memuaskan selera Anda.
Unobstructed views of the stunning blue waters of the Indian Ocean and white sandy beaches are no more than a drive away. JOALI Maldives is a luxury island at its best.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Located on Kihawa Hurawalhi Island in Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Anantara Kihawa Maldives has the most diverse marine life in the world. Located 78 miles from Male most guests arrive by seaplane to the island with views of the blue island along the way. You can choose from one of the resort’s 80 bungalows and beach villas over the water and choosing one is no easy task. Secluded Beach Villa features stunning luxury bathrooms where guests can enjoy a private pool with water tank shower tower and a short walk to the beach. The overwater bungalows have glass panels on the bathroom floor and stunning sea views under the glass floor bath. Breakfast on the water in the infinity pool is a magical holiday moment. Six restaurants to choose from. The only underwater wine cellar in the archipelago. A dining experience with a carefully selected dining design is an unforgettable experience.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
With 2.5 miles of beaches, 193 villas, and a world-class diving center, Lux* South Ari Atoll is on the island of Dhidhoofinolhu. From bike riding along the jetty, to swimming with whale sharks, dining in one of the resort’s eight restaurants, swimming in one of the two pools, or just hanging out in your bungalow on stilts, there’s a lot to do here. This is a good choice for families as there’s plenty to keep kids and teens busy. There’s a huge choice of water sports for the whole family. With the kids occupied, there’s plenty of chances for parents to sneak off to beach yoga or treatment in the spa.
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