5 Informative Facts That You Must Know About the Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly among honeymooners. The island nation boasts a rich history, delicious cuisine, and a range of exciting activities.

The Maldives Is Located Close to the Equator

The Maldives is located quite close to the equator. And this means that sun rays will shine almost directly on you while you’re relaxing at your Maldives resort. So, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin!

The Maldives Was Initially a Buddhist Nation

The Maldives was only converted to Islam in 1153 A.D. and today it stands as a proud Muslim nation. So, make sure that you leave any other religious texts, pork products, and alcoholic beverages at home when you’re about to head towards Kurumba Maldives or any other resort in the country for a splendid tropical vacation.

The Maldives Boasts Over 1000 Islands

maldives islands
maldives islands | Image via Pixabay

The Maldives is formed out of 1,192 coral islands that are grouped in 26 atolls. These are peppered over the Indian Ocean over an area of roughly 90,000 square kilometres.

The Maldives’ Sand Is Smooth as Can Be

Usually, the beaches are made of sands that are made from quartz. However, the Maldives’ beaches contain sands that are extremely fine as they are coralline in origin. Coralline beaches are quite rare and represent less than five percent of the world’s beaches.

Water Skiing in Bentota

Those who now come to Bentota to enjoy their beach vacations have the perfect chance to engage in an exciting water sport. That’s none other than ‘water skiing’!

What’s water skiing?

Jet skiing is something you already know about. Water skiing also is played on the surface of the water where the rider is pulled behind a boat.

The experience

It’s an exciting experience. Riders get to skim the surface using one or two skis. Two skis are generally used by beginners, but the experts can manage with just one ski.

Instructing and supervising

Once you understand how the game works, water skiing will not be a big deal at all. But, if this is your first time, you’ll need some support from the experts. Let them teach the basics to you and then develop your confidence.

Other water sports

surfing
surfing | Image via Unsplash

Bentota also offers perfect opportunities for jet skiing, surfing, and fun tubing. Those who want to swim all day can do it without any barriers too.

Holidaying in Bentota

Choose to spend your family holiday or that with your friends at one of the 5-star hotels in Bentota. There are many great options available for you including Cinnamon Bentota Beach.

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Snorkeling in the Maldives

Many water sports that you can try out while holidaying at one of the Maldives luxury resorts are quite safe. However, snorkelling (the one that seems so easy) is the sport that poses some minor threats for you.

 

Snorkel with an Expert

Shallow depths can often lull you into a false sense of safety. If you haven’t been snorkelling much, it would be best if you can tag along with a snorkelling expert. Calm waters may hide strong currents and these guides will help you avoid them.

Avoid Touching Marine Life

Well, you would certainly be mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the life beneath the waves while snorkelling during a holiday spent at a property such as Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi. But, make sure that you avoid touching these creatures as you never know what kinds of threats they may pose.

Coral
Coral | Image via Unspalsh

Use Well-Fitting Equipment

Make sure your snorkelling mask fits well. If it leaks or is too tight you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your snorkelling adventure.

Avoid Coral/ Rock Cuts

It is often advised that you shouldn’t step on corals as it would damage them and would be damaging to you in return. Make sure that you wear reef shoes and a thick wet suit in case you accidentally happen to step on or brush past them.

Snorkeling in The Maldives

The Maldives is one of the best destinations in the whole world if perfect snorkelling is what you are longing for! While you snorkel, it’s not just the coral reefs that you get to explore, but many more aquatic animals such as manta rays!

snorkelling
Photo by form PxHere

Best time for your snorkelling experience

If the visibility of the water is great, that’s what you need for an awesome snorkelling session. From January to April, you can expect sunny weather conditions and no / less rain means clearer waters.

Why the Maldives is the best for snorkelling?

Most of the Maldives luxury resorts the likes of Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi are located in secluded locations. These places offer the best snorkelling areas where the visibility of the water is very precise.

Tips for a great snorkelling session

Be mindful to rent snorkelling equipment only from certified agents. Since you are always provided with a guide/instructor, follow his instructions all the time. Don’t panic when you are in the water.

The average costs

This depends on the number of people you have with you and the number of days you require. Roughly the cost is around $8 per day and this does not include the applicable taxes.

Discover the Best of Hikkaduwa

Vacationing in Hikkaduwa is something wonderful you can try out during your tour to Sri Lanka. It’s a small coastal town located 116km south of Colombo.

Hikkaduwa beach SriLanka
DaemonX, Hikkaduwa beach LK, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming at Hikkaduwa Beach
Needless to say, Hikkaduwa beach is one of the safest for swimming. You may also indulge in snorkelling if you prefer, and spot huge turtles in the evening.

River safaris
For river safaris in Hikkaduwa, you have the Madhu River very close to Balapitiya. Exploring this lake system will expose you to many birds, reptiles, and also a rich network of mangroves. If you are a nature photographer, you are sure to click some of the best shots during this boat ride.

Enjoy all sorts of seafood
Any Hikkaduwa resort the likes of Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon is specialized in seafood, and that’s a fact! You are sure to find the best seafood in the world here prepared using the Sri Lankan authentic cooking styles and flavours.

Explore an ancient temple
Hikkaduwa is home to the ancient Buddhist temple Sri Pushparama Viharaya. Visit this temple during your stay to know some details about Buddhist philosophy. The monks residing here are very friendly and they’ll teach you the facts without expecting anything in return.

 

Venture into the dark corners of the ocean floor in Hikkaduwa

Venture into the dark corners of the ocean floor in Hikkaduwa to explore under sea marvels of ship wrecks, rock formations, caves and the beautiful coral reefs. The sea surrounding Hikkaduwa has hidden underwater mysteries and magical marine life for people to explore.

Water sports, Hikkaduwa| Img by: Amila Tennakoon via FlickrCC BY 2.0

 

Water sports

There are many things to do in Hikkaduwa while staying at luxury hotels such as Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon. Hikkaduwa is ideal for many kinds of water sports, deep sea diving, snorkelling and viewing of coral reefs under water via taking a ride on a glass bottom boat. There are variety of colourful tropical fish and other gorgeous marine life to be viewed as well.

Deep diving

There are so many under water sites for divers to explore; ship wrecks, reef and rock formations, underground caves and multi-coloured coral and tropical fish inhabiting the reefs are all part of an exciting diving experience in Hikkaduwa.

Historic shipwrecks

The shipwreck is a main attraction for divers here. Many divers visit this site to enjoy the adventure of diving to explore these underwater shipwrecks. An oil tanker known as Steam Ship SS Conch transporting oil to Madras hit the rocks and sank on 3rd June 1903. The parts of this broken ship are scattered over a large area on the sea beds of Hikkaduwa and part of the hull had turned upside down forming a large cave which became a safe haven for marine life and a variety of fish inhabiting it now. Divers can have a great experience swimming through this cave.

 

 

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Top water sports in Bentota

Holidaying in Bentota inevitably succumbs you to taking part in some of the best water sports in Sri Lanka. Some of the top ones that we would recommend are:

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Diving into the warm Indian ocean and swimming with the fish while taking a peak at all the sea creatures and corals is a fun activity to enjoy with the family. Stay at a resort in Bentota that is near areas that have this activity so that it is easier and faster to travel.

Wind Surfing

Weather its your own gear or something hired, wind surfing is quite a popular water sport on the beaches of Bentota. Hotels like AVANI Bentota Resorts and Spa help you sign up for such activities. Just speak to their front office concierge for more info.

Image result for AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa Wind Surfing
Image Credit: AVANI Bentota Resorts and Spa

Banana Boat Rides

One of the most fun and thrilling water activities you can do in Bentota is the banana boat ride! As per its name, the banana boat is shaped like a banana and accommodates a group of people while being pulled by a jet-ski. If you are tipped over, you are bound to fly off and end up in the lake so hold on tight!

Jet & Water skiing

From beginners to pros, everyone can take part in this super exciting water sport! Bentota has professional instructors who can assist you if you need help. Whizz around in the jet ski with your friends and make memories that will be cherished forever!

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Adventures you will cherish

Maldives has secured its status as one of the world’s foremost holiday destinations among many a tourist. On your visit to this island paradise, you’ll find the below adventures to keep you occupied!

Snorkelling | Image Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Angelique800326">Angelique800326</a>, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snorkel-xel-ha.jpg">Snorkel-xel-ha</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>
Snorkelling | Image Credit: Angelique800326, Snorkel-xel-ha, CC BY-SA 3.0

Paddle away via kayak

When it comes to one of the best ways to explore Maldives, kayaking is recommended. It enables you to discover the wonders of nature at your own whim. If you ride a canoe or a kayak with a transparent bottom, you’ll be able to spot the fascinating marine life below. The best time to enjoy this thrilling watersport is from April to October.

Snorkelling

The clear and spotless waters of the surrounding islands in Maldives makes it a delightful setting to go on snorkelling. There are plenty of breathtaking sea creatures that will certainly arouse the interest of snorkellers. As you enjoy these interesting activities in Maldives, a choice of accommodation that you could consider would be Adaaran Prestige Vadoo which is one of the Maldives 5 star hotels ideal for some snorkelling adventures.

Catamaran Safari

This is one of the enjoyable water sports adventures that you can experience while holidaying in Maldives. During the safari, you will witness the spectacular blue waters around the ocean, adorable dolphins and the clear infinity sky above. When it comes to the best water sports in Maldives, catamaran sailing is enjoyed by many tourists due to its journey filled with excitement.

Jet Ski

Gather unforgettable memories while spinning around the blue turquoise waters by a water scooter. This activity allows the tourists to view Maldives from a different perspective.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+