100 Reasons to Visit Maldives

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Beaches so silky, you’ll no longer need shoes… Take a barefoot stroll at dawn and chat to a local fisherman.

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Nowhere on earth can boast seawaters as clear and blue as the Maldives. Scattered across a huge swathe of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprises countless strings of tiny islands, only two hundred of which are inhabited.

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With crystalline blue waters surging gently against isolated stretches of pristine white sand, the islands of the Maldives offer a peaceful sanctuary from the harsh realities of the outside world.

Usually other countries' taxis are a source of great rip-off tales for travellers. Taxis here are jaunty public ferries linking the islands: most foreigners will use only the route between the airport on Hulhulé Island and the capital, Male.

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Maldivians surely can fish before they can walk. Net fishing is illegal even for commercial operations: the locals use pole and line fishing, as they have done for centuries, catching one fish at a time.

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The lagoon is a safe and comfortable environment that offers shelter to many colourful species of fish. The clear, shallow waters and the proximity of the fish allow for some impressive close-up photos.

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Excellent surfing for all abilities

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The Maldives is said to be the lowest country in the world, its highest elevation just 2.4 metres above sea level (hence its anxiety over climate change). Some of its islands exist only at low tide.

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People in Maldives know how to live and enjoy a full life. Days are spent with carefree abandon.

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How about a ride in one of these? Seaplanes are capable of taking off from and making a landing on water as they have skis in place of wheels. Seaplanes and boats are the only way of travelling between the islands, making your vacation all the more exciting!

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While the Maldives is undoubtedly a year-round destination the shift from the South West Monsoon in November brings with it gentle breezes and calmer waters making it the perfect time of year to enjoy water sports.

While the diving and snorkelling opportunities are excellent, there are also some more specific ocean-based experiences that are simply unmissable. Spinner dolphins are one of the islands’ greatest attractions – these fellas leap high into the air from the deep ocean water and spin around in a brilliant display.

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With an economy largely based on tourism, this island paradise has embraced the global demand for ultra-luxurious accommodations and flawless experiences. Of the 200 inhabited islands of the Maldives, nearly 90 are dedicated to luxury resorts.

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The Maldives are known around the world for picturesque landscapes, but the islands are also rich in a warm and exotic culture. Inhabited mainly by Sunni Muslims, the local culture is in eclectic mix of Sinhalese, Arab and South Indian influences.

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With temperatures hovering between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, you won’t be disappointed.

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Hithaadhoo is a district of Addu City, in the Maldives. Hithadhoo is the main administrative district of Addu City, with many of the administrative buildings in this district.

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The Maldives are a trailing necklace of twenty-six coral atolls in the Laccadive Sea, 300 miles away from any major body of land.

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In Maldives, you will always find some fresh and pure seafood around your plate. Most of the restaurants and hotels will offer you exotic and special made seafood that will give your taste buds the memory of a lifetime. This makes for a top reason to visit Maldives.

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Maldives grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival status to all nations of the world for 30 days, and an extension of further 60 days is available for a fee. The 30 day stay rule does not apply to the citizens of the following countries - Brunei (15 days) and India (90 days). Visitors who have recently been to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone must obtain visa in advance due to Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa.

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Hammock is one of the coolest places to take an afternoon nap at.

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The beaches in Maldives are indeed among the most romantic beaches in the world. Whether it is a little sports or a peaceful walk down the silky sands, the beaches here will blow your mind.

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The Maldives are world-famous for their incredible sunset views; these can be enjoyed in the privacy of your villa or on a sunset cruise over the calm waters, accompanied only by the gentle lapping of the waves and the crimson shades of the sunset panoramas.

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From casual dining to exclusive gourmet meals, the Maldives offers a tempting variety of international cuisines. While the resorts embrace global fare ranging from the savoury flavours of Italian food to gourmet preparations of exceptionally fresh seafood, local venues tend to offer the more authentic Maldivian experience.

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One resort per island means that each location has a really peaceful, private feel to it. The sensation of owning your own paradise island is hard to beat.

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Get down with the locals and tuck into Maldivian snack food. While super-spicy tuna curry tops the menu, cafes dish up short eats or snacks, to get you over the afternoon slump.

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Enjoy today’s catch eight meters underwater! The properties in the Maldives have some excellent underwater dining experiences.

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Villingili is the only resort island of Seenu Atoll, Maldives. In 1997 the government of the Maldives contracted the American firm Abonmarche to build a large resort and marina there, to attract tourism.

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Throw away all your fears, forget your stress and problems, and just let time tick by as you marvel in the tiniest of beauty of your surrounding, and take in all of life.

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Everyone dreams of the perfect wedding, and what better way to say “I do” than by walking down the pristine beaches of Maldives, with the tranquil sea providing a soothing sound and a calm wind to invigorate your soul!

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Floating cottages are a typical Maldivian feature, with holiday homes seemingly suspended over the surface of the water.

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Being close to the ocean in a tropical setting is rejuvenating in itself. Add our fantastic spa experience and you’ll emerge a different person. Treatments are tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

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The good news is that sandbanks are plenty in the Maldives

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This picnic Island is approximately 1 km long and 150 meters wide with a picture perfect sand bar. The white sandy beaches are idyllic, with a beautiful lagoon for a swim in the crystal clear water.

The Maldives became a shark sanctuary in 2010 when it banned all shark fishing: take a night dive with grey reef sharks, go hammerhead spotting or watch whale sharks. There's no defined season for the big fellas, local marine biologists, say.

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The Maldives has its own, laid-back tropical style. Expect sandy floors in chic restaurants, open-air lobbies, thatch roofs overhead and the swish of an overhead fan ruffling the white curtains on your rustic timber four-poster bed.

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One of the great joys of the Maldives are its little spinner dolphins. They earn their names for their antics: in the late afternoon, as they make their way out of the lagoons and into the deep ocean to hunt, the dolphins will leap into the air to spin, just for the sheer joy, it would appear.

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The ocean is a vital part of life in the Maldives. Both fishing and tourism rely on maintaining the balance of the delicate reef ecosystem.

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National Museum is the last standing remnants of the sultan’s palace that was torn down in 1968. The museum is being moved to a new more modern looking building sometime in the next couple of years, so come and get a glimpse of this historic building while you still can.

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This old ass Mosque was built in 1656. It has elaborately decorated coral-stone walls with Arabic script carved into them. On the inside there are beautiful woodcarvings and an amazing lacquer job.

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If you’re looking for a more challenging dive this is for you. The sunken cargo ship that was downed in 1981 is now filled with new vivacious coral, sponges, tubastrea and myriad schools of fish.

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A great way to experience any destination is by visiting the local market. Malé feels a million miles from the island resorts, many of which are uninhabited islands taken over entirely by tourism. The local market is where people from the atolls bring their items for sale.

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This diverse marine area features a variety of geographical features such as cliffs, caves and overhangs, as well as a variety of marine life such as sharks, barracudas, gropers, jackfish, morays, manta rays, and bluefish snappers.

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Your resort will organise 'island hopping' tours (by boat).

The Maldives is a Muslim state, meaning that alcohol has been banned. But never fear, cocktail lovers, you will be able to find alcoholic beverages in hotels and resorts that cater to tourists. But please be aware that you will not be able to drink alcohol anywhere else in public.

Unlike most countries where not putting your hand in your pocket is frowned upon, here in the Maldives there is no need to leave a tip in most cases. A 10 per cent service charge is automatically added to everything and adding a tip on top of that is not a done thing.

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Located a 45-minute scenic seaplane ride from Male in the unspoilt Noonu Atoll, Iru Fushi Beach & Spa rises like a pearl out of the Indian Ocean. Set within 52 acres of white sands and exotic flora, here guests are immersed in a timeless culture. From the intuitive detail and personalised service that creates the most beautiful of memories, to the sublime ambience that permeates each unforgettable taste, touch and experience, at Iru Fushi the incredible awaits.

Just strolling round the Island in your bare feet with the hot sun beating on you is lovely.Walking round the Island takes about an hour and you can just stop off at the bar for a cold drink or a quick swim in the shallow lagoon.

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This small palace was the childhood home of Malidivian national hero Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who, alongside with his brothers, overthrew Portuguese rule in 1573.

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Fotteyo is a brilliant diving and snorkelling site in and around a channel entrance – it’s worth making several dives here.

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The centrepiece to the Baa Atoll Unesco World Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Huraa is a vital feeding and breeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks, meaning that you have an excellent chance of seeing these incredible sea giants while on diving trips here

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The best time to see the mantas for which Manta Point is famous is from May to November. Coral outcrops at about 8m are a ‘cleaning station’, where cleaner wrasse feed on parasites from the mantas’ wings.

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This market is very big, it's rated as one of the 10 biggest fish market in the world, selling all kinds of fishes here, seems most of them are in low prices.

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Just 30 minutes from the airport by speedboat, a tropical haven is enclosed within the turquoise folds of the Indian Ocean. Located in South Malé Atoll, the island of Biyadhoo offers a fascinating glimpse of the simple, yet breath-taking beauty of Maldives. Fringed by a crystalline lagoon and powdery white sandy beaches, Biyadhoo is blessed with lush tropical vegetation and famed to have the best house reef in the Maldives. Popular among the diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, the island provides peace and tranquility to the weary soul.

Hulhumalé or Hulhulemale is a reclaimed island located in the south of North Male Atoll, Maldives.

Dating back to the 1870's the building is one of Malé's oldest buildings and houses a small gallery and artist workshop to preserve and promote traditional and contemporary Maldivian arts and crafts.

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When it comes to adventurous sports, the first thing that strikes the mind is parasailing in Maldives. There are myriad hotel resorts in Maldives that offer parasailing to their clients. Parasailing gives you a fabulous opportunity to explore the Maldives archipelago.

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More than 60 charters in the Maldives are dedicated to providing the entire island experience. Stay in luxury accommodations as you float through the sea, pausing every so often to surf or take a dive led by the on-board instructor or explore little deserted islands.

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The Whale Submarine off Malé can be booked through your resort and descends into the blue for a 45-minute peek at everything from sharks to shipwrecks.

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For those who love diving and watching all kinds of marvellous coral reef formations and colorful fish underwater, this is the perfect place. Gray reef sharks and eagle rays along with rainbow runner, dog-toothed tuna, barracuda and blue-fin jack are among the permanent residents of these waters.

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The Maldives Rangali Island resort boasts of an aquarium restaurant that can be quickly converted into a cosy and luxurious abode for the night for you and your special one.

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Gan is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll, as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards. The origin of the word "Gan" is in the Sanskrit word "Grama", meaning "village"

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Hulhumeedhoo or Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo is one of the inhabited islands of the Addu Atoll in Maldives. Hulhumeedhoo is the only inhabited island in Eastern side of Addu Atoll.

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The Islamic Centre is an architectural landmark in Malé, Maldives opened in November 1984 by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

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Maafushi is one of the inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll and the proposed capital for the Medhu Uthuru Province of the Maldives. It is noted for the Maafushi Prison.

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A quarantined island which owes its name to a local flower, Mirihi Island boasts of an exclusive house reef and a pristine beach. The island has a resort, which offers 36 tourist bungalows.

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Fua Mulaku is located in the southern province of the Maldivian archipelago. While it is the smallest of the atolls with just one island, Fua Mulaku has the largest island in Maldives.