Maldives
Unrivaled luxury, stunning white sandy beaches and an amazing underwater world make The Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.
Unbelievable Beaches
The Maldives is home to perhaps the best beaches in the world; they’re on almost every one of the country’s nearly 1200 islands and are so consistently perfect that it’s hard not to be mesmerised by them. While some beaches may boast softer granules than others, the basic fact remains: you won’t find consistently whiter-than-white powder sand and luminous cyan-blue water like this anywhere else on earth. This fact alone is enough to bring well over a million people a year to this tiny, remote Indian Ocean paradise.
Resorts for Everyone
Every resort in Maldives is its own private island, and with over 100 to choose from the only problem is selecting where you want to stay. At the top end, the world’s most exclusive hotel brands compete with each other to attain ever-greater heights of luxury, from personal butlers and private lap pools to in-room massages and pillow menus. It’s not surprising that honeymooners and those seeking a glamorous tropical getaway have long had the country at the very top of their wish lists. But there’s also plenty of choice beyond the five- and six-star resorts.
Independent Travel
The Maldives has undergone seismic change in the past 10 years since inhabited islands have been opened to tourism and locals permitted to build their own guesthouses. Travelers no longer have to stay in resorts and remain separate from the local population, something that kept backpackers away for decades. Island-hopping by public ferry, speedboat and domestic flights has opened up this incredible country to visitors on almost all budgets. A number of islands in Male and Ari atolls are now big centres for a booming guesthouse industry, with dozens of options on each.
Underwater World
With some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world, the clear waters of Maldives are a magnet for anyone with an interest in marine life. The richness and variety are astonishing; dazzling coral walls, magnificent caves, and schools of brightly coloured tropical fish await you when you get down to the reef. In deeper waters lurk manta rays, turtles, sharks, and even the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. The water is comfortingly warm that you won’t even need a wetsuit.
Know Before You Go
Read the basic info and also some facts about Maldives! Here you will find everything you should know.
Top Highlights in United Arab Emirates
Male
The Maldivian capital is definitely the best place to get to know locals and see what makes them tick. The brightly painted houses, crowded markets, and convivial teashops where you can chat to regulars and share plates of delicious ‘short eats’ are just some of the highlights of this unusual capital city – and they perfectly complement the resort experience. Don’t forget the national museum which perfectly encapsulates the nation’s history.
Diving with the Hammers
Hammerhead sharks, a sight to behold, can be observed in abundance in Maldivian waters – if you know where to look for them. There are few more thrilling experiences than a dawn dive, descending free fall into the deep blue to 30m and coming upon a huge school of hungry hammerhead sharks waiting to be fed. The best place to do this is at the world-famous
Taking a Seaplane
There are few destinations where the mode of transport by which you arrive could be called a highlight, but that’s because there are few places in the world where you need seaplanes to reach your hotel. These zippy Twin Otters function like taxis in a country with no roads, and taking off from the water is an unforgettable experience, as is observing the spectacular coral atolls, blue lagoons, and tiny desert islands from above.
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