What a country the Maldives is. Maldives

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The ocean washing the Maldives is called the Indian Ocean, and they themselves are grouped into an archipelago stretching from north to south, consisting of coral atolls - ring-shaped island structures. There are lagoons inside these rings. In total, this archipelago includes 1190 islands, which are grouped in 26 atolls. All atolls are divided into 19 administrative regions, and the capital of the state, the city of Male, became the 20th administrative unit.

The islands are located southwest of the Industan Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean is washed by the Maldives- warm, huge and majestic, the blue of its waters merging with the sky on the horizon, because of which the horizon line becomes almost indistinguishable. But among the huge number of islands in the archipelago, only about two hundred were inhabited. In an archipelago like the Maldives, the sea occupies 99.7% of the territory. and only an insignificant remainder falls on land. In general, the Maldives rise above the water, being part of a large underwater mountain range. For thousands of years, corals have grown on the tops of the seamounts, reaching up towards the sun, gradually forming reefs. As a result, ring-shaped structures grew, parts of which later found themselves above the surface of the water and formed islands of atolls. And in the middle of the atoll there was a depression - a lagoon, which communicated with the ocean through a series of natural channels-channels.

Indian Ocean temperature off Maldives

Those who are going to the Maldives should not worry about the temperature of the ocean water - it is always warm and suitable for swimming here. At any time of the year, it is no colder than 26 degrees., which cannot but delight divers and just beach goers. This is not surprising, because the archipelago is located very close to the equator. The water in the ocean is always clear and blue, which further enhances the pleasure of contact with it. During the monsoon, many islands develop strong currents, making sailing in the sea dangerous, but the rest of the time, communication between the atolls is easy.

Flora and fauna of the Maldives ocean

The many hundreds of fish species found in the Indian Ocean can be divided into two categories: fish that live in calm lagoons and reefs, and those that prefer the freedom of the open ocean, but sometimes also approach the islands in search of food. Fans of scuba diving and snorkeling are attracted by a lot under water: exotic shapes and colors of coral, fish, molluscs, jellyfish, turtles, moray eels, sea urchins and stars, dolphins, rays and sharks. Cetacean mammals and sea turtles also prefer to migrate across the ocean - they are very popular with divers.

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The Republic of Maldives is located in South Asia, on the islands of the Maldives archipelago, which is a chain of 20 atolls (about 2000 coral islands) in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, southwest of the island of Sri Lanka.

State

State structure

Democratic Republic, part of the Commonwealth. The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is a unicameral parliament (54 deputies).

Language

State language: Dihevi

V tourist centers speak English.

Religion

The majority of the population is Sunni Muslim.

Currency

International name: MVR

One rufiyaa is equal to 100 lari. Banknotes in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaas, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari are in circulation. USD and major credit cards are accepted everywhere. Upon departure, the remaining rufiyaa is allowed to be exchanged back for dollars.

Maldives history

The beginning of the history of the Maldives is unknown, but we know that people lived on the islands 3000 years ago. About 800 years ago, the rulers of the Maldives - the Buddhist kings - converted to Islam from Arab merchants. The Maldives was a British colony at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and gained independence in 1965. In 1968, the Republic of the Maldives was proclaimed.

Maldives Map

Popular attractions

Maldives Tourism

Where to stay

Maldivian hotel complexes are quite different, but they are all united by the hospitality of the locals and excellent service. The Maldives has a very interesting hotel building system - one island = one hotel.

There is no official classification of hotels in the Maldives. The hotels here are classified according to a special rating system of hotel service: Deluxe, Superior and Standard. Most of the country's hotels are of a four- and five-star level, of a bungalow type. There are very few three-star hotels here.

All Maldivian hotels are of a high standard, with a huge territory ( whole island) and unique design. Even the most budget hotels provide their guests with nice rooms with minibars, air conditioners, safes and other essential amenities. Most hotels have diving and spa centers, golf courses, volleyball and tennis courts, 24-hour bars and restaurants. Pools are not found in all hotels.

In the hotels of the country, vacationers are offered both half and full board in the buffet format. A separate table is attached to each room in the hotel restaurant.

Most Maldivian hotels are complexes of dozens of one- or two-story bungalows and cottages, each with one or more rooms. These rooms are equipped with a kettle and daily restocking of coffee and tea, air conditioning and TV. Bed linen is changed every other day, and cleaning is done twice a day.

Many hotels offer tourists accommodation in "water bungalows" - spacious wooden houses on stilts standing right on the beach above the water. Available - a bathroom with an ocean view and a terrace.

In addition, accommodation in boutique hotels is possible in the Maldives - these are 10-12 detached villas. Each has an outdoor shower and a private terrace.

Another, not the most traditional option for living in this country, are yachts, the cost of living on which is very high.

Popular hotels

Tips

Tipping is usually 10% of the bill.

Visa

Opening hours of institutions

Banks are usually open from 9 to 13 from Saturday to Thursday. Day off - Friday.

The opening hours of the shops are inconsistent. Most, especially on the large islands, work from 7-8 o'clock to 21-23 o'clock, but in summer time many shops are open from 13-15 hrs to 18-20 hrs.

Souvenirs

You can bring shark jaws, coconut oil, shells, sarongs, wood crafts (red and black figurines), coconut monkeys.

The medicine

It is recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B. If necessary, it is better to bring medicines with you, since there are practically no pharmacies on the islands, and medicines sold in hotels are extremely expensive. It is recommended to drink bottled water.

After the vacation, I could not find the strength to talk about. Collected my thoughts, I tell.

Who owns the Maldives?
Nobody, this independent state, located on 2000 islets, right on the equator (only a hundred islands are inhabited). The country is run by the president. Religion is strict Islam. Population - 300 thousand people, mostly descendants of the Dravidians (the ancient Austroloid population of South Asia), who are colloquially called "black Hindus". Tourism and fishing are the main sources of income for the treasury.

Are there cities?
There is, but only one, it is the capital. The main problem of the country is that all the islands are very small, there is nowhere to build cities. Male city is located on one of the largest islands(he is also called Male). Airport - on a neighboring island, 15 minutes by ferry. Male is built up very densely, in terms of population density this island ranks second in the world after one of the Hong Kong islands. Male is home to 100 thousand people, a third of the population of the Maldives. There are practically no single-storey houses, they are being built on 5-6 floors, there are also 10-storey buildings. There are a lot of cars on the island, including jeeps and trucks, although there is normal asphalt everywhere, and the entire island around the perimeter can be walked around in an hour. The sports cars were especially surprising, because on Male it is difficult to accelerate faster than 40 km / h. Typical street:

Why is everything so expensive there?
Everything is very expensive because each island is self-sufficient. Male has its own large CHP, on the islands - only small diesel power plants. There are wells on Male, and desalination plants on other islands, just like Tatooine from Star Wars. And all the water in the pipeline is from the desalination plants. On the tourist islands, all products are imported, including fish and fruits (except for coconuts, nothing grows). There are no factories for the production of, say, drinks in the Maldives - bottled drinks from abroad. To get from island to island, you need to overcome many kilometers of the ocean surface, and travel by speed boats and, moreover, by seaplanes are also not cheap. Prices for a tourist in Sri Lanka, where I visited on the same trip, are one and a half to two times lower than the Maldivian ones.

Is there really heaven on earth?
Depends on how you envision heaven. In any case, paradise is not on Male, but on the tourist islands. One island, according to the unwritten rule of the Maldives, is one hotel. The tourist lives in a bungalow, a simple one-story structure, the splendor of the decoration of which depends on the "star rating" of the hotel. From the bungalow, exit directly to white beach with the purest water, around the vastness of the ocean, coconut trees and helpful hotel workers. Food and drink in the restaurant bars. For some, Crimea is a paradise. On the beach:

But what about the pristine nature?
Do not deceive: there is a lot of nature. Colorful equatorial fish and fatty tuna swim in the sea next to you. We saw a reef shark at a depth of 1.5 meters on the very first day. Moray eels and stingrays were not noticed, but heard about them. The sand is strewn with pieces of coral, you can admire the living ones by diving with a mask. Hefty crabs swarm on the beach in the evening. A palm-sized tropical cockroach and lizards were walking around the bathroom. Most of all I liked the unafraid herons, ignoring the beach goers, and the flying foxes - huge bats (wingspan more than a meter) hanging in the trees and sweeping overhead at dusk. Foxes do not drink blood, but love fruits.
Tourists are encouraged to take good care of the local nature. For offending a fish, you will receive a fine of several hundred dollars. At the same time, the locals catch fish with impunity anywhere and whatever. Central sewers on Male and other islands drain directly into the ocean. Since there are no incinerators in the Maldives, garbage is also drowned in the sea. But tourists, of course, are in no hurry to tell about this.

What other pitfalls are there?
An ordinary tourist arriving in the Maldives does not see the country - he is taken from the airport to the island hotel, and then back. As a curious tourist, I spent a day and a half in the capital. Few people know that the Maldives has its own currency “rufiyaa”, because in hotels the settlement is in dollars. Since the water supply on the islands is connected to desalination plants, in the event of a breakdown, the entire island loses not only the shower, but also food - there is nothing to wash the dishes. Yes, remember I was talking about strict Islam? The import of alcohol into the country is prohibited, that is, it is useless to buy a bag of booze in the Moscow duty-free shop - they will be taken away at the entrance. Alcohol is only available in tourist hotels on the islands, and at an exorbitant price ($ 7 for a pint of bad beer, $ 5 for 50 g of whiskey). On Male, alcohol is not sold at all, but there is a wide range of "non-alcoholic beer". It tastes like lemonade lemonade. Here, for example, is Holsten's choice (Holsten is not local, but brewed in Hamburg especially for the Maldives!):

The flight to the Maldives is 8.5 hours; only Transaero makes a direct flight from Moscow twice a week. Is it worth it? Well, I've always wanted to know what it is like - heavenly life on the islands. I found out. There is nothing to do. :)

Basic moments

The Maldives offers generous sunshine, glamorous sifted sand beaches, turquoise bounty lagoons and fantastic diving 365 days a year. And it is also a delightful atmosphere of complete relaxation, respectable laziness and detachment from everyday problems. Whatever economic disasters shake the planet, this Asian resort continues to live in its relaxed and independent big land rhythm. The classical Islamic state with its traditional taboo on everything that contradicts religious canons has managed to adapt to the free customs of the tourist elite, while absolutely not compromising its own traditions. The Maldives is the very place where the roads of visitors and indigenous people (unless they are hotel employees) hardly intersect, and the bank account, no matter how solid they are, can be reset in a matter of days. It is in the Maldives that you can arrange the most romantic wedding, improve your diving skills, and, finally, just feel like the last person on the planet by renting a secluded bungalow with a private beach and stunning ocean views.

History of the Maldives

According to rough estimates, the history of the Maldives began more than 2000 years ago, when the atolls lost in the Indian Ocean were inhabited by immigrants from neighboring India and Sri Lanka. It was the first settlers who brought Buddhism to the islands, which in the XII century supplanted Islam, actively propagated by the Arabs who arrived here.

Starting in the middle of the 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch began to claim the territory of the Maldives. But the local inhabitants were in no hurry to turn their country into a raw material appendage of an insatiable Europe, actively resisting the attacks of foreigners.

In 1887, England still managed to establish a protectorate over the Maldives. But in 1967, the islanders rebelled, demanding complete independence from Britain, which was granted them a year later. The country was immediately declared a republic and a new president was elected.

Weather and climate

You can go to the Maldives at any time of the year: thanks to the subequatorial monsoon climate, it is always warm here. Even in the coldest months (January - February), the thermometer never drops below + 17 ° C, but average temperature air often fluctuates between +24 ... + 33 ° C. The main climatic differences depend on the two monsoon seasons. The winter northeast monsoon, which blows from January to March, occurs during the peak season, brings dry weather and coincides with European winter. The southwest monsoon from May to December is the reason wet weather but the rain rarely lasts very long. The rainiest months in the Maldives are May and November, while the sunniest months are March, as well as before and after.

Geography

The Maldives is Asian state in the equatorial Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is 700 km from here, and only 430 km to India. By the way, the Maldives are considered the lowest state on the planet: almost all local land areas are only a meter or two above sea level, so in the distant future the fashionable resort risks repeating the fate of Atlantis.

For the most part, the Maldives are small, and the area of ​​the individual islands is even tiny. Almost each of these pieces of land has its own coral "shield", so the main feature of local beaches is that they almost never storm, and the water near the coast retains amazing transparency.

The main resort area of ​​the country is formed by the northern atolls, which guarantee their guests the highest level of service and complete privacy. The South Atolls are lagging a bit behind in terms of tourism development, but it is easy to predict that they will also "catch up" in the foreseeable future, given that their lagoons are full of suitable diving spots.

But tour operators reached the far southern atolls relatively recently, so while these islands continue to be inhabited by the Maldivians themselves. This, of course, does not mean that the ubiquitous backpacker did not step here - quite the opposite, given the fact that the distant atolls are perhaps the only place in the country where a tourist thirsty for national flavor can freely contact the local inhabitants. In other parts of the resort, you will not be able to walk so freely through the village streets.

Flora and fauna

The natural world of the equatorial paradise is surprisingly poor. The main inhabitants of the land are hermit crabs, giant Achatina (snails), flying foxes (relatives of our bats) and gray herons. The vegetation in the Maldives is even worse. Basically, the tourist will have to admire the coconut palms and bananas, which are cultivated in huge quantities on the islands. True, one has only to leave the coast and plunge into the azure ocean waves, how completely different Maldives will appear before you - bizarre, full of life and the most incredible colors. The reefs surrounding the resort are home to over 1,100 species of fish, 400 species of shellfish, 187 species of coral, 21 species of mammals (whales, dolphins) and 145 species of crabs.

Capital

The classic rule: "The capital is the face of the state" does not work in the Maldives. Male - small but incredibly tight populated city on the southern coast of the atoll of the same name. Its area is 5.8 km². It is in Male that ¼ of the total population of the republic lives.

It is a paradox, but the capital of an elite world resort is not much different from the provincial cities of the same India. Close streets, high-rise buildings close to each other, a littered port and a permanent symbol of any Islamic country - a mosque. There are almost no significant attractions in the city, so tourists arriving in the Maldives do not stay in Male. Unless they go to the local market to gaze at the abundance of fish rows, or, if urgently needed, walk to the hospital.

Locals and national traditions

As in any Islamic state, the Maldives has a strong religious tradition. The indigenous people do not drink alcohol and never sell it, or rather, they try to pretend that they are sick of it, and they also hide their women under shapeless robes. Such a way of life, of course, is not imposed on visitors. Moreover, many Maldivians work as bartenders in hotels, masterfully mixing cocktails and filling guests' glasses with drinks that they will never taste for themselves.

The bulk of the country's population is engaged in the tourism business, but those who have the stars shine a little less brightly have to earn their living by fishing, repairing boats and other not the most highly paid occupations.

Since not all islands have regular transport links with other parts of the land, most of the Maldivians live in extremely isolated situations. Ordinary islanders have a monotonous and measured life: in the morning going out to sea, in the afternoon lazy swaying in a hammock chair and idle contemplation of the surrounding reality, and with sunset fishing again.

Code of etiquette and rules of conduct at the resort

In the Maldives, there are a lot of restrictions, failure to comply with which entails serious problems. For example, on the most beautiful beaches on the planet, it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, let alone completely naked. Walking around the cities and towns in ultra-short tops and shorts is also not recommended, as well as chipping off branches of local coral in memory of the trip. Fans of fishing near the coast and spearfishing are better off not spreading about their predilections at all: such types of fishing in the Maldives are equated with poaching. And for throwing garbage and drinking alcohol outside the hotel, hefty fines are imposed.

Video: Maldives from above

Maldives beaches

It is a thankless task to list the beaches of the resort, which consists of almost 2,000 islands, so it is easier to name the most popular and well-groomed ones. In North Male Atoll, these are Banyan Tree and Naladu. Do not suffer from a shortage of swimmers, Nothing and San, belonging to the Ari Atoll. You can swim in the company of Maldivian turtles on the beaches of Lhaviani Atoll, and the shores of Maafushi are better suited for observing dolphin behavior. The islands of Kunfadu and Hadahaa were occupied by the owners of fat wallets, while incorrigible romantics flock to the Vaadu coast, dreaming of meeting the dawn on a luminescent beach. Surfers and other wave catchers hang out at Kunuhura Island, where their unofficial headquarters - Pasta Point Resort - is located.

Attractions and entertainment in the Maldives

After you explore the amazing beaches of the Maldives and discover all the delights of the system all inclusive, you are unlikely to want to go anywhere else. Well, if such a desire nevertheless appears, then take a ride to Sultan Park on the island of Male, where the National Museum is also located. In the capital, you can also gaze at the Presidential Palace - a rather modest building by modern standards, where all official receptions are held, and at the Great Friday Mosque, erected from coral blocks. If possible, book a table at the underwater restaurant Ithaa, one of the ten most unusual restaurants on the planet. The queue to this pretentious establishment is endless, and for an exclusive entourage visitors are asked for an inadequate amount, but if you believe the lucky ones who managed to appreciate the local service, it's worth it.

It is certainly hard to find a more comfortable place than a tropical island with upscale hotels, great food and impeccable, friendly staff. But if you have come to the Maldives for at least a couple of weeks, then most likely you will want to see what is hidden abroad. cozy hotel... Traveling around the Maldives is not easy, especially if you try to do it yourself, but there is the opportunity to join an organized excursion. It can be as aimless boating in search of a suitable angle for a selfie against the backdrop of sunset, or visiting a Maldivian village and getting to know the life of the islanders. You can relieve the burden of worries (and extra money) by ordering an air ride on a seaplane, or by renting a real submarine with a crew to explore the ocean floor. Well, lovers of picturesque ruins should go to Ari Atoll, where the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple are still preserved.

Traveling around the area

Of course, which places you can visit and which trips to take is entirely determined by the location of the resort you are visiting. True, here you will find little variety, because one island is not much different from another. Perhaps only a trip to Male will give new impressions. Most of the resorts located near the capital can organize a one-day excursion for their guests. And although all the sights of Male are collected in one place and can be viewed in just a couple of hours, it is worth staying here for the night to get a taste of the capital and find out how its inhabitants have fun after the sun goes down below the horizon and the heat subsides. This can be done by going on a day boat trip to the capital, having previously booked a hotel room, and returning the next day with a day trip. You can also take a boat or seaplane that hotels send to pick up tourists from the airport.

Boat trips

Another popular form of exploring the Maldives is boat excursions. It can be short trips at sunset around the island where your hotel is located, or long journeys when you charter a boat or go on a safari (passengers live on their boat in open ocean). The travel conditions depend entirely on the size of your wallet. On most boats, passengers are not provided with private cabins, but with berths separated by curtains, and it is assumed that the routine daily work will also be carried out by the tourists themselves.

Boats such as the Atoll Explorer offer greater comfort, which boast air-conditioned cabins and a swimming pool on the upper deck. Private yachts are intended for the very wealthy, famous and influential people, as well as for oligarchs who avoid resorting to resort rooms.

If these prices are a bit out of your budget, you can charter a speedboat with the team for the day at the resort. It will cost no more than $ 200. Ordering from the pier in Male will be cheaper due to the competition. To further reduce the price, it is possible to charter a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, but then you will not be able to travel long distances.

If you are looking for a taste of the sweet life and sailing on a luxury yacht, day cruises on yachts are offered in Kuredu on Lhaviani Atoll, and night trips can be booked privately. The yacht is also available at W Retreat & Spa in Ari Atoll.

Uninhabited islands

Paradoxically, the uninhabited islands may be the busiest after Male. Often they are "adopted" by certain resorts, which build various utilities, cafes there and send their guests there on a day trip to have a picnic, snorkelling or just swimming. And since several groups of tourists come ashore at once, it would be somewhat incorrect to call these islands “uninhabited”.

There are tourists who want to visit the uninhabited islands of the Maldives on a smaller scale. Some resorts organize private dining on the sand for two or more guests and even provide overnight stays. Visitors are issued a flag that should be raised in case of danger.

If money is not an issue for you, you can rent an entire resort: many small islands can be a safe haven for wealthy people. For example, the boat-only part of Soneva Gili can be rented in its entirety.

Village islands

In the Maldives, excursions to nearby villages are very popular among tourists. Some resorts have a close relationship with the islands where the villages are located and regularly bring guests back and forth. If there is no such island near the resort, then, as a rule, a visit to the village is included in the program. one day excursion, involving a check-in on a desert island.

Maldivian villages that you will visit during organized tour, will not give a complete picture of the life of the local population. There you will see crowds of tourists milling about and a market created with the special purpose of meeting their needs, not the needs of local residents. But schools, mosques and houses will be real, and the natural spontaneous development of these villages will allow your eye to rest from the strict correctness of resorts.

It takes a lot of effort to visit a "real village" in the Maldives somewhere far from the beaten track. Firstly, it is expensive (you have to rent a separate boat because transport going to the inland atolls does not take foreigners on board). Second, there are many bureaucratic hurdles to overcome, such as obtaining permission to visit the inner atolls from the administration of the ministry located in Male. And in order to get it, you need confirmation from the person living on the island you are going to visit. All this, of course, deprives acquaintance with the real life of the archipelago of spontaneity. If your determination is unshakable, a travel agent in Male will help you overcome bureaucratic hurdles.

Diving

The masters of scuba gear and action cameras in the Maldives will find perfectly heated water (on average + 27 ° C), excellent visibility even at a depth of 40 m and an incredibly rich underwater world. The only danger is the currents that are gaining strength outside the reefs, so beginners are better off dabbling inside the atolls.

It is better to go in search of bottom riches from September to May: the sea during this period is calm, it does not have that abundance of plankton, which happens with the arrival of monsoons. Coral slides, sunken ships (wrecks), inter-island straits - all these are the traditional routes of heroes in wetsuits.

One or another type of diving can be done in almost all resorts, but the conditions vary significantly. On some islands, scuba diving is not the top spot on the list of sports on offer. This means that both diving spots and scuba diving courses will be quite limited, which is more suitable for beginners or regular scuba divers.

True Maldives scuba diving fans have something more to claim, however. The resorts most popular with scuba diving fraternities offer a wide range of courses such as VIT, CMAS, SSI, PADI, NAUI, ANDI and RAB where you can upgrade your skills. They also provide additional and safety equipment, such as underwater video cameras. The choice may also be influenced by the presence of nitrox and a decompression chamber, as well as the proximity of the resort to places suitable for diving.

Most of the local diving centers are located on the basis of hotels ("Sun Diving School" PADI Golden Palm 5, Ocean Dive Center, TGI Maldives, Euro Divers, etc.). Well, for the most restless there is the possibility of a dive safari, for which a group of divers with the same experience is recruited. The advantages of such a cruise are obvious: you can get acquainted with almost all atolls and look into uninhabited islands, it is much cheaper than diving with accommodation in a hotel, and, finally, a yacht trip is an almost guaranteed opportunity to meet local sharks, which are exactly what those who come to Maldives scuba divers.

Video: Diving in the Maldives

Ranking of the best diving spots in the Maldives

Male Atoll

• Banana reef;
• Lyons Head;
• Manta Point;
• Old Shark Point;
• wreckage of the ship "Victoria";
• Poodle Place;
• Rainbow Reef;
• Hans Place.

South Male Atoll

• Vadu cave;
• Guraidhoo Strait.

• the sunken ship "Fesdu";
• Maaafushi-Tila;
• reef Fish head.

Northern atolls

The North Atolls are one of the main tourist destinations in the Maldives. Now the number of resorts has barely crossed the double-digit number, but this figure will steadily increase. It is planned to develop the virgin atolls, which will provide visitors with even more peace and privacy. Since there are much fewer cruising ships here than on the more populated atolls close to the capital, the air in the northern resorts is cleaner and the water is clearer than anywhere else in the archipelago.

New tour operators are forced to contend with hundreds of competitors, so they try to stand out by offering brighter deals and interesting entertainment... One of these ideas is embodied on an island called Haydeway. It is relative new resort which boasts the first marina in the Maldives. It is designed to attract as many customers as possible. People who are accustomed to vacationing on yachts, such as, for example, the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, already regularly spend time in the North Atolls. They may be trying to avoid the busier islands near the capital. In high-class hotels, guests will find the appropriate service: this is the assistance of a butler, and a massage.

Guests who do not have their own yachts can be transported to hotels located on northern islands, on high-speed boats. The road will take just over two hours. Seaplane flights are much more likely, and more remote resorts sometimes organize their own commercial flights.

Beaches

In this part of the country, you will be able to see the same fantastic white-sand beaches lit by golden rays of the sun and washed by azure waves, as in other Maldivian atolls. But their seclusion guarantees you even greater purity and intactness than in central regions archipelago.

Diving

The relatively recent development of tourism in the Maldives, which began in the 1990s, as well as the small number of boats and ships plying around the atolls, keep these areas pristine and thus create excellent diving conditions. Both kailu (straits, channels between reefs) and tila (seamount, reef bank, the top of which is not visible from the surface) offer many opportunities for snorkeling. Diving in Raa and Baa Atolls, west of the group southern islands, includes the Horubadu Tila Protected Area, which is inhabited by oceanic fish, sometimes gray reef sharks and eagle rays can swim there. Among the other thila in the area stand out the most lively Daravandu, as well as Beriyan Faro, Kottefaru Kuda and Vaadu, each of which promises a lot to true diving enthusiasts. The southwest monsoon, which blows from May to June, brings manta rays and whale sharks to the shores. The strong currents in these areas mean that they are more suited to experienced divers and few areas are suitable for beginners.

To the east of Raa and Baa, near Lhaviani Atoll, divers will encounter the remains of the fishing boats Skipjack II and Gaafaru, which have become part of underwater life over two decades at the bottom of the ocean. The place where they flood is easy to find: the bow of the Skipjack II rises above the surface of the water. In addition, there are two excellent kettlebell diving spots (a cluster of corals a few meters from the ocean surface): Narcola, south of Huravali, rich in ridges and faults, and Maa, southwest of Kanuhuraa, where the underwater currents create a fantastic variety of marine flora and fauna. Another ocean protected area called Kuredu Express offers enjoyable scuba diving, while Fushifaru Tila is 250 meters long with strong currents and is a great spot for advanced divers.

Southern atolls

Given the proximity to Male, some of the South Atolls remain relatively undeveloped in terms of resort, perhaps because the atolls here are not as close to each other as in the north of the Maldives. The slow pace of development has made the area popular for boat safaris that ply the archipelago in search of privacy and peace for their passengers.

If it were not for tourism, this zone would not have been active at all, especially on the islands, where they are engaged in fishing and agriculture. As in the North Atolls, the number of resorts here is barely double-digit, along with those that developers are still working on. From Male to your resort, you can fly by seaplane in 35 or 45 minutes.

Beaches

The lack of heavy boating ensures crystal clear waters, and some even argue that the local beaches are some of the best in the Maldives. And while ranking the countless coastlines it is almost impossible, walking on the sands of Fileitio or Vilu-Rif-Resort, I really want to agree with them.

Diving

Directly below South Male Atoll, in Vaavu, is the country's longest pristine reef ridge, 55 km long. It stretches from Khurahu-Kandu to the very south point atoll. The main scuba diving activity in these areas is Kailu drift diving, which has many excellent spots including Wattara Kanda, a protected area and a reef. Thila (underwater coral reefs) are also popular, notably Fotteyo, which many include among the best diving spots in the Maldives. An amazing life of various underwater inhabitants proceeds here, and some corals are simply dazzling.

Water sports

All common views are available in the South Atolls water sports and among the centers that focus on this type of recreation are Alimatha Aquatic, Medhufushi and Vilu Reef.

Far southern atolls

Maldives' southern atolls, some of which are located on the other side of the equator, are rare islands where tourists freely mingle with the local population. The Equatorial Village is located on the island of Gan, which belongs to the southernmost atoll of Sina, where there are traces of the British presence. It used to be home to two Royal Air Force bases, which were dismantled in 1976, but the English lawns and reconstructed barracks still remind of them.

Another unique feature of this part of the country is that you can walk 17 km in a straight line without reaching the water. This became possible thanks to the dam, which was built by the British, connecting Gan with three islands - Feidu, Marada and the main atoll Hitadu - to the northeast of it. No special permission is required to visit these locally inhabited islands, which is why independent tourists who are curious to see the real life of the Maldivians love to come here. A relatively inexpensive (by Maldivian standards, of course) stay at the resort attracts a whole crowd of backpackers here.

Until recently, Gan was a rather sleepy island, but in the near future that should change. The fact is that the local airport has been brought in line with international standards, and now it can receive more tourists who want to visit resorts, the number of which is steadily increasing. Ghana's geographic isolation has caused differences in culture and language, as well as flora and fauna, so travelers can experience a very different island experience than the rest of the Maldives. For many years Gan remained the only island in the group of far southern atolls on which a resort was built, but now it is beginning to experience competition from its neighbors.

Beaches

If you prefer immaculate beaches, then it is better to settle somewhere else in the archipelago. The beauty of Gan is that you can freely walk around its beaches, which are not overseen by strict resort management, and mingle with the locals. You can swim at Koattey Beach, which is at the northern tip of Hitadu.

Diving

With an almost complete lack of tourist infrastructure, ocean life is thriving in these areas. In this sense, Sinu Atoll is especially attractive, where divers will not find a crowd of like-minded people. This atoll has escaped the coral efflorescence that has engulfed most of the archipelago, making it particularly attractive. Perhaps the most famous diving spot is the British Loyalty, a multi-ton tanker torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. Experienced divers are allowed to swim into the remains of the hull itself, where a dazzling variety of underwater life awaits them. Another point of attraction for the diving community is Shark Point northeast of Hulumidu, named after the abundance of white and gray reef sharks.

Getting to know local life

Not to be missed is the rare chance to experience an authentic Maldivian village. Travel to the islands by motorcycle, bike, or on foot (there are tours to the equatorial village). There you will see mosques, schools and the remains of a British stay. At the far end of the dam is the most beautiful part of the atoll, the capital of Hitadu. In the center there are many tea houses and a stadium where you can even watch the competition. And on the lake with fresh water Eidigali-Kili you can admire the birds.

A wedding in the Maldives is no longer a fashionable trend, but rather a pretentious tradition that stubbornly does not give up positions, demonstrating the level of consistency of the spouses. You can order a ceremony in the best traditions of soap operas, which includes a visit to the spa, a romantic walk, a wedding ceremony and a wedding picnic, smoothly turning into a wedding night in a secluded bungalow, right at the hotel. For a spectacular theatrical performance and a wedding certificate, you will have to pay 2,833 rufiyaas (11,000 rubles). Fans of extreme and non-trivial experiences in the Maldives are offered an underwater version of the solemn event. Prices for a wedding at the bottom of the sea in the company of experienced dive instructors are already more serious - around 3993 rufiyaa (15,500 rubles).

The other side of the Maldivian paradise

The most fashionable resort in the world has practically no natural sources of fresh water. Life-giving moisture is either collected here during the rainy season, or pumped from wells. The water extracted from the atoll depths contains a large amount of salts, therefore it is subjected to demineralization. However, it is still of little use for drinking, since it has a meager shelf life, and therefore most tourists, and even the indigenous people, prefer to buy bottled water.

Maldives' own power plants are a luxury item, which is why fuel generators are replacing them on a number of islands. And if in relatively inhabited atolls electricity is supplied around the clock, then where there are fewer people, the light is supplied only in the evenings and then for a couple of hours.

Garbage problem in island nation the solution was ingenious and simple - they took a separate island for household waste. But since official landfills cannot accommodate the entire volume of accumulated waste, in some parts of the Maldives, this issue is approached with a great deal of creativity. For example, in some atolls, sewage water is used to feed green spaces and enrich the soil with fertilizer from fish giblets; in other parts of the resort, tourists are supplied with special bags for waste, which the guest must take with him after rest. However, with all efforts to completely get rid of garbage, it has not yet been possible, therefore, plastic thrown out by passengers of yachts and boats is nailed to the shores of the Maldives from time to time.

Food and drink

In search of national Maldivian dishes, it is better to go to Male, since the hotel kitchens are mainly staffed by personnel from Sri Lanka, who adapt food to their own culinary traditions. In the capital's eateries, it is mostly the islanders who work, so the food in them is the most authentic.

Oddly enough, but in a tropical paradise, culinary preferences are nowhere more modest. True, such simplicity is a forced measure: in the Maldives, little grows, except for bananas and coconuts. The products here are imported and, therefore, expensive, so local chefs always have 1000 and one way of cooking rice with fish in stock.

A regular on the Maldivian table is tuna: fried, boiled, dried, smoked, boiled to a souffle (mas huni), canned ... They also love curry on the islands, which is much less spicy here than in neighboring India. The Maldivians prepare fish broth (garudia) from the first courses. This tropical soup is cooked for several hours, seasoned with lime and chili and served with the same rice. Meat on the local tables is a rare guest, since pork is prohibited in an Islamic country, and there is simply nothing to feed the cattle on the atolls.

The average Maldivian can season his "rice daily" with coconut or lime juice, onions and chili. The islanders' bread is replaced by the unleavened roshi flatbread (a local variation on the theme of Armenian lavash), and the main drink here is considered to be green tea with milk (masala). Maldivians do not drink alcoholic drinks, but they get their portion of alcoholic euphoria at the expense of raa - fermented palm juice. As for the desserts, almost all of them are coconut-based. The most striking representative of sweet dishes is the Bondi stick - a pressed and somewhat sugary treat made from coconut flakes, wrapped according to the principle of a Havana cigar.

In most all inclusive hotels, the cuisine is international. Of course, they also host weeks of local delicacies, but on other days there are French croissants and every Maldivian's nightmare - juicy pork steaks.

Money

The country's official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa ($ 0.06). The rufiyaa exchange rate is artificially supported against the dollar, and its rate against other currencies is based on this, so it makes no sense to look for a place where you can make a more profitable exchange. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rufiyaa and coins in 1 and 2 rufiyaa. Foreign currency exchange is carried out at the airport or at any of the banks, just keep in mind that the latter are closed on Friday and Saturday. In all places where tourists go, American dollars and euros are accepted, they are also in circulation at all resorts. If you wish, you do not have to deal with cash at all, but ask to include all costs in the hotel bill and pay at the end of your stay with a credit card.

Fun fact: The Maldives print their rufiyaa on the same paper as America's dollars.

Tips

Tipping, which is highly prevalent in nearby territories such as India, is not as strong in the Maldives. But low wages and tipping foreign visitors began to make a difference. In most resorts, a certain table is immediately assigned to the guest, so that the same waiter will serve him throughout the rest. If you do not have the desire to deal with small cash, then you can thank the service staff on the last day. Some tour operators charge $ 10 per week. There is no need to tip taxi drivers or cafes. If you want to thank a local for taking a photo with you, he may be offended.

Shopping

Shopping in a country where practically nothing is produced is like a kind of quest. Although for an unassuming tourist in the Maldives, of course, there is something authentic or skillfully imitating this very authenticity. It is worth noting that most of the knick-knacks with supposedly Maldivian flavor, which are sold in the shops of the capital, in fact, are not. All of these are, as a rule, Sri Lankan variations on the theme of "a truly Maldivian souvenir."

For authentic creations of Maldivian artisans, it is better to go to the islands of Mahibadhoo, Maafushi, Huura, Rasdhoo, where for not the most modest sum, local craftsmen will gladly endow you with wooden boxes, miniature "donis", rugs made of palm fiber, colorful shells and funny coconut monkeys. Hunters "for something like that" will certainly be persuaded to buy a Maldivian hookah gudo guda, into which local grandmothers love to blow at bedtime. If it didn't work out with a hookah, you won't be surprised by magnets and T-shirts, but you still want to bring a material reminder of your vacation, take a closer look at the ritual drums of Badu Beru.

By the way, about T-shirts and magnets - you don't have to go far for them: all of Male's souvenir shops are filled with this good. In them, you can also get the notorious shark teeth, which have long been turned into the main resort trophy.

Opening hours

Business life in the Maldives freezes on Friday, as well as five times a day for 15 minutes during prayer. Shops can start their work at 6.00, but most often they open at 8.00 or 9.00. They usually close at 20.00, but some may work until 23.00. Government offices and banks open at 7.30 or 8.00 and work until 13.30 from Sunday to Thursday.

Difference in time

The time difference with Moscow in the Maldives is +1 hour in summer period(when in Moscow it is 11.00, in the Maldives it is already 12.00) and +2 hours in winter.

• Birthdays are not celebrated in the Maldives. Moreover, they don't even try to remember this date.
• Only a Muslim who has lived in it for several years can obtain citizenship of the country.
• The Maldives is in the top 10 countries in terms of divorce rate (about 50%). At the same time, citizens are criminally liable for adultery. Walkers to the left are here publicly "treated" with a whip.
• The working week in the country starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday.
• Entering the Maldives with a dog is strictly prohibited: according to the Quran, this animal is considered unclean.
• The resort's motto is No news, no shoes! (No news, no shoes!)
• There is no tax free system in the Maldives.
• Male International Airport is located on an artificial island.
• In the Maldives, not only the celebration of Halloween, but also the mention of it aloud is officially prohibited.
• The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, is found in the Maldives. Its size varies from 5.5 to 10 meters, and people can admire how this whopper cuts through the crystal clear waters Maldives.

Where to stay

The Maldives is not a place where you can go with a hundred dollars clenched in your fist, hang out all weekend and still bring "change". On the one hand, there are several hostels and guest houses in the country, but even in such places a tourist will not be required to pay a modest sum. You can, of course, try to negotiate with the locals and settle with them, but this is rather an extreme option for backpackers and seasoned adventurers. On the other hand, people do not come to tropical paradise to count every bill and cut themselves off in everything, so why not relax in a big way.

The classics of local housing are water bungalows (wooden houses on stilts, standing right in the sea). For the waves lapping right under your feet and an exclusive snorkeling opportunity at your own porch, you will have to pay an average of 5,153 to 20,6,611 rufiyaas (20,000-80000 rubles). An excellent chance to combine comfortable living conditions and acquaintance with the most picturesque Maldivian atolls- yachts, renting a cabin on which at a price equates to an excellent room in a hotel.

There are relatively few budget three-ruble hotels in the Maldives, and even those are mostly occupied by divers. Booking.com's top picks are Gunbaru Inn, Rihiveli by Castaway and Sun Tan Beach. There is a wide range of prices here: you can find a room for 902 rufiyaa (about 3500 rubles), or you can find it for 3865 (15000 rubles).

Safety

In the Maldives, they are madly afraid of yellow fever, so they scrupulously check for the vaccination against this disease in all travelers arriving from South America and Africa. For some reason, all other pathogens of infections do not cause interest among local doctors, but, just in case, it is better to pre-vaccinate against rubella, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever. If you are not coming from an infected area, then vaccinations are optional.

You shouldn't leave without a strategic stock of essential medicines - normal pharmacies in the resort can be found only in Male, while on most other islands the choice of medicines is extremely scarce, and hospitalization in this country costs decent money. It is also better not to appear on Maldivian beaches without good sunscreen, repellent and a bottle of water. Due to the high concentration of solar radiation, earn sunburn at the equator, you can not just wallow under a palm tree, but also sit up to your throat in the water.

Despite the fact that local beaches give the impression of calm and "lazy" places, do not rush to demonstrate your own prowess and swim behind the line of red flags that mark safe swimming areas. Of course, most of the hotels on the shore are guarded, but the underwater ocean currents, which cannot be dealt with, have not yet been canceled.

Crime in the republic is minimized, so the Maldives can be safely called one of the safest resorts. In force majeure situations, when you cannot do without the help of law enforcement agencies, it is better to contact the hotel security, which itself will establish contact with the police station.

Connection

Services cellular at the resort are provided by operators Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, whose SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or in specialized stores in Male. The call quality is pretty good, unless you've gone too far out to sea. It is customary to top up the phone balance using special cards, which are usually sold in hotels. A call to Russia from a Dhiraagu SIM card will cost around 4.9 rufiyaa / minute (about 19 rubles). For calls within the country, it is better to use local payphones, which are also paid for by card (easy to find in hotels and street vendors). For wealthy tourists, there is such an exclusive option as landline calls from a hotel room. So, if you are the lucky owner of a couple of oil wells, you can calmly solve business issues without leaving your bed.

Free Wi-Fi in the Maldives is a rare beast that lives exclusively in hotels. Those who are unlucky with the hotel can go to the Internet cafes of the capital, having lowered in them from 45 to 150 rufiyaas (175-582 rubles) per hour of online surfing, or connect the necessary service from one of the local mobile operators, thereby robbing himself of at least 290 rufiyaa (1125 rubles).

How to call Maldives

To call the Maldives from Russia, dial:

• from a landline phone: 8-10-960 (Maldives code) - desired city code - subscriber number;
• from a mobile phone: 8-10-960 - mobile operator code - subscriber's mobile phone number.

There are no area codes in the Maldives. All numbers are now seven-digit.

How to call abroad

To call Russia from Maldives, dial:

• from a landline phone: 00 - 7 - code of the desired city - subscriber number in Russia (00 - international call prefix; 7 - telephone code Russia);
• from a mobile phone: +7 - subscriber's number. International operator - 190; help desk - 11.

Transport

Ground transportation in the Maldives is absent as such, since the vast majority of the local islands can be bypassed on foot. And only in Male, a tourist can afford the luxury of a ride for 27 rufiyaa (97 rubles) by taxi or 4.70 (18 rubles) by bus.

For those planning to travel from island to island, there are three main modes of transport:

• hydroplane;
• boat / boat;
• ferry.

The first option is ideal for travelers with an unlimited budget - the pleasure costs from 2,400 to 3,000 rufiyaas (9316-11645 rubles), but it gives a unique opportunity to look at the atoll chain from a bird's eye view. A trip on a speedboat or national boat "doni", depending on the distance of the destination, will cost 470-860 rufiyaa (1824-3380 rubles). Well, a ferry ride will be affordable even for a budget tourist, since the final amount of the ferry will be from 31 to 46 rufiyaas (approximately 120-179 rubles). Main airport The Republic of Maldives is located adjacent to the capital, on the small island of Hulhule. This is where all international flights arrive.

Insurance

We highly recommend getting insurance, especially if you are going to spend time on the island; Delivery to the hospital in case of danger can cost a tidy sum. Buying insurance in no way will ruin you: a two-week trip will cost you about one euro per day. If you travel frequently, it is more profitable to buy an annual policy. The package may not include the risk of active recreational activities such as scuba diving. When choosing a policy, be sure to consider this.

Visa information

When entering the Maldives, a tourist visa for Russian citizens is put in their passport free of charge, for a period of 30 days. A foreign guest will need a passport valid for at least six months, return tickets, a receipt confirming tourist services, and the presence of a sum of money at the rate of at least $ 30 for each day of stay.

customs control

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the Maldives. In addition, you can bring to the resort duty-free cigarettes (no more than 200 pieces) and perfumes in an amount not exceeding 125 ml. But goods worth more than $ 200 (about 12,000 rubles) will have to be declared.

Save money and nerves, once and for all abandoning the attempt to smuggle alcohol to the Maldives (even bought in Duty free stores). Alcohol will still be taken away from you and disposed of. The same fate will befall pork delicacies and pornographic magazines. You should also be careful with local souvenirs: no one will be released from the equatorial paradise with pearl oysters, corals and turtle shell products (unless these are certified products). It is allowed to carry a certain amount of presents and tobacco. Carriage of weapons or drugs is considered the most serious offense. The punishment can be life imprisonment.

Airports

For those who travel a lot in the countries of the Indian subcontinent, international Airport in Male it will seem like a breath of fresh air. Here, unlike other airports in the region, civilized tranquility reigns, passengers are not overwhelmed by crowds of barkers, porters and taxi drivers. The airport is located on a separate island called Hulhule, which is not far from the capital. As soon as you reach the terminal, you will immediately see two rows of counters that belong to different resorts and tour operators. Find the one you need and a representative will tell you all the details about the transfer. If your resort is nearby, a speed boat will suffice; if it is far away, then you may need to take a seaplane to get there. In any case, you will receive precise instructions and leave the airport in a planned manner without hindrance. When you return to the reception at the hotel, they will also explain all the details in detail.

If you are a rare type of independent traveler, you should most likely head to Male. Ferries run round the clock between the capital and the island where the airport is located. They depart from the main pier at Thulhula and dock at Moles 9 and 10 in Male. Boats start every 15 minutes or when crowded, the trip costs 10 rufiyaa or $ 1. For about $ 10, you can rent a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, which is now powered by a motor.

For flight information, call Male International Airport at 333-8800.

In the Maldives, you have the opportunity to visit another, very unusual airport... The seaplanes, which transport passengers from Male to the resorts, land on the water and only then taxi onto a small floating platform just a few meters long and about the same width. From here you will be taken by boat to the desired island. The miniature size of these "airports" is the subject of jokes for resort companies. One of the floating platforms has a sign that reads: "Welcome to Soneva Fushi International Airport."

How to get there

Regular flights to the Maldives from Moscow are carried out by the following airlines:

• Aeroflot - direct flights from Sheremetyevo twice a week.
• Turkish Airlines - flights from Vnukovo with a transfer in Istanbul.
• Qatar Airlines - flights from Domodedovo with a connection in Doha.
• Emirates - with a transfer in Dubai.

You can go to the most expensive resort on the planet from St. Petersburg with Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Russia and Emirates. All flights are connecting. Another option is charters that fly in the direction of the Maldives both from St. Petersburg and from other cities of Russia. Delivery to the hotel usually falls on the shoulders of tour operators, whose representatives meet their clients as soon as they leave the plane.

The official name of the chain of atolls and coral islands located south of India in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean is the Republic of Maldives. The population of this South Asian state is approximately 393 thousand people. The total area of ​​the country is 90 thousand sq. Km. The climate is subequatorial monsoon.

The Maldives amaze with its endless ocean, amazing underwater caves and reefs. The island is inspired by the tranquility and comfort of the surrounding tropical virgin nature. The culture stopped at a primitive level, and the locals still respect their traditions.

Biggest coral island in the Maldives - Kafu, on it stands the city of Male, which is considered the smallest capital and most populated city. Male is so small that it can be walked around in a couple of hours.

Attractions Maldives

Famous places in the Maldives are National Museum and the Colonial-style Muliage Palace. Also worth visiting beautiful park Jumuri Maidan or visit one of the most revered shrines in the Maldives - Medu Ziyarat Chapel.

The city of Male is home to the Great Friday Mosque, famous for its golden dome. Next to it are the graves of both national heroes and members of the ruling families. It is worth paying attention to the Islamic Center, which is located nearby. It is considered the largest in the Maldives, because at the same time it can accommodate about 5,000 people.

Local markets are also not lagging behind in popularity, there are several types of them - vegetable, fruit and handicraft, where the inhabitants of the islands sell handicrafts.

Many tourists are attracted to the Maldives for unsurpassed diving. Underwater world The peninsula strikes with a variety of inhabitants, at the same time, coral reefs scare away predators and swimming under water is not at all dangerous.

Honeymoon Paradise

For most tourists, the Maldives is one of the most romantic destinations on the planet. Therefore, newlyweds and lovers tend to the islands in the first place. Just what is the wedding ceremony on the white sand at sunset and decorated with palm leaves around. If you discuss the wedding with the hotel in advance, you can get a discount and move into the best bungalow. The Maldives is suitable not only for the wedding ceremony, but also for the honeymoon itself. After all, the rest here is unique and unusual. On the beach you can see both young people and families with children or even elderly people.