Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Maldives vacation?
The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with
special knowledge about Maldives vacation.
Heavenly turquoise blue waters, lush tropical islands and Robinson Crusoe type isolation
– these are just some of the images that come to mind when we think about travelling to
the Maldives. In this book you’ll discover a new world altogether – a beautiful world
beyond the imagination of most people. A world where you can be one of a small handful
of people that have an island all to themselves. This world is called The Maldives. And
this book will tell you everything you need to know about these tiny palm-fringed
islands.
Location Of The Maldives
The Maldives are a group of tiny islands that are set in the Indian Ocean – the closest
countries to the Maldives are India and Sri Lanka. There are approximately 1200 separate
islands in the Maldives and only about one sixth of these are populated. The capital of
the Maldives is Male – the most densely inhabited island. But while Male, it seems, is
simply bursting from the seams, there certainly are no space problems on the other
islands. Male holds about a third of the Maldivian population while the remaining are
scattered around various other islands.
A Brief History Of The Maldives
While there are no certain facts it is estimated that the Maldives have been populated
as early as 1500 BC, most likely explorers from India and Sri Lanaka (Ceylon). During
1152 there was a conversion to islam although there was a brief period from 1558 to 1573
when the Maldives was taken over and ruled by the Portugese. The islands were also under
the rule of the British in 1887. In 1965 the Maldives regained its independent status.
Flora & Fauna That Inhabit The Islands & Surrounding Waters
Contrary to the first impressions of many, the Maldives islands are not especially
hospitable to plants, mainly because the soil does not have the nutrients to support a
large and varied diversity of plant life. The main type of vegetation include coconut
trees, vines, banyan trees as well as mangroves. Also found are Breadfruit trees and
Bamboos. Flowering plants include Bougainvillaea and Frangipani.
The islands have an incredible number of colourful, tropical fish and when you visit
you’re bound to see many of them. A few of these include Butterfly fish, Dolphins,
Anglefish, Parrotfish and Flutemouth. The colours and shapes of some of these fish are
as varied and intriguing as their names would suggest. Divers are sure to have an
experience of a lifetime in the Maldives.
While there are a healthy variety of birds inhabiting the islands, there are fewer
varieties of land based animals. Common to the islands are flying foxes, geckos and
garden lizards. There are also a couple of species of snake (not dangerous).
There are over 100 species of birds – expect to see crows, parakeets, and waterhens as
well as koel birds. Also present are herons, seagulls and noddys.
The Type Of Travellers The Maldives Appeals To
The Maldives is a wonderful destination for a wide variety of travellers – from those
seeking complete bliss and Robinson Crusoe type peace & quiet (in an absolutely idyllic
surrounding), to beach lovers and diving enthusiasts to honeymooners and romantic
couples looking for some enchanting memories in one of the most beautiful places in the
world. With a wide variety of resorts to choose from it’s important to research the
facilities in a wide range of resorts to make sure that you get whatever it is you’re
looking for. For example, some resorts may suit more active travellers while others
would be more suited to those looking for a quiet and peaceful stay.
How To Get To The Maldives
Almost all visitors get to the Maldives via plane – typically, they arrive in Male, the
capital from their port of departure and from there will be transferred to their resort.
Transfers are usually via seaplane or speedboat. Given the stunning scenery it’s always
advisable to arrive by seaplane where possible – the views of the islands from the air
are nothing short of spectacular. When researching resorts and prices it’s worth
remembering that some packages will be quoted with transfers built into the price while
others will not. Transfers can be quite pricey.
Some resorts are located quite close to the airport in Male – transfer times can be
under 20 minutes while other resorts further away may take an hour or even two to reach
depending on the type of transfer. Keep in mind that after travelling a long distance on
a flight, the last thing that you’ll want to do is spend a further couple of hours on a
speedboat.
If your transfer is not via seaplane it is possible to ride in a seaplane during your
stay – and get some stunning photos of the islands and atolls from high above.
Health & Safety In The Maldives
Given the huge number of resorts (many of them four and five stars) in the Maldives,
it’s a relatively safe place to visit, health-wise. Visitors are advised to get
immunisations for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B and those that
intend to dive should get a medical check prior to going.
In addition to this, ensure that your general health is good prior to travel and
consider taking a basic medical kit (although most resorts have adequate facilities to
treat minor problems that may occur).
Dining in the resorts is usually very safe – The well known resorts have very high
standards with regards to the quality of food offered and most employ highly skilled
professional chefs to prepare meals for guests. The only time you may be at slightly
higher risk is when eating in individual places such as Cafes in Male (though even these
places are generally fine). Make sure that you drink only bottled water during your
stay.
Some of the common health problems that may occur to travellers include
heatstroke/exhaustion, motion sickness and sunburn. Some infectious diseases may include
fungal infections, diarrhoea & hepatitis. Some diseases may also be spread through
insects, such as Malaria & Dengue fever. Also, be careful when spending time in the
water – it’s possible to pick up cuts, bites & stings.
The Climate In The Maldives
The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate which means its temperature tends to stay between
25 & 32 degrees c. The optimum time to go tends to be between December band April (this
is supported by the higher prices during these times) because this is when the weather
is most calm and has the least rainfall.
Activities In The Maldives
The Maldives offers it’s guests a huge range of activities & recreation and depending on
the resort that you choose you may get to sample a few or all of them.
Here are the main ones:
Diving – The Maldives is a divers paradise, and there are options available to choose
any and all levels of experience. Almost all resorts offer diving facilities of some
kind and some even have their own diving schools and centres. Some resorts offer a
“house reef” to guests – this can be used from the beach itself.
The optimum time to go to the Maldives for diving is between January and April as these
periods offer the most placid seas, calmest weather and clearest waters for the best
visibility.
Remember to bring your C-Card (diving certification card) and log book as diving centres
will certainly ask to check them.
It’s also possible to experience “diving safaris” in the Maldives – a chance to visit
various diving sites, resorts, islands and villages.
More experienced divers may wish to participate in night-time diving where many
different types of marine life can be seen, or consider taking some underwater
photography.
Island Hopping – One of the most fascinating trips available in the Maldives. Island
hopping allows guests to experience life in an isolated Maldivian island. Most of the
resorts offer island half or full day island excursions.
Sometimes, the island hopping excursion may be included in your package although this is
an optional extra in many resorts. Typically, the visitors are transported to certain
uninhabited islands to laze away on the beaches, perhaps enjoy a beach barbeque and do
some snorkelling.
Night Fishing – What if you had to catch your dinner? This is exactly what happens in
many resorts that offer night fishing. The guests are taken in a dhoni (boat) each with
the tools required to catch their own fish – those that do catch something appropriate
can have it prepared for dinner by the resort chefs.
Water Sports – Many resorts offer excellent water sports facilities such as surfing,
wind-surfing, catamaran sailing, water skiing & parasailing. In many resorts there are
additional fees for tuition & use of facilities/equipment so if you plan on doing a lot
of these activities check what the prices are as some resorts do offer guests free use
of these facilities.
Canoeing – Many resorts offer canoe rentals although this type of boat is more suited
for guests who wish to go around their own lagoons. For safety reasons it’s usually not
possible to use canoes to travel longer distances (for instance going to another
island).
Land Based Sports – Depending on the individual resort there are some sports that guests
can indulge in. Many resorts offer badminton, beach volleyball, tennis and even soccer
(the quality of facilities vary with many of the upper-end resorts offering floodlit
pitches). Some resorts offer squash courts. Most offer some type of games room with
Carrom, ping pong, pool and a variety of board games for those wishing to expend less
energy.
All About The Male (The Capital)
While Male may be the capital of the Maldives – a place where visitors almost
exclusively arrive into and leave from the country, it’s interesting that many visitors
do not spend a single night in Male. This is because most visitors go directly to their
resort island and spend most of their time there.
Many visitors still get to see Male via day trips organised by several of the resort
islands.
Male isn’t particularly large – in fact it’s possible to walk around the island in
slightly over an hour (it’s dimensions being approximately 2km long and 1km wide).
For its land mass, Male is pretty densely populated with around a 70,000 strong
population. There are ongoing land reclamation projects in progress to increase the
amount of space on the island.
Despite being a small city, Male offers the kind of services you would come to expect
from any capital including books, post office, internet access, bookshops, travel
agents, a myriad of eateries and so on.
There are a few points of interest for those who venture into Male to get a glimpse of
life in the capital.
The Islamic centre & mosque is one of the grander structures in the city. Hukuru Miskiiy
is the most ancient mosque in Male and dates back to the 1650’s.
There is a National Museum displaying various artefacts once owned by the Sultans (from
clothing to weapons).
You may also enjoy visiting the Muleeaage (a structure initially built as a palace and
also used as presidential residence in the past).
Shoppers will find quite a few places of interest in Male – for instance Chandanee Magu
and Orchid Magu have a cluster of souvenir shops & cafes.
Male isn’t a place to go to for bars or clubs but other forms of entertainment do exist
– there are a couple of cinemas (the Star & Olympus on Majeedi Magu). There are also
opportunities to catch an outdoor concert at New Harbour.
For sports enthusiasts there is the National Stadium where football & cricket games are
regularly contested.
Male has several hotels, guest-houses & inns to suit a wide range of budgets should you
have the opportunity to spend a couple of nights.
Those who do get to visit Male for any length of time can enjoy a wide range of eateries
serving many different types of international cuisine. Male has several small tea shops
offering (non-alcoholic) drinks and small snacks or “short eats” (hedhikaa). Tea shops
also offer “long eats”, which tend to be larger more filling dishes.
Tea shops in Male are on the whole cheap and chirpy affairs, serving simple foods at
low prices. There are also several higher priced restaurants to choose from. These
include cuisines such as Italian, Thai, Indian, American & Chinese. Most restaurants
also have their own in-house restaurant.
How To Choose The Right Resort For You In The Maldives
The Maldives are a truly spectacular destination – while it’s a holiday location not
exactly ideal for the highly budget conscious, a variety of different star resorts do
offer most travellers a chance to taste its delights.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding on a Maldives resort:
· Determine what your budget is – this will immediately narrow your list of
potential resorts.
· Decide what you’re likely to be interested in. For instance, the Maldives is a
great place for diving – if you’re going to be spending a lot of time diving then you
must be aware that different resorts have different standards in their diving
facilities. Some resorts are also naturally better for divers than others. You’ll want
to choose a package that’s best for diving (it’s possible to get diving packages so you
don’t have to spend a fortune on additional diving expenses on a daily basis). Further,
some resorts offer a wealth of activities and entertainment – others are very chilled
and offer fewer activities (perfect if you just wish to laze by the sand gazing at the
crystal blue waters).
· Decide what type of package would be the best for you – most resorts are quite
pricey when it comes to food and drink so while a bed & breakfast package (room &
breakfast only) may at first appear cheaper, after paying for all food and drink it may
in fact be more expensive than an all inclusive package.
· Full board may be a good choice in many cases as all meals are provided,
although the guest still has to pay for drinks (a good choice for those who do not drink
too much alcohol). If on the other hand you enjoy a tipple or five then the All
Inclusive option may well be the optimum package for you as drinks can be sinfully
expensive at most resorts.
· Some resorts may cater to specific nationalities – for example predominantly
Italian, German or Japanese clientele. This may be a problem if you like to mingle but
are unable to speak the dominant language.
· Most resorts offer a wide range of accommodation types – decide which of these
is best for you. For example, a standard beach villa would be typically a few metres
from the sea while a water villa is located in the waters itself. Water villas can be
beautiful and offer the chance to see the marine life swim by while looking from the
window – but they are considerably more pricey.
· Travellers with children should try and choose a resort with a kids club if
possible – there is a world of difference between resorts when it comes to providing
facilities that keep the kids entertained.
· If you do wish to spend a day exploring the capital Male as an excursion then
you may not want to choose a resort that’s not too far away – some resorts do not offer
this as a day trip so you may want to check this prior to booking.
· You may also want to consider when during the year you wish to go – the optimum
time with regards to weather are between December and April when there is the most
sunshine and least rain. At these months, there’s no surprise to learn that the prices
tend to be far higher.
· Some resorts (even the pricey ones at times) may not offer a personal TV in the
rooms – this is usually intentional to promote the “no news, no shoes” feel of the
island. Few people come to the Maldives to watch TV but if this is a comfort that you
simply cannot live without then check with your travel agent before booking to see if
your chosen resort offers one.
· If the look, feel and architecture of your lodging is important to you then you
will want to research and find the best resort for you – some can be more modern, almost
like a standard hotel room while others are traditionally built with thatched roofs and
even a partially open-air bathroom.
· Romantics and honeymooners may find that some of the smaller islands are more
cosy, intimate & quiet while the larger ones may have more of a party feel to it and be
more crowded.
What Should You Pack Before You Go
Most resorts are quite casual, so light clothing should be adequate at most times – you
may also want to take a thin rain jacket in the event of the occasional squall. You’ll
need appropriate beach wear and possibly some suitable clothing to be used as evening
wear at the resorts.
Clothes aside, here are some additional things that you may want to take with you to the
Maldives:
· Sun cream
· Mosquito repellent
· Rucksack for day trips
· Torch
· First aid kit
· Diving certificates if you intend to dive
· Sunglasses & cap
· Money belt for excursions
· Photographic equipment – camera & camcorder
· Electricity adaptor
Tipping In The Maldives
The Maldives currency is the Rufiya (Rf). It’s customary to tip the staff in your resort
that you may have interacted with – they aren’t especially well paid so tips help to
sustain & improve their way of life.
Tipping can be done to the waiters, bar staff and the room boy who cleans your villa. In
Male, tipping does not need to be done in the tea rooms and some restaurants will
include a service charge.
Shopping
There are plenty of opportunities to purchase local artefacts from souvenir shops (Male)
and the stalls/sellers from various islands that you might visit on excursions. Your
resort will almost certainly have a gift shop to purchase from (usually at a much higher
price than from local sellers).
So what type of souvenirs & shopping might you purchase? There are all types of craft
works on offer – from hand woven mats to wooden boxes and jewellery and more.
Visas
Usually, a pre-purchased visa is not required to visit the Maldives – as long as the
traveller has a valid passport and sufficient funds to last their stay. You should check
with your travel agent prior to booking to make sure as rules & regulations for visas
can change. It’s also possible to get visas for visits to India and Sri Lanke from the
High Commission in Male.
Money Matters In The Maldives
Usually, when at a resort any additional expenses that you incur (drinks, excursions
etc) will be charged to you just prior to your departure. Resorts generally accept the
standard credit cards/travellers cheques.
In Male, foreign currency is generally accepted although you may be able to exchange for
Rufiyas at your resort.
Resorts
There are a huge number of resorts in the Maldives to suit a wide range of tastes and
budgets. Here, we’ll take you through many of the popular destinations.
Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives - www.angsana.com
Angsana is located in the Ihuru islands (North Male Atoll) and is a short 14 km distance
from the capital of Male.
The resort contains 45 villas – some of the nice features of these include thatched
roofs, individual private gardens and pleasant verandas. Guests can choose between
deluxe beachfront villas and standard beachfront villas.
Ihuru has a great reputation for having some of the finest house reefs in the Maldives
and so is a good destination for those wanting to do a bit of diving and snorkelling.
The spa at Angsana offers a wide range of treatments including facials, massages and
various others.
Asdu Sun Island Maldives - www.asdu.com
Asdu Sun Island is a three star resort with 30 rooms located in the Kaafu (Male) Atoll.
While it may not be one of the more luxurious choices, Asdu Sun Island does offer the
usual range of activities including diving, canoeing, snorkelling, fishing and more.
Additional facilities include a reading library where guests can take out books to read
by the beach plus a video hall and internet surfing.
Bandos Island Resort Maldives - www.bandos.com
The Bandos resort has 225 guestrooms of varying types – guests can choose from standard,
deluxe, garden villas, Jacuzzi beach villas, and water villas. The resort is located in
the North Male atoll.
Bandos first opened in 1972 although it has grown considerably since then to become one
of the largest Maldives resorts with facilities to match. For example, just some of the
facilities include tennis courts, a coffee shop (and five restaurants), a disco & bar,
gym & sauna, pool room, a couple of swimming pools, beauty salon as well as a spa
offering massages.
The diving facilities are good with a diving school offering diving courses.
Banyan Tree Maldives - www.banyantree.com
The Banyan Tree is another luxurious resort set in the North Male atoll. The resort
offers five different types of rooms from standard to ocean view villas. There’s a
choice of four restaurant and bars, a very good spa, and excellent recreation facilities
including diving, snorkelling & deep sea fishing to name but a few.
Baros Island Resort Maldives - www.baros.com
Located in North Male Atoll, Baros is just a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male airport.
The resort offers three types of accommodation - water villas, baros villas and deluxe
villas.
There are several bars & restaurants offering a wide selection of continental & oriental
cuisines.
The recreational facilities at Baros are huge, and aside from the standard diving &
snorkelling options offered at practically all resorts, Baros offers several additional
services – badminton, aerobics and cycling are just a few of these.
Bathala Island Resort Maldives
Certainly one of the smaller resorts located in the Ari Atoll, Bathala is well regarded
by divers.
The 4 star resort contains 37 cottages and is better suited to those who do not plan to
do much other than laze away.
Biyadhoo Island Resort Maldives - www.biyadoo.com.mv
Biyadhoo is located on the Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll) is a four star resort
containing a total of 96 rooms. The resort is highly regarded as a good place for diving
and snorkeling. Certainly an island for those looking for water sports and activity in
addition to the spectacular scenery that the Maldives offers.
Boduhithi Island Resort Maldives
This club style resort with over 80 rooms is a particular favourite with Italian
clientele. As you would expect, this means a high number of available activities and all
the fine Italian dining you can handle. The staff are also predominantly Italian.
Boduhithi is located in the North Atoll (Kaafu) and has an official rating of four
stars.
Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives - www.bolifushi.com
Located in the South Male Atoll, about 12km Southwest of Male this 4 star rated resort
has three types of rooms – Boli, Beach Villa and Water Villa.
The facilities are good and offer diving, snorkelling, scuba diving and plenty of other
activities. There is also good Spa.
Club Med Farukolhufushi Maldives - www.clubmed.com
Set in the North Atoll, this island resort is very good for scuba diving and
watersports. The 4-star resort offers a wide range of facilities and 150 rooms. There
are two room types – superior, and superior with balcony.
Tuition is available for water-sports including windsurfing and sailing while other
activities on offer including kayaking, beach volley, soccer, water-polo and more. The
resort also offers a swimming pool, spa, arts/crafts workshop, a TV/pool room and more.
Coco Palm Resort & Spa Maldives - www.cocopalm.com
This five star resort is located on the private island of Duikolu (Baa Atoll) and is
approximately half an hour via sea-plane from the Capital of Male.
The accommodation is highly luxurious and there are four types of rooms from beach
villas to the incredible lagoon palace suite.
The resort offers several restaurants and bars, all set in highly tranquil locations and
also has a highly recommended spa.
Activities and diving are also available with a diving school and plenty of sports such
as water-skiing, canoeing, surf-biking, sailing & more. Tennis, badminton, volley ball
are also on offer and the resort has a gym too for the health conscious.
Cocoa Island Maldives - www.cocoa-island.com
Cocoa Island is a five star resort in South Male Atoll and is approximately 30 minutes
from Male via speedboat.
The rooms are of a high standard and come in varying types including one and two bed
villas, dhoni loft suites and dhoni standard suites.
The main activities on offer are diving, water-sports and island hopping.
Dhonveli Beach & Spa Resort Maldives - www.dhonvelibeach.com
Not surprisingly, “Dhonveli” in Maldian stands for “crystal white sand”. This is a five
star resort with five different types of rooms that is located on the North Male Atoll.
The resort has one main restaurant, the Banana Garden Restaurant but also offers a
sunset bar & coffee shop.
There are several of the usual indoor and outdoor recreational facilities available,
including “big game fishing” and “adventure cruising”. Floodlit tennis/badminton, carom,
table tennis are a few of the more traditional activities on offer and the resort has a
gym and spa too.
Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort Maldives
Located on the North Ari Atoll is the four star Ellaidhoo resort. It’s quite a distance
from Male (over an hour by speedboat although only 20 minutes via seaplane). Ellaidhoo
is one of the smaller resorts and the whole island is around 300 metres long and 280
metres wide.
There are 156 rooms split up into standard, superior and deluxe. The dining facilities
include the restaurant, coffee shop and bar.
Diving & recreation activities are available and these include island hopping,
snorkelling safaris, morning fishing, an excursion to Male and more. There is also a
Spa.
Embudu Village Maldives - www.embudu.com
This four star resort is set in Kaafu Atoll and the island is just 300 metres long.
There is a very easy-going feel to the island. There are 118 rooms divided between
standard, superior and water bungalow rooms.
As you would expect, the main activities in Embudu are diving, water sports and a feast
of additional activities normally found in Maldives reorts.
There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop serving a variety of food and beverage.
Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives - www.aaa-resortsmaldives.com
Set in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu is a four star resort that contains 57 superior
rooms only. It’s a 45 minute transfer via speedboat from the capital Male. It’s a 4-star
resort.
There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop available for guests and there are good
diving facilities available as you would expect.
Filitheyo Island Resort Maldives
Situated on the Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo is a five star resort with 125 villas of
different types.
Filitheyo offers a main restaurant, a couple of bars and a coffee shop and several of
the standard diving & recreational facilities are available including cultural shows and
live music too.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives - www.fourseasons.com/maldives
Set in the North Male Atoll, Four Seasons is a spectacular five star resort with 106
rooms of various types (from standard beach villas and beach bungalows with outdoor
showers to water villas).
The resort offers three restaurants and two bars and some of the features include a
healthy offering of vegetarian food as well as themed nights.
The facilities & recreational amenities are very good – as well as the standard Maldives
offerings guests can try their hand at aerial excursions, catamaran sailing, big game
fishing and island hopping.
The resort is a half hour transfer via speedboat from Male.
Full Moon Resort Maldives
The five star Full Moon resort is located in the North Male Atoll and is a 20 minute
speedboat ride from Male.
There are 156 rooms – from deluxe and cottage rooms to water bungalows and water villas.
The architecture has a very traditional, wooden feel and the accommodation is very
comfortable.
No less than five different restaurants offer a huge selection of international cuisine
and keep the guests pallets delighted at all times. There are also three bars and a
coffee shop.
While most Maldives resorts have their own spas, the Full Moon spa is actually located
on a separate island – a delightful touch.
A good range of activities and recreation are also on offer.
Hakuraa Club Maldives
On the Meemu Atoll lies the four star Hakuura Club offering either beach or water
bungalows. The resort is 130km from Male. A good range of activities and recreation are
offered.
Halaveli Holiday Village Maldives - www.halaveli.com
This is a three star resort in the Ari Atoll offering a range of beach bungalows. The
transfer from the airport is half an hour by sea plane or 1.5 hours via speedboat. Dhon
transfers are available but take 360 minutes.
There is a main restaurant and bar offering a wide range of cuisine. A fair standard or
recreation and diving facilities are also available.
This is a fair option for those with a tight budget that are looking for a Maldives
experience. While the rooms are not exactly cheap, they are more affordable than the
four and five star options available.
Helengeli Tourist Village Maldives - www.helengeli.net
Helengeli is a four star resort that’s based in the Kaafu Atoll. There are 50 beach
villas available and offers the usual choice of recreation and activities. To name a
few, they include Spa, restaurant/bar, internet facilities, freshwater pool as well as
dhoni/speedboat/seaplane hire. There is also a dive school.
Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa Rangali Island Maldives - www.hilton.com
The luxurious five star Hilton is not for those with a fragile budget! Located in the
South Ari Atoll, the resort is 90km from Male airport.
There are 150 rooms divided into standard/deluxe beach villas, water bungalows, and
sunset water villas.
The main restaurant is the Atoll restaurant containing two open kitchens. The sunset bar
& grill is a lovely addition built over the water with stunning views of the lagoon. You
can even have a private barbeque specially made by a resort chef.
Some great recreational & diving activities are offered including swimming pool, tennis
courts, fitness rooms & spa and a huge range of water & other sports.
If you don't have accurate details regarding Maldives vacation, then you might make a
bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.
Holiday Island Maldives
Located in the South Ari Atoll, Holiday Island is a four star resort containing 142
super deluxe beach bungalows. It’s a two hour speedboat ride from Male.
There are a range of restaurants to choose from offering both western and oriental
delicacies as well as a bar and coffee shop.
Holiday island offers the standard range of activities including diving, snorkelling,
water skiing, floodlit tennis, a gym and more.
Huvafen Fushi Maldives - www.huvafenfushi.com
Huvafen Fushi is a five star resort on the South Ari Atoll and it takes approximately 30
minutes to reach from Male (speedboat). The resort is actually set within its own lagoon
and is quite a spectacle. Like most five star resorts it’s not for those on a budget.
The facilities and recreation options are highly impressive with 3 restaurants and a bar
for residents as well as a yoga pavilion, outdoor salt water pool as well as a
fibre-optic lit indoor pool. A gym is also available. Activities include canoeing,
windsurfing, sunset sailing, diving and the fun tube.
There are several different types of rooms at Huvafen Fushi including lagoon bungalows,
ocean bungalows as well as beach & deluxe bungalows.
Komandoo Island Resort Maldives - www.komandoo.com
The four star resort of Komandoo is set in Lhaviyani Atoll and is 40minutes away from
Male (via seaplane). There are 45 rooms and the resort offers several activities
including scuba diving, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing and excursion trips available.
Komandoo also has a main restaurant and two bars.
Kudahithi Island Resort Maldives
This is a tiny three star island resort that contains only seven rooms. The Kudahithi
island can be walked in circumference in under ten minutes.
There are very few facilities – this is a place for those who want to come for the
peace, quiet and beauty of the Maldives alone. Diving is possible through another
resort.
The restaurant at Kudahithi Island Resort serves predominantly Italian cuisine.
Kuramathi Blue Lagoon Maldives - www.kuramathi.com.mv
Set in the North Ari Atoll, Kuramathi Blue Lagoon is a four star resort is a four star
resort offering 56 rooms (20 beach bungalows and 36 beach bungalows). It’s a 25 minute
transfer by seaplane (105 minutes by speedboat).
Kuramathi Blue Lagoon has a good range of the standard facilities found in many of the
resorts including a sauna, spa & Jacuzzi, pool, disco, water sports & diving.
Also try Kuramathi Village and Kuramathi Cottage & Spa.
Kuredu Island Resort Maldives - www.kuredu.com
On Lhaviyani Atoll lies the four star Kuredu Island Resort. The resort is approximately
80 miles from Male and is a 40 minute journey by seaplane (4 hours via speedboat).
There are a total of 330 rooms in Kuredu Island Resort and these are split into the
following – beach bungalows, beach villas, Jacuzzi beach villas, sunset water villas and
water villa suites.
Kuredu has an excellent reputation as one of the best islands in the Maldives for
Diving. It also has a wealth of additional activities and facilities for all visitors.
Dining is also a pleasant experience with several choices of restaurant & bars offering
a wide range of cuisine.
Kurumba Maldives - www.universalresorts.com
A five star resort located in the North Male Atoll and is a 15 minute speedboat ride
from the capital. This popular Maldives resort has a total of 180 rooms (various
bungalows and villas).
Dining facilities are excellent in Kurumba Island Resort Maldives – six restaurants are
offered as well as two bars to keep guests highly satisfied in terms of choice of food
as well as ambience.
Further facilities & activities include gym, sauna, spa, water-sports/diving, various
excursions, kids clubs and more.
Laguna Maldives - www.universalresorts.com
Laguna is a small island that’s well known for its snorkelling. Located in South Male
Atoll, Laguna is a four star Maldives resort offering a choice of deluxe villas, deluxe
bungalows or water suites. There are 115 room in total.
It’s a 20 minute speedboat ride to Laguna Maldives via speedboat.
Laguna is a five star Maldives resort that offers guests a choice of five
restaurants/grills as well as four bars. The resort also offers excellent facilities as
you would expect from a five star Maldives resort – these include superb facilities for
snorkelling & water-sports and a first class spa. Multiple excursions are also on offer.
Lily Beach Resort Maldives - www.lilybeachmaldives.com
Lily Beach is located on the South Ari Atoll and is a half hour speedboat ride from
Male. It’s a four star resort that offers a good choice of activities and excursions. As
you might expect, the water-sports are good and there are also opportunities to engage
in beach volleyball, surf biking, carom and much more.
There are three main choices of rooms available in Lily Beach – deluxe suite, water
villas and superior rooms.
The resort offers a restaurant, coffee shop and bar. Guests can also enjoy the
disco/live band, cultural shows (Bodu beru) and beach games.
Lohifushi Island Resort Maldives - www.lohifushi.com
Lohifushi Island is in the North Male Atoll and is a half hour speedboat transfer from
Male. It’s a four star resort and is well respected for good diving & snorkelling –
excursions to nearby islands are available and the resort offers a good choice of water
sports as well.
The resort contains 130 rooms that are split into standard, superior, deluxe and suites
to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.
Facilities are good – along with the usual high quality Maldives resort offerings there
is also a squash court and sports centre.
The main eatery is the Banyan restaurant but Lohifushi also has no less than four bars
available to guests.
Makunudu Island Maldives - www.makunudu.com
This four star resort offers 26 beach bungalows and is located in North Male Atoll (55
minutes speedboat ride from Male).
Decent activities and facilities are available to guests – along with diving and
surfing, residents can also partake in dolphin watching and picnicking on a private
island.
The main restaurant is Ara Iru and there is also a bar at Makunudu Island.
Medhufushi Island Resort Maldives - www.aaa-resortsmaldives.com
This is a five star resort with very good facilities that is a 40 minute seaplane
transfer from Male. Medhufushi is located on Meemu Atoll and contains 120 rooms.
The resort offers a good range of facilities including diving, windsurfing & many other
water-based sports as well as a disco, fishing trips and excursions.
Meedhupparu Island Resort Maldives - www.aitakenspenceholidays.com
In Raa Atoll lies the four star Meedhupparu Island Resort. The transfer from Male is 40
minutes by seaplane and the resort offers 215 beach bungalows and an impressive list of
activities.
Meeru Island Resort Maldives - www.meeru.com
Meeru is situated in North Male Atoll and is a 20 minute seaplane ride from Male (or
about 55 minutes by speedboat). This is a four star resort that has 276 rooms of various
types (prices at the lower end are for standard rooms while the most expensive is the
dolphin suite – about eight times as pricey).
Meeru offers one restaurant, three bars and a couple of coffee shops to guests – so good
food is available at practically any time.
The facilities are also good offering the type of activities that you would expect from
a good quality Maldives resort. A few of these include scuba diving, spa facilities,
internet connections, windsurfing and several excursions and day-trips.
Mirihi Island Resort Maldives - www.mirihi.com
Mirihi Island Resort is located in South Ari Atoll – this is a five star resort with
just 36 rooms. It’s a 20 minute sea-plane ride from the capital of Male.
The resort offers two main types of rooms – beach and water bungalows.
A good number of activities and facilities are available and Mirihi offers a good
selection of food and drink for visitors. Recreation facilities include watersports,
excursions, diving, spa and a fitness centre.
Moofushi Tourist Resort Maldives - www.moofushi.com
Moofushi is a four star resort offering 60 rooms – it’s set in South Ari Atoll. There
are 45 beach bungalows and 17 water bungalows available to guests.
There are two main restaurants and two bars. Facilities include a scuba centre, a
massage centre and several excursions such as a trip to fisher-mans island & desert
island.
Nika Island Resort Maldives - www.nikamaldives.com
Nika Islands is a four star resort in North Ario Atoll. The resort is a half hour
transfer by seaplane and has 36 rooms of various types.
The resort offers a restaurant and coffee shop for guests and facilities include an
Ayurvedic centre, sports/diving centre, .
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort - www.olhuveli.com
Olhuveli is set in South Male Atoll and is a 50 minute speedboat ride away from Male.
This is a four star resort with 125 rooms – the room types are deluxe room, beach villa,
deluxe water villa, Jacuzzi water villa, and honeymoon water villa.
There are three different restaurants, a poolside barbeque and two bars open for guests.
Some of the facilities include scuba diving, snorkelling, catamaran sailing,
windsurfing, canoeing and glass bottom boat riding. There is also a sun spa. Excursion
opportunities are good and include island hopping, night fishing and big game fishing.
Guests can also enjoy the disco, a live band and cultural shows.
One&Only Kanuhura Maldives - www.oneandonlykanuhura.com
Kanuhura is set in Lhaviyani Atoll and is a 35 minute seaplane ride from the capital of
Male. It’s a five star resort offering 100 rooms of various types.
The diving facilities and setting in Kanuhura are excellent – the outer reef is
incredibly deep and this means that divers are able to experience a highly diverse range
of marine life.
The Kanuhura spa is also highly reputed – it offers a health & beauty centre with a wide
range of available treatments.
One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives - www.oneandonlyresorts.com
Reethi Rah is a five star resort set in the North Male Atoll. It has 130 rooms of
various types (choose from eight types of rooms from beach villa to grand beach suite).
Reethi is a 55 minute transfer from Male.
Reethi offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars for guests and resort facilities
are also excellent offering a large selection of diving/water sports as well as general
activities such as excursions and land based sports.
Palm Beach Resort Maldives - www.palmbeachmaldives.com
This resort is set in Lhaviyani resort and is located 80 miles north of the Capital of
Male. Palm beach is another of Maldives lavish five star resorts and guests fly in from
sea-plane (40 minutes from Male International Airport).
Palm Beach has a total of one hundred rooms – 55 deluxe, 25 deluxe superior and 20
villas.
Guests can choose from a wide range of restaurants and bars – in fact four restaurants
and two bars.
Palm Beach offers a good range of resort facilities including tennis, squash, swimming
(pool), beach soccer, volleyball, kite surfing, pool and several water activities. There
are also excellent diving facilities with a multitude of diving courses available to
guests.
Paradise Island Resort and Spa Maldives - www.villahotels.com
Paradise Island is a five star resort that is set in North Male Atoll and an hours
speedboat ride from the airport.
There are a total of 30 rooms split into superior deluxe and water bungalows. Guests can
choose from a variety of restaurants for their dining choices and the entertainment is
highly regarded with many activities including disco, karaoke, live music, crab racing
and more.
Paradise Island also offers a wide range of excursions – aside from many of the standard
Maldivian favourites, the resort also offers submarine excursions, water safaris, photo
flights and glass bottom boat riding. There are also impressive facilities for water and
land based sports.
Ranveli Village & Spa Maldives - www.ranvelivillage.com
A 30 minute sea-plane ride from Male is the four star Ranveli Village & Spa. The resort
offers 56 rooms and a wide range of activities including diving facilities, spa, and
some land based sports such as table tennis.
Reethi Beach Resort Maldives - www.reethibeach.com
Reethi is a four star Maldives resort that is set in the Baa Atoll. It’s a 30 minute
transfer via Seaplane from Male.
There are 100 rooms that are divided into villas, deluxe villas and water villas. The
resort has a good offering of dining, excursions and typical water-sports/diving
options.
Rihiveli Beach Resort - www.rihiveli-maldives.com
Rihiveli Beach Resort is another of the Maldives four star offerings based in South Male
Atoll (45 minute speedboat transfer from the capital).
There are 48 rooms and the diving facilities are rather good with courses available for
all levels of divers. There are also many sports and activities on offer to make this
one of the livelier choices available in the Maldives.
Royal Island Resort & Spa Maldives
Royal Island is a five star Maldives resort that is set in the Baa Atoll. Guests can
arrive via Seaplane (35 minutes from Male) or speedboat (2 hours & 40 minutes).
There are 150 available rooms and the resort offers two restaurants, a coffee shop and
three bars for guests.
The resort facilities are very good - guests can use the sauna, steam bath, massage
centre, Jacuzzi, & pool. There are a huge number of water sports available for the more
adventurous and the diving facilities are also good. Royal Island also offers guests a
wide range of excursions – from day & night fishing to island hopping.
Soneva Fushi Resort Maldives
This five star resort is set in the Baa Atoll and is a 30 minute seaplane transfer from
Male. There are 65 rooms and these are split into no less than 14 different types.
Soneva Fushi offers a wonderful Spa with a wide range of treatments. The diving
facilities are also excellent and a huge portfolio of additional recreational activities
are on offer including excursions, fishing, ball games and more.
Soneva Gili Resort & Spa Maldives
The Soneva Gili resort is set in the North Male Atoll and offers 130 rooms to guests.
It’s a five star resort with appropriate facilities.
The resort offers first class dining, diving, and entertainment to guests.
Summer Island Village - www.summerislandvillage.com
In the Kaafu Atoll is the three star Summer Island Village resort – it’s a 90 minute
boat ride from Male and Summer Island Resort offers guests 108 rooms – either standard
or water villas.
Summer Island Village offers guests use of the Serena Spa offering a variety of
massages, body works, facials and alternative beauty treatments.
Excursions include a trip to the capital of Male, submarine trip, night fishing,
snorkelling and island hopping.
Guests can also participate in sports such as badminton, volleyball and diving.
Sun Island Resort Maldives
Sun Island is located in South Ari Atoll and is a five star resort. Guests can arrive
via seaplane (30 minute transfer from Male) or speedboat (2 hours & 30 minutes). The
resort has 350 guestrooms of various types.
There are excellent dining options including Italian and Thai cuisine. Sun Island also
has an excellent range of facilities and activities including water-sports, live
entertainment, excursions & land sports.
Taj Coral Reef Resort Maldives
Set in North Male Atoll, the Taj Coral Reef is a five star resort containing 65 rooms.
Transfer is 40 minutes from Male via speedboat. Guests can choose between a variety of
Lagoon or beach villas.
Residents can expect a high standard of Indian & international cuisine and Taj Coral
Reef has something for everyone, from honeymooners to experienced divers.
There are excellent Spa, massage & beauty treatments available and the resort offers a
huge range of activities, excursions & entertainment.
Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is a five star set in South Male Atoll. Guests arrive via a
speedboat transfer that takes 20 minutes and can choose from 55 rooms (various types of
Beach & Lagoon villas).
Residents can look forward to the wonderful Taj Mandara Spa for a range of relaxing
treatments. There is a PADI certified dive centre, pool, and a good variety of
additional entertainment & excursion options.
Thudufushi Island Resort Maldives
Thudufushi Island is a four star resort set in South Ari Atoll. It’s a 25 minute
seaplane transfer from the capital. The island contains 47 rooms for guests to inhabit.
Thulhagiri Island Resort Maldives - www.thulhaagiri.com
The four star Thulhagiri resort is in the North Male Atoll containing 17 water bungalows
and 55 beach bungalows. It’s a 25 minute speedboat transfer from Male.
The dining at Thulhagiri is highly reputed but guests will also enjoy the wide variety
of activities, excursions and water-sports available.
Vadoo Island Resort Maldives
In South Male Atoll is the four star Vadoo Island resort with 31 rooms. It’s a short 15
minute trip from Male via speedboat.
This is a smaller island that can be enjoyed by many different types of visitors from
honeymooners to divers. There is a PADI certified dive centre and Vadoo Island Resort
also offers additional water sports, excursions and some activities.
Vakarufalhi Island Resort Maldives - www.vakaru.com
The four star Vakarufalhi resort is set in South Ari Atoll and is a 25 minute transfer
by seaplane. There are 50 rooms available.
Dining at Vakarufalhi is typically on a full board basis and there is a main (Ilaa)
restaurant serving the main meals although snacks are also available at the bar.
There are many activities & recreational facilities on offer – guests can choose from
water & land sports, cultural activities, day excursions, snorkelling safari,
morning/night fishing, dolphin cruises and general entertainment. It’s also possible to
have a wedding. Diving courses are available and there is also a spa.
Velavaru Island Resort Maldives - www.velavaru.com
Velavaru is one of the four star Maldives offerings. It’s based in Dhaalu Atoll and is a
45 minute seaplane ride from Male. There are 84 rooms – beach & deluxe beach bungalows
and island beach bungalows.
Guests can dine at the Hathaa restaurant or kick back with a drink or two at the Muraka
bar.
Velavaru offers a good choice of water & land sports, diving, a spa and multiple
excursions & trips.
Velidhu Island Resort Maldives
In North Ari Atoll lies the four star Velidhu Island Resort with 80 beach bungalows and
20 water bungalows. Guests can fly in via seaplane (20 minutes from Male) or choose to
arrive via speedboat (a 2 hour ride).
There are a good range of all-round activities and facilities to please everyone here –
from dining to the many activities on offer. A huge range of recreation is on offer –
aside from the usual choice of water & land sports, Velidhu also offers bingo, fire
limbo dancers and disco nights.
Veligandu Island Resort Maldives - www.veliganduisland.com
Veligandu is in the North Ari Atoll – a four star resort with an excellent reputation
for great value. Veligandu is a 15 minute seaplane ride from Male and has 73 rooms split
into beach bungalows, deluxe beach bungalows, water villas & deluxe beach villas.
There is an excellent restaurant & bar and Veligandu also offers a good range of
activities & recreation. There are many different water & land sports for guests to
enjoy as well as island hopping excursions. The diving facilities are good and there is
a spa available to enjoy a relaxing massage.
Vilamendhoo Island Resort Maldives
Vilamendhoo is based in South Ari Atoll. It’s a four star resort with 154 rooms – the
transfer from Male takes 25 minutes by seaplane.
Vilamendhoo is well liked by divers but other facilities such as water/land sports and
excursions are also available.
Villivaru Island Resort Maldives
Villivaru is a 3 star resort that’s located in South Male Atoll. It’s an hour from Male
via speedboat and Villivaru has 60 rooms open to guests.
Recreation facilities include diving, snorkelling & other water sports as well as a
disco among others.
Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort Maldives - www.vilureef.com
Vilu Reef is Dhaalu Atoll – a five star resort with 101 rooms (four different types).
It’s a 35 minute seaplane transfer from Male to Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort.
Diving facilities are very good here and the resort also offers a very wide range of
additional activities from water sports to cultural shows and full moon excursions.
White Sands Resort & Spa Maldives - www.maldiveswhitesands.com
White Sands is a four star resort in South Ari Atoll – guests arrive by a 30 minute
speedboat transfer from Male.
White Sands Maldives has 141 rooms of various types. The resort offers guests a choice
of three restaurants and additional bar/café options.
There are excellent entertainment facilities – an internet café, water sports, diving,
pedal boats, multiple excursions and live shows (bands & boduberu).
That's the latest from the Maldives vacation authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
Technorati Profile
