Discover Maldives
Tourists confirm that tourism in Maldives actually lives up to all expectations, as it is characterized by the splendour of the bright sun, transparent blue lakes, coral reefs full of fish, diving opportunities between sharks, and white sand beaches that extend to miles and miles of charming turquoise waters And, although the image of Maldives is familiar, there are likely to be some surprising things you didn't know about this South Asian destination.
Maldives consists of more than 1,000 small islands
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| Maldives Islands |
Yes, you read correctly. Maldives consists of about 1190 islands spread across the Indian Ocean, located in southern and western India and Sri Lanka, but we are not talking about an archipelago like Hawaii here, especially since some islands in Maldives are very small, which you can discover along the way on your Google map, some other islands are barely more than a strip of sand coming out of the water. This means that besides the more populous island of Male, many islands have nothing more than a resort or hotel.
Not all of these islands are inhabited
Among the hundreds of islands within Maldives, there are 26 atolls, and there are also islands that tourists are forbidden to visit even though the locals inhabit them, while the uninhabited Maldives are used for farm or industry, or as "picnic" islands for resorts, which tourists can visit For the day to eat romantic special meals.
Some islands in Maldives are human-made
While it is believed that most of the islands in Maldives were formed by volcanoes, and most of the islands themselves are the peaks of the remainder of those volcanic islands, some of the islands are in fact man-made. For example, Hulhumale Island, which is the closest island to the main airport in Male, is a "reclaimed" or "artificial" island that was created in 2004 by throwing large amounts of sand and concrete to create the foundation. Today, it appears to be a city complete with paved roads, shops, housing, and the coast.
Climate change may cause a serious problem for islands
If you need reasons to take your dream trip to Maldives, don't miss it, it might disappear. In fact, several dozen islands have already disappeared thanks to natural erosion from the sea, natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and rising sea levels. Additionally, coral is the geological basis for most of the islands in Maldives, and it is particularly sensitive to rises in ocean and sea temperatures.
Even if it takes some time for the islands to disappear, the lack of safe drinking water due to salt seas that interfere with freshwater layers, as well as floods, will pose risks to human life.
Even if these facts aren't alarming enough, for many of the remaining islands, beach erosion is still a big problem - so don't be surprised if you see sea walls built around the islands to help preserve beaches.
The best time to visit Maldives is from November to April
While temperatures in Maldives are generally stable throughout the year, Maldives is vulnerable to the southwest monsoons responsible for the rainy season which roughly coincides with the months from May through October. From November to January, it can be a bit windy, but you will get sunny and dry weather. Even if you choose to visit during the rainy season, you will likely see more sun than clouds. However, climate change is changing meteorological patterns around the world, and temperatures can swing on the islands for days on end.
The beaches sparkle naturally
There are only a few places around the world where Bio-luminescent phytoplankton lights the beaches year-round. In Maldives, the phenomenon usually appears here and there throughout the archipelago. Including Dusit Thani Beach in Maldives in Baa Atoll, during certain times of the year, the beach of this resort comes alive with light at night, giving a starry look to the starry sky.
The experience is truly an unforgettable opportunity to have fun, but be sure to check the timing of the scene with the hotel if you are specifically looking to see the lights.
Every resort in Maldives is basically its own island
Every resort in Maldives is on its own island, and this basically means that any image you have about moving to a remote island in the middle of nowhere can be largely fulfilled if you visit Maldives. It also means that most of the islands are very small, so you'll be around the same people all the time, and unless you take a day trip, you are in the same little square of sand for your entire vacation.
There are no malls, movie theatres, or dining, beverage, or entertainment options outside of the resort, so be sure to do your research well when choosing the ideal resort.
The villas over water (bungalows) are amazing, but not quite the same
Huts with a roof set on stilts and seem to float magically over the blue waters of Maldives, this is the stunning image that is usually transmitted of Maldives, and what many travellers yearn for when they start planning a trip to Maldives. However, it is not for everyone. While the bungalows over the water provide a unique view of the ocean, they are not that special, and they cause you some inconvenience at times.
Drinking water in Maldives is different
As the limited freshwater in Maldives continues to fall victim to climate change, drinking water is becoming a bigger problem than ever before, so resorts searched for a solution to it, by recycling, treating, and producing water by desalination. The process makes the water completely safe to drink, except that it extracts all the natural minerals, making the water less useful.
An incredibly safe destination
If crime and terrorism are a concern for you when you are planning to spend your vacation, then you can feel very comfortable if you are coming to Maldives, especially since crime rates are low, as well as any large cases of terrorism are usually from low to non-existent. As of the time of writing in 2019, the country has been granted a Level 2 Threat Level from the US State Department, the same as that of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Italy. In fact, the main dangers you are likely to encounter here are natural: strong currents along the beaches.
Maldives is expensive
Seaplane flights may double the cost of your trip, there are no seaplane schedules in Maldives.
The flight from Male Airport to the resort island may only take 15 minutes, but that does not mean that it will be cheap, in many cases, the price of a round-trip airfare on a plane can reach between $ 800 to $ 1000 per person.
You have some of the best possibilities in the world to see great marine life in Maldives.
Maldives is home to some of the best marine life viewing, both above and below the water, for example, the South Ari Atoll is famous for having whale sharks all year round, making it one of the best spots to see them in the world. There is also a great chance that you will spot some dolphins around this area as well. In North Male Atoll, there is a high concentration of manta rays, and this is all in addition to the endangered sea turtles, colourful fish, and reef sharks that are commonly seen along most of the resort's reefs.