Maldives Island
The Maldives,
a tropical paradise of pristine beaches, are an archipelago of more than 1,000 coral
islands grouped into 26 coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. They lie south-southwest of India
and are considered part of Southern Asia. The capital and largest city
of the Maldives is Malé.
Tourism is the largest economic industry in the
Maldives. A tourist resort in the Maldives consists of an exclusive hotel on
its own island, with its population entirely based on tourists and work force,
with no local people or houses. These islands developed for tourism are
approximately 800 by 200 metres in size and are composed of sand and coral to a
maximum height of about 2 metres above the sea. In addition to its beach
encircling the island, each island has its own "house reef" which
serves as a coral garden and natural aquarium for scuba divers and snorkelers.
The shallow water enclosed by the house reef also serves as a large natural
swimming pool and protects swimmers from the ocean waves and strong tidal
currents outside the house reef.
The Maldives
is renowned for its incredible diving opportunities. The crystal clear water
and shallow lagoons are perfect for snorkelling, while the reef walls offer a
kaleidoscope of sea life for more experienced divers. The Maldives have an
amazing diversity of sea life, with corals and over 2000 species of fish,
ranging from reef fish and reef sharks to moray eels, rays and whale sharks.
The island's many sheltered lagoons also provide the perfect destination to
enjoy an adventure-filled family holiday or romantic getaway for two.
The tropical
climate is influenced by monsoons, although bright sunny weather with a light
sea breeze can be expected most days. The locals speak Dhivehi, with
English widely spoken in areas frequented by tourists. The
local culture features a lively mix of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab
influences that is reflected in the traditional music, cuisine and art of the
island. The monetary unit is the Maldivian Ruffiyaa (MVR), while
international credit cards are widely accepted by resorts.
Most tourists
will land in the capital, Male, and will be transferred to their hotel either
by seaplane or boat. These two means of transport are widely used for most
trips between islands. Direct Flights to/from Maldives
There are frequent direct flights to Male from most international destinations including India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe.
There are frequent direct flights to Male from most international destinations including India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe.
This one may come as shock, but every resort is on its own island. This basically means that any fantasy you've had about whisking yourself off to a remote island in the middle of nowhere can pretty much come true if you visit the Maldives. This also means that most of the islands are extremely small, so you'll be around the same people all the time, and unless you take a day trip, you're on the same small square of sand for the entirety of your vacation. There are no malls, movie theaters, or food, drink, and entertainment options outside of your resort, so be sure to research your digs well.
Guests staying at Dusit Thani Maldives in the Baa Atoll are in for a real treat. During certain times of the year, this resort's beach comes alive with light -- at night -- giving off a starry sky look in the dark waves. While some other resorts claim the presence of bioluminescent plankton, we know without a doubt that you can catch a glimpse here. It's an unforgettable experience, but be sure to check on the timing of this spectacle with the hotel if you're booking specifically to witness the lights.
