The small republic of the Maldives possesses some of the most astonishing and beautiful underwater life in the world. Consisting of over a thousand tiny coral islands, the Maldives is traditionally a fishing and trading nation which converted to Islam in the 12th century but which in recent years, aware of its magnificent natural resources, has striven hard to maintain its traditional way of life and preserve the natural beauty of the islands whilst affording the visitor a secluded and exclusive holiday experience. The Maldives is a destination for away-from-it-all peace and quiet, an island experience, yet with hotels which epitomise the style of barefoot luxury. For many, the Maldives offer some of the most fascinating underwater exploration available, from both snorkelling and diving. With over a hundred different species of fish, from angelfish to flying fish, snapper and triggerfish, stingray and shark, as well as turtles and numerous corals of a multitude of colours, there is a wealth of sights underwater in the Maldives. If your resort is near Malé then the capital is worth a brief visit with its mosques, tea shops and traditional houses with rounded corners. With its turquoise seas, coral sand beaches, swaying palm trees and thatched huts and cottages, the Maldives represents for many the perfect picture of a typical deserted tropical island, and dream luxury holiday destination.
Facts
Capital
Malé
Airport
15 minutes by speedboat. Please note that the resort is one hour ahead of official Maldives time.
Size 298 square kilometres of land on 1192 islands in an area of sea measuring 754 kilometres long and 118 kilometres wide.
Currency Rufiya (£1 = 17 rufiyas)Population 300,000
Temperature Temperatures are consistently hot averaging about 31 degrees Centigrade. Sea temperatures average about 27 degrees Centigrade. The year is divided into two monsoon periods, the north-east monsoon from December to March (drier) and the south-west monsoon from May to November (wetter months with stronger winds).
Local highlights
The rich underwater life of coral, reef fish, sharks, rays and turtles. Bodu beru traditional music and dance. Traditional seating - the undholi (like a hammock) and the joli (a net seat hung from a wooden frame). Local crafts include mats, lacquer work and jewellery. Traditional dhoni boats. Tea shops in Malé with a selection of `short eats` including rice pudding, curried fish cakes and small bananas.
Getting out and about
Your island resort is reached by boat or plane from Malé. Traditional transport from island to island is by dhoni, but it is not usual for visitors to the Maldives to visit islands that are not resorts as invitations and permits are required.
Travel arrangements
How you get there
British Airways flies from London Gatwick to the Maldives direct. The flight time is about 10 and a half hours. The flights are not daily. Emirates flies from London, Birmingham, Manchester or Glasgow to the Maldives with a change of aircraft in Dubai. The flight time is about 11 hours in total plus time for the change in Dubai. The connecting times are very good and the prices we offer you allow for a stopover in the Maldives, making the Maldives and Dubai an excellent two-centre holiday option. Qatar Airways flies from London to Malé via Doha. The flights are not daily. SriLankan Airlines flies from London Heathrow to Malé both direct and via Colombo. The flight time is about 12 hours in total. One you reach Malé we have included the most appropriate type of transfer to your hotel, either by speedboat or seaplane. Details can be found under the individual hotel descriptions.