If life is a beach let it be Maldives!

The Maldives is an emerald jewel embedded in the blue of the Indian Ocean.

The Republic of Maldives is a South Asian Island Country, and Male is the capital city. Formed by a chain of 26 naturally formed Atolls (Islands)

Maldives is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries  as well as the smallest Asian country by both land area and population (information courtesy Wikipedia)

This island is a visual delight, with aqua-hued water lapping gently at powdery white sands and coconut trees swaying in the wind. The water is so crystal clear that you can see the sea bed. The depth of the water here is just right, and the temperature is warm all year round. Little wonder then that the Maldives is the favoured destination for water sports aficionados.

Best Time to visit:  November to March are the best months to visit the Maldives. These are the dry months when the sun is out, the days are warm, and the evenings are pleasant. You could even be surprised with some cool days and evenings.

April to October are the rainy months, so you never know what the day will be like. If it rains, you have no choice but to stay indoors.

Off-season travel does occur, and resorts compete to offer the lowest rates. Try your luck.

Weather: It’s sunny, warm, and humid. Evenings can turn cool suddenly, though. On a rainy day, the rain lashes out, and an accompanying wind lets out a howl.

Visa: A Visa on arrival is free for Indians. It was a quick 5-minute procedure, and nothing, except a Passport with at least a 6-month validity, was asked of us. However, we had carried passport-sized photos, a printout of our latest bank statement, hotel stay confirmation, and return tickets.

Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa. 1 Maldivian Rufiyaa equals approximately 4.13 Indian Rupees. Resorts and the Airport accept Dollars and Pounds in foreign currency.

You could exchange currency at Male Airport. They accept only higher-denomination currency for exchange.

You are not permitted to carry Alcohol inside the Maldives. Not even when brought in at Male duty-free. If you do, it will be retained, and you can collect it on your way back from Male.

How do I book my trip? My preferred choice is always to book through an agency. We used MakeMyTrip, and they handled everything.

The other alternative is to book the resort directly through their website and purchase your tickets independently.

How to get to Maldives from India: The only direct flight to Male is from Delhi. The most popular choices are the Chennai-Colombo-Male flight or the Bangalore-Colombo-Male flight.

The flight from Chennai to Colombo was 70 minutes.

The flight from Colombo to Male was 80 minutes.

We flew with SriLankan Air throughout, and it was a comfortable journey.

How to get to your Resort from Male Airport: A Seaplane or a Speedboat are the two modes of transport offered by the Resorts. We had a Speedboat transfer and it was a stunning and scenic 50-minute ride, to and fro. Your transfer is provided by the resort and is part of your package.

What to carry: A good, strong, waterproof Sunscreen is a must. You cannot go without a hat or cap and sunglasses either. Comfy, waterproof slip-on footwear for walking around. Swimwear. Comfort-fit cotton and linen clothes. Your medication and toiletries.

Hotels do not have a dress code, but if you are visiting Male or any surrounding villages on a day tour, it is advisable to cover your shoulders and knees.

If you love photography, the Maldives is a delight at every turn. Do carry waterproof cameras or cell phones for underwater photography. You can also rent one at your hotel. Please write or call ahead to find out if your hotel offers this service.

Stay: The Maldives is by no means an economical destination. A 4-day holiday could cause a big dent in your savings.

Resorts range from a couple of lakhs per night to a few thousand per night. A bit of research when planning your trip could help you secure a good deal, if you’re lucky.

It is advisable and economical to book a package that includes all meals. If you enjoy your drink, discover all our meal packages that include alcohol.

Things to do: Eat. Sleep. Swim. Snorkel. Kayak. Scuba Dive. Go for romantic walks. Wade in the sea or soak up the sun in the pool. Read. Get a tan. Collect seashells. Contemplate the life and universe as you sip on a drink and watch the ocean change from one shade of blue to another. Play beach volleyball. Carry Board games.

All Resorts have paid Day-tour packages, ranging from visiting Male for a day to Island Hopping, where you could visit local villages and see everyday life, sample local cuisine, and shop for souvenirs.

You can learn Scuba Diving and get certified here.

All hotels provide free Wi-Fi 24/7 during your stay. So you are connected.

Shopping: Souvenirs, fridge magnets, knick-knacks.

If you know how to swim, you will love the Maldives. If you don’t know how to swim, you will still love the Maldives, as the water is safe (without any dangerous currents), not very deep, and warm. We took a 20-minute Snorkelling Class (paid) before we ventured to try it.

Maldives imports almost everything, so anything you buy at the resort store is expensive. Even the drinking water placed in our room was rationed to just 2 big bottles a day. Carry everything you might need.

Keep looking at the water, the Sea throws up some pleasant surprises. We spotted Baby Sharks and a school of Sardines about 5 feet away from the edge of the beach.

Be a good tourist. Follow the rules and regulations of the country and the resort you are living in. Admire nature, do not mar it. Do not litter the beaches.

Bon Voyage, have a great trip!

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