Destinations Details Welcome to Maldives It is one of the worlds most geographically dispersed nations with over 1,192 coral islands dotted along 180 kilometers. This unique setting is the heart of Maldivian tourism, offering over 140 hotels, each self-contained on its own island This is a paradise for divers, surfers and sailors and each of its beautiful resorts is set on its own private island, offering everything from underwater spas to open-air cinemas; sunken wine cellars to treetop restaurants. Enjoy snorkeling, diving, relaxing in lagoons teeming marine life and spot dolphins while you sip a cool beverage. Chill out and relax with a good book, or pamper yourself with a blissful spa treatment, and dine in style on your very own private island. When to visit The best weather is December to February, with low humidity, blue skies and only occasional rain, and pricing reflects that. Temperatures peak In March and April and prices tend to come down, with the lowest season being May-November (except August for school holidays) when there is a higher chance of rain and storms. Geography The Maldives is made up of over 1,192 coral islands in 26 coralline atolls. Islands on the outer ring of each atoll have a coral reef on one side of the island and a lagoon on the other side. The islands in the middle of the atoll tend to have a coral reef that covers the perimeter of the island. It has 31 protected areas of marine biodiversity and the designated UNESCO biosphere reserve in Baa Atoll famous for its manta rays. Culture The Maldives boasts a rich cultural mix because of its position on the historical spice route. The food is heavily influenced by South India and Sri Lanka featuring a lot of chilli, lime and coconut. The traditional Maldivian drums known as ‘bodu beru’ and the accompanying dance comes from Africa and many of the country’s traditions come from the Middle East in line with Muslim customs. Guests are free to wear whatever they like whilst on the resorts, however when visiting the local islands and the capital, we do advise guests to cover their shoulders. The Maldives Travelling in Maldives Seaplanes Maldives Speedboat Maldives Domestic Flight Maldives Areas of Maldives Malé A pretty small capital, Malé bursts at the seams of the island it’s on and is filled with miniature skyscrapers, mosques and buzzing mopeds. Often-visited spots for tourists might include the oldest mosque in the country, Hukuru Miskiiy or the newer shinier Grand Friday Mosque, while the National Museum and the bustling fish market are also worth a look. You can stock up on essentials, find souvenirs, or try some local treats at the numerous teashops. North and South Male Atolls Most early tourism grew up around here, given its proximity to the capital and airport, and it is still one of the most popular areas. Some of the luxurious well-known resorts in the area include Jumeirah Vittaveli, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Cocoa Island by COMO, One&Only Reethi Rah, Per AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, Taj Exotica, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Gili Lankanfushi, each of which sits peacefully on its own private island. The area is also home to Maafushi Island, one of the most successful islands for locally-run guesthouses, popular with those on a budget. Some of the best surfing breaks are in this area, while the channel that runs between North and South Male Atolls – Vaadhoo Kandu – is known for its great dive sites and Gaafaru Falhu Atoll, north of North Male Atoll, is a good choice for shipwreck dives. Shark Point – Kuda Faru – is in North Male Atoll, populated by white-tip and grey-tip reef sharks, while Bodu Hithi Thila is known as a prime manta ray-spotting site from December to March. Ari Atoll The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and these gentle giants are resident in the Maldives year round, attracted by its plankton-rich waters. May-September is their most active time and one of the best places to see them is South Ari Atoll, part of the main Ari Atoll, west of Male. There are around 80 islands within Ari Atoll and several even have artefacts of old Buddhist and Hindu settlements. Resorts here include Constance Moofushi, the W Retreat & Spa, LUX South Ari Atoll and Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, which boasts an underwater restaurant. Baa Atoll In 2011, the entire atoll was designated a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve as a marker of its incredible biological diversity. There are 75 islands in the atoll, 13 of which are inhabited and the area is also known for its handicrafts, such as lacquer work and feyli, the fine woven cotton sarongs you will often see local men wearing. Some of the top luxury hotels in this atoll are Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Anantara Kihavah, Soneva Fushi, Amilla Fushi and Dusit Thani.