The Maldives Travel Guide: 4 Things You Should Know

Maldives Travel Guide

Maldives Travel Guide

The Maldives is one of the dream destinations of most travelers around the world. Who would not want to see this picture of paradise? It offers luxury bungalows that extend over turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and pure luxury.

Those who went to this lovely place claim that it looks exactly like those images floating on your screen – transparent blue lagoons, low waters with baby rays and reef sharks, bright sun, white sand beaches, and house reefs teeming with different kinds of fish. But aside from this, there are several things that you may not know about this place.

Before booking your room at one of the best resorts in Maldives, you need to know these facts! A short Maldives travel guide follows bellow.

Maldives Travel

1. The Maldives is Made up of Over a Thousand Small Islands

The Maldives is made up of more than 1,190 coral islands in its 26 prime atolls. These islands are peppered across the Indian Ocean. Some are too small that you need to zoom in on them on Google map before you can see them.

Out of these small islands, only about 200 are inhabited. These include those with permanent populations living in fishing villages and farming towns. The uninhabited islands are used as picnic islands or for farmland. Indeed, a picnic in one of these islands is as remarkable and unique as having a picnic in the desert with your loved ones.

But did you know that some of these islands are man-made? Huhulmale, for instance, is an island created by dumping loads of concrete and sand in 2004. And this is the closest island to the main airport. It looks like a developed town with shops, coastline, housing, and paved roads.

While other islands are being created by man, other islands are disappearing. In fact, more than 100 islands have disappeared already because of the natural erosion from the rising water levels. Up to now, beach erosion is a huge problem for the remaining islands. Thus, you can see sea walls built around some islands to help pump sand back onto land.

Maldives - Manta Rays

2. Expect to See Large Marine Life

The Maldives offers some of the best marine life viewing experiences, both below and above the water. You have a big chance to see pods of dolphin around the South Ari Atoll. In the North Male Atoll, you can see plenty of manta rays. In fact, you can see them from the air as your seaplane moves slowly past the Manta Point.

If you want to see Hammerhead sharks, the Rasdhoo Atoll is the only place in the world where you get to see them up close.

3. Fun Things to Do

There is no end to the fun and marvelous things you can do in the Maldives. Here are some of them:

Diving and snorkeling in the Maldives

●       Diving and Snorkeling

There is no doubt that the Maldives is one of the world’s premier scuba diving destinations because of its crystal clear blue waters that offer incredible visibility. If you are not a certified diver, there are several dive centers where you can take a discovery dive. A close encounter with whale sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and other fishes will certainly be one of your unforgettable experiences here.

If diving is not your thing, a great option for you is snorkeling. By spending about two hours in the water, you can see more than just sea turtles.

Sunset surfing in the Maldives

●       Surfing

The Maldives is also a first-class surfing destination. The country attracts surfers around the worlds to also try windsurfing, which is a water sport that combines the elements of sailing and surfing. If you are not a pro, don’t worry because you can take surfing lessons here.

Paddleboarding in the Maldives - Maldives Travel Guide

●       Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a good alternative to surfing. The Maldives is the best place to do this type of water sport because most islands are surrounded by calm waters. While paddling, you will also see fish swimming just below your boards.

●       Underwater Dining

The Maldives is also known for its underwater restaurants that serve exquisite seafood dishes. It is also the home of the world’s first underwater wine cellar.

Other things you can do on this island include canoeing, mono-skiing, knee boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, speed boat charter and banana boat rides, and tubing.

A visit to the Maldives means more than just relaxing under the sun, sipping cocktails, and watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Once you arrive at the islands, you’ll discover that there are plenty of things you can do. But to ensure a remarkable adventure, be aware of these facts and make sure to follow the country’s laws.

AUTHOR BIO

Thomas Grundner the author of the “Maldives Travel Guide” is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for JA Resorts & Hotels. He has more than 20 years of expertise in the hospitality and leisure industry – across international markets including Germany, Egypt and Spain. Grundner oversees all sales, marketing and revenue efforts as the company continues to build on its key growth and development strategies and further cultivates its unique blend of “Heartfelt Hospitality” and “Casual Luxury.”