The Maldives have been called the Atolls of Enchantment. A vacation in the Maldives is a special experience. The Maldives are increasingly a popular tropical destination.
In the Indian Ocean, about 500 km from the southern tip of Sri Lanka, the Maldives are made up of 1,190 atolls, of which 87 are resorts. This is a land of white sand, palm trees, turquoise sea and friendly lagoons.
The natural environment is so valued and protected in the Maldives that although there are many resorts, most are surrounded by uninhabited islands. Island Resorts takes full advantage of these islands, ferrying guests by boat to the small, untouched islands for picnic lunches.
Tourism and woodworking are the main industries in the Maldives, but fishing is also crucial. Often the only landmark on the horizon will be a dhoni, a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, plowing through the water with the help of its large sails.
At some resorts, locals take groups night fishing under the stars and inevitably return with a nice catch, which can be grilled when you return to the resort for dinner. Fishing is done with hand lines or rods and is best accompanied by a glass of crisp white wine and the calm and stillness of the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives are becoming famous for their spas. Although most spa therapists are Balinese, Maldivian spas have their own character. They are mostly in the water for maximum visual and auditory relaxation. The water soothes the spirits, as do the sensitive and highly trained therapists working on stressed muscles.
Spas often have double treatment rooms for couples or friends to enjoy pampering together. The treatments are traditional Balinese, though they often have different titles, but some branch out. The Away Spa at W Retreat and Spa combines the best of all Asian massage techniques, while the Liva Grande at Taj Exotica has an Ayurvedic emphasis, introducing a variety of traditional Indian therapies and oil blends.
Opportunities to dance in the Maldives are restricted; the emphasis is more on peace and solitude than high-energy clubbing. But at the new W Retreat and Spa, the 15 Below nightclub offers a suggestive nighttime alternative. Built 15m underground, the cool club is small, but evocative. The DJs rotate every two months.
Experienced divers say that diving in the Maldives is among the best in the world. They have 1,000 recorded species of fish, many thousands of reefs, and more than 200 species of coral. All the resorts have dive sites within an hour’s boat ride, although some will obviously have more to offer than others. Snorkeling is a must.
It is common to see guests snorkeling in the lagoons that border each resort, happy to see the abundant fish life right on their doorstep.
The best experiences in the Maldives are above or below the water, which is why all the resorts offer water sports ranging from parasailing and kayaking to kite surfing, water skiing and jet skiing. It is a popular spot for surfing, the fastest growing water sport in the country.
The best season for surfing is the southwest monsoon, from April to October, with the biggest waves from June to September. Surf safaris are popular with serious surfers. They range from luxury cruise ships to more rustic ships, with four cabins in which the crews cook Maldivian-style tuna, usually on the grill.
It’s no surprise that the Maldives are a popular honeymoon destination, but its glorious sunsets are for all lovers. It is mesmerizing to watch the sun turn a brilliant shade of coral against a purple sky as it gradually dips towards the horizon. That’s the moment when you suddenly see hotel guests who were previously hiding, eager to take pictures in front of the sunset.
Surprisingly, the Maldives are not a natural source of food, with fish and coconuts being the only foods produced. Fortunately, a rich supply is imported from the surrounding areas. Resort chefs tend to look to India and Japan for their greatest culinary inspirations. The variety of diners, mostly Italian, followed by English and Japanese, is reflected in the menus.
One of the biggest attractions of this tropical paradise is to lie on a solarium, under a beach umbrella, and marvel at how quickly time flies when you are doing absolutely nothing. You cannot do anything on the beach, in your private pool, in the community pool, on a boat, in the spa or in the lounge areas. Of course, you can always do nothing in your room, many of which are a natural source of entertainment because they’re filled with fancy novelties. But why travel to this exotic destination to spend time in your room? I will add that honeymoon couples are exempt from this last sentence.
You can’t do anything with a cocktail, a book, a plasma TV, a jacuzzi or a beautiful Maldivian swing swaying in the sun.
And there’s always the bath: most resorts in the Maldives are known for their fabulously located baths, festooned with candlelight and perfect for doing nothing but watching the sun go down.
