Travel Guide to Maldives
About Maldives
The much coveted vacation destination, the Maldives, refers to a collection of 1,192 stunningly beautiful coral islands that lie in the Indian Ocean. These gorgeous islands, all feature powder white sand beaches ringed by azure waters and live coral reefs and are grouped in 26 atolls (clusters of islands and reefs). Of these 26 atolls, 10 are open to tourism and host approximately 90 island resorts between them.
The Republic of the Maldives is home to about 400,000 people who inhabit nearly 200 islands. The islanders are believed to have descended from various ethnic groups, which originated from the neighboring countries; Sri Lanka and India. The islanders are staunch Muslims who speak a language known as Dhivehi. The traditional industry of the Maldives has historically been fishing, though in recent years tourism has become a major revenue earner for this Islamic nation.
The many island resorts of the Maldives, which offer a wide array of luxuries and a plethora of water-based activities, are immensely popular with tourists of all ages, who head to these beautiful isles for holidays that feature much rest and relaxation coupled with unmatched diving and snorkeling experiences.
Best time to visit the Maldives
The Maldives has a humid year round tropical climate that is characterized by high temperatures. The weather over the Maldives is fairly constant and doesn’t change much. Average daily temperatures in the Maldives range from 25°C (78°F) to 30°C (87°F). The islands also experience a wet season that extends between May and October, though temperatures don’t really dip during the monsoon season.
The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season which typically extends from December to April. This period is generally regarded as the peak tourist season in the Maldives and hence accommodation at the various resorts is usually pricier during this time. If you are a water sports enthusiast, you may also want to keep in mind that the best months for diving in the Maldives are November and April. The best periods for surfing are between March and May and then again from September to November.
Getting to and around the Maldives
The Maldivian islands are accessed by flying into the country’s main airport, the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, which is located on an island of its own. The airport is located 2km from the Maldivian capital city, Malé. Local speed boats known as Dhonis provide transport connections to Malé from the airport.
However most tourists don’t need to go into Malé and they are usually transported to their chosen island resorts by seaplane or speedboat. These transfers are usually arranged for before visitors arrive in the Maldives. Most of Maldivian resorts are located on their own individual islands and no ferry service exists between these islands, though seaplanes and speedboats provide daily connections between these various resorts and the Maldives airport on Hulhule Island.
Visas
No visas are required to gain entry in to the Maldives. Citizens of all nations receive a visa on arrival in the Maldives, provided they can satisfy the following conditions: -
1. The applicant should have a valid passport.
2. The applicant should hold a valid return ticket or a valid ticket for an onward journey after visiting the Maldives.
3. The applicant should have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of his/her stay in the Maldives (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or the applicant should be in possession of a confirmed reservation in a resort or hotel.
The Maldivian visa on arrival usually allows a visitor entry into the Maldives for a period of thirty days. However the period of entry allowed also depends on the discretion of the immigration officer. Additional details of the Maldives visa can be found at:-
http://www.immigration.gov.mv/index.php/entry-to-maldives.html
Family friendly resorts in the Maldives
The Maldivian islands host a wide variety of resorts. Unfortunately most of the Maldives resorts are quite pricey and are priced from $500 upwards per night. The more reasonably priced hotels are largely located on the island that hosts the capital city of Malé. These hotels, though perfectly acceptable, don’t provide the complete island resort experience that visitors seek when they plan a holiday to the Maldives.
Most of the island resorts in the Maldives are family-friendly and offer a wide array of activities suitable for all ages. These resorts are additionally equipped with kids clubs and organized activities to keep children occupied, while their parents relax and recharge their batteries.
Recommended family-friendly resorts in the Maldives
The Anantara Dhigu Resort and Spa Maldives
The Anantara Dhigu Resort and Spa is an all-villa boutique resort located in South Malé Atoll. The resort extends over five acres and offers various accommodation options like beachfront villas, over-water suites and pool suites. The hotel is equipped with the Dhoni KIDZ club that offers various recreational activities for kids aged three to 11. The hotel also offers a babysitting service, which is charged by the hour. Other facilities at the hotel include water-based recreational activities like diving, fishing, parasailing at its well-equipped Aquafanatics Watersports Center.
The Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort and Spa
The stunning Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort and Spa extends over 52 acres of powder-white sand in Noonu Atoll, north of Malé. The resort is accessed via a 45-minute seaplane ride and offers well-appointed water and beach villas as well as suites, which are each equipped with their own private pool. This family-friendly resort offers a child care center which organizes children’s activities for all ages. Other amenities include babysitting services, children’s menus at the hotel’s many eateries and children’s video rental. The hotel offers cribs and high chairs on request.
The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
The luxurious Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is located within close proximity to the Maldives International Airport and the capital Malé. This high-end resort, which has been designed as a typical Maldivian village, is consistently ranked amongst the ‘best’ resorts in the Maldives. The hotel is considered to be especially child-friendly and is equipped with a children’s pool and a children’s club, the Kuda Mas Club that organizes a wide range of activities for children of all ages.
Family Friendly attractions in the Maldives
The Maldives is essentially a beachside paradise which is not really known for its sights. However if you want a respite from beachfront activities, you can always head to the city of Malé and take in the few cultural sights that the Maldivian capital has to offer.
The Grand Friday Mosque
Malé’s Grand Friday Mosque, which is also known as the Masjid-al Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu-al-A’z’am, is Malé’s most prominent attraction. The Grand Friday Mosque is the biggest mosque in the Maldives and features typical accents of Islamic architecture, like a gold dome and a slender minaret. The mosque also hosts an Islamic center and has a main hall that can accommodate 5,000 worshippers at a time.
Mulee Aage Palace
The Mulee-aage Palace (the Presidential Palace) is located across from the Grand Mosque. Former ruler of the Maldives, Sultan Shamsuddeen III, built the palace for his son in 1906. The palace was taken over by the government in 1936 and today the imposing structure serves as the official residence of the President of the Maldives. The palace cannot be accessed by the public.
The National Museum
The National Museum which was once housed in a quaint colonial building in Sultan Park has now moved to a new building located close by. This new building was gifted to the Maldives by the Chinese in 2010. The museum’s permanent collection offers displays of interesting artifacts, like a hand-written miniature Koran, royal antiquities, traditional costumes, Buddhist relics and more.
Family-friendly activities in the Maldives
Most Maldivian holidays center on water-based activities. The many resorts of this island paradise offer a wealth of water sport activities that cater to all ages.
Take a fishing expedition
Most resorts in the Maldives offer facilities for deep-sea fishing. However, in the Maldives night fishing is quite common and offers visitors a chance to relax under the clear night skies as they await a catch.
Try parasailing
Many of the larger resorts in the Maldives offer parasailing opportunities for their guests. Parasailing is a great way to explore the gorgeous vistas of the Maldivian islands.
Go scuba diving and snorkeling
The azure waters of the Maldives teem with exotic marine life and live coral reefs. Many of the resorts operate their own dive schools and offer PADI courses for all levels of experience. The resorts also organize dive safaris for their guests and offer diving and snorkeling equipment for hire. Some of the best dive spots in the Maldives are the Kuda Rah Thila (Broken Rock), the Victory Wreck and Banana Reef.
http://www.watersportsmaldives.com/
Go shopping at the local Maldivian markets
Malé is home to many colorful markets and bazaars, which are worth exploring on any Maldives vacation. The Majeedhee Magu market is the main market of Malé, which is located along the city’s main street. This market hosts numerous vendors who sell a wide variety of wares, like cosmetics, perfumes, electronics, apparel, jewelry and more. The stores at this market stay open until 11pm daily, though they do shut during prayer times for 15 minutes or so. Yet another interesting Malé market worth perusing is the Singapore Bazaar on Chaandhanee Magu. The market is considered to be the main destination for souvenir shopping in the Maldives and features stalls that sell the local handicrafts of the Maldives, like coconut shell products, woven mats, wood carvings and lacquerware.
Useful contacts to have on hand for a Maldives Holiday
Emergency numbers for the Maldives: – Police- 119; Ambulance -102
The Maldives Tourist Office: +960 323 228
MALDIVES MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS CORPORATION
4th Floor, Velaanaage, Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé, Republic of Maldives
Tel: +(960) 332 3228 Fax: +(960) 332 3229
E-mail: mmprc@visitmaldives.com
Website: www.visitmaldives.com
Foreign Embassies in Maldives
American Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka (covers the Maldives): +94 11 249 8500.
British High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (covers the Maldives): +94 11 539 0639.
Canadian High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (also responsible for Maldives): +94 11 522 6232.
Australian High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (covers the Maldives): +94 11 246 3200.
South African High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (covers the Maldives): +94 11 268 9926.
Mission of Ireland to the UN, New York, United States (covers the Maldives): +1 (212) 421 6934.
New Zealand Consulate, Singapore (covers the Maldives): +65 6235 9966.
