5 Reasons to Go to the Maldives

For all travel enthusiasts who still need convincing, here are 5 reasons to go to the Maldives. 

Submerged volcanoes barely emerge at the surface. They form tiny islets. These little lands are surrounded by a lagoon. A coral reef encircles this inner sea. If the waters of the lagoon are crystal clear, those of the ocean take on a navy blue hue. It is precisely this striking contrast that can be observed in aerial images. No fewer than 26 atolls make up the Maldives, whose emblem is, unsurprisingly, the coconut tree. That said, you will be dizzy when you look up; the tops of some of them can reach 100 m high! The Maldivians are predominantly fishermen from Sri Lanka, located far offshore. In the past, they used cowries as currency. That was before the era of President Gayoom, who developed luxury tourism on the spot. However, they have not lost their soul: they still possess the Bodu Beru, transcendental music based on percussion. The capital is named Malé, it has its "local fruit market" where traders flock from the surrounding islands. They sell bananas, papayas, coconuts, or stacks of betel leaves. 

Why visit the Maldives? It goes without saying that the beaches with their especially white and fine coral sand are the main attraction of the Maldives. Personally, I must admit I have a soft spot for local modes of transport. When traveling, I do not hesitate to use them all. This time, you will be served. On board a small plane, you can enjoy an aerial view of the islands. Through the porthole, you will see the beach of Mudhdhoo Island with its luminescent crustaceans, or the imposing banyan fig trees on the island of Kudafolhudhoo. As not all atolls have an airport, seaplanes have been widely used for the past fifteen years. Beware of the water landing; it feels like you're shooting an episode of Jake Cutter's adventures! Nevertheless, the most authentic mode of transport remains the Dhoni, a traditional vessel made from coconut wood! What you need to know is that the atolls as a whole have neither roads nor cars! That's why you most often get around by bike and on foot!  

The Maldives also offer a truly magical culinary experience. At the Leaf restaurant Six Senses Laamu, you will dine on a pontoon overlooking the atoll or with your feet in the sand. The cuisine, which strictly uses local, organic products from responsible farming, offers dishes such as fabulous seared tuna or pumpkin gratin. In Kunfunadhoo, it's in the middle of a hanging garden accessible by a rope bridge where the Fresh in the Garden restaurant invites you for an intimate experience. According to internet users, the chef would well deserve a star! For dessert, take a look through the telescope at the illuminated sky. The Lighthouse restaurant at Baros promises you a unique moment. The award-winning Maldivian chef will prepare delicious dishes such as lobster Wellington, an extensive wine list, and desserts to die for like papaya sorbet. Finally, on Rangali Island, you will enjoy the Ithaa undersea restaurant in the company of sharks, a thrilling experience! As for the dishes, they are refined, such as the octopus ink consommé. 

Have you heard about hotel-islands? Craving a comfortable version of a Robinson Crusoe experience? Hotel complexes have adapted to travelers' desires by offering them no news no shoes packages to fully disconnect. This means you will be giving up your mobile phone and walking around barefoot! Private bungalows are either on stilts or tucked away in nature. The food is prepared by a chef, featuring a kuli boakuba, a spicy fish and coconut pie on the menu. Furthermore, luxury hotels are equipped with state-of-the-art spas like at Huvafe Fushi. Imagine a spa buried 10m under the sea from which you can watch turtles and dolphins while receiving an Ayurvedic massage... In the South Malé Atoll, target Naladhu for its spacious water villas combining spa and gastronomy. The ultimate luxury, some of them also feature a giant pool on the lagoon. For those seeking isolation, the island of Voavah in Baa can be privatized. It is part of the Unesco biosphere reserve.    

Among the attractions of the Maldives are water activities, and some of them are unique, such as night fishing. After a day of relaxation, treat yourself to a fishing trip. At night, the fish come out to feed, making them easier to catch! Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will find a fabulous spot in the Baa atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site. They will see manta rays, tropical fish, groupers, or parrotfish spawning. You can recognize them by their purple-yellow and blue colors. They nibble on corals and  thus produce 1 ton of sand per year! What about encountering whale sharks? In the Maldives, you will find 3 sanctuaries for this species of fish, the largest in the world. Lastly, some spots are particularly popular with surfers such as Beacons Break on the island of Havadhuu. You can surf the Yin-yang waves in the Laamu atoll to the South or Pasta Point in the Kaafu atoll. Unless you go on a "surfari" or participate in the Sovena Surf Pro in the Baa atoll. 

And for the backstory... 

According to legend, women from Ceylon colonized these islands of the Indian Ocean 

Already in the Encyclopédie by Diderot and d'Alembert (1517), the Maldives are mentioned:  

« [...] It is certain that the number [of islands] is large, although it decreases every day due to currents and high tides. It all even seems to have once formed a single island, which was divided into several. The sea there is pacific, and not very deep. Among these islands, there are many uninhabited ones, covered only with large crabs, and birds called pinguy. [...] Honey, rice, various kinds of roots grow in abundance in the Maldives. The coconut is more common there than anywhere else in the world, the banana is delicious... » 

So, when are we leaving?