The Maldives in a nutshell!

Karen Thornton on 11 June 2018
When we stop to think of our dream holiday destination, the endless clear blue skies, ‘icing sugar’ sand beaches, turquoise waters and beautifully crafted bungalows on stilts, the Maldives ticks every single one of the boxes and then some.

Having been lucky enough to visit myself, I can tell you from personal experience that they are an exquisite paradise, and certainly live up to the hype. What I can also tell you from my experience as an accomplished Maldivian specialist is there is a whole lot more to getting there and getting it right than meets the eye, and as this is so often a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip, it’s the time when you really do need to engage the services of someone who knows their stuff as there are a number of things that can go wrong if not planned properly.

Here is my list of ‘what you need to know’ if you are planning a visit. Some of it might be obvious, but some of it could really help you make sure your trip runs smoothly, and your expectations will hopefully be exceeded.

1. Getting to the Maldives is straightforward enough but getting to your chosen resort is something that needs careful planning and advice. International flights arrive into Male, and onward travel is either by:

Seaplane Speedboat Local flight and then boat

2. When to travel? Peak season to ensure the very best weather is from December through to April, however this is also reflected in the price you’ll pay. If you can travel just outside of these times or even in our summer, whilst the weather is a bit more changeable, you can pick up a steal as there are often free nights available, complimentary upgrades and all sorts of extras. Again, insider knowledge and a bit of flexibility can help you make some serious savings.

3. Each island is a bespoke resort in its own right. Once you reach your resort, this will be your home for the duration of your stay so make sure you choose wisely. You can’t hire a car, or pop to another island to try out their restaurant, so do your research before you book. Resorts vary considerably in terms of style, price, size and what they offer so this is the most important choice you will make when planning your trip. Do you want an island with a house reef (so you can snorkel from the beach) that is more ‘Robinson Crusoe’ in style, or would you prefer somewhere that is more modern and contemporary with a luxury spa? A choice of dining options and a range of facilities is often limited (these are small islands, remember!) so again these all need to be thought about at the time of booking. Looking at photos and images online, they all look stunning, but looks can be deceiving....

4. Beach villa or over water bungalow? Now this one divides opinion every time! Who has dreamt of staying in your very own private water bungalow on stilts floating above the Indian Ocean? This is something that is almost unique to the Maldives, and one that many of my clients who are first time visitors say they want. However, often on their return they comment that they wish they’d opted for a beach villa instead as they are often cheaper, more spacious and private, and have a more enviable location. Of course, this is something that is subjective and needs to be discussed at the planning stage, but with a bit of knowledge and careful thought, I can help you make the right decision. And of course, if you can’t decide, why not do both?

5. What to pack? Trust me on this. You don’t need 10 pairs of sandals or lots of glamorous evening wear. You will hear the saying ‘no news, no shoes’ from many locals and this is what it’s all about. Forget your heels, bare feet are the order of the day so get your pedicure sorted and go with it. Lots of light, cool clothes are the way forward and the vibe is definitely relaxed. All islands have small shops so don’t worry if you forget anything, the resort will have essentials available. One ‘must have’ would be an underwater camera as you really won’t want to miss out on anything below the surface, I can promise you! Also pack any medication and of course, plenty of sunscreen.

6. It’s a Muslim country. This means no stopping at the duty free for the obligatory G for your G&T as it will be taken from you on arrival. It also means that you need to be respectful of dress code at the airport, and if you visit any local islands during your stay. Don’t worry though because as soon as you arrive at your resort, bikini and trunks are definitely the order of the day, and alcohol is also available if you’d like to partake!

Remember, when making your island choice make sure you research arrival and departure times into Male as onward transfers are not always convenient. Seaplanes, for example, only run during daylight hours and operate like a taxi service, not to a timetable. If booking through a specialist like me, you can be confident that transfers will be included as part of your package and will be arranged directly with the resort themselves. They can be expensive, but I highly recommend that you try a seaplane – it's the most amazing experience flying over the atolls and one I will never forget.

If you are considering your dream trip to these beautiful islands, the above tips will give you some insight as what to expect and, as always, if you need any help with your plans please do get in touch. There are lots more tips I can add and I’m always happy to chat about your holidays so please feel free to give me a call – your dream holiday might not be that far away!