Resorts in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of 'the last paradise on earth', and if your idea of paradise is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees, pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons, then the Maldives will not disappoint. It's also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous coral reefs and the wealth of marine life. But it's not a place for low budget backpackers or amateur anthropologists who want to travel independently and live as the locals do.
Tourism in the Maldives is carefully managed. The country's tourism master plan identifies both the underwater environment and 'the Robinson Crusoe factor' as major attractions, but these are not seen as compatible with large-scale, low budget, mass tourism. The lack of local resources makes it necessary to import virtually everything a visitor needs, from furniture to fresh vegetables, so the Maldives cannot really compete on price. The strategy has been to develop a limited number of quality resorts, each on its own uninhabited island, free from traffic, crime and crass commercialism.
The Maldivian tourism strategy also aims to minimise the adverse effects of tourism on traditional Muslim communities. Tourists can make short guided visits to local fishing villages, but must then return to their resort. Most are satisfied with this glimpse of local life and culture, but to stay longer or to travel to atolls outside the tourist zone requires a good reason, a special permit, and a local person to sponsor the visitor. Most tourists come to understand the restrictions after a short visit to an accessible island - it is difficult to imagine how isolated Maldivian communities would benefit from extended stays by an uncontrolled number of tourists.
Like it or not, this highly regulated tourist industry has been enormously successful - there are more and better resorts, a steady increase in visitor numbers, and a minimal impact on the natural and social environment. The Maldives is internationally recognised as a model for sustainable, environment-friendly tourist development.
Beach & Sea
The house reefs around the islands bring about a very calm sea ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Due to the corals, bathing shoes are recommended. You do not have to be a diver to enjoy the many wonders of the tropical sea, while snorkeling you can also experience the underwater world. If you do not take along masks, snorkels, and flippers, they can be rented on the islands for about US $ 7.00 per day.
Nudism and topless
Not permitted on the Maldives and offenders will be fined, the same goes for harpooning fish and destroying corals.
Climate
Due to its proximity to the equator the Maldives experience an average humidity of about 80 percent during the whole year and practically the same air (29° C.) and water (28° C.) temperatures. The Southwest monsoon from May to November brings relatively wet air masses, where as the Northeast monsoon from December till April bestows dry weather to the Maldives.
Currency
The local currency is the Mal. Ruffian. As per law the prices in all tourist resorts and hotels have to be quoted in US dollars and paid by foreign visitors in foreign currency. All major credit cards are accepted at major hotels and resorts, however most of the resorts will add a surcharge up to 6 percent for payments with credit cards. Exchange rate: 1 US $ = ca. 11 RF.
Electricity
The Maldives uses 220-240 volts, alternating current. The outlets are tree-pronged. All the resorts have their own generator(s). Embarkation Tax Upon departure at the airport an embarkation tax of US $ 10.00 per person will be levied.
Entertainment
For people who are looking for entertainment and nightlife the Maldives are not the ideal destination to spend their holidays. In the evening after dinner one spends an hour or so cosily at the resort bar or sits on the beach under the sparkling stars.
Excursions
Excursions are regularly organised to the neighbouring islands and also to Male. Very popular is the night fishing followed by a barbecue on the beach.
Import Restrictions
Please note that the importation of products from pork meet, alcohol, pornographic material, weapons, narcotics, and objects of a religious character are prohibited. The Maldives have a very severe narcotic law.
Language
The local language is called Dhivehi. On all the resort islands English is spoken.
Sports
On all the islands in our Programme there are dive bases operating on their own. The instructors are mostly Germans or Swiss with a wide experience of diving. On offer are courses for beginners, advanced divers as well as excursions for experienced scuba divers. The minimum age at all the dive bases is 14 years. The prices include complete diving equipment. On the resort islands wind surfing boards and sailing boats can also be rented and occasionally also instructors are available.
Visa Regulations & Vaccination
As a rule visitors to the Maldives do not need an entry visa for a stay of up to four weeks, however the passport has to be valid for a least six months exceeding the date of leaving the Maldives. A vaccination certificate is only required for visitors arriving from cholera, yellow fever or malaria infested countries.
What to wear
T-shirts, light cotton dresses of the drip-try, wash-and-wear variety, shorts, lightweight suits are the most comfortable year round attire. In addition swimming gear and a light pullover. Sun glasses and a wide brimmed beach hat as well as enough sun cream with a high protection factor should not be missing in your luggage.
Getting There
There are regular flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Thrivandrum (south-west India), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), as well as many charter flights from European centres. Malé International Airport is the only international gateway; departure tax is $US10. There are regular cargo ships, but they don't usually take passengers. The Maldives is not popular with private yachts because the reefs are so hazardous and cruising permits are restrictive and expensive.
Getting Around
Tourism is strictly regulated, and independent travel is discouraged because it is seen as disruptive to traditional island communities. Those wanting to see the Maldivian way of life can stay in Malé, the intriguing capital city, and make daytime visits to island communities close to tourist resorts. It's not impossible to visit the outer islands, but it's difficult enough to deter all but the most dedicated and determined. An Inter Atoll Travel Permit is required to visit islands outside the tourist zone, and the Ministry of Atolls Administration will only issue them to those whose visit is sponsored by a resident of the island concerned.
Air Maldives, the small national airline, has regular and very scenic flights to the four air strips in the outer atolls. Helicopters and seaplanes are used to transfer guests to some of the remoter resorts. The main form of local transport is the dhoni, a traditional all-purpose vessel now usually powered by a diesel engine. Larger boats called vedis are used for longer trips to outer atolls. Safari cruises in modified, live-aboard dhonis are increasingly popular, especially with dive groups who want to reach more remote sites. Most safari trips cruise around the tourist zone, but it is possible to arrange longer trips to the outer atolls - the operator will have to obtain the necessary permits. Most islands are so small that transport is not a problem, but there are taxis, motorcycles and bicycles in the capital.
Places to visit
Maldives is a fabulous holiday destination, with acres of white sandy beaches, fringed by swaying coconut palms and lapped by the frothy waves of the sparkling blue Indian Ocean. There are many popular tourist destinations in Maldives, which are visited by tourists around the year.
Some of the tourist destinations in Maldives are:
Male
The capital of Maldives is a small island around 1 Km long and 2 Km wide. A busy city with over 65,000 people, Male has a laidback charm with quaint mosques and narrow winding streets. Tourists can also enjoy shopping in the busy markets in Male, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maldives.
Hukuru Miskiy
The Grand Friday Mosque was constructed in 1656, by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, He also constructed a minaret or mannaaru before the mosque, from where the muezzin could call the faithful to attend their prayers. This was the chief mosque of the Maldives till the mid 1980's. The Hukuru Miskiy is made of blocks of coral carved with exquisite filigree designs. The entrance to the mosque is through heavy wooden doors, which lead to the inner sanctum where wooden panels inscribed with Arabic prayers are displayed. Outside the mosque is a cemetery, where more coral carving can be seen in the headstones on each grave. In 1984 an Islamic Center and Grand Friday Mosque became the primary mosque in Maldives. Hukuru Miskiy continues to be a functional mosque as well as a must-visit tourist destination in Maldives.
Seenu Atoll
Previously an air force base, Seenu Atoll is known as the 'Second City' of the Maldives. You can tour the villages of the Addu people and see their traditional lifestyle, when you tour the picturesque Seenu Atoll in Maldives.
Baa Atoll
This coral reef is popular among tourists for its traditional handicrafts. The cotton sarongs called felis, with their colorful prints and soft feel are a must buy on your trip to the Maldives. Another specialty of the master craftsmen of Baa Atoll is their polished lacquer ware. The bowls, vases and dishes are a lovely souvenir of your tour to the Maldives.
Fuamulaku
Fuamulaku is famous throughout the Maldives for its abundant fruit and vegetable farms. You can savor the delicious locally grown pineapples, mangoes and oranges on the tropical island of Fuamulaku your tour to the Maldives.
Kudahuvadhoo
Kudahuvadhoo Island is located in South Nilandhoo Atoll. It is famous for its hawittas, which are a series of unexplained mounds, possibly the remains of Buddhist temples. However it is not certain what these mounds once were. There is a also an ancient mosque made of masonry and carved stone.
Beaches of Maldives
Maldives has many beautiful beaches. Almost every island in Maldives has venues for swimming, snorkeling and catamaran rides. You can also enjoy scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, night fishing and sport fishing on tours to Maldives. Sea and Sun Maldives offers tours to Tourist Destinations in Maldives. For more information or to book a tour, please enter your query in the form below.
Where to stay
Things to do
Not only do you discover aspects of the planet denied to most people, but you make a lot of good friends as well!
The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. The highest level of visibility that one could expect- sometimes exceeding 50 metres - and warm temperatures throughout the year makes diving in the Maldives a delight you would want to experience over and over again. The Maldives has some of the best dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving.All resorts in the Maldives have professional dive schools with multi-lingual instructors and conduct courses for beginners as well as the advanced. Many of the resorts have excellent house reefs. Just a short swim from the beach and snorkellers too can experience the same pleasures from the surface.
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