Everything you’d expect from a romantic ‘bounty destination’ can be found in the Maldives: pearly white beaches with coconut palms, a clear azure sea, and endless possibilities for snorkeling and diving. These are the most beautiful places in the Maldives. Don’t miss things to do in Maldives.
The tropical island kingdom of Maldives consists of atolls, each only a few square kilometers in size, spread over several atolls (annular chain of islands) in the Indian Ocean. Rising sea level is a serious threat to this archipelago. Quickly discover this idyllic destination with paradise islands, plentiful beaches, and fascinating underwater life. These are the five special places of Maldives.
1. Pearl Necklace of the Maldives, Tropical Islands
The 1,190 islands of the 26 atolls that make up the Maldives can be divided into three types: 185 inhabited islands, over 900 uninhabited islands, and about 100 resort islands. Whatever hotel resort you choose, an idyllic setting with a white beach, palm trees, and a clear azure sea are the ingredients of your stay.
Between June and October, you have the chance to see the ‘Sea of Stars’: dazzling phytoplankton in the shallow waters along the coastline. This light is produced by a natural chemical reaction when this plankton comes into contact with oxygen. While visiting one of the inhabited islands like Hura, get to know the fishing population. Watch how a traditional boat ‘Dhoni’ is made and sample various ‘Hedika’ snacks as you sit in the ‘Joli’, a cross between a lounger and a jhoola. That’s life in the Maldives!
2. Male: Underrated Capital
The capital Male is located on the island of the same name and since 2018 has been connected to the island of Hulhule airport via the 2.1-kilometer long Friendship Bridge. The bridge is designed for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. It is the first island bridge in the country and thus a new experience for residents who have always relied on boat transfers. As part of the inaugural festivities, five weddings were performed on the bridge.
Most tourists visit their resort island soon after arrival, but the trip to Male is well worth it. The oldest building in the city, made of coral stone, is the 17th century Friday Mosque with a golden dome and minaret. The mosque is decorated with sophisticated lacquerware and is one of the main attractions of Maldives. You’ll learn about a variety of facts during a visit to the National Museum, from Islamic carvings to whale skeletons and minutes of an underwater cabinet meeting in 2009.
Also read Famous Tourist Attractions in Japan You Shouldn’t Miss in 2022
3. Dive into the diverse underwater world of Maldives
The Maldives is one of the most popular diving destinations due to the clarity and temperature of the water (28 degrees on average), the number of diving sites, and the diversity of coral, fish, and other marine life. Most of the islands have a ‘house reef’ which is accessible from the beach, making them attractive to snorkelers and novice divers. For slightly further dive sites, such as the larger Banana Reef, advanced divers can sign up for a boat dive excursion.
Marvel at the serene underwater world: coral in different sizes and tropical fish in different colors including parrotfish, pufferfish, barracuda, and wrasse. A sudden encounter with a sea turtle, whale shark, or manta rays here is something worth remembering! Dive into the wreckage of the Maldives Victory sank in 1981. The ship is partially covered by coral. Explore different areas of the ship to find out which fish have entered here.
4. Coral: The Great Underwater Attraction Battling Playfulness
250 species of beautiful colored coral can still be seen in Maldivian waters, but the coral is under threat. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, followed by pulverization and death. Coral repels single-celled organisms and they provide color, oxygen, and the necessary formation of lime. The coral is also threatened by overfishing, contact by divers, and years of farming the islands. Since coral accounts for 25% of ocean life and reefs provide good coastal protection, survival is essential.
Also Read The Best Ski Resorts in the U.S
Artificial alternatives are being sought because environmental measures such as reducing CO2 emissions are inadequate. For the first time in 2018, 3D-printed coral reefs were placed on Summer Island. Fake natural forms are thought to attract floating larvae in search of a safe hiding place, which is the beginning of the coral life cycle. Experiments are also underway with the cultivation of coral species that are more resistant to high temperatures. So hope for a more colorful future!
5. Special Attractions: Water Villa, Ice Skating and Underwater Dining
If you have a little more to spend, Maldives has special attractions, such as glass-bottom water villas. You can admire the underwater life from your room. Sightseeing by Seaplane gives you the opportunity to admire the Maldives from the air. You can also see through the size of the atoll and the clear water how the islands continue underwater. With all the high-rise buildings, the capital looks like a mini Manhattan in the middle of the ocean from above.
Many special occasions in the Maldives are tied to the resort islands, accessible only if you stay there overnight. For an unexpected experience in this tropical paradise, skate at the synthetic ice rink ‘Ice Ice Maybe’ on the beach at Jumeirah Vittaveli Island Resort. You can enjoy dinner in a glass underwater dome at Huravalhi Island Resort’s 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. You feel part of the reef and sea coral and fish all around you.