The Maldives is made up of many small islands that evoke images of white talcum powder sands, swaying palm trees and crystal-clear blue waters. This is truly the quintessential picture perfect, holiday destination – with an added sprinkling of something very special.
Unrivalled luxury, private islands, vibrant under water coral reefs and incredible aquatic life and so much more waits for you in the Maldives. It seems like an obvious choice for couples and honeymooners as well as families. You will be spoilt for choice with the abundance of luxury hotels on offer, many with fantastic meal plan programmes and where you will find some of the best beaches anywhere.
Maldives Top Tips
#5: Time of year to visit
The peak season for travelling to the Maldives is November to April. This is where the weather is most likely to be sunshine across the horizon, with very little wind and gentle sea breezes. The average daily temperatures boarder between the very high 20’s and early 30’s degrees Celsius, with the average sea temperatures being in the high 20’s too. As with anywhere in the world, there will be occasions where the weather deviates from the norm, however this is the period where you’re most likely to experience those postcard blue skies and turquoise waters.
If you’re looking to avoid the higher rates of the peak season, but still want to experience that iconic Maldives tropical island experience, booking in the shoulder season, which is the small period between the peak and low seasons, where resort rates are lower, but you’re still likely to have some of the beautiful clear weather from the peak season.
#4: Go for All-Inclusive or Half Board
When you book to stay on an island resort, although excursions can be booked to take you off the island, you will spend the majority of the time on the island itself, therefore your food and drinks will be bought and consumed on the island. A lot of All-Inclusive packages in the Maldives will include extra perks such as free hire for snorkel equipment or perhaps even some water sports equipment, and sometimes they’ll also include an excursion such as a boat trip. As well as these perks, it will cover your meals and drinks in selected restaurants and will often include a minibar in your villa. Booking a meal package will give you peace of mind that you can eat and drink comfortably without having to budget it into your spending money, which could go towards experiences to make your holiday a truly memorable one.
#3: Snorkelling and Diving
Snorkelling and Diving in the Maldives is highly recommended as it is renowned by the diving community to be one of the best areas in the world to dive. Most of the islands are surrounded by flourishing coral reefs which themselves are a marvel, but they also attract a plethora of marine life which is truly breath-taking. If you’re diving or snorkelling in the Maldives, you’re very likely to see dolphins, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles, hammerhead sharks, reef sharks and whale sharks, as well as eagle rays and manta rays. This is on top of the array of fish that will be swarming around the nutrient rich waters of the reef, making these areas a marine spectacle of colours and life that you have to appreciate if you get the chance to do so. Many of the island resorts have dive centres for scuba diving, and also offer snorkelling gear to rent and arrange diving trips that guests can book. Some of the islands reefs are in a very close proximity to the beach and villas, and can be appreciated by a short swim, whereas others are further out past a lagoon, which will require a boat trip to access.
#2: Etiquette
Maldives is a mostly Muslim nation which although not a strict as some other countries, does uphold some cultural customs which you should consider while travelling. Travellers should dress modestly when on local islands to respect culture and values of the local population. When on private island resort the conservative dress code isn’t required, and relaxing on the beach in your bikini or speedos is acceptable. Similarly, it is advised not to carry alcohol with you when on the local islands or coming into the airport as this could be confiscated from your possession and in more extreme cases a fine, however when on a private island resort the purchase and consumption of alcohol is acceptable and you can enjoy your cocktails at the bar or on the beach.
#1: What to pack
When travelling to the Maldives, you can pack a lot lighter than you would in other locations, as a lot of the time you’ll be relaxing at the beach, swimming in the sea or sun bathing at your private villa. Light breathable clothing is advisable as the climate is tropical and it does get hot, however modest clothing should be brought for when you’re in Male and any other local islands. Sun cream is essential for your trip to the Maldives, as you don’t want to burn in the first couple of days and have to hide from the sun for the rest of your stay. As you’ll be in and out of the water, topping up on your cream is definitely advised to ensure your skin is protected. The Maldives do have their own currency, Maldivian Rufiyaa, but the US Dollar is also widely accepted as currency. It’s definitely advisable to pack a waterproof camera so that you can capture and remember the beauty that you’ll see under the water. Last and certainly not least, don’t forget your electrical adaptor. The Maldives use a variety of plug types, therefore you’ll need to know which one you’ll need for your island resort and pack accordingly. If you have multiple devices to use, take your multi socket extension lead so only one adaptor is needed, but be sure to adhere to the correct voltages.
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