A solo travelers guide to the Maldives

Go on a dolphin cruise

How about going on a sunset dolphin cruise to get up close to the gentle dolphins? The variety and the richness of marine creatures in Maldives attract many a tourist from all around the world each year. There are more than 700 different species of marine creatures swimming around atolls and stunning coral reefs.

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diving  | Image by Benjamin L. Jones via Unsplash

 

Scuba diving

You can explore the underwater wonders at a leisurely drift pace! Numerous deserted and isolated islands offer a wonderful playground for all leisure scuba divers. You are more likely to sport Napoleon Wrasses, the magnificent Manta Rays, lots of pelagic fishes and the very rare Whale Shark! This is an incredible thing to do in Maldives if you are holidaying at one of the many Maldives spa hotels the likes of Kurumba Maldives.

Glorious Sunsets

What better way to witness the unrivalled beauty of this island paradise than soaking up a stunning sunset view! Just lie down on the beach or go on a dolphin-watching sunset cruise to take in a golden hour. At the coming of the dusk, the island comes alive with fiery reds, vibrant oranges, and reds.

Beaches

Undoubtedly one of the top reasons to visit Maldives!  These sparkling blue oceans are perfect not only for honeymooners but also for all leisure travellers who seek a soothing holiday. In order to make the best of your beach holiday, try to visit Maldives from December to April when the humidity is low.

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.

Important Facts to Know About Maldives Tourism When Planning Your Next Visit

Planning your next holiday to the stunning islands of the Maldives? Read on for some facts regarding the country’s tourism!

Male
Male | Image via Unsplash

Regulations

As the Maldives is an Islamic nation, there’s a prevailing ban on bringing pork products and liquor into the country. Apart from those, firearms, drugs, and pornography are also off-limits. However, you can buy alcoholic drinks at your Maldives resort.

On Arrival…

Almost all tourists arrive by air from Velana International Airport; this is situated on Hulhule Island. After being cleared from the airport, you can head to your island resort; for instance, if you’ve booked your holiday at a resort like the Kurumba Maldives, you will be most likely arriving there by speedboat.

Best Time to Visit

November to April is considered the best time to visit the North Male Atoll, with minimum rainfall. However, this is when rains prevail in the South Male Atoll.

Travel Requirements

All tourists arriving in the Maldives require a valid passport although no visa is needed in advance. On arrival, all tourists with a valid passport will be granted a tourist visa of 30 days.

Travelling by Seaplane & Speedboat in Maldives

There are two main ways to get around the Maldives, which is by air or sea; considering the country has over 1,000 islands it’s hardly surprising! Here are a couple of available transport options.

Image credit- Unsplash,Shifaaz shamoon,CC0

Seaplanes

Be it from the main airport in Hulhule or one of the other international airports, you may have to take a seaplane to your island resort if it’s located far away. Some properties will offer transfer options of a seaplane or a speedboat with the former taking much less time to reach the destination.

Speedboats

For those arriving at Hulhule near Male, the capital of the Maldives, resort properties in this atoll can be easily reached by speedboat be it a shared or private transfer. In fact, resorts the likes of Kurumba Maldives are only around ten minutes away meaning you can maximise your holiday time!

Scenic Seaplane Flights

Be it on the way to or from the resort or as part of excursions by air, seaplanes offer an amazing perspective of the country. Generally, chartered or private seaplane flights will fly closer to the ground level so you can enjoy the view of the islands and reefs surrounded by the ocean even more.

The Thrills of Speedboats

Of course, those looking for an exhilarating ride will enjoy the thrills of skimming along the water at high speeds! It is little surprise that speedboats are also used at island resorts in Maldives for water sports like wakeboarding, parasailing, banana boating and water-skiing as well as to provide fast access to Male for tours.

National Museum at Maldives

The island nation of the Maldives is hailed the world over for her natural splendour. The collection of islands that form the Maldives have stunningly pristine beaches, lush tropical landscapes and a diverse range of wild-life, mostly beneath her waters. Her God-given exuberance and many a Maldives resort such as the Kurumba Maldives, however can take people’s attention away from the incredible historical heritage that the country has to offer. There is one place where you can obtain a comprehensive insight into Maldivian history, and that is the National Museum of the Maldives.
Maldives’ National Museum, the first and only one of its kind, opened her doors coincidentally on the Maldivian National Day of 1952. The Prime Minister at the time, Mohamed Amin Didi led the opening ceremony. The purpose of the museum was to inspire a sense of patriotism within the Maldivian people while simultaneously preserving and showcasing the history of the Nation.
Presently, the museum is located at Sultan Park on the island of Male, the site of the Royal Palace ever since the 17th century, and has a distinctly traditional atmosphere with the interior bearing a strong Sultanate influence.
The museum initially had a vast collection of artefacts showcasing the country’s pre-Islamic history but following a recent attack almost all of the delicate artefacts from the pre-Islamic era were destroyed.
Within the museum you will find a tremendous assortment of traditional relics such as ceremonial dresses, creative embroidery and various items of past Maldivian nobility. Some of the currently contained relics date as far back as the 13th century.
If you’d like to take some time off from basking in the serene splendour of the island, be sure to visit the iconic National Museum on the island of Male, you never know what surprises lie within her walls.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+