Wish you could exchange your wedding vows amidst a rich coral island? Dreaming of a romantic honeymoon atop an atoll that promises memories that you will cherish a lifetime? Looking for a perfect family beach holiday destination? Maldives has it all.
Holidays at a Maldives resort promises you clear blue skies, turquoise clear waters perfect for scuba diving, amazing water sports, sunbathing and snorkeling, vast white sandy beaches ideal for walkers. Laze away leisurely in an oasis of peace and tranquility far away from the rigmaroles of life on Maldives Island.
Maldives Island
Divedhi Raajjeyge Jumburiya (Republic of Maldives) is the official name of Maldives and the capital city is Male. Part of Asia, Sri Lanka and India are its closest neighbors. Maldives is uniquely beautiful for its picturesque scenic beauty, sans hills, mountains or rivers, - just sun, sand and sea.
Maldives in the middle of the Indian Ocean is distinctively unique, for it is the world’s flattest country. The Guinness Book of Records states that Maldives is the only country with no natural land higher than 2.4 m (7.9ft) above sea level. The climate is warm year around with two monsoon seasons. There are 1190 coral islands stretched over 90,000 square kilometers, of which only 202 are inhabited.
74 islands have been set aside exclusively for Maldives tourist resort development. Of the 90,000 square kilometers, only 1% is land and the rest is occupied by the vast the Indian Ocean. The islands are grouped into 26 atolls. The word atoll has been derived from the Maldivian language, Dhivehi. It is ‘atholhu’ meaning Maldives hotels.
Maldives holiday
Tourists from around the world throng Maldives all through the year. Scheduled air services are available with Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar (via Doha), Air Sri Lanka (via Columbo) and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore). A 30 hours air travel from America, a 13 hours air travel from UK, lands tourists at the Male International Airport on Hulule Islands, 2 kms east of Male. The airport is equipped with all facilities required for tourists. There is a bank, bureau de change, pharmacy, duty free shops, a free shower room, restaurant and post office.
After confirming that you have all valid documents, an entry permit, a 30-day tourist visa will be granted at designated ports of entry. It is mandatory for all visitors to be in possession of a return air-ticket and a minimum of US $25 per each intended day of stay in Maldives. It is either by boat or seaplane, that you can reach the Maldives resort. In the absence of car rental facility at the airport, tourists usually avail the 24-hour boat services to enter the city of Male or to any of the 70 odd self-contained resort islands.
Maldives Resorts
Maldives has many self-contained paradise resorts. Each resort occupies a single island.Due steps have been taken to limit the number of guest bungalows per resort to ensure no overcrowding. Ranging from affordable to luxury, travel packages with resort reservations are well publicized through the Internet. Maldives resorts are packed to capacity during the peak season, November to April. The costs for accommodation are comparatively lower during the period of May to October. Special packages for honeymooners during low season are available.
You can either choose a water bungalow, a thatched roof cottage for two on stilts, tree houses sprouting from a lagoon or the usual hotel accommodation. None of the 70 odd resorts have entertaining programs or sight seeing itinerary. For those who are passionate about a hectic nightlife while holidaying, Maldives may prove to be a disappointment. There is absolutely no nightlife beyond karaoke carousing.
Each resort is a paradise of its own, stunning getaways offering privacy, solitude amidst the palm fringed islands, sparkling white beaches and turquoise lagoons. Exploring the abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna and the coral reefs is an experience of its own. Maldives is an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling. Tourists never miss to take a trip to the fishing village to experience the Maldivian way of life. Most resorts arrange for excursion to uninhabited islands, fishing trips by dawn and dusk and sailing safaris. Dolphins in Maldives are never shy of its visitors. It is quite usual to see schools of dolphins play around your boat.
Kurumba Maldives: Oldest resort, closest to airport
Full Moon: A resort with an avenue of over-water bungalows.
Soneva Gili: A resort with tree houses sprouting from a lagoon.
Banyan Tree: Conical thatched villas on the beach.
Angsana Resort and Spa: Snorkeling right at your doorstep
Four Seasons Resort Maldives: Boasts of a garden island setting
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru: Thatch-roof villas and water villas
One and Only Kanuhura: For driving golf balls into the sea (biodegradable fish food)
Baros: Set in a lush atmosphere with stylish water bungalows and garden villas.