The Maldives – a taste of paradise

By Adele Merson

February 11 2016, 4:10 pm

You’ve seen the adverts, you’ve seen the postcards. Sugar white sandy beaches fringed with lush palm trees and crystal clear twinkling waters.

Well, believe the hype – The Maldives is a little peace of Heaven on earth.

The Maldives is an archipelagic nation of 1190 islands scattered across the Central Indian Ocean, belonging to the continent of Asia. The closest neighbours to the Maldives are India and Sri Lanka.

The Maldives are becoming the place to be for sun worshippers and are quite simply one of the most picture perfect destinations for serious beach lovers.

If spending your days in a pair of shorts with nothing more to do than bask in the glorious sunshine then this is the place for you.

At first glance, they might seem too far away but with decent long haul packages on offer these days, The Maldives have never been so accessible.

We’ve put together some ideas for what to do when you get there and some handy practical information too.

Top five things to do in The Maldives :

Male

Visit one of the world’s smallest capital cities. Go sightseeing and take in the national Museum that is housed in the former Sultan’s Palace.

Male Fish Market

Catch a glimpse of local daily life at Male Fish Market. Fishing is the country’s most important industry and the market is located along the inner harbour on the north side of the island.

Grand Friday Mosque

The golden dome of this impressive modern mosque dominates the skyline of Male and has become something of a symbol for the city. Tourists wanting to enter the mosque can only visit between 9am and 5pm, and outside of prayer times. The mosque closes to all non-Muslims 15 minutes before prayers and for the following hour. Before noon and between 2pm and 3pm are the best times to visit.

Whale Submarine

Dive in one of the most advanced passenger submarines in the world. Whether you are young or old this is the perfect way to visit the underwater world without getting wet, while enjoying the sensation of diving in a submarine.

Maldives Dhoni Cruise

Cruise the Maldives by traditional Dhoni boat and experience the turquoise lagoons and sugar sandy beaches of these beautiful islands.

Useful information:

Language:

The native language of the Maldives is called Dhivehi. English is widely spoken in the country.

Currency:

The currency of the Maldives is Rufiyaa. All the major international currencies can be exchanged at favourable rates through banks and licensed money exchangers.

Dress Code:

Since the Maldivians observe the religion of Islam, it is advisable to dress conservatively when visiting inhabited islands like the Capital Male’ City. In the beach resorts, things are more relaxed and swimwear during the day is the norm. Be sure to pack cool linens and smart but casual garments for dining in the evenings.

When To Go:

Year round but rainfall can occur during June and July. December to April is considered the ‘dry season’ so expect plenty of sunshine.