A Fabulous Travel Guide To Maldives: The Jewel Of Indian Ocean - Updated 2024

Choosing your ultimate island resort: Luxury or budget-oriented? (from USD 712)

As mentioned previously, there are at least 80 resort islands for tourists. So, how do you choose where to stay? Consider the type of accommodation, facilities, packages and activities. Keep in mind that each resort is built on its own island. The islands have facilities such as beach activities, restaurants, bars, sports activities, spa and fitness centers and entertainment options.

If you are on a lavish retreat, do consider staying at a renowned luxury resort such Four Seasons, One & Only, Conrad, Sheraton Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Holiday Inn and Constance Halaveli Resort & Spa. The luxury resorts offer superior comforts at premium prices. For a once in a lifetime experience, it is worth it.

For budget-oriented vacationers, there are guesthouses with modern and spacious rooms. Equipped with comfortable furnishings and air-conditioner, these accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, daily room service, complimentary breakfasts, bathrooms with hot showers and snorkeling gear. However, the guesthouses are not always suitable for those who are looking for cheap deals. Their price ranges tend to fall in a moderate range.

You may also want to consider alternative accommodations such as ocean bungalows on stilts with and without steps, double story and single story accommodations and private villas. Again, these choices will depend upon your budget. Overall, Maldives offers a great range of accommodations. Wherever you choose to stay, you won’t be disappointed.

Where and what to eat in Maldives

Every resort island has restaurants that typically serve European, American and Asian cuisines. Most resorts offer free breakfast and a buffet for lunch and dinner. However, if you want the true taste of local cuisines, I recommend you to visit Male, the capital and the largest city of Maldives. In Male, there are many small restaurants and local cafes that serve delicious food.

Maldivian dishes mostly consist of fish, rice, coconut and spicy flavours. Popular dishes and snacks include garudhiya, riha, roshi, papadhu, mas huni, guraidhoo, kulhi borkibaa and keemia.

Snorkeling, picnics, scuba diving and so much more in Maldives!

The best thing about Maldives is that all 1,192 islands are totally different. Some islands are touristy, some are secluded and some are best for water sports. For instance, there is Maafushi, the touristy island. It has plenty of accommodations, souvenir shops and restaurants. If you are looking for a secluded and romantic place, you can head over to Fulidhoo. It is a paradisiacal sanctuary ideal for couples.

The Maldives is slowly turning into a popular surf destination. Great weather conditions, clear water and uncrowded beaches make Maldives a superb place for surfing. All surfers should make a beeline for Guraidhoo. The beaches there aren’t stunning, but the waves are enormous and perfect to ride.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are the two most popular activities in Maldives. The coral reef atolls are surrounded by clear water flourishing with marine creatures. Dive into the water and have encounters with manta rays, sharks colourful schools of fish, sea horses, eels, aquatic plants and shipwrecks.

Other activities that you can try include spa treatments, massages, jet ski safaris, sailing, water skiing, tube rides, para-sailing, sea kayaking, day trips, sunset and dolphin cruises, sports fishing and cultural tours.

Tips for first-timers in Maldives

It’s a Muslim country - Not many people are aware of this fact, but Maldives is a strict Islamic state that operates under Sharia law. Alcohol, pork, bibles and drugs are illegal in all the inhabited local islands. Both females and males have to follow a strict dress code. You can’t wear see-through clothes, bikinis, shorts or roam around shirtless on the local islands. However, once you are on one of the tourist islands, you can do anything you fancy. The resort islands are allowed to have alcoholic beverages and you can wear anything you like.

Beaches and swimming costumes - While you are not allowed to wear swimming costumes on the local islands, there is at least one designated beach for tourists there. They are usually known as Bikini Beaches. These beaches are separated from the local streets via a barrier. Once you are inside the barrier, you can change into your bikinis and shorts. Keep in mind that topless sunbathing (for females) won’t be tolerated and you can be sentenced to jail.

Weekends are from Friday to Saturday

In Maldives, government offices, banks and a few markets and shops are closed on Friday and Saturday. On the resort islands, lunch hours might be changed because of Friday prayers.Maldives is famous for its sun-kissed days, breezy evenings and tropical beauty. The temperature usually stays around 30°C all year round. Be prepared for rain from April to October and from June to August. The rain can actually be quite pleasant. The cloudy days are a welcome respite after days of warm sunshine.