The Maldives the joy of doing nothing

The Maldives is a unique destination, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean with immaculate beaches, the clearest blue waters and remarkable marine life. A bucket list destination in every way.

Although it hasn’t always been that way. It’s a relatively new destination the first resort opening in 1972. It was only in 2009 that travellers could visit “non-resort islands” giving locals the chance to profit from the tourism industry. Before this travellers could not visit these islands.

The Maldives are made up of 1192 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls “island groups” that have 200 inhabited islands and about 97 islands which are designated tourist islands. The population of the Maldives is just over half a million with 200,000 Maldivians living in Male the capital, on an island of only 3.2 sq miles.

Anyone flying Internationally to the Maldives will certainly fly into Male. Depending on where you are staying, islands close to Male will involve a speed boat transfer. Further afield will involve a seaplane transfer.

When transferring, boats are a lot cheaper than seaplanes, so islands close to the airport may work out kinder for your budget. The island’s further afield will require a seaplane transfer and possibly an overnight stay in Male as seaplanes can only fly in daylight, this will depend on your flight arrival.

When is the best time to visit the Maldives? November to April is the best time as this is the dry season. Although we visited in January and we had a couple of rainy days, the dreamy Maldives weather isn’t guaranteed even in the dry season. The dry season is the most expensive time to visit.

May to October is classed as the rainy season. This is a much cheaper time to visit, but with a very high chance of rain and more humidity. Generally, February through to March is the best time, and May through to August is the lower-cost time with the greatest chance of rain.

A lot has been said about the Maldives being an expensive destination. Granted it’s not a cheap holiday option, but with a bit of planning and compromise you can lower your spending. All-inclusive is probably the best option for most as meals, drinks and often some activities are already budgeted for.

Islands with greater choice of accommodation will be less expensive than smaller islands’ where perceived exclusivity will often mean higher prices. Excursions and upgrading to a water bungalow are usually cheaper by organizing at the resort rather than at the time of booking your holiday.

Another big question is how long to spend in the Maldives? Due to the distance involved, it’s not a short-stay location. We visited for 10 nights which for a relaxing holiday was just right. Many people visit 5 to 7 nights having two-centred with other destinations. A week appears to be the sweet spot for many. Lots of airlines fly regularly to the Maldives from the UK giving greater flexibility to travel itineraries.

Where to stay in the Maldives can be difficult, there is a bewildering selection. Elements to take into consideration are cost, accessibility and location, accommodation, island size, who you are travelling with and package options. Friends, couples and honeymooners will all have different expectations for their Maldivian experience.

The Maldives has a reputation as a fly-and-flop destination. Doing nothing but sipping a cocktail beside the turquoise sea or snorkelling and diving to view the abundance of marine life. This can be the prevailing stereotype of the Maldives.

Yet the Maldives is gaining a reputation as a destination for well-being and conservation which was evident on the island we were staying on. With lots of spa options and environmental processes put in place. An example of this would be no single-use plastic on the island.

Rannalhi island

Our choice of resort while staying in the Maldives.

A picturesque 45-minute boat ride direct from the airport, Male Adraaran Club Rannahli is very conveniently located. Our paradise island would soon be waiting to be discovered. Hopefully, an ideal place to seek solace and serenity.

Located at the tip of the South Male Atoll. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the end of the pier surrounded by aquamarine water. A fantastic location nestled on an island with lush foliage, palm trees and a plenitude of marine life.

The island was uninhabited before it was turned into a resort in the mid-90s. There are 96 rooms on the island nestled amongst the trees and 28 water bungalows which are situated above a lagoon on the northern tip of the island.

We encountered the underwater world beside us and relaxed on the island’s pristine beaches. It was a perfect blend of excitement in the water and relaxation on the island.

The resort has a secluded location amongst the palm trees. It had all the essentials for a Maldives trip, stunning beaches, warm turquoise waters and comfortable rooms, which were modest in style but wonderfully comfortable.

There are more luxurious (and more expensive) resorts around but reasonable prices and easy access to the airport make this destination solid value for the Maldives.

The island itself is reasonably compact 12 acres of palm trees and lush vegetation, leading to pristine beaches which gave us gorgeous views while walking the circumference of the island, which can be completed in under 10 minutes.

The simplicity and setting reign at Adaaran Club Rannalhi. The stunning natural surroundings of the island certainly allow for a relaxing peaceful stay.

There are some swanky 5-star resorts with expensive prices. Adaaran is not one of these, it has an unpretentious ambience with an understated luxurious appeal. As Leonardo De Vinci said simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Adaaran has picture-perfect beaches, a full spa service, a good selection of watersports and a great value all-inclusive offering by Maldivian standards.

Dining on the island is a pleasant experience and although evenings are low-key, there is nightly entertainment provided by the resort, including a beach disco which is held twice a week.

A great advantage was there seemed to be dozens of tiny beaches tucked between the trees, making it easy to claim a private spot. Leafy palms are planted everywhere and the grounds are covered in sand including the indoor lobby floor giving the whole island a very natural feel.

Continuing with the natural feel, very often we would see nurse sharks swimming around the outside bar area of the resort at sunset. Making this golden hour even more memorable as we contemplated another amazing day in paradise.

The wellness spa was very popular a blend of exclusivity and rejuvenation, with some very affordable spa package treatments available. We booked a few treatments, an indulgence that didn’t break the bank.

Each resort will have its own island, which will have its unique character and feel. They are not all the same despite what the water villa and snorkelling pictures will have you believe, which for me adds to the appeal of the Maldives, not overrun by corporate homogenisation

Sunset Cruise

I like to keep busy discovering new experiences on my travels. After sitting back and enjoying a few ice-cold cocktails 🍹 for a couple of days it was time to find out if the Maldives had something more to offer.

A popular activity while in the Maldives are sunset cruises. Ours was provided by the resort as part of our all-inclusive package. Due to very changeable weather we wanted to choose a day with a clear sky.

Thankfully the day we booked was perfect. A short distance from our island we had the perfect sunset. You may be fortunate enough to see a few dolphins. Even if you don’t it’s still a wonderful time of the day, to reflect on how beautiful this world can be.

Fun time on the island

There is a surprising amount to do whatever your preference, from hot stone massages, snorkelling, fishing, scuba diving and a plethora of watersports. There were trips to other islands, we werent able to do these unfortunately as there weren’t enough people to run the trip even after several days trying.

Feeling adventurous we hired some canoes which were readily available at the resort and enjoyed some time on the open water enjoying the view of the island.

Continuing with the water theme, one of the most popular picture opportunities on the island was the water swing. The quintessential Maldivian island experience, what better way to relax than swinging above the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

After all that activity what better way to relax than in an overwater hammock? We didn’t have to go far to find one. They were once quite distinctive, but now due to social media are very popular for that perfect picture opportunity, who are we to disagree 🤣

Sunrise cruise

Another fantastic experience was an early morning cruise where we were able to view numerous nurse sharks surrounding our dhoni boat. The majestic scenery and clear turquoise waters certainly made the early morning start worthwhile.

The wildlife is not confined to the sea. A common sight on the island was the grey heron. The birds spend lots of time on the ground striding about or standing still for long periods with an upright stance and an unnerving stare.

Geckos, small iguanas and bats dart around in the foliage and tropical birds can be heard squawking constantly even from inside our beachfront room.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling in the Maldives offers many fantastic opportunities. We enjoyed incredible reefs, often voted some of the best in the world.

The large number of atolls which are coralline in origin with a coral rim make up the maldives. The abundant reefs support a diverse marine life. The South Male Atoll is one of the best snorkel sites in the Maldives. Where our island was situated

One of the easiest ways of seeing this marine life is by snorkelling. I was able to jump in straight away and experience the beautiful and rather varied Maldivian marine life. With our all-inclusive package, our snorkelling equipment was free for the duration of our stay.

Male the nation’s capital

Male compared to the rest of the country is a contradiction. Where the Maldives conjured up idyllic paradise islands. Male is one of the most densely populated islands on earth.

Central Island is one of several islands that make up the capital. It is only four square miles and over 100,000 people are living on this one Island. Putting this into perspective the total population of the Maldives is 500,000 scattered over 200 islands, that’s over one-fifth of the total population on one tiny island.

Male is generally overlooked by most visitors as merely a transit location with “nothing to do” Granted it’s not party central, it does have a distinctive feel bustling narrow streets, and colourful buildings. It will certainly give you the feel of the real Maldives rather than the one you see on holiday websites and Instagram posts.

The first landmark which we came across as we docked at the ferry port was Republic Square. This small square is the central point of the city. Most landmarks are just a short walk from here.

Old Friday Mosque

The next landmark is the Old Friday Mosque. Dating back to 1656 and made out of a beautiful coral stone, which intricate decoration and Quranic scripture have been chiselled.

Non-Muslims are permitted to visit inside with permission from one of the officials. You must be conservatively dressed and enter when there is no prayer being held. The interior is famed for its fine lacquerwork and intricate woodcarvings.

To the side of the mosque is a cemetery with many elaborate carved tombstones. Stones with rounded tops are females and pointy tops are males. You do not require permission or entry to visit the graveyard.

Blue Mosque

Male’s newest and biggest mosque is capable of holding 10,000 worshippers, it is a symbol of friendship between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. It is instantly recognisable by its dazzling blue roof and five sparkling minarets which represent the five pillars of Islam.

Sultan Park

A public park constructed on demolished regal palace grounds. It had been recently renovated and now holds a fountain and lush flora. A perfect spot to relax in this very built-up city.

Victory Monument

Situated next to the park is the Victory Monument. This was built to honour the people who gave their lives on November 8th 1988. Fighting against a Tamil terrorist attack. Multiple civilians were also killed during the attack.

Fish Market

Not what I had in mind as a major tourist attraction. The central fish market is the hub of commercial activities. A place (excuse the pun) which is full of people and deals are being made.

Locals and catering businesses come to buy a large variety of fresh fish caught from different parts of the country. This is the Maldive’s principal fish market

Situated nearby is the local market where you can find indigenous fruits and vegetables grown in the Maldives. Small stalls are predominantly operated by locals.

SiniMale Bridge

The first inter-island bridge in the Maldives which links three islands. Opened in 2018 this 1.39 kilometres bridge was built with funding received from the Chinese government hence the name.

If you’re looking for relaxation, first-class service, pristine beaches, turquoise clear water, abundance of sea life and activities on and under the water give the Maldives a visit.