Maldives - Useful information for your trip

Maldives are an archipelago of 1,190 coral islands, among which only 202 are inhabitated and host about eighty tourist resorts. These islands are located to the south-est of India, about 735 km from Sri Lanka.

They are a paradise according to common thinking. It's enough to see some pictures to understand why: small atolls with white sandy and unspoilt beaches, that seem to float in an emerald sea. An oasis of relax and wellness, perfect for scuba diving and suitable for all budgets, from the most basic resorts to the super-luxurious ones, both with a common keyword: relax, rest or diving to discover the seabeds rich in corals and colourful fish.

The best period to visit Maldives is from December to April,  the dry season has become longer over the past few years. Rainfalls often  take place during the night and bring clear skies and calm sea. The temperature ranges between 26 and 31° C during the whole year; it is mitigated by a pleasant breeze. Moreover, the warm sea encourages people to stroll along the beaches for hours.

In order to choose the resort, it is necessary to evaluate not only the economic factors or the features of the bungalows or overwaters (bungalows on stilts on the sea), but also the characteristics of the island. That means where the coral reef is located, the size of the island and the means of transport through which it is possible to reach the island from Malé airport.

The islands with the coral reef closer to the beach are recommended for those who are not so familiar with the water or for those who want to reach it autonomously and practice snorkelling. Beaches with these features are smaller and change conformation and size according to the different period of the year. On the other hand, the largest beaches are usually located at the edge of the atoll and it is necessary to use a dhoni, a typical Maldivian boat, to practise snorkelling.

The smallest villages are the calmest, but also in bigger resorts privacy is always guaranteed. Moreover, these also ensure more services, such as tennis courts and swimming pools.

The choice of the atoll determines how to reach the selected island, even if it's generally possible to be transfered by a speed boat. Usually, the journey to reach the more peripheral atolls is made by a seaplane, ensuring a unique experience.

Over the last few years, domestic flights have been scheduled in order to connect Malé with the airport of Kooddoo, located to the south of the archiepelago, then it is necessary to continue for a short distance with the boat in order to reach the island.

The day flows slowly at the Maldives, but do not worry about getting bored: scuba diving, snorkelling, treatments in amazing Spas, fishing trips, guitar performances on the beach or open-air cinemas will fill your days.

Maldives is the destination with the highest number of returning visitors in the tourist market: there should be a reason, shouldn't it?