Island Paradise Uncovered...in the Maldives

Discover the idyllic island paradise of the Maldives with lowcostholidays.com...

Luxury beaches:

The Maldives is famed for high class luxury beaches with amazing clear seas and sandy shores, perfect for relaxing isolated scenery.

For extra-long days on the beach, travel in the dry season months between December and April when the days are a few hours longer.

Remember Maldives is located just 18 miles from the equator; do not forget your sun cream! It may be very hot but keep your bikinis on, being an Islamic nation, public nudity is strictly forbidden.

Scuba diving…

Amazing tropical coral reefs and stunning underwater scenery has made the Maldives one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving. Try to travel in the scuba diving season between the months of December and May when weather is great and visibility is the clearest.

If you’re not comfortable underwater it’s probably best to give scuba diving a miss. Lowcostholidays.com recommend going with a recognisable instructor for your first dive, it’s best to feel comfortable with an experienced instructor who will know what to do in any situation.

Be cautious of weather and tidal conditions before you go in the sea, especially in the monsoon season.

Take an underwater camera with you to get the most picturesque images of the coral reefs. Try to swim to the bottom of the reef and hold the camera as still as possible for the best shots.

What to wear:

Pack lightly, with a year round tropical climate the temperature rarely falls below 25°C. Light linen and cotton materials are ideal, remember to keep beach wear on the beach, most restaurants and shops will require you to put clothes on.

Public nudity isn’t allowed anywhere on the islands.

Be respectful of the local Muslim values, cover shoulders and wear knee length shorts and skirts when visiting the inhabited islands like Male.

How do I get around?

Individual islands are small enough to walk around and if you want to travel island to island, boats air taxis and private yachts are available. Be aware that most boats and air taxis are reluctant to travel at night so if your flight is in the evening you may have to spend the night in the city of Male.

Hidden gems:

Huvadu Atoll is the largest, deepest atoll in the Maldives. Just 13 miles from the equator, the atoll makes for a unique and exciting diving experience.

With a remote location, the atoll remains unexplored, if you’re looking for exploration this place is idyllic.

Money:

The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa but some restaurants and resorts will accept the American dollar; it’s a good idea to bring a sufficient amount of money in either cash or traveller’s cheques or a combination of both as there isn’t a vast amount of ATM’s on the island, the banks are located at key points in Male. Commonly, people use credit cards; visa, mastercard, American express etc. are all widely accepted.

Anticipate a 10-15% service charge on practically all services and expect to feel obliged to leave a tip as well.

Shopping:

The capital Male is a great place to go shopping. Don’t miss out on the renowned male fish market where you can get the freshest fish in the Indian Ocean. Be wary of pickpockets in surges of crowds and haggle with traders for great prices.

Other useful tips:

• Be aware, the tap water may not be drinkable in all resorts, so enquire before you start drinking.
• Try a traditional Maldives dish of smoked fish with grated coconuts and onions, fish will never taste as fresh. Remember the Maldives religion is Muslim, so don’t think about ordering pork, most places will not sell it.
• Dhivehi is the local language in all parts of the Maldives but you will find most people understand English as well.
• Tourists are strictly prohibited to import alcohol, pornographic material and illegal drugs.