Travel to the Maldives – the greatest attractions of the paradise islands

Maldives – one of 11 countries in the world that has never recorded a negative temperature – is a dream destination for those who value peace, luxury and paradise landscapes. This island country is located in the Indian Ocean, closest to the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka. Thanks to this, a trip to the Maldives can be easily combined with exploring Sri Lankan, and we in Planet Escape We simply love such combinations!

Trip - Sri Lanka and Maldives

Trip – Sri Lanka and Maldives | Waikkal, Sigirya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Tangalla, Maldives
Pristine beaches, green palms, the best aromatic curry in the world, azure water in the Maldives and sand like milky white flour. It will turn out that the vacation of your dreams is becoming a fact!

The archipelago consists of about 1200 islands located on 26 atolls, which are divided into the Northern Atolls, Central Atolls and Southern Atolls. Atolls are flat coral islands that grow on volcanic rocks - they do not have a stable base, hence they are at risk of being flooded by ocean waters. Currently, the highest elevation in the Maldives is no more than 2,5 meters, and out of thousands of islands and islets, only 300 are inhabited. Exclusive hotels and resorts have been built on several dozen of them. The Maldives are famous for their white beaches, turquoise water and great conditions for water sports and diving. What are the biggest attractions of the paradise islands? What can you do in the Maldives?

When to go to the Maldives?

As soon as possible! Information about the imminent sinking of paradise atolls appears regularly in the media. Is this a marketing ploy or is there really something to it? The fact is that the vast majority, up to 80% of Maldivian atolls, are less than a meter above the ocean surface. Global climate change, rising ocean levels, strong winds and heavy rains threaten the island nation, but this does not mean that the Maldives will sink overnight. It is estimated that the catastrophe may occur around the year 2100. Nevertheless, it is worth thinking about traveling to the Maldives a little earlier and at the same time supporting the local economy and funds for the protection of the country's coastline.

Relaxation in paradise conditions - this is the Maldives in a nutshell!

When is the best time to plan a trip? The Maldives are tropical islands in the full sense of the word. There are two distinct seasons: dry (December to March) and rainy (May to November). During the dry season, there is a pleasant temperature of 26-29°C and average humidity. Such conditions are appreciated by Europeans, who are not used to a tropical climate - during this period, most tourists from Europe and eastern North America decide to travel to the Maldives. The rainy season is characterized by temperatures above 30°C, heavy rainfall and storms. However, this does not mean that it rains every day for several months, but the weather fluctuates and it is more difficult to go on a spontaneous trip - you have to hunt for a weather window. April, on the other hand, is a transitional month, during which you can expect high temperatures and sporadic rainfall. The best time to travel to the Maldives is during the dry season and April. If you are afraid of crowds, it is worth booking a stay on a less popular atoll and planning your visit to the main tourist attractions on weekdays. The rainy season does not exclude traveling, but it is better not to expect perfect weather and prepare for real heat. Regardless of the season, the water in the Maldives is always turquoise and warm!

Male – the only city on the Maldives trip

Small Male Island, with an area of ​​less than 10 km², does not resemble a paradise island from a bird's eye view - packed with skyscrapers, housing estates and apartment buildings, without a single green patch of space in between, it gives the impression of claustrophobic. No wonder tourists stop here only for a moment to do the necessary shopping and escape to other atolls. Male is the capital of the Maldives, located on the Kaafu Atoll, approx. 645 km southwest of Sri Lanka and approx. 500 km from the southern coast of India. It is home to the seat of the Maldives government, administrative buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, mosques, museums and art galleries. There would be nothing strange in this list, after all, Male is the capital - but it is also the only city in the Maldives, and on no other atoll will you find markets, a fully equipped hospital and restored historical buildings that you can visit.

Atoll in the Maldives

It is definitely worth stopping in Male and spending some time taming this urban jungle. You will quickly see that among the narrow streets and charming markets you will easily feel the island climate, and a visit to the National Museum or the National Art Gallery will introduce you to the history and traditions of the island. Thanks to this, the Maldives will not remain in your memory only as a country with paradise beaches and crystal clear waters, but you will also discover the Asianness and roots of the people living here. In the tiny capital alone, about 134 thousand people live, supporting themselves mainly from tourism, tuna fishing and the cultivation of coconut, banana and breadfruit palms. Almost 100% of the Maldivians are Muslims, and one of the must see places in Male is the beautifully decorated Male Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque. This oldest mosque in the Maldives was completed in 1658 during the Sultanate of Ibrahim Iskandar and built from dried coral. The blue and white minaret adjacent to the mosque resembles a lighthouse or – if you prefer – a wedding cake. The walls of the building are decorated with carvings with verses from the Koran, and the entire facility is surrounded by a thick wall. In 2008, the Male Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque was included on the UNESCO list in the category of "unique examples of maritime architecture", thanks to which it is under the constant care of a conservator. From the historic building, it is easy to get to other tourist attractions in Male, because most of them are located in the northern part of the atoll, around the Sultan Park. You can end your walk in the port, and in addition to admiring the beautiful yachts, you will definitely be tempted to have dinner at a local restaurant prepared on the basis of fresh seafood. Don't forget to buy souvenirs and do some shopping, because such an opportunity may not come again!

Holidays in the Maldives – barefoot luxury, or relaxed relaxation 

The Maldives is a picture-perfect country, and what is inseparably associated with it are luxury hotels with characteristic villas on emerald waters, white beaches with fine sand, palm groves and sun. A trip to the Maldives is a good opportunity to relax and cut yourself off from the everyday world and shake off the pressure of the constant pursuit of new discoveries. Quite recently, this new philosophy of traveling has appeared in tourism, "barefoot luxury", i.e. traveling close to nature, in an atmosphere of peace and quiet. The Maldives is a country that favors this approach - a large part of luxury resorts are located on private islands, so all-inclusive accommodation is often the only option. If you are wondering whether spending your entire stay in one hotel will start to bore you, it is worth taking a look at the offer of the chosen place and see that a trip to the Maldives does not mean lying on the beach. It is a paradise for lovers of all water sports! Luxury hotels provide a top-class stay: you can dive, snorkel, fish, play tennis, beach volleyball, go to yoga classes, meditation, beauty spa treatments and relaxing massages... and above all, you can relax! One of our favorite hotels in the Maldives is Hurawalhi Island Resort located on the private atoll of Lhaviyani. The hotel is accessible by seaplane from Male airport in 45 minutes. Hurawalhi offers accommodation in famous water villas, a private infinity pool, sandy beaches and plenty of space for long walks or bike rides.

Barefoot, but in the spurs of luxury!

The richness of the underwater world, or diving holidays in the Maldives

Exotic trip to the Maldives wouldn't be complete without diving! The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean hide a rich underwater world that you can't resist - it's literally at your fingertips. Reefs surround each of the 1192 islands, are visible to the naked eye and establish boundaries between atolls. Diving and snorkeling are basic activities offered by almost all hotels and resorts in the Maldives, although the condition of the coral reef in individual atolls may vary. In 2016, the island country was affected by the weather and ocean phenomenon, El Niño, which consists of higher than usual water temperatures. The consequence of El Niño was the bleaching of coral reefs clearly visible in many places. Since then, the reef has been gradually regenerating and growing, becoming more beautiful before your eyes, but if the main purpose of your trip to the Maldives is diving, it is worth choosing the best atoll for this activity, and not necessarily the most popular one.

Maldives – a recipe for perfect relaxation…

Huvadhoo Atoll, the “forgotten” and largest atoll, offers some of the most beautiful reefs in the Maldives. Located in the Southern Atolls, it delights with its diverse underwater fauna and flora. Huvadhoo Atoll is also the deepest of all atolls and is one of the few that has avoided the aforementioned El Niño phenomenon. While diving, especially around the northern islets, you can observe reef sharks and whale sharks, barracudas, and even manta rays. Be careful with the latter and do not swim too close to them. The reefs here are also rich in large and colorful fish straight from the movie “Finding Nemo” as well as aquatic turtles, several hundred species of molluscs and crustaceans, crabs and shrimp. Diving on Faafu Atoll is also a thrill, where in addition to marine animals you can see two shipwrecks, sunk at a depth of 20-30 m, and observe traditional tuna hunting. The most famous, easily accessible for divers and with a beautiful reef, is Ari Atoll. Within this atoll there are hammerhead sharks, rock walls covered with dense corals and hundreds of colorful reef fish, so it is a great place for a diving safari in the Maldives.

Maldives beaches and what next?

Once you have enjoyed the heavenly (in the full sense of the word!) beaches, it is time to take advantage of the attractive offer of water sports and activities. The most popular is island hopping, i.e. sailing from island to island in search of the best places for snorkeling, diving, sunbathing or simply the most stunning landscapes. It is a great combination of a cruise, sightseeing, partying and water activities. You can also go to the open sea in search of dolphins - feed them with fresh fish from the boat and watch them play and perform acrobatically. Fishing trips are also organized in the Maldives. Although this is certainly not for everyone, lovers of trips to the ponds and fishing will feel satisfied when served delicious tuna for dinner! Speaking of dinner, it can be organized on the beach, on one of the deserted islands. The setting sun and romantic scenery are the perfect moment to celebrate important events. Returning to water sports – in the Maldives you can do surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and try paddle boarding (SUP). If you are staying in one hotel for your entire stay, it is worth diversifying your time and taking a trip to a local island, such as Fisherman Island. The community on Fisherman Island has lived by the same rules and traditions for hundreds of years, and its daily life is dependent on the resources of the sea. The opportunity to see the unique lifestyle of the inhabitants of this island will allow you to get to know another and authentic face of the Maldives.

Or maybe a fishing trip?

A trip to the Maldives from the kitchen

Maldivian cuisine, called Dhivehi cuisine, is rich in the gifts of the tropical island and its sea. The basis of the dishes is fish, mainly species of tuna (including skipjack and yellowfin tuna), mackerel or Kurumas Fish. The traditional Maldivian dish made from tuna is broth garudiya, and fish itself is eaten on the islands in literally every form: dried, smoked, boiled, grilled, fried and cured. The basis of most dishes is rice, and the commonly used spices are curry and chili, which the Maldivians borrowed from Indian cuisine. In local restaurants, food can be terribly spicy, so if you don't like such flavors, it's worth asking for a milder version of the dish (which will certainly be spicy anyway). What dishes should you try in the Maldives? Real island delicacies are octopus and lobster, usually served with onion and fish sauce. Interesting dishes include rihaakuru, a stew of long-stewed fish with thick noodles, kulhi boakibaa, a layered pastry made of tuna, onion, coconut pulp and rice, or masroshi, a traditional pancake stuffed with... tuna, of course! When it comes to sweets and desserts, during your trip to the Maldives you can taste juicy tropical fruits – papaya, mango, passion fruit, bananas, pineapples and coconuts. A cake that you cannot ignore is the traditional aluvi boakibaa sweet cake, made from cassava and coconut. We also recommend trying Indian balls made of powdered milk and flour, deep-fried and soaked in sugar cane syrup – gulab jamun.

Romantic in the Maldives

Maldives – Romantically in the Maldives | Helengeli
You won't find such beautiful beaches and clear ocean waters shimmering in azure in any other place in the world! On holiday in the Maldives you will discover a paradise intended for blissful laziness and escape from civilization, everyday worries and the chaos of big cities! We invite you to paradise!

Can you order a glass of wine or a fancy cocktail with a palm tree with such delicacies? When traveling to the Maldives, it is worth remembering that it is a Muslim country, where alcohol is not sold (or consumed) outside of resorts. Attempting to bring in alcoholic beverages can end in prison, or at best - a very high fine. If you are visiting local islands, you can only order non-alcoholic beer with meals. Sometimes, locals try to make money off tourists and illegally sell poor quality wine - but it is best to simply ignore such behavior and not expose yourself to unpleasantness. On the hotel's private beaches, in a bikini, you can sip as much as you want and any type of alcohol that comes to mind. However, outside of them, you must respect local rules.

Drink with a palm tree – yes, but only on hotel premises!

A real treat for the most demanding are underwater restaurants. There are several of them in the Maldives, for example at the Hurawalhi Island Resort hotel. Meals in such natural surroundings must be booked well in advance. Dinner in an underwater restaurant is an experience of luxury at the highest level - the waiter serves dishes chosen by the customers, and while eating, curious fish and dolphins look through the transparent glass. The view of the colorful reef, the intimate atmosphere (usually the restaurant is open only for a small group of people) and exquisite dishes will allow you to relax to the maximum.