Maldives is an island archipelago in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Although it’s comprised of over 1,100 islands in all, only 200 of them are inhabited. In fact, all but 1% of the surface area of Maldives is ocean. As of 2000, just under 300,000 inhabitants called Maldives home, but thousands more visit the island chain each year.
The bulk of Maldives’ revenue has been generated by the fishing industry for centuries. Although fishing still plays an important role in the country’s economic status, the tourism industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, becoming another important source of revenue for the country. Tourists of all ages descend upon this country annually in pursuit of all the islands and atolls have to offer. Whether it’s family time you’re looking for a or a secluded spot for romance, Maldives likely has an excursion for you.
The bulk of Maldives’ revenue has been generated by the fishing industry for centuries. Although fishing still plays an important role in the country’s economic status, the tourism industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, becoming another important source of revenue for the country. Tourists of all ages descend upon this country annually in pursuit of all the islands and atolls have to offer. Whether it’s family time you’re looking for a or a secluded spot for romance, Maldives likely has an excursion for you.
- Male Fish Market
Maldives fish market
The Male Fish Market is bustling with local commerce, especially in the afternoon. That’s when local fisherman come and line up their catches on tiled floors, which the local scoop up almost as soon as they’re laid down. Aside from the fish, other local goods can be purchased here – like fresh fruits and flowers. It’s a popular location for tourists and also an important part of the Male commercial district. - Maldives National Museum
The National Museum of Maldives is part of the former Sultan’s Palace and houses a great collection of artifacts from various sultans throughout Maldives’ history. Various papers and scroll, armor, photographs and textiles are displayed year round at the museum and are considered sacred by the local residents. - Mulee Aage Palace
In the mid 1930s the palace was made the President’s Official Residence. In the mid 1980s its name was changed to the Presidential Palace and is where important presidential meetings are held today. - Huskuru Miskiiy Mosque
The Huskuru Miskiiy Mosque, constructed in the mid 1600s, is the largest mosque in Maldives. It has a capacity of 5,000 people and is also the site of the present day Islamic center. The mosque is truly a work of art you don’t want to miss with coral engravings, golden dome and other luxurious construction details. - Coral Reefs
coral reefs
The coral reefs of Maldives are some of the most famous and beautiful in the world. The reefs are teeming with abundant sea life of almost any kind imaginable and the shallow, clear waters allow you to get up close and personal with the creatures in their natural environment. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country. There are ample diving locations throughout Maldives. - Fuamulaku
fuamulaku
Fuamulaku is known for its lush green land and the many farming communities in the area. Tourists flock to this region of Maldives to tour these farms and get a taste of some of the fresh produce they grow. Oranges, mangoes and pineapples are just a few of the luscious fruits that are grown locally in Fuamulaku. - Night Fishing Excursions
night fishing maldives
Fishing is an integral part of life in Maldives, but fishing at night is just plain fun. There are many local guides who will take you to where the fish are biting and show you everything you need to know to land a great catch. Afterward, they will host a barbeque and show you traditional Maldivian ways of cooking your fish. - Deserted Islands
deserted islands
Being that there are nearly 1,200 islands in the Maldives archipelago, you can bet that a deserted one is not far away, wherever you are. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a boat and troll around the islands yourself, looking for a vacant one to explore. Alternately, you could hire a local guide to take you on a daytime excursion across a few different ones and perhaps even set up camp on one for the night. - Whale Submarine in Male
If you’ve always wanted to tour the ocean floor, but were afraid to dive, a trip on the Whale Submarine is perfect. It’s an actual submarine – the largest passenger submarine in the world in fact – that takes you under water to explore the sea life in the area from a safe and dry distance. It can hold 50 passengers and dive to a depth of 150 meters. It’s also fully air conditioned! Be advised that children under 3 are not allowed on the submarine. - Beaches of Maldives
beach of maldives
Wherever you are in Maldives, there’s going to be a beach. It’s likely going to be the most fabulous beach you’ve ever seen. The beaches of Maldives are world-renowned for their beauty and pristine conditions and are just one of the many reasons tourists continue to flock to Maldives year in and year out. - Helpful Tips and Information
Vacationing in Maldives is quite expensive. Even all inclusive deals sometimes come with additional surcharges and fees. Be sure that you do your research, checking with a variety of travel agencies to ensure you get the best deal. Also plan to bring lots of spending money and additional money for emergencies or other unforeseen necessities. A 10% service tax is added to just about anything you buy or do in Maldives and should be considered as the tip. But if someone does a service for you personally, they generally expect to be tipped again.
Pack plenty of sunscreen and don’t forget to wear it – regardless of what you’re doing. The sun in Maldives is quite strong and even the most experienced sunbathers do tend to burn quite easily. Maldives does not have adequate healthcare like most countries do. The hospital is in Male and the surrounding areas only have small clinic with sporadic hours. The doctors in Maldives are on call and usually come to a patient, which can be quite expensive. For medical emergencies, you will have to be evacuated to Singapore or other surrounding countries by sea planes – which can only do evacuations during daylight hours.
