An Island with thousand smiles!
The Maldives is well connected with the rest of the world. Several flights from Europe, Middle East and South East Asia operate to Velana International Airport, the main gateway to the Maldives. The highest international traffic is from Colombo, Sri Lanka, various Indian cities and Dubai, while several scheduled and charter flights bring in passengers from all major European capitals, and South East Asian cities.
Once in the Maldives you can travel to any of the twelve domestic and international airports to which several daily flights are operated. Scheduled ferry services also operate from Male’ to most of the atolls. If you are travelling to a resort, your transfer will most likely be prearranged at the time of booking your accommodation. Transfers to resorts around the airport are by speedboat and transfers to resorts and islands further afield are by seaplane.
The Maldives has one of the most delicate environments anywhere on the planet. Coral reefs are the foundation of the islands. They offer protection to the tiny islands as its natural defense system, and the country’s economy depends heavily on the health of its reefs and ecosystems.
Several conservation efforts are underway to protect the valuable marine environment of Maldives. While several marine species and birds are protected by law, protected areas have been designated to ensure the conservation of specific ecosystems and the rich biodiversity of the country. This includes designated nature reserves in islands of various atolls to protect wetlands and mangroves and the protection of marine areas and the designation of biosphere reserves that covers coral reefs, islands, sea grass beds and mangroves.
THRILLING SIDE OF LIFE
The Maldives is 99% water and just one percent land. And as one might expect, the thrills of the Maldives lie on, under or over the surface of the water. Wherever you choose to holiday in the Maldives, there is watersports on offer. But be mindful that some resorts prefer to offer their guests complete tranquility without the sound of motorized engines that propel many a ride on the water. But even those resorts would offer relaxing canoe rides, wind surfing, snorkeling and diving.
If you are serious about the thrill, choose one of the resorts or a guesthouse on an island that offer them all. Bouncy banana rides with friends and family, a solo ride trimming the waves on a jet ski or skimming the lagoon at high speeds on a wakeboard, all of which would offer you that adrenaline rush that you seek to feel rejuvenated and at one with the elements. For the serious water sports enthusiast there is kite surfing, parasailing or just navigating solo around the reefs on a catamaran.
There’s more of course. Dedicate your holiday to test the surf breaks that dot the atolls. Or if you take diving seriously you can plan your dive holiday with a range of dives with night dives and wreck dives that will sate your thirst for the underwater.
FUN SIDE OF LIFE
The Maldives offers a host of facilities and opportunities to fuel your sense of excitement. Whether you are staying on a plush resort, a hotel in Male’, or in a simple guesthouse on an island in an atoll far away, there is a lot you can choose for yourself or for your family.
Entertainment and daily excursions are on the menu wherever you are. Excursions offer an experience for you or your family, to take in more of the Maldives. Sandbanks that dazzle under the midday sun, snorkeling over pristine reefs, and experiencing local island towns is part of half day or full day excursions, what’s more a barbeque on the beach for lunch is often thrown in to get that additional punch to the day’s experience. How about night fishing or dolphin watching, swimming with whale sharks and mantas? On land there is beach volley, tennis, volleyball and badminton. For the kids there are child play areas and fun activities in many of the resorts.
If you stay in a guesthouse on an inhabited island, you will have the chance to meet Maldivians, experience local culture and cuisine, and join in what the islanders do for relaxation, playing football in the late afternoon, lounging on one of the joalis near the beach or relaxing over a hot black tea and eating “short eats” in a seaside café.
COLORFUL SIDE OF LIFE
The Maldives is blessed with about 5% of the global reef area, and 250 species of coral teeming with over 1000 species of fish. Nearly half those who visit the Maldives snorkel or dive and to experience the colorful world beneath the surface. While some dedicate their holiday entirely to experience the magic underwater, others take a more leisurely approach. A dive center is an essential component of any resort and there are more than one dive centers in most of the guesthouse islands. Liveaboards carry their own dive gear if the tour is dedicated to diving and all liveaboards without exception would carry a collection of snorkeling equipment.
For a leisurely snorkel you can just wade from the beach to the reef on most islands. Resorts and guesthouses also organize their very own snorkeling excursions. If you intend to dive, just visit the dive school on the island as soon as you arrive. The dive guides would work out a schedule for you to suit your requirement. Dive schools offer dive courses leading to certification from beginner level to advanced and dive courses are conducted in many languages.
SPIRITUAL SIDE OF LIFE
In the Maldives, a spa is, let’s say, more than just a spa. It’s an experience, a journey that will touch your soul. A journey that you can indulge yourself in, and an opportunity to splurge on your mind, body and soul.
Resort spas not only match the luxurious environs and the classy touches of their cozy bungalows and sexy villas. Spas in Maldives are an experience in themselves. Sprawling garden spas, with massage rooms merged into their lush tropical surroundings, or one built on stilts over the crystalline waters of the lagoon, it’s for you to choose. Immerse yourself in meditation. Just you and the boundless blue horizon, where the endless sea merges into the sky, with not a speck that distract you from your mind.
If total indulgence is not your cup of tea, just a get a good relaxing massage after a day of fun, sun and activity. Choose any massage that you desire and give yourself in to the calming ambience and the competent hands of the highly skilled masseurs. Every spa offers a world of secure serenity where exotic therapies defy the imagination.
ROMANTIC SIDE OF LIFE
Tread the soft white sands of the beach as you walk hand in hand, letting the gentle waves lap your feet. Feel the breeze on your face and immerse in the music made by the rustle of the palms. You leave footsteps behind, as you color the dreams of your life ahead. There is no better place for romance, where all the ingredients for love come together in perfect harmony, where you commit or recommit to each other to love and to cherish for the rest of your lives.
No matter where you stay in the Maldives, there’s a sense of romance that you cannot evade. Love is in the air, wherever you are. No wonder the Maldives is one of the most desired honeymoon destinations for couples ready to tie the knot, across the world. A resort that’s dedicated to romance, a bungalow nestled in the lush vegetation, a villa over water looking out on the horizon, a wedding on the beach, a renewal of vows, it’s yours to choose. Whatever you choose, you will carry with you, boundless memories for the rest of your journey together.
