Guide to Maldives

Beaches

It would be difficult to find a more beautiful Eden than a typical Maldivian beach...peaceful and uncrowded with pure, snow-white sands – perfect for those who wish to indulge in lazy days in the sun. The Maldives are also popular with watersports enthusiasts. Equipment is readily available and most resorts offer windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water-skiing and canoeing. The Maldives' popularity with scuba divers and snorkellers is legendary and for those who have never dived, this is the perfect opportunity to learn. The waters are warm, the sun always shines and the marine life is extraordinary.

Eating out

Due to the heavenly island seclusion, hotels provide for your every culinary whim – choose from local and continental food, exotic buffets and tempting barbecues. Since fish and coconuts are the only items that don't have to be imported, they tend to find their way onto most menus and are the mainstay features in Sri Lankan and Indian-influenced curry that are so popular here. Locally-caught spiny-backed lobster is a Maldivian seafood delicacy, and fresh tuna, plucked straight from the sea, is another favourite. For more a more 'urban' dining experience, there are cafes and restaurants in the capital, Male. If your hotel offers All Inclusive or an All Inclusive Option for their meal plan, please check what's included in the hotel details and look in the A-Z. The All Inclusive concept in the Maldives can differ from other parts of the world.

Nightlife

Mother Nature puts on some wonderful entertainment when evening arrives. From the spectacular pink sunsets and sparking star-filled skies, to the gentle rustle of palm leaves and crash of waves against powdery sands, the calming nightlife of the Maldives is derived from the spectacular beauty all around. Loved by families, couples and honeymooners looking for a secluded getaway, nightlife in the Maldives tends to be quite sedate with hotels offering entertainment such as small discos to local folk dancing.

Shopping

Away from the turquoise waters, you can shop locally for popular items such as feyli - beautiful woven sarongs, onyx ornaments and costume jewellery, which make ideal souvenirs and gifts to take home. Male is the best place for shopping for imported goods and if you're seeking some duty free, Male International Airport offers a selection of goods from cameras, cosmetics, electrical and electronic equipment and other products. The Singapore bazaar in Male sells a range of Maldivian handicrafts, including mats woven with local fibres and tiny carvings of dhoni boats, and the Baa Atoll is famous for its lacquer work crafted by skilled artists from the surrounding islands. Please note it is illegal to take any shells or coral from the islands, or to buy anything made from turtles.

Transfer time

Transfers are by either a dhoni (local craft), speedboat or seaplane. Transfers may be rough, particularly May to October. Customers are advised to wear flat shoes for transfers as they will have to climb in and out of boats. Certain resorts are reached by seaplane and in such cases a 20kg baggage allowance will apply and your luggage may follow in a boat and not arrive until late in the night. Therefore, we recommend you pack a small bag with essentials. There may be a wait of up to 2 hours for your onward transfer to your chosen hotel. For safety reasons seaplanes are only able to operate during daylight hours. Important note - if the flight to the Maldives is delayed it may be that you will be unable to transfer to your hotel until the following day. In this situation we will provide accommodation and board for the first night of your holiday in an alternative hotel and arrange for you to travel to your booked hotel the following morning.