If I close my eyes, I can still remember the feel of warm sand beneath my feet, a cool breeze with a touch of salt kissing my skin, as the idle waves roll towards the shore. If you think of an island holiday, it’s hard not to imagine the sun, sand and sea. A few cocktails, sunbathing by a pool and perhaps a few activities to get your adrenalin pumping. But when it comes to the Maldives, this destination simply has so much more to offer than just your regular island attractions.
To give you a little insight, you’re not visiting just one island. You’re visiting an archipelago of 26 atolls, which boasts around 1200 small coral islands and sandbanks. It’s not just a destination, it’s an experience and a natural wonder to observe.
On arrival at Male airport, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how welcoming the muslin nation is to tourists. Although small, Male airport offers all the conveniences a weary traveller would need before their journey to the island where they will be spending their time. Passport control is efficient and a speedy process, unlike with other more popular destinations. From here, you would either take a ferry or a seaplane to reach your final destination. Both have their own unique appeal. On the ferry you’ll be treated to a refreshing cruise over cerulean blue waters, that deepens to the colour of midnight between islands, only to become completely translucent as you reach the shore. You might even be privileged to see a school of spinner dolphins playing in the surf or perhaps a blue whale, which also frequently visit these islands.
The seaplanes might be a little noisy and uncomfortable to travel in, but the view is simply majestic. You can spot coral towers protruding from the Indian Ocean as far as your eyes can see.
On arrival at your island, you quickly realize that the islands aren’t all that large. Usually, a single island only hosts one hotel. This means guests have access to the entire shore (if not obstructed by coral), as well as numerous choices of restaurants and activities.
On most islands, resorts offer either a room stay or an over-water bungalow. If you can afford it, the bungalows are worth every single dime. You’ll be treated to your own private sundeck and private access to the ocean. If you’re lucky, your over-water bungalow might just be on a coral reef, which means snorkelling can be done right on your doorstep. (Snorkelling equipment are available for rental at most resorts)
The over-water bungalows are connected by carefully constructed and maintained wooden walkways (remember, they get hot, so always carry shoes with you), which gives you the luxury feel of a celebrity vacationing on a private island. (Only this is one you can afford)
On your first night on the islands, you’ll be treated to a night sky the likes you’ve never seen before. With little to no light pollution due to the archipelago of islands being spread so far apart, wishing on a shooting star is within your reach, every night.
Except for the serenity and untouched coral reefs, the Maldives offers so much more than just a destination where you can unplug, unwind and relax. For the more adventurous minded individuals, there are numerous activities to keep you entertained.
Resorts offer a variety of water sports, ranging from skiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving expeditions. There are sunset catamaran cruises and whale watching tours available most days, weather permitting. Kayaking and canoeing over the coral reefs have also become very popular amongst guests.
When it comes to snorkelling over the reefs, you’ll catch your breath. This archipelago has more than 1100 species of fish, 5 types of marine turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins and almost 200 species of coral display. You can visit Nemo and his family, meet Dory and if you’re lucky you might even encounter a turtle. The reefs are brimming with sea life, intriguing even the youngest and oldest of minds.
When making your booking, be sure to ask your travel agent for a resort that offers local island tours. This isn’t only a once in a lifetime experience, but it’s an eye-opener to how these island people have created small towns and infrastructure on little more than coral towers with protruding sandbanks.
On a local island tour, you can expect to be welcomed with a cocktail served in a coconut. You can look forward to visiting local crafters, see the local schoolhouse and perhaps even taking a walk down a sandy street they call Main Road. The locals are welcoming, warm and will stop at nothing to make you buy a crafted keyring or a sarong printed with local imagery.
Be sure to cover up when visiting the local islands, as this is a muslin nation and might become offended if you don’t.
On the days you feel like taking it slow, there will still be an abundance of options for you to choose from. You can either sunbathe on the beach with a waiter close by to make sure your thirst is quenched, only rising from your sun lounger to cool off in the welcoming surf. If you don’t enjoy the sand, you can spend a day by the pool with a cocktail bar just a few steps away.
The spas in the Maldives are of the best quality I’ve experienced around the world. Their masseuses and therapists are trained to make you relax and forget about all your worldly troubles. Oils are mixed in a careful manner, with a touch of vanilla to remind you of the island; awakening not only your senses but imprinting the moment forever in your memory.
When it comes to island destinations, there are so many on offer at any given time. But if you truly want to enjoy a vacation while giving your soul the ultimate retreat, then the Maldives is the perfect destination.
You can choose your own pace, your own scenery and most of all you can choose which distractions you will allow during your stay. A night of dancing perhaps? Or would you rather spend an afternoon on your private sundeck, listening to the waves lap over the shore as you feel the tension melt away from your muscles and you feel yourself coming back to life again?
As a frequent traveller I can assure you, a vacation in the Maldives should be on every traveller’s bucket list.
I’m glad I finally got to tick it off mine.
Links to explore:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives
https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Hotels-g293953-zff8-Maldives-Hotels.html
