General
About, 400 miles South West of Sri-Lanka lie the Maldives, an independent republic of almost 2,000 tiny coral islands, scattered across the translucent azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Only about 200 of these islands are inhabited. Simple fishing villages and others are developed into resort islands. The inner land is flushed with tall coconut palms and other woody trees.
It's outlined with un-spoilt gleaming white beaches then the crystal-clear lagoon and then again surrounded with growing multiple colored coral reef, which is home for the matching colored fishes. A heaven for the water-sports enthusiasts and as well as the sun-seekers. It is illegal to take out of the sea in the Maldives, either living coral or souvenirs from wrecks, it is also illegal to remove shells from the islands or to purchase any items made from turtles.
Local electricity in resorts and Male' is AC 220-230 V. Maldives as a holiday destination, gives a brief description of the Maldives and the resorts; their location, suitability and vivid descriptions of few resorts. This document will fetch a through knowledge on geographical distribution of the resorts and will give the reader an understanding of how Maldives is different from other holiday destination.
It's outlined with un-spoilt gleaming white beaches then the crystal-clear lagoon and then again surrounded with growing multiple colored coral reef, which is home for the matching colored fishes. A heaven for the water-sports enthusiasts and as well as the sun-seekers. It is illegal to take out of the sea in the Maldives, either living coral or souvenirs from wrecks, it is also illegal to remove shells from the islands or to purchase any items made from turtles.
Local electricity in resorts and Male' is AC 220-230 V. Maldives as a holiday destination, gives a brief description of the Maldives and the resorts; their location, suitability and vivid descriptions of few resorts. This document will fetch a through knowledge on geographical distribution of the resorts and will give the reader an understanding of how Maldives is different from other holiday destination.
Arrival ...
On arrival at Male' International Airport, a representative from the resort or from us will be thier to welcome you. You may have to wait till all other guests, going to the same resort, check-out before you leave to the resort. Guests flying to the resort will take a 5 minute ride on a bus to check-in terminal and guests going by sea will take only a 3 minute walk to the jetty.
Meals ...
Unless otherwise mentioned meals mostly are provided on buffet, which means there is little or no choice but you can enjoy a variety of seafood in Eastern and western style. Beach barbeques are very frequent and you can enjoy fresh fish caught the same evening.
Accommodation ...
Accommodation in standard rooms are neat and clean with plain furnishing. Deluxe and water bungalows are air-conditioned and elegantly furnished. All rooms are forefront to the sea with private balconies and at a few resorts, a couple of rooms are built in two storey blocks.
Entertainment ...
Entertainment is very much limited but many water sports are available in all most all the resorts unless there is rare case of very bad whether. Resorts near capital Male' have live bands in the evenings and most of the others have Discos. Water sports include swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing, wind surfing, sailing, catamaran, fishing (popping) etc...
Heath and Vaccination ...
Vaccination is recommended for protection against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid - please check with your doctor. Click here to visit Ministry of health home page.
Ramadan - fasting month ...
Maldives is a Muslim country, hence all Maldivian staff on the islands mark the Month of Ramadan every year. No service available at the resorts will be interrupted because of this.
Drinks ...
Almost all the canned drinks and liquors are imported and drinks are a little more expensive. Even-though Maldives is a Muslim nation and alcoholic drinks are available on resort islands. However, no alcohol may be taken into the country. Tourists are required to store any alcoholic drinks with the customs on arrival and they can collect these items on thier departure.
Money ...
We would advice you to have some US dollar cash handy in small denominations for tipping porters on arrival. In most of the islands' you are asked to sign for all extras during your stay and to settle you bills prior to departure. Credit cards accepted are VISA, Master Card, AMEX, Diners and JCB. ( resort information contains the types of cards they accept.)
Tax ...
The govermernt bed tax of US$ 8.00 is also levied per person per night and at most times this is tax is included in the room rate.
Water ...
Most resort islands have desalination plants to filter 'island water' while others offer fresh water (rainwater). During periods of heavy demand or low rainfall, water supplies may be restricted on few islands, all though 'island water' is always adequate for washing and showers. Most islands offer heated water. On live-aboard vessels fresh water is available at baths and toilets and for drinking you'll get bottled mineral water.
Communication ...
All resorts and inhabited islands have local and IDD telephones. Most resorts do have telephone access from the room or from the reception area. GSM mobile access is available througout Maldives and are providied by Dhiraagu and Wataniya. Please make sure that your service provider has roaming agreements with any of these providers and visit their websites to find which areas are covered.
A few resorts offer internet access from the room while others have small cyber-cafe's. Some resorts and hotels also offer Wi-Fi access. On the capital island there are a few cafe's which offer Wi-Fi access and cyber-cafe's are located very near to the arrival jetty and shopping areas.
A few resorts offer internet access from the room while others have small cyber-cafe's. Some resorts and hotels also offer Wi-Fi access. On the capital island there are a few cafe's which offer Wi-Fi access and cyber-cafe's are located very near to the arrival jetty and shopping areas.
Transfer to resorts, liveaboard, night transfers ...
Most of the transfer to near by islands are by speed boat or locally built boats (8-9 miles per hour). Please note that timings and resort descriptions are estimates and may vary depending on sea and weather conditions. To resorts located in Ari atoll or any other atoll the transfer is by seaplane, helicopter or speed boat. The transfer to Ari atoll resorts may take from 20 to 45 minutes by air and longer with speed boat. The seas inside the atolls are mostly calm unless if it is a rainy season, which is mostly during May and June.
Take note that there are no transfers for resorts further away from the airport. You should check with your resort if they have night transfers if you coming or leaving by an evening flight. You can use the only airport hotel, Hulhule Island Hotel or any other hotel on the capital for your over-night stay. The airport hotel is just 3 minutes ride from the arrival terminal while you can reach a hotel in Male' by 10 minutes ferry boat ride and than 5-10 minutes by taxi or van. There are shuttle ferry boats every 15 minutes between the airport and the capital Male' and it cost Rf 10 (approx. USD 1.00) per person.
Take note that there are no transfers for resorts further away from the airport. You should check with your resort if they have night transfers if you coming or leaving by an evening flight. You can use the only airport hotel, Hulhule Island Hotel or any other hotel on the capital for your over-night stay. The airport hotel is just 3 minutes ride from the arrival terminal while you can reach a hotel in Male' by 10 minutes ferry boat ride and than 5-10 minutes by taxi or van. There are shuttle ferry boats every 15 minutes between the airport and the capital Male' and it cost Rf 10 (approx. USD 1.00) per person.
Diving ...
- A medical certificate of physical fitness is required for all those taking a diving package.
- Qualified divers must bring their log book and copies of diving certificates.
- As diving is not usually covered by holiday insurance policies, we strongly advice that you that you check and if necessary take out the extra cover.
- One should not dive within 24 hours of arrival or departure.
- Minimum age is 12 years.
- Tank and weights only - means you must take you own regulator and stab jacket.
- It is recommended that divers bring their own mask and snorkel.
- Diving may be booked at the time of booking or after arrival at the resort.
Snorkeling ...
All most every island has it's own house reef. The resorts also arrange trips to near by reefs and un-inhabited island near by. The guests on live-aboard can snorkel at any spot they anchor - they normally anchor at secure reefs on fishing villages and deserted islands. It is recommended that divers bring their own mask, snorkel and fins.
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