Republic of Maldives. Maldives on the world map. Maldives - sea. Where are the Maldives? Location of the Maldives on the map

The Maldives is a separate state, consisting territorially of scattered land areas. They are not part of another country, but have an independent status. The state has become famous for its islands with white beaches, unique nature and resorts with a high level of service.

What the Maldives looks like - a map of the islands with a detailed description is presented below.

Where are the Maldives islands on the world map

The Maldives is one of the countries located on the equator. The territory of the state is located between the South and North Poles. It washes the atoll-islands of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Asia and Africa. The state is located near Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula. To the southwest are the Seychelles Islands. Crossed by the equatorial waters of the island of Fuvahmulah, which is home to rare species of birds and other animals not found on other land areas of the Maldives. The border also passes through Addu, Gaafa Dhaala and Gaafa Alif atolls.

The total area of ​​the Maldives is 90,000 sq.m., all of them are surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean. The state has 1,196 coral islands with a length of more than 1,000 km. They are united into 26 “atolls,” so named because of the peculiarities of their formation. Most of them have a home reef to protect them from destruction by water, others have an external one, which allows them to maintain the territory unchanged.

There is a version according to which the atolls were formed from extinct volcanoes, since the islands inside them are shaped like a circle.

The islands of the Maldives on the world map are viewed on Google maps in two modes: Satellite - satellite photos from Space, Earth - with the option to search for a specific atoll, hotel or city.

A map of the Maldives islands with designation is available in the Hybrid function with highway numbers, public transport stops, administrative buildings, hotel names and infrastructure.

Maldives: map of islands with hotels

A special feature of the Maldives is that almost every island is occupied by a separate hotel. This creates the impression of complete isolation from the world and solitude. The business center - the capital of Male - is also located on separate islands of natural origin: South Male and Kaafu.

Only 10 atolls of the Maldives are inhabited:

• Faadhihpolhu - Lhaviyani (Laviana);
• Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi- Baa ( Baa);
• Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi - Raa ( Raa);
• Ari(Alif-Alif) - Alifu(Ari) Vaavu(To Felid) - Vaavu(Felidhu);
• Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi - Faafu (Faafu);
• Meemu(Mulak) - Meemu(Mulak);
• Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi - Dhaalu(Daalu);
• Seenu(Addu) - Addu(Siena).

There is virtually no local life on the atolls, but the best hotel complexes are based on them: Gaafu Alifu , Haa Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Nyavinani, Seenu, Haa Dhaalu , Laamu, Shaviyani (Noonu) and Thaa.

The local names of the atolls are very complex, so it is customary to use abbreviated names.

It is quite difficult to show the islands of the Maldives on a map, since the land areas are very small and difficult to distinguish. When you zoom in on Google Maps, the islands stretching out in a chain from north to south are clearly visible.

And this is the Maldives - a world map in Russian. It is very easy to understand where you are going to go or where you are along the route.

This small country is located on 20 atolls in the equatorial Indian Ocean. The Islamic Republic is separated from India by more than 2,000 km. The distance to Sri Lanka is significantly less: if you look at the Maldives on the world map, you can see that the states are approximately 700 km apart from each other.

Information about the islands

The state of the Maldives is formed by almost 2000 coral islets. About 400 thousand people live here, and the dominant religion is Islam. The total area of ​​the Republic of Maldives is 90 thousand km 2, but the land share of it accounts for no more than 300 km 2.

Interestingly, the only city and port of the country is its capital Male, located on the atoll of the same name. The remaining islands are almost uninhabited and only occasionally there are hotels on them.

The time in the Maldives is UTC +5, so when flying you should prepare in advance for a change in time zones.

Weather by month in the Maldives

The climate is determined by where exactly the Maldives is located. It belongs to the subequatorial monsoon type, so the weather is radically different in the dry and rainy seasons. Depending on the month of your trip, you will have to prepare for the following:

January. A trip to the islands this month will definitely be successful thanks to the warm, sunny and windless weather and the calm that reigns in the ocean. Although January is technically the rainy season, there is minimal precipitation, which guarantees a wonderful beach holiday and the opportunity to go diving. During the daytime, the thermometer rises to at least +24 °C, and the water temperature averages +27 °C.

February. Crowds of vacationers usually flock here at this time. The ocean continues to delight with a comfortable water temperature of +25 °C, and daytime air temperatures rarely fall below +28 °C. There are practically no waves, and the sky is perfectly blue and cloudless. Therefore, even inexperienced divers can begin to learn the intricacies of diving, and the almost complete absence of precipitation allows you to have fun on a yacht or catamaran.

March. This month is also considered quite hot and dry, and the average air and water temperatures differ little from February. The sand remains very warm, and there are practically no tropical showers. March sees plenty of native flora bloom, but be prepared for the occasional sandstorm.

April. At this time, the southwest monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it a change in weather. Storms in the ocean are rare, the heat is increasing, but rain is still an infrequent visitor here. If you cannot stand the stuffiness, you should postpone your trip: the air temperature is generally +30 °C, and the water temperature reaches +28 °C.

May. Very strong winds begin to blow, sometimes turning into hurricanes. There is significantly more precipitation: approximately half of the days in May are rainy. At the same time, the weather constantly brings surprises. The sun gives way to heavy rain and vice versa.

June. This month continues the May trend as the southwest monsoon takes over. There are very strong gusts of warm wind. In June, the Maldives receives the maximum precipitation typical for this region, but its amount rarely exceeds 200 mm. Ocean waves sometimes reach gigantic sizes. The thermometer stays at an average of +30 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean is +27 °C.

July. At this time, the islands are not very comfortable due to frequent rains. However, they quickly end, and soon the sky partially clears and the sun peeks through the clouds. In July, approximately 160 mm of precipitation falls, and the air temperature is +31 °C. In water, the thermometer usually shows +27 °C. Thunderstorms are possible, during which it feels cool.

August. This month is considered the most changeable on the islands. In early August, the sea is quite warm and calm, winds and hurricanes practically stop. It rains relatively rarely, and the atolls are still hot. But already at the end of the month the sky becomes increasingly cloudy, it rains often, and the wind gets stronger.

September. Both day and night, the weather remains mostly warm, and the sweltering heat recedes. Humidity remains quite high, and precipitation falls up to 200 mm. The average number of rainy days in September is 15-16. The rains are often accompanied by strong thunderstorms, but the ocean remains quite warm with water temperatures of approximately +27 °C.

October. The air temperature drops slightly to +27-29 °C, and the water temperature drops to +26 °C, which does not interfere with swimming at all. It rains much less often: usually no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls.

November. This month the northeast monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it warm and dry weather. Winds and rains rarely bother tourists, and the average thermometer shows +28 °C. The water warms up to +25 °C.

December. At this time of year, everything blooms on the islands, so they turn into a real tropical paradise. Daytime temperatures rise to +30-32 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean rarely drops below +25 °C.

How to get to the Maldives

Any guidebook, where you will find everything you wanted to know about the Maldives, states that the connection between the island state and the mainland is carried out exclusively by air. The country's only airport is located in the capital Male. You can get to it in the following ways:

Direct flight from Aeroflot from Moscow. New Airbus A-330-200 aircraft fly from the Russian capital twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is important for you to know how long it takes to fly from Moscow on such a direct flight, you will have to be patient: the flight duration is approximately 9 hours.

Please note that when returning from the Maldives you will have to pay an airport tax of 10 USD - 15 USD, which is not always included in the air ticket price.

Connecting flight with Qatar Airways (connection point - Doha), Singapore Airlines (connection point - Singapore) or Emirates Airlines (connection point - Dubai). The cost of tickets for airliners of these air carriers already includes an airport tax.

Connecting flight with Srilankan Airlines. To do this, you will first have to fly to Dubai or Colombo and purchase a ticket to Male at the local airport for 180 USD - 250 USD. This is the most budget flight option for those who want to save money.

The average cost of a flight between the capitals of Russia and the Maldives ranges from 570 USD to 720 USD one way.

Maldives visa and customs clearance

Residents of Russia and the CIS countries do not need to obtain a visa to travel to the Maldives, since there is a visa-free agreement between the countries. However, given the sudden change in climate and the exotic nature of the region, it would not hurt to purchase a health insurance policy. Weekly insurance will cost approximately 25 USD - 45 USD.

It is very important to comply with the rules of customs legislation of the Republic of Maldives. They talk about the following:

• You can import and export foreign currency in unlimited quantities.
• Without paying a duty, 125 ml of perfume or cologne and 200 cigarettes are allowed to be imported, as well as no more than one item related to goods for personal use per passenger.
• It is strictly forbidden to transport pork and meat products made from it, salami sausages, pornographic goods, narcotic substances, souvenirs made from a sea turtle shell or dark coral, as well as antiques found at the bottom of the ocean.

Be sure to note that the import and export of any alcoholic beverages in the Maldives is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in arrest.

Cost of a holiday in the Maldives

Many Russian celebrities like Volochkova love to vacation in the Maldives. This is due to the very comfortable climate and reasonable prices for accommodation. If you are wondering how much a standard trip to the Maldives costs, please note that it depends on the following factors:

• duration of the trip;
• hotel category;
• the island on which the hotel is located;
• food and entertainment included in the price;
• season.

The more services a hotel offers for vacationers (SPA, swimming pools, animation, sauna and much more), the more expensive the vacation will cost. If you are planning a trip for 7-8 days, booking a single or double room with half board and a minimum of entertainment, you will have to spend from 2600 USD to 5500 USD.

The wedding tour involves a romantic weekend for the newlyweds and will cost from 1750 USD to 2500 USD. The price includes room decoration, services of photographers and musicians, fruits, wine or champagne and an informal wedding ceremony. The all-inclusive tour is suitable for those who want to completely relax during their trip. Its price - from 3,500 USD to 7,000 USD for a week's stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel - includes three meals a day and free drinks throughout the entire stay.

Those looking to save money should pay attention to last-minute tours: they are usually 30% cheaper. Also, for the most budget holiday in the Maldives for 8 days, you will have to spend approximately 2000 USD if you book a room in an inexpensive three-star hotel without special amenities. The price includes airfare and medical insurance.

The Maldives is a real sunny paradise on earth, where you can easily recuperate after a long-awaited vacation.

Detailed map of the Maldives in Russian. Map of roads, cities and regions on the map of the Maldives. Show Maldives on map.

Where are the Maldives on the world map?

The Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives, is located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Asia and Africa, approximately 700 kilometers southwest of the island of Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula, on which India is located. The archipelago consists of about a thousand islands stretching for almost 1000 kilometers. Holidays here are famous for privacy, tranquility and first-class service. The country is famous for its snow-white beaches, picturesque nature, and the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean.

Interactive map of the Maldives with islands

The islands that make up the republic are a group of atolls that consist of numerous islets. Almost every island in the Maldives belongs to some kind of hotel, so holidays here take place in an atmosphere of a unique sense of privacy and tranquility. The most famous atolls: Kaafu Atoll, or North Male (27 resort and 8 fishing islands), Kaafu Atoll, or South Male (19 resort islands and 3 inhabited by local residents), as well as the Atolls of Vaavu, Meemu, Seenu, Faavu.

Geographical location of the Maldives

The islands are located in the vastness of the Indian Ocean and stretch for a thousand kilometers north of the equator. The Maldives is the lowest located state in the world. The islands rise only slightly above sea level: their highest point on the southern Addu Atoll is only 2.4 meters. Geographic coordinates of the Maldives: 3°28′36″ N. w. and 72°50′12″ E. d.

Territory of the Maldives

The republic's land area occupies 298 square kilometers - 210th in the world. However, if we take into account maritime spaces, the total territory of the state will be about 90,000 square kilometers, of which 97% is water surface.

Regions and Atolls of the Maldives

Administratively, the Maldives is divided into twenty island groups (atolls) and the capital atoll city of Male. These atolls are included in eight regions formed by geographical location. So, among them there are the Far North, Northern, Central and some other regions.

Basic moments

The Maldives offers generous sunshine, glamorous sand-sifted beaches, bounty-style turquoise lagoons and fantastic diving 365 days a year. And this is a delightful atmosphere of complete relaxation, respectable laziness and detachment from everyday problems. No matter what economic cataclysms shake the planet, this Asian resort continues to live in its relaxed rhythm, independent from the mainland. The classical Islamic state, with its traditional taboo on everything that contradicts religious canons, managed to adapt to the free morals of the tourist elite, without compromising its own traditions at all. The Maldives is the very place where the roads of visitors and indigenous inhabitants (unless they are hotel employees) almost never cross, and a bank account, no matter how solid it may be, can be reset to zero in a matter of days. It is in the Maldives that you can have the most romantic wedding, improve your diving skills, and, finally, just feel like the last person on the planet by renting a secluded bungalow with a private beach and stunning views of the ocean.

History of the Maldives

According to rough estimates, the history of the Maldives began more than 2000 years ago, when the atolls lost in the Indian Ocean were inhabited by people from neighboring India and Sri Lanka. It was the first settlers who brought Buddhism to the islands, which in the 12th century supplanted Islam, which was actively propagated by the Arabs who arrived here.

Starting from the mid-16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch began to lay claim to the territory of the Maldives. But the local inhabitants were in no hurry to turn their country into a raw materials appendage of insatiable Europe, actively resisting the attacks of foreigners.

In 1887, England still managed to establish a protectorate over the Maldives. But in 1967, the islanders rebelled, demanding complete independence from Britain, which was granted to them a year later. The country was immediately declared a republic and a new president was elected.

Weather and climate

You can go to the Maldives at any time of the year: thanks to the subequatorial monsoon climate, it is always warm here. Even in the coldest months (January - February), the thermometer never drops below +17 °C, and the average air temperature often fluctuates between +24...+33 °C. The main climatic differences depend on the two monsoon seasons. The winter northeast monsoon, which blows from January to March, is the peak season, bringing dry weather and coinciding with the European winter. The southwest monsoon from May to December causes wet weather, but the rain rarely lasts very long. The rainiest months in the Maldives are May and November, while the sunniest months are March and before and after it.

Geography

The Republic of Maldives is an Asian country in the equatorial Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is 700 km from here, and India is only 430. By the way, the Maldives are considered the lowest state on the planet: almost all of the land here is only a meter or two above sea level, so in the distant future the fashionable resort risks repeating the fate of Atlantis.

The Maldives islands are mostly small, and the area of ​​some of them is absolutely tiny. Almost each of these pieces of land has its own coral “shield,” so the main feature of the local beaches is that they are almost never stormy, and the water off the coast remains amazingly clear.

The main resort area of ​​the country is formed by the northern atolls, which guarantee their guests the highest level of service and complete privacy. The southern atolls are a little behind in terms of tourism business development, but it is easy to predict that in the foreseeable future they will also catch up, given that their lagoons are full of suitable diving spots.

But tour operators reached the far southern atolls relatively recently, so for now these islands continue to be inhabited by the Maldivians themselves. This, of course, does not mean that the ubiquitous backpacker has never set foot here - quite the opposite, given the fact that the distant atolls are perhaps the only place in the country where a tourist thirsting for national flavor can freely contact the local inhabitants. In other parts of the resort you won’t be able to walk so freely through the village streets.

Flora and fauna

The natural world of the equatorial paradise is surprisingly poor. The main inhabitants of the land are hermit crabs, giant Achatina (snails), flying foxes (relatives of our bats) and gray herons. The situation with vegetation in the Maldives is even worse. Basically, the tourist will have to admire coconut palms and bananas, which are cultivated in huge quantities on the islands. True, as soon as you leave the shore and plunge into the azure ocean waves, a completely different Maldives will appear before you - whimsical, full of life and the most incredible colors. The reefs surrounding the resort are home to more than 1,100 species of fish, 400 species of shellfish, 187 species of coral, 21 species of mammals (whales, dolphins) and 145 species of crabs.

Capital

The classic rule: “The capital is the face of the state” does not work in the Maldives. Male is a small but incredibly densely populated city on the southern coast of the atoll of the same name. Its area is 5.8 km². It is in Male that ¼ of the total population of the republic lives.

It’s a paradox, but the capital of an elite world resort is not much different from the provincial cities of India. Cramped streets, high-rise buildings right next to each other, a littered port and the unchanging symbol of any Islamic country - the mosque. There are almost no significant attractions in the city, so tourists arriving in the Maldives do not stay in Male. Perhaps they will go to the local market to look at the abundance of fish rows, or, in urgent need, they will take a walk to the hospital.

Local residents and national traditions

As in any Islamic state, religious traditions are strong in the Maldives. The indigenous people do not drink alcohol and never sell it, or rather, they try to pretend that they are disgusted by it, and also hide their women under shapeless robes. This way of life, of course, is not imposed on visitors. Moreover, many Maldivians work as bartenders in hotels, masterfully mixing cocktails and filling guests' glasses with drinks that they would never try themselves.

The bulk of the country's population is employed in the tourism business, but those for whom the stars shine a little less brightly have to earn a living by fishing, repairing boats and other not the most highly paid activities.

Since not all islands have regular transport links with other parts of the land, the majority of Maldivians live extremely isolated. Ordinary islanders have a monotonous and measured life: going to sea in the morning, lazy swinging in a hammock chair and idle contemplation of the surrounding reality in the afternoon, and at sunset, fishing again.

Etiquette standards and rules of behavior at the resort

The Maldives has a lot of restrictions, non-compliance with which can lead to serious problems. For example, on the most beautiful beaches on the planet it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, much less be completely naked. Walking around cities and towns in ultra-short tops and shorts is also not recommended, nor is it recommended to break off branches of local coral as a souvenir of your trip. Fans of coastal fishing and spearfishing are better off not talking about their passion at all: such types of fishing in the Maldives are equated to poaching. And for throwing garbage and drinking alcohol outside the hotel premises, substantial fines are imposed.

Video: Maldives from above

Beaches of the Maldives

Listing the beaches of a resort consisting of almost 2,000 islands is a thankless task, so it’s easier to name the most popular and well-groomed of them. On North Male Atoll, these are Banyan Tree and Naladu. Nikak and San, which belong to the Ari Atoll, do not suffer from a lack of swimmers. You can swim in the company of Maldivian turtles on the beaches of Lhaviani Atoll, and the shores of Maafushi are better suited for observing the habits of dolphins. The islands of Kunfadhoo and Hadahaa are occupied by those with deep pockets, while incorrigible romantics flock to the coast of Vaadu, dreaming of watching the sunrise on a luminescent beach. Surfers and other wave-chasers hang out around Kunuhura Island, where their unofficial headquarters is Pasta Point Resort.

Attractions and entertainment in the Maldives

Once you have explored the amazing beaches of the Maldives and discovered all the delights of the all inclusive system, you are unlikely to want to go anywhere else. Well, if such a desire nevertheless arises, then take a ride to the Sultan Park on the island of Male, where the National Museum is also located. In the capital, you can also gaze at the Presidential Palace, a rather modest building by modern standards, where all official receptions are held, and at the Good Friday Mosque, built from coral blocks. If possible, book a table at the underwater restaurant Ithaa, one of the ten most unusual restaurants on the planet. The queue for this pretentious establishment is endless, and for the exclusive surroundings they demand an inadequate amount from visitors, but according to the lucky ones who managed to appreciate the local service, it is worth it.

It's certainly hard to find a more comfortable destination than a tropical island with upscale hotels, great food and impeccable, friendly staff. But if you come to the Maldives for at least a couple of weeks, then most likely you will want to see what is hidden behind the borders of a cozy hotel. Traveling around the Maldives is not easy, especially if you try to do it on your own, but it is possible to join an organized excursion. This could be an aimless boat ride looking for a suitable angle for a selfie against the sunset, or a visit to a Maldivian village and getting to know the life of the islanders. You can relieve yourself of worries (and extra money) by booking an aerial cruise on a seaplane, or renting a real submarine with a crew to explore the ocean floor. Well, lovers of picturesque ruins should go to Ari Atoll, where the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple are still preserved.

Traveling around the area

Of course, what places you can visit and what trips you can take are entirely determined by the location of the resort you're at. True, you will find little variety here, because one island is not much different from another. Perhaps only a trip to Male will give you new impressions. Most resorts located near the capital can organize a one-day excursion for their guests. And while all of Male's attractions are gathered in one place and can be explored in just a couple of hours, it's worth staying overnight to get a taste of the capital and see how its inhabitants entertain themselves after the sun dips below the horizon and the heat subsides. This can be done by taking a day boat flight to the capital, having previously booked a hotel room, and returning the next day also on a day flight. You can also take the boat or seaplane that hotels send to pick up tourists from the airport.

Boat trips

Another popular way to explore the Maldives is boat excursions. These can be short sunset trips around the island where your hotel is located, or long trips where you charter a boat or go on liveaboards (passengers live on their own boat on the open ocean). Travel conditions depend entirely on the size of your wallet. On most boats, passengers are provided not with private cabins, but with bunks separated by curtains, and the tourists are expected to do the routine daily work themselves.

A higher degree of comfort is offered by ships such as the Atoll Explorer, which features air-conditioned cabins and a swimming pool on the upper deck. Private yachts are intended for the very rich, famous and influential people, as well as oligarchs who avoid resort accommodation.

If these prices are a little out of your budget, the resort can charter a speedboat and crew for the day. It will cost no more than $200. Ordering from the pier in Male will cost less due to competition. To reduce the price even further, you can charter a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, but then you won't be able to travel long distances.

If you want to get a taste of the sweet life and ride on a luxury yacht, Kuredu on Lhaviani Atoll offers day yacht cruises, and night cruises can be booked privately. The yacht is also available at W Retreat & Spa on Ari Atoll.

Desert Islands

Paradoxically, uninhabited islands may be the busiest after Male. Often they are “adopted” by certain resorts, which build various communal amenities, cafes there and send their guests there on a day excursion to have a picnic, snorkel and just swim. And since several groups of tourists come ashore at once, calling these islands “uninhabited” would be somewhat incorrect.

There are tourists who want to visit the uninhabited islands of the Maldives not in such large numbers. Some resorts offer private dinners on the sand for two or more guests and even offer the opportunity to stay overnight. Visitors are given a flag to raise in case of danger.

If money isn't an issue for you, you can rent an entire resort; many small islands can provide safe havens for rich people. For example, the boat-only portion of the Soneva Gili resort can be rented in its entirety.

Village Islands

In the Maldives, excursions to nearby villages are very popular among tourists. Some resorts have close relationships with the islands on which the villages are located and regularly shuttle guests back and forth. If there is no such island near the resort, then, as a rule, a visit to the village is included in the program of a one-day excursion, which involves visiting an uninhabited island.

The Maldivian villages that you will visit during an organized tour will not give a complete picture of the life of the local population. There you will see crowds of tourists milling around and a market that has arisen with the express purpose of satisfying their needs, and not at all the needs of the local residents. But the schools, mosques and houses will be real, and the natural spontaneous development of these villages will allow your eye to take a break from the strict regularity of the resorts.

To visit a “real village” in the Maldives, somewhere off the beaten path, you will have to make a considerable effort. First, it won't be cheap (you have to rent a separate boat because the transport to the inland atolls doesn't take foreigners on board). Secondly, you will have to overcome many bureaucratic obstacles, such as obtaining permission to visit the inland atolls from the administration of the ministry located in Male. And in order to receive it, you need confirmation from a person living on the island you are going to visit. All this, of course, deprives the acquaintance with the real life of the archipelago of spontaneity. If your determination is unshakable, a travel agent in Male will help you overcome bureaucratic obstacles.

Diving

Masters of scuba gear and action cameras in the Maldives will find perfectly warm water (on average +27 °C), excellent visibility even at a depth of 40 m and an incredibly rich underwater world. The only danger is the currents that gain strength just outside the reefs, so it is better for beginners to flounder inside the atolls.

It is better to go in search of bottom riches from September to May: the sea during this period is calm, it does not have the abundance of plankton that occurs with the arrival of the monsoons. Coral slides, sunken ships (wrecks), inter-island straits - all these are traditional routes for heroes in wetsuits.

One type of diving or another can be practiced at almost all resorts, but the conditions vary significantly. On some islands, scuba diving is not high on the list of sports offered. This means that both the diving sites and scuba training courses will be quite limited, which is more suitable for beginners or casual scuba diving enthusiasts.

However, true fans of diving in the Maldives can claim something more. The resorts, which are the most popular among the scuba diving fraternity, offer a wide range of courses such as VIT, CMAS, SSI, PADI, NAUI, ANDI and RAB where one can improve their skills. They also provide additional equipment that guarantees safety, such as underwater video cameras. The choice may also be influenced by the availability of nitrox and a decompression chamber, as well as the proximity of suitable diving sites to the resort.

Most local diving centers are located at hotels (Sun Diving School PADI Golden Palm 5, Ocean Dive Center, TGI Maldives, Euro Divers, etc.). Well, for the most restless, there is the possibility of a diving safari, for which a group of divers with the same experience is recruited. The advantages of such a cruise are obvious: you can get acquainted with almost all the atolls and look at uninhabited islands, it is much cheaper than diving with hotel accommodation and, finally, traveling on a yacht is an almost guaranteed opportunity to meet local sharks, which are precisely what those who come to the island are chasing Maldives scuba divers.

Video: Diving in the Maldives

Rating of the best diving spots in the Maldives

Male Atoll

• Banana Reef;
• Lions Head;
• Manta Point;
• Old Shark Point;
• wreck of the ship "Victoria";
• Poodle Place;
• Rainbow Reef;
• Hans Place.

South Male Atoll

• Vadu Cave;
• Guraidhoo Strait.

• the sunken ship "Fesdu";
• Maaafushi-Tila;
• Fish head reef.

Northern atolls

The Northern Atolls are one of the main areas of the Maldives for tourism. Now the number of resorts has barely exceeded double digits, but this figure will steadily increase. There are plans to develop pristine atolls that will provide visitors with even more peace and solitude. Since there are much fewer ships cruising here than on the more populated atolls close to the capital, the air in the northern resorts is cleaner and the water is clearer than anywhere else in the archipelago.

New tour operators are competing with hundreds of competitors, so they are trying to stand out by offering better facilities and more interesting activities. One such idea is embodied on an island called Hideaway. This is a relatively new resort that boasts the first marina in the Maldives. It is designed to attract as many customers as possible. People accustomed to vacationing on yachts, such as Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, already regularly spend time on the Northern Atolls. They may be trying to avoid the busier islands near the capital. In high-class hotels, guests will receive appropriate service: butler assistance and massage.

Guests who do not have their own yachts can be transported to hotels in the northern islands by speedboats. The journey will take just over two hours. A seaplane flight is much more likely, and the more remote resorts sometimes operate their own commercial flights.

Beaches

In this part of the country you can see the same fantastic beaches covered with white sand, illuminated by golden rays of the sun and washed by azure waves, as on other Maldivian atolls. But their privacy guarantees you even greater purity and pristineness than in the central regions of the archipelago.

Diving

The relatively recent development of tourism in the Maldives, which began in the 1990s, and the small number of boats and ships plying around the atolls, keep the area pristine and thus provide excellent diving conditions. Both kailu (straits, channels between reefs) and thila (seamount, reef bank, the top of which is not visible from the surface) offer many opportunities for snorkeling. Diving on the Raa and Baa atolls, to the west of the southern group of islands, includes the protected waters of Horubadu Thila, inhabited by ocean fish, sometimes gray reef sharks and eagle rays can swim there. Other thilas in the area include the busiest Daravandu, as well as Beriyan Faru, Kottefaru Kuda and Vaadu, each of which promises a lot for true scuba diving enthusiasts. The southwest monsoon, which blows from May to June, brings manta rays and whale sharks to the shores. The strong currents in these areas mean that they are more suitable for experienced divers, with few areas suitable for beginners.

To the east of Raa and Baa, near Lhaviani Atoll, divers will encounter the remains of the fishing boats Skipjack II and Gaafaru, which after two decades spent on the ocean floor became part of underwater life. Their sinking location is easy to find: the Skipjack II's bow rises above the surface of the water. There are also two excellent giri (coral clusters a few meters below the ocean's surface) diving sites: Narkola, south of Hurawali, rich in ledges and faults, and Maa, southwest of Kanuhuraa, where underwater currents create fantastic marine diversity flora and fauna. Another protected ocean area called Kuredu Express offers enjoyable scuba diving, while the 250m long Fushifaru Thila with strong currents is a great spot for advanced divers.

Southern atolls

Given its proximity to Male, parts of the Southern Atolls remain relatively undeveloped in terms of resorts, perhaps because the atolls here are not as close to each other as in the north of the Maldives. The slow pace of development has made the area popular for liveaboard boats, which ply the archipelago in search of privacy and tranquility for their passengers.

If it were not for tourism, this zone could not be called active at all, especially on the islands where fishing and agriculture are practiced. As in the Northern Atolls, the number of resorts here has barely exceeded double digits, including those that developers are still working on. You can fly from Male to your resort by seaplane in 35 or 45 minutes.

Beaches

The lack of busy boat traffic guarantees crystal clear waters, and some even claim that the local beaches are some of the best in the Maldives. And although it is almost impossible to rank countless coastlines, walking along the sands of Filitheyo or Vilu Reef Resort, I really want to agree with them.

Diving

Just below South Male Atoll, at Vaavu, lies the country's longest ridge of pristine reefs, stretching 55 km. It stretches from Hurahu Kandu to the southernmost point of the atoll. The main form of scuba diving in this area is drift diving in the kaila, for which there are many excellent sites, including Wattara Kanda, a protected area and a reef. Also popular are the thila (underwater coral reefs), particularly Fotteyo, which many rank among the best dive sites in the Maldives. An amazing life of various underwater inhabitants takes place here, and some of the corals are simply dazzling.

Water sports

All the usual water sports are available in the Southern Atolls, and centers that focus on this type of activity include Alimatha Aquatic, Medhufushi and Vilu Reef.

Far southern atolls

The Maldives' southern atolls, some of which are located on the other side of the equator, are rare islands where tourists mingle freely with the local population. The equatorial village is located on the island of Gan, which belongs to the southernmost Sin Atoll, where traces of the British presence remain. There used to be two Royal Air Force bases here, which were dissolved in 1976, but the English lawns and reconstructed barracks still remind of them.

Another unique feature of this part of the country is that you can walk 17 km in a straight line without ever reaching water. This was made possible thanks to a causeway that the British built, connecting Gan with three islands - Feydhoo, Maradu and the main atoll of Hithadhoo - to the northeast of it. No special permit is required to visit these islands inhabited by locals, so independent tourists who are curious to see the real life of the Maldivians love to come here. A relatively inexpensive (by Maldivian standards, of course) stay at the resort attracts a whole crowd of backpackers.

Until recently, Gan was a rather sleepy little island, but that's all set to change in the near future. The fact is that the local airport has been brought into line with international standards, and now it can accommodate more tourists seeking to visit resorts, the number of which is steadily increasing. Ghana's geographic isolation means its culture and language, as well as flora and fauna, are different, so travelers may have a very different experience on the island than the rest of the Maldives. For many years, Gan was the only island in a group of distant southern atolls on which a resort was built, but it is now beginning to experience competition from its neighbors.

Beaches

If you prefer immaculately maintained beaches, then it is better to stay somewhere else in the archipelago. The beauty of Gan Island is that you can wander freely along its beaches, which are not monitored by strict resort management, and mingle with the locals. You can swim at Koattey Beach, at the northern tip of Hithadhoo.

Diving

Thanks to the almost complete absence of tourist infrastructure, ocean life in these places flourishes. Sinu Atoll is especially attractive in this sense, where divers will not find a crowd of like-minded people. This atoll has escaped the coral bleaching that has plagued much of the archipelago, making it particularly attractive. Perhaps the most famous diving site is the multi-ton tanker British Loyalty, which was torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. Experienced divers are allowed to swim into the remains of the hull itself, where a dazzling variety of underwater life awaits them. Another attraction for the scuba diving community is Shark Point, or Shark Point, located northeast of Hulumidhoo, so named because of the abundance of white and gray reef sharks.

Getting to know local life

This rare chance to experience a real Maldivian village is not to be missed. Explore the islands by motorbike, bicycle or on foot (there are tours to the Equatorial Village). There you will see mosques, schools and remnants of the British stay. At the far end of the causeway is the most beautiful part of the atoll, the capital city of Hithadhoo. In the center there are many tea houses and a stadium where you can even watch competitions. And on the fresh water lake Eidigali-Kili you can admire the birds.

A wedding in the Maldives is no longer a fashion trend, but rather a pathetic tradition that stubbornly does not give up its position, demonstrating the level of wealth of the couple. You can book a ceremony in the best traditions of soap operas, including a visit to the spa, a romantic walk, a wedding ceremony and a wedding picnic, smoothly turning into a wedding night in a secluded bungalow, right at the hotel. For a spectacular theatrical performance and a wedding certificate, you will have to pay 2,833 rufiyaa (11,000 rubles). Fans of extreme sports and non-trivial experiences in the Maldives are offered an underwater version of the special event. Prices for a wedding at the bottom of the sea in the company of experienced dive instructors are already more serious - around 3,993 rufiyaa (15,500 rubles).

The other side of Maldivian paradise

The most fashionable resort in the world has virtually no natural sources of fresh water. Life-giving moisture is either collected here during the rainy season or pumped from wells. The water extracted from the atoll depths contains a large amount of salts, so it is subjected to demineralization. However, it is still of little use for drinking, as it has a short shelf life, which is why most tourists, and even indigenous residents, prefer to buy bottled water.

Own power plants in the Maldives are a luxury item, so on a number of islands they are replaced by fuel generators. And if on relatively populated atolls electricity is supplied around the clock, then where there are fewer people, light is supplied only in the evenings and then for a couple of hours.

The problem of garbage in the island state was solved ingeniously and simply - they set aside a separate island for household waste. But since official landfills cannot accommodate the volume of waste that accumulates, some parts of the Maldives are approaching this issue with a great deal of creativity. For example, on some atolls they use sewage water to fertilize green spaces and enrich the soil with fertilizer from fish offal; in other parts of the resort, tourists are provided with special bags for waste, which the guest must take with them after their vacation. However, despite all efforts, it has not yet been possible to completely get rid of garbage, so plastic thrown out by passengers of yachts and boats washes up on the shores of the Maldives from time to time.

Food and drink

In search of national Maldivian dishes, it is better to go to Male, since the hotel kitchens are staffed mainly by Sri Lankan staff, who adapt the food to their own culinary traditions. In the capital's eateries, mostly islanders work, so the food there is the most authentic.

Oddly enough, in a tropical paradise, culinary preferences cannot be more modest. True, such unpretentiousness is a necessary measure: little grows in the Maldives except bananas and coconuts. The products here are imported and, therefore, expensive, so local chefs always have 1,000 and one ways to prepare rice with fish.

A regular on the Maldivian table is tuna: fried, boiled, dried, smoked, boiled into a soufflé (mas huni), canned... They also love curry on the islands, which is much less spicy here than in neighboring India. Maldivians prepare fish broth (garudiya) as their first course. This tropical soup is cooked for several hours, flavored with lime and chili and served with the same rice. Meat is a rare guest on local tables, since pork is prohibited in an Islamic country, and there is simply nothing to feed cattle on the atolls.

The average Maldivian can season his “daily rice” with coconut or lime juice, onion and chili pepper. The islanders' bread is replaced by unleavened flatbread Roshi (a local variation on the theme of Armenian lavash), and the main drink here is green tea with milk (masala). Maldivians do not drink alcohol, but they get their portion of alcoholic euphoria from raa - fermented palm sap. As for desserts, almost all of them are coconut-based. The most prominent representative of sweet dishes is considered to be a bondi stick - a compressed and somewhat sugary delicacy made from coconut flakes, wrapped like a Havana cigar.

Most all inclusive hotels offer international cuisine. Of course, they also host weeks of local delicacies, but on other days there are French croissants and every Maldivian's nightmare - juicy pork steaks.

Money

The official currency of the country is the Maldivian rufiyaa ($0.06). The rufiyaa exchange rate is artificially maintained against the dollar, and its exchange rate with other currencies is based on this, so there is no point in looking for a place where you can make a more profitable exchange. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rufiyaa and coins of 1 and 2 rufiyaa are in circulation. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport or at any of the banks, just keep in mind that the latter are closed on Friday and Saturday. In all places where tourists visit, American dollars and euros are accepted, and they are in circulation at all resorts. If you wish, you can avoid handling cash at all and ask for all expenses to be included in your hotel bill and pay at the end of your stay with a credit card.

Fun fact: The Maldives prints its rufiyaa on the same paper that America prints its dollars.

Tips

Tipping, while quite common in nearby territories such as India, does not have such a strong tradition in the Maldives. But low wages and foreign guests with a habit of tipping began to change the situation. At most resorts, the guest is immediately assigned a specific table, so that he will be served by the same waiter throughout the entire vacation. If you don't want to deal with cash, then you can thank the service staff on the last day. Some tour operators set the amount at $10 per week. There is no need to tip taxi drivers or cafes. If you want to thank a local resident for taking a photo with you, he may be offended.

Shopping

Shopping in a country where practically nothing is produced is like a kind of quest. Although for the unpretentious tourist in the Maldives, of course, there is something authentic or skillfully imitating this very authenticity. It is worth noting that most of the trinkets with supposedly Maldivian flavor that are sold in the capital’s shops are not actually such. All these, as a rule, are Sri Lankan variations on the theme of “a truly Maldivian souvenir.”

For authentic creations of Maldivian artisans, it is better to go to the islands of Mahibadhoo, Maafushi, Khuura, Rasdhu, where for a not very modest sum, local craftsmen will happily provide you with wooden boxes, miniature “dhoni”, palm fiber rugs, colorful shells and funny coconut monkeys. Those who are looking for “something like that” will definitely be persuaded to buy a Maldivian hookah, Gudu-Guda, which local grandmothers love to blow before bedtime. If the hookah doesn’t work out, magnets and T-shirts won’t surprise you, but you still want to bring a material reminder of your vacation with you, take a closer look at the badu-beru ritual drums.

By the way, about T-shirts and magnets - you don’t have to go far to buy them: all the souvenir shops in Male are filled with this stuff. In them you can also get the notorious shark teeth, which have long become the main resort trophy.

Opening hours

Business life in the Maldives comes to a standstill on Friday, as well as five times a day for 15 minutes during prayer. Shops may open at 6:00, but most often open at 8:00 or 9:00. They usually close at 20.00, but some can be open until 23.00. Government offices and banks open at 7.30 or 8.00 and are open until 13.30 from Sunday to Thursday.

Difference in time

The time difference with Moscow in the Maldives is +1 hour in the summer (when it is 11.00 in Moscow, in the Maldives it is already 12.00) and +2 hours in the winter.

• Birthdays are not celebrated in the Maldives. Moreover, they don’t even try to remember this date.
• Only a Muslim who has lived in the country for several years can obtain citizenship of a country.
• The Maldives is among the top 10 countries for divorce rates (about 50%). At the same time, citizens bear criminal liability for adultery. Those who walk to the left are publicly treated to a whip here.
• The working week in the country begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday.
• Entering the Maldives with a dog is strictly prohibited: according to the Koran, this animal is considered unclean.
• The resort's motto is No news, no shoes! (No news, no shoes!).
• The Maldives does not have a tax free system.
• Male International Airport is located on an artificially created island.
• In the Maldives, not only the celebration of Halloween, but also the mention of it out loud is officially prohibited.
• The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, is found in the Maldives. Its size varies from 5.5 to 10 meters, and people can admire how this hulk cuts through the crystal clear waters of the Maldives.

Where to stay

The Maldives is not a place where you can go with a hundred dollars clutched in your fist, party all weekend and still bring “change.” On the one hand, the country has several hostels and guest houses, but even in such places the tourist will be asked to pay far from a modest amount. You can, of course, try to negotiate with the locals and stay with them, but this is rather an extreme option for backpackers and experienced adventurers. On the other hand, people don’t come to a tropical paradise to count every bill and cut themselves off in everything, so why not relax on a grand scale.

A classic of local housing is water bungalows (wooden houses on stilts standing directly in the sea). For the waves splashing right under your feet and the exclusive opportunity to snorkel on your own porch, you will have to pay an average of 5,153 to 20,6611 rufiyaa (20,000-80,000 rubles). An excellent chance to combine comfortable living conditions and acquaintance with the most picturesque Maldivian atolls - yachts, the rental of a cabin on which is equivalent in price to an excellent hotel room.

There are relatively few budget three-room hotels in the Maldives, and even those are mostly occupied by divers. Booking.com recommends Gunbaru Inn, Rihiveli by Castaway and Sun Tan Beach most often. There is a wide range of prices here: you can find a room for 902 rufiyaa (about 3,500 rubles), or for 3,865 (15,000 rubles).

Safety

In the Maldives, they are terribly afraid of yellow fever, so they scrupulously check that all travelers arriving from South America and Africa are vaccinated against this disease. For some reason, all other infectious agents are of no interest to local doctors, but, just in case, it is better to first get vaccinated against rubella, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever. If you are not coming from an infected area, then vaccinations are not necessary.

You shouldn’t leave without a strategic supply of essential medications - normal pharmacies at the resort can only be found in Male, while on most other islands the choice of medicines is extremely poor, and hospitalization in this country costs a lot of money. It’s also best not to show up on Maldivian beaches without good sunscreen, repellent and a bottle of water. Due to the high concentration of solar radiation, you can get a sunburn at the equator not just by lying under a palm tree, but also by sitting up to your neck in water.

Despite the fact that local beaches give the impression of calm and “lazy” places, do not rush to demonstrate your prowess and swim beyond the line of red flags that mark safe swimming areas. Of course, in most hotels on the shore there is security on duty, but underwater ocean currents, which are impossible to cope with, have not yet been canceled.

Crime in the republic is kept to a minimum, so the Maldives can safely be called one of the safest resorts. In force majeure situations, when you cannot do without the help of law enforcement agencies, it is better to contact the hotel security, who will themselves establish contact with the police station.

Connection

Cellular services at the resort are provided by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, whose SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or in specialized stores in Male. The connection quality is quite good, unless you go too far out to sea. It is customary to top up your phone balance using special cards, which are usually sold in hotels. A call to Russia from a Dhiraagu operator SIM card will cost around 4.9 rufiyaa/minute (about 19 rubles). For calls within the country, it is better to use local payphones, the services of which are also paid for by card (easy to find in hotels and from street vendors). For wealthy tourists, there is such an exclusive option as calling a landline phone from a hotel room. So, if you are the happy owner of a couple of oil wells, you can calmly solve business issues without leaving your bed.

Free Wi-Fi in the Maldives is a rare “beast” and lives exclusively in hotels. Those who are unlucky with a hotel can go to an Internet cafe in the capital, spending from 45 to 150 rufiyaa (175-582 rubles) for an hour of online surfing, or connect the necessary service from one of the local mobile operators, thereby robbing himself of at least 290 rufiyaa (1,125 rubles).

How to call the Maldives

To call from Russia to the Maldives, dial:

• from a landline phone: 8-10-960 (Maldives code) - code of the desired city - subscriber number;
• from a mobile phone: 8-10-960 - mobile operator code - subscriber's mobile phone number.

There are no area codes in the Maldives. All numbers are now seven digits.

How to call abroad

To call from the Maldives to Russia, dial:

• from a landline phone: 00 - 7 - desired city code - subscriber number in Russia (00 - international line access code; 7 - Russian telephone code);
• from a mobile phone: +7 - subscriber number. International operator - 190; information desk - 11.

Transport

There is no ground transportation as such in the Maldives; fortunately, the vast majority of the islands here can be explored on foot. And only in Male can a tourist afford the luxury of a ride for 27 rufiyaa (97 rubles) by taxi or for 4.70 (18 rubles) by bus.

For those planning to travel from island to island, there are three main modes of transport:

• hydroplane;
• boat/boat;
• ferry.

The first option is ideal for travelers with an unlimited budget - the pleasure costs from 2,400 to 3,000 rufiyaa (9,316-11,645 rubles), but it provides a unique opportunity to look at the atoll chain from a bird's eye view. A trip on a speedboat or national boat “doni”, depending on the remoteness of the destination, will cost 470-860 rufiyaa (1824-3380 rubles). Well, a ferry ride will be affordable even for a budget tourist, since the final cost of the crossing will be from 31 to 46 rufiyaa (approximately 120-179 rubles). The main airport of the Maldives is located next to the capital, on the small island of Hulhule. This is where all international flights arrive.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out insurance, especially if you plan to spend time on the island; transport to hospital in case of emergency can cost a pretty penny. Purchasing insurance will in no case ruin you: a two-week trip will cost about one euro per day. If you travel frequently, it is more profitable to buy an annual policy. Risks associated with active recreation activities such as scuba diving may not be included in the package. When choosing a policy, be sure to take this into account.

Visa information

When entering the Maldives, Russian citizens are issued a tourist visa in their passport free of charge, valid for 30 days. A foreign guest will be required to have a passport with a validity of at least six months, return tickets, a receipt confirming tourist services, and the availability of a sum of money at a rate of at least $30 for each day of stay.

customs control

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the Maldives. In addition, you can bring duty-free cigarettes (no more than 200 pieces) and perfumes in quantities not exceeding 125 ml. But goods worth more than $200 (about 12,000 rubles) will have to be declared.

Save money and nerves by once and for all giving up trying to bring alcohol to the Maldives (even purchased in Duty free stores). Your alcohol will still be taken away and disposed of. Pork delicacies and pornographic magazines will suffer the same fate. You should also be more careful with local souvenirs: pearl oysters, corals and turtle shell products (unless they are certified products) will not let anyone out of the equatorial paradise. It is allowed to transport a certain amount of gifts and tobacco. The most serious offense is the transportation of weapons or drugs. The punishment could be life imprisonment.

Airports

For those who travel a lot throughout the Indian subcontinent, Male International Airport will seem like a breath of fresh air. Here, unlike other airports in the region, civilized calm reigns; passengers are not overwhelmed by crowds of barkers, porters and taxi drivers. The airport is located on a separate island called Hulhule, which is not far from the capital. As soon as you reach the terminal, you will immediately see two rows of counters that belong to different resorts and tour operators. Find the one you need and a representative will tell you about the transfer in every detail. If your resort is nearby, a high-speed boat will be enough; if it’s far away, then you may have to get there by seaplane. In any case, you will receive precise instructions and leave the airport unhindered and as planned. When you return to the hotel reception, all the details will be explained to you in detail.

If you're one of those rare breeds of independent travellers, you should probably head to Male. Ferries operate 24 hours a day between the capital and the island on which the airport is located. They depart from the main pier in Hulhule and moor at breakwaters 9 and 10 in Male. Boats leave every 15 minutes or when they are full of people, the trip costs 10 rufiyaa or 1 dollar. For about $10 you can rent a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, which is now equipped with a motor.

For flight information, call Male International Airport: 333-8800.

In the Maldives you have the opportunity to visit another, very unusual airport. Seaplanes that transport passengers from Male to resorts land on the water and only then taxi onto a small floating platform just a few meters long and about the same width. From here you will be taken by boat to the desired island. The miniature size of these “airports” is the butt of jokes among resort companies. On one of the floating platforms there is a sign that reads: “Welcome to Soneva Fushi International Airport.”

How to get there

The following airlines operate regular flights to the Maldives from Moscow:

• Aeroflot – direct flights from Sheremetyevo twice a week.
• Turkish Airlines – flights from Vnukovo with a transfer in Istanbul.
• Qatar Airways – flights from Domodedovo with a connection in Doha.
• Emirates - with a connection in Dubai.

You can go to the most expensive resort on the planet from St. Petersburg with Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Rossiya and Emirates. All flights are connecting. Another option is charters that fly in the direction of the Maldives both from St. Petersburg and from other Russian cities. Delivery to the hotel usually falls on the shoulders of tour operators, whose representatives meet their clients as they exit the plane.

This question is asked by those who have already bought the long-awaited one or are just going to look for tickets and prepare for the trip. Everyone has heard about this stunning resort, the leader among the giants of beach holidays, and have probably seen photos from the best beaches and hotels more than once. The Maldives are 8.5 hours away by direct flight from Moscow to Male. This island nation is located in South Asia in the middle of the Indian Ocean near the equator. It is this geographical location of the Maldives and the equatorial climate that provide excellent weather for a beach holiday all year round in any season.

To choose the best hotel, it is worth understanding where the Maldives are, where the capital Male and the international airport are located, and where you will go on vacation. I hope I have already convinced you of the importance of understanding the geographical location of the Maldives? Then let's go!

The geography of the Maldives is so interesting that when you start studying it, you immediately understand why the widespread “lostness” of the Maldives is not accidental. They are so small that they are practically invisible on a geographical map. And many people often don't know what the Maldives is. Some of them quite seriously think that this is not a whole country, but one small island (for example, as part of Chile) with magnificent beaches and hotels.

Where is Male

Male(Male) is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Male is located in the very center of the country on a fairly large and densely populated island. It is part of the North Male Atoll (Kaafu). Thousands of tourists fly to the Maldives every day at Male International Airport (its code is MLE), located on the island of Hulule, neighboring the capital.

Good to know:

• See cheap flights to Male follow the link →
• A ready-made tour to the Maldives can be selected on the website

Male City is the financial, administrative and transport center of the Maldives. It is home to many significant cultural attractions, modern hospitals, shops, restaurants, banks and a post office.

Male Island It is connected to many of the inhabited islands in the Maldives by various means of transport - ferries, speedboats and local air travel by conventional aircraft and seaplanes.

Male on the world map

Where are the Maldives resort islands?

Not all islands in the Maldives are inhabited. Of the nearly 1,200 individual islands, only about 200 are inhabited or used as resorts. The Maldives are located both south and north of the capital Male. Some of them can be reached by speedboat or ferry, while others are located so far away that tourists fly to them either by seaplane (air taxi) or by regular domestic flights.

If you have already chosen your hotel, then on the map of the atolls you can understand where it is approximately located (see map). And for those who are still choosing, it will be interesting to keep in mind:

• The closest resort island to the airport in the Maldives is a famous hotel Kurumba. It is very popular among Russian tourists, and for good reason, because the holiday there, judging by the reviews, is simply magnificent!
• The furthest island in the south where the local population lives is Gan(Addu Atoll). Maldivian Airlines flies there from Male. Near the island of Gan there is a magnificent resort on the equator. Who hasn't dreamed of relaxing right under the sun? There is such an opportunity in the Maldives. Look at Villingili Island Shangri-La.
• The most distant resort from the capital in the Maldives is located in the north of the Maldives archipelago on the island of Manafaru: JA Manafaru

The farthest island in the Maldives is Manafaru

To summarize my article, I hope that now you know exactly where the Maldives is located and what special geographical features are characteristic of this country. Therefore, when you are planning to relax in the Maldives, you will know exactly where you are flying and will never get lost!

Inexpensive islands (from 50 to 100 dollars):

How to book a hotel yourself: