Maldives
The Maldives are an island nation in the Indian Ocean that reaches across the equator. The country is made up of 1192 islands that stretch over 871 kilometers. Despite the country's size of nearly 90,000 square kilometers, just 298 square kilometers of dry land. The islands are connected by a double chain of 26 atolls. The tourist is mesmerized by the country's peculiar geography. Reefs with bands of color, little jewel-like islets bordered in the whitest soft sand and surrounded by the purest shallow seas imaginable.
The Maldives, with a population of little over half a million people, has its own culture and customs. The Maldivian culture, craft, and traditions have been shaped by the island environment and the seas that surround us, despite being heavily influenced by various cultures along the Indian Ocean's rim. The Maldivian language is called Dhivehi. East African, Arabian, and Indian subcontinent influences are evident in the music and dance. Maldivian crafts have a long history; lacquered wooden ornaments, finely woven reed mats, and coral carvings are examples of crafts that have been passed down through generations
The Maldives have excellent international connections. Colombo, Sri Lanka, different Indian cities, and Dubai have the most foreign traffic, and while people from all major European capitals as well as South East Asian cities other travel by scheduled and charter flights. Once you've arrived in the Maldives, you may fly to any of the twelve domestic and international airports served by multiple daily flights. Male' also has scheduled ferry services to most of the atolls. The native currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). In the nation, all major credit cards are accepted.
Major tourist attractions / Things to do
Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve
Perched on top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands towers, 57 levels above ground, a visit to the Skypark's Observation Deck is a must for anyone looking to get the best view of the city's gorgeous skyline. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark offers a taste of the high life with views of Maldives from above. This large wooden decked area is on top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, at the edge of the city’s harbour. Let your guests enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of Maldives from 57 story’s above while sipping cocktails and enjoying live entertainment.
Addu Nature Park
The Maldives atoll chain's southernmost atoll is Addu Atoll. It is made up of five inhabited islands that are divided into six administrative districts. The second largest wetlands area in the Maldives is found at Addu Atoll. In Hithadhoo Island, the Addu Nature Park includes the picturesque Eydhigali Kilhi wetlands and the protected Koattey area. The park has attractive piers that reach out to the lakes, as well as mangroves and scenic cycling pathways through the wetlands' rich flora. It takes around one and a half hours to fly from Velana International Airport to Gan. Velana International Airport has a number of daily flights.
Utheemu Ganduvaru (Utheemu Palace)
The birthplace and house of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, one of the most venerated heroes in Maldivian history, is Utheemu Ganduvaru, which is located in Utheemu on Haa Alifu Atoll, in the northernmost limits of the Maldives.
Muleeaage, The Official Residence Of The President
The President's official residence, Muleeaage, is a must-see on every Male' trip. In the year 2019, Muleeaage celebrated its 100th birthday. Between 1914 and 1919, the Palace that stands today was constructed.
Hukuru Miskiiy
The Hukuru Miskiiy, which was founded in 1658, and the minaret next to the mosque, which was completed in 1675, is the oldest structures in Male' today. Hukuru Miskiiy is of enormous cultural and historical significance to the Maldives, and it stands as a tribute to the skills of Maldivian artisans of the time, as well as being the most recognized place of devotion for decades. The mosque is constructed up of linked coral blocks with exquisite coral decoration. Cut coral columns support the roof, which has a vaulted, ornate ceiling made by skilled carpenters. Traditional Maldivian woodcarving and lacquer work are used to embellish the interiors. In 2008, Hukuru-Miski was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architecture, unparalleled historical heritage and masonry technology that showcases the state-of-the-art building techniques of the time.
Surfing in the Maldives
The Maldives is a small atoll in the center of the Indian Ocean that is completely exposed to southern swells and boasts exceptional surfing conditions on the outer reef. Because of its closeness to several resorts and international airports, North Male Atoll was initially identified for its waves and is thus the most popular and accessible location for surfers. The atoll's diverse surf areas provide some of the country's longest rides because to the continuous waves. Kola on Toulouse, Rohis on Rohifushi Island, Jailbreaks, Honkis, Male Island Point, Sultans and Ninjas on the atoll's eastern tip are only a few of the atoll's well-known surfing locations. Huvadhoo Atoll, located at the southern end of the atoll chain, is home to some of the Maldives' sharpest waves, the majority of which are found on the atoll's southern edge. Some of the most well-known surfing places on the atoll include lighthouses, tiger stripes, shipwrecks, blue bowls, airports, five islands, two routes, love charms, and antiques.
Diving and Snorkeling in Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll has a variety of stunning dives in a variety of places. Because the atoll's reefs were spared the 1998 coral bleaching disaster that ravaged the rest of the nation, you can expect to observe robust coral development anywhere you dive. Because the currents are lower than at most other dive sites in the nation, the atoll is also appropriate for inexperienced divers. Throughout the year, the atoll offers the chance to dive with manta rays.
The British Loyalty wreck, a British military cruiser wrecked by German U-boats during WWII, is one of the most beautiful dives in the atoll. The Shark Point, where you can see grey reef sharks in the 'Shark Hotel,' the Turtle Point,
where you can see Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles on a regular basis, and the Kandu Huraa Region, which has four dive points and is home to a variety of marine life including mantas, nurse sharks, turtles, and rays, are among the other highlights. Because it is shallower and offers a varied assortment of marine animals all year, Gan Inside is great for beginners.
Diving and Snorkeling in North Male ’ Atoll
For the ardent diver, Male' Atoll has a great variety of diverse and well-established diving spots. The atoll's diving spots are among the most popular in the country, as it was the first to begin tourism. The atoll has amazing underwater landscape and marine creatures ranging from colorful reef fish to huge species like manta rays and sharks. North Male' Atoll has some similarities to Ari Atoll, which is known for its pelagics. Manta Point, in the southeast of the atoll, is known for its manta rays, which congregate there to feed during the southwest monsoon, which runs from May to October. The reef is home to a vibrant array of corals as well as a diverse range of marine life. Some of North Male' Atoll's most popular dive spots are Nassimo Thila, with its beautiful caverns and coral formations, HP Reef, with its caves and fissures, and Banana Reef, with its plethora of fish and underwater life.
The Shipyard in Lhaviyani Atoll
Highlight of River Safari: Congo River, Mekong River, Giant Panda Forest, Amazon River Quest and Amazon Flooded Forest River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Maldives’s portfolio of award-winning parks. Nestled between Maldives’s two award-winning wildlife parks – Maldives Zoo and Night Safari – River Safari offers an unforgettable adventure inspired by the world’s most iconic rivers. This $160-million attraction features state-of-the-art exhibit design, Southeast Asia's largest panda exhibit as well as the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Housing one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater fauna, the park features over 6,000 animals including 40 threatened species. And that includes Maldives’s resident giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia. .