” I want to go to the Maldives before they sink, but just because it’s the most beautiful place on earth” – Shane Smith
Where are the Maldives?
Nestled southwest of Sri Lanka and India, Maldives is an archipelagic nation located in the Indian Ocean and also the smallest country in Asia. This island nation is unique in its geography and topography, with over 26 naturally-formed atolls, 200 locally inhabited islands and thousands of other coral islands and sandbanks.
Out of the 200 inhabited islands, almost 122 of them have been developed as tourist resorts and about 80 islands are used for agricultural and other livelihood purposes. With so many resorts spread out across that many islands, there are plenty of options for visitors to choose from depending on what they are interested in and want to explore.
MALE- the capital of Maldives
Male, also spelled Male’ or Malé, island and atoll, capital of Maldives, in the Indian Ocean. It lies on Male Atoll, about 400 miles (645 km) southwest of Sri Lanka. As the seat of government for the Maldivians, it has central courts, a government hospital, public and private schools with instruction in English, and a vocational-training school focused on engineering. It is a trade and tourist centre and is connected with Sri Lanka and India by steamship lines.
Male International Airport handles both domestic and international flights. Male’s chief products are fish (bonito and tuna), coconuts, breadfruit, and woven palm mats. In December 2004 much of the city was flooded after Maldives was struck by a large tsunami triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia. However, Male’s seawall limited the damage. Pop. (2014) 153,904.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April. The island nation is warm and sunny year-round, but consists of a dry season and a wet, rainy season. There are pros and cons to visiting in each season. Travelers will experience the best weather in the Maldives between November and April, thanks to little precipitation and warm temperatures.
Unfortunately, this is also the busiest time of year and, as such, the room rates at resorts are expensive. However, since each resort inhabits its own island, you won’t have to contend with throngs of crowds like you might during the high season in another destination.
May to October is considered the rainy season, with the islands seeing between 5 and 10 inches of precipitation monthly and often strong winds. Visitors will likely find better deals for this time of year (though, the term “deal” is relative, since the Maldives is a pricey location year-round). This time of year is popular with surfers, though, because the area sees bigger waves and better swells for surfing during these months.
How to get to the Maldives?
When planning your international flights, you have three main choices. The first (and easiest) option is to fly direct with British Airways. BA runs their service three days a week during high season (October to March).
The obvious benefit here is the overall flying time (only 10 hours). It’s also worth noting that you arrive at 9.40AM into Malé which is perfect for onward connections. The downside is the lack of choice for dates (only Sunday, Wednesday, Friday going out and Monday, Thursday, Saturday coming back). Also, if you want to travel between April and September, you will have to look at alternative options.
Maldives weather 🌤
Expect the Maldives to be warm all year round meaning jumping in the sea or pool is always enjoyable. The islands have a tropical climate so you can expect heavy rainfall on occasion throughout the year as the weather is influenced by the monsoons. However, this rainfall is always short lived and immediately replaced by sunshine and tropical blue skies. Temperatures are pretty stable throughout the year averaging highs of 30C and lows of 25C, meaning a trip to paradise is guaranteed to provide sunshine and warmth.
Diving in the Maldives
Experience up-close encounters with vibrant marine life at Club Med Kani. The sparkling waters of the Maldives are home to a seemingly endless variety of colourful fish as well as turtles, sharks, manta rays, and myriad coral. Dive deep to explore the mysteries of life below and uncover ways to preserve our natural wonders. Diving in the Maldives will create lasting memories for the whole family.
Accommodation in the Maldives
No one does overwater bungalows quite like the Maldives, but which are the most beautiful of all? Here are our picks for the 18 best resorts in the Maldives.
- W Maldives
- Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
- Six Sensen Lammu
- Niyama Private Islands
- Soneva Jani
- Park Hyatt Maldives
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
- Jumeirah Vittaveli
- Finolhu Island Resort
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort
- Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
- Baros Island
- Como Maalifushi
- Gili Lankanfushi
- Milaidhoo Island
- St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- Landaa Giraavaru
- Angsana Velavaru
How much money does it take to stay in the Maldives?
If you want to have the amazing Maldives experience, but you prefer finding your local accommodation, instead of staying in a resort, you should start searching for your favorite one on Airbnb. There are plenty of beautiful apartments, villas, bungalows, and private rooms available and, depending on your dates and preferences, you can pay between $ 25 and $ 100+ per night.
The apartments available on Airbnb are spread throughout the inhabited islands, so you can find something gorgeous no matter which Maldivian island you want to stay on.
If you are on a budget, you are probably worried about the prices of living in the Maldives. Everything depends on the type of spender you are. For instance, according to other travelers, you should spend around $ 60 daily in the Maldives.
Though meal prices vary, it seems like you should spend around $ 15-$30 per day on food. Keep in mind that breakfast meals are a bit less expensive than lunches and dinners, and, as you can imagine, street food prices are lower than in sit-down restaurants.
If you don’t plan to spend all your days relaxing on the beach and indulging in delicious foods, add local transport to the spending list, and expect to pay around $ 7 daily.
Have you already visited the Maldives and what are your impressions?🌞
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.