What are the Maldives and where are they located? Detailed map of the Maldives in Russian

The Republic of Maldives is the smallest in the world asian country. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the endless Indian Ocean. Every year, areas of land are increasingly immersed in water and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.

Because of this, the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which could soon lead the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this for real paradise, where time seems to have stopped - hurry up! Its pristine beauty will not leave anyone indifferent - snow-white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, evergreen tropical trees will forever remain in the soul of any traveler.

Where is the Maldives on the map? Geographical location of the state

The Maldives is quite difficult to find on the world map. This small country located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. Its closest neighbors are India (595 km), Sri Lanka (670 km) and the Chagos Archipelago (500 km). You can see the Maldives on the map below.

The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1,196 small islands believed to be of volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a broken ring. The largest and most significant are the Southern (Nord Niland) and Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

The total area of ​​land and reefs in the Maldives is 298 square meters. km., and the total territory together with the water area is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, and more than 70 of them are first-class tourist resorts.

Historical reference

Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Maldives. The culture of the Maldives is believed to have appeared earlier than the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that Redin settlements were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC. on southern islands Buddhists arrived from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating back to the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the Maldives in 412. Since 1153 - since the adoption of Islam - all major historical events have been recorded in the history of the sultanate.

According to numerous testimonies of seafarers, for a long time The islands were ruled by female sultanas. Europeans up to the 15th century. They knew nothing about the country and did not mark the Maldives on the world map until Vasco da Gama crossed the Indian Ocean. In 1507, Lourenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558 the Portuguese dominated the islands until guerrilla warfare began and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the mid-17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after massive popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country acquired the official name - "Republic of the Maldives".

State flag

A modern version of the main state symbol The country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The color red represents the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their commitment to Islam.

Economy of the Maldives

Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at its head.

The country's economy is based on three pillars: tourism, shipping and fishing. Thanks to mild climate, the rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs attract crowds of tourists. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and not far from the coast, turtles are caught, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.

Official banknotes. Currency exchange

The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaa. There are banknotes of various denominations in circulation throughout the country, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.

You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange offices at the official rate. On islands remote from the capital, it will be difficult to make an exchange at a rather unfavorable rate. Most payments require small bills, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. On many expensive resorts They accept US dollars and euros, as well as credit cards.

Demography

The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, South-East Asia. Official language called "Dhivehi", it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala languages. The local writing system is based on the Arabic-Persian script. Indigenous people islands professes Islam (Sunnism). It was brought by the Arabs and spread from the 12th century. And in 1968, Islam was declared the state religion.

Capital of the Republic of Maldives

Currently, it is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Male is a small city located on the adjacent islands of Vilingile and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. Get to administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boat, seaplane taxi or speedboat between the islands.

You can explore all the sights of Male by walking around it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover your body well from the neck to the knees. Almost all the souvenir shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in attractions, although the inquisitive tourist will enjoy the shady Jumuri Maidan Park, the National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good Friday Mosque and the Medhu Ziyarat Chapel.

Climate in the Maldives

The archipelago is dominated by a tropical monsoon climate. All year round the air temperature is quite high, has a small amplitude and varies between 26°C - 32°C. At night it does not drop below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - northeastern, warm monsoons predominate. In summer - from June to August - south-westerly, more humid winds prevail. It often rains lightly on the islands at this time. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. During the dry season from November to early April, the Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. The mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive to travelers.

It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the Maldives even during the “wet” season. Despite the high humidity, a large number of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of vacationers does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and food is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.

Flora and fauna

The Maldives Islands are famous throughout the world for their amazing diversity of marine fauna and flora. The sea is full of amazing corals. Schools of a variety of exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, mollusks, starfish and urchins, moray eels, stingrays, attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins; huge ocean inhabitants also swim here - the hammerhead shark and whale sharks. But you don’t have to be afraid of them, since they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Maldives, there are strict restrictions on scuba diving. Including, it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes under water, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.

Breadfruit, coconut, and banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. The atolls - Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: water lily hernandia, catappa herminalia, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can find a bat or an Indian flying fox. The islands are also inhabited by terns, parrots, sea gulls, and cormorants.

How to get to the archipelago?

The vast majority of tourists reach the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has international Airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km away. from the capital. The airport receives flights from various cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.

On the official website of the airport you can find all the necessary information, including viewing flight arrival times, choosing a suitable transfer and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, and a luggage storage facility on the airport premises. You can have a snack or drink coffee in any of the cafes you like. To the left of the exit from the airport building there is a pier. Ferries depart from here every 10-15 minutes to the capital of the country. The fare varies between 1-2 USD, depending on the time of day.

Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists

Vacationers are transported to the surrounding atolls on small, nimble seaplanes or boats. Northern and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Lhaviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.

There are more than 120 hotels in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically all hotels have 4 or 5 stars; it is extremely rare to find a hotel with a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy privacy.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are clean, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable holiday, the absence of noise and fuss and communication with unique nature. For lovers active rest There is a developed sports entertainment infrastructure. At the resorts you can go yachting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. Drinking alcohol, collecting and damaging corals, and spearfishing are prohibited on the beaches of the atolls.

It is worth noting that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless or nude swimming is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a serious fine.

Customs in the Maldives

All travelers should familiarize themselves in advance with the list of goods that are allowed to be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), perfume (125 ml), and personal consumption goods into the territory of the Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. For attempting to violate the law, a fine of 500 USD is imposed. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from turtle shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. Items found at sea cannot be taken out of the country either. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!

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 Maldives On the world map, it can be seen 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. Mainly preserved both day and night warm weather, 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 disturb tourists, and the thermometer on average 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 will indicate that the connection island state with 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 (transfer point - Doha), " Singapore Airlines» (transfer point - Singapore) or Emirates Airlines(transfer 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 a budget option flight 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 of 7-8 days with 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 at 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.

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

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Where are the Maldives on the world map and the Indian Ocean

We often hear that the most best vacation- a vacation on the islands. And you know, anyone who has vacationed on the islands will definitely confirm this. It is beautiful there, gorgeous beaches, far from the “main” land, no noise, clean air... there are a lot of advantages and advantages, but there are few islands. One of the most beloved and visited are the Maldives. On the world map you need to look for them in the Indian Ocean, south of India. The capital of the atolls is Male, and the population does not exceed half a million inhabitants.

Geography: where are the Maldives?

As we have already written, the Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is approximately 700 kilometers away. About the same distance to the coast of India.
The Republic of Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls, and they in turn consist of 1192 coral islands. Surprisingly, the Maldives is the lowest located state! The most high point is located at an altitude of approximately 2.4 meters above sea level. That is, in fact, any medium wave can easily flood the entire state.
The capital of the islands is Male. This is generally the only city on the islands. Most of the inhabitants of the archipelago live here.

As we said, the closest neighbors are Sri Lanka and India. And then there is only a huge endless ocean! The coast of Africa is almost five thousand kilometers, and Australia is even more, about seven thousand kilometers.

Climate and weather

Thanks to his geographical location, it's hot in the Maldives all year round. The air temperature ranges from +24 to +30 degrees depending on the month. The lowest temperature is recorded in winter, when at night the air can cool down to +17, and the highest temperature occurs in May, and it is +32 degrees.
The dry season lasts from November to March, and the rainy season runs from June to August.

Undersea world

The underwater world off the coast of the Maldives is very diverse. Of course, this is the Indian Ocean!
Coral reefs are home to more than 1,100 species of fish. There are five species of sea turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins and many, many other marine inhabitants.
No wonder this place is so loved by diving enthusiasts. Any diving off the coast of the Maldives is always a beautiful adventure and incredible views. A lot of interesting and scientific videos are shot here. Expeditions take place here all the time. If you are coming here on vacation, then at least once, it is worth diving under the water with scuba diving.

A third of the islands' entire economy comes from tourism, which accounts for 28% of the state's total GDP
- the state sells its products for 125 million dollars, and buys other products for 1.2 billion dollars
- Most of the export is fish. This product accounts for about 70% of all sales
- any island in the Maldives can be crossed on foot in two hours
- many of the islands of the archipelago are uninhabited

The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, geographically crossing the equator. Tourists associate the concept of the equator with unbearable heat, however, the average annual temperature there is 25-30 degrees. In other resorts in Italy, Spain or Egypt, the temperature during the season can be much higher, and most importantly, it is much worse to tolerate.

Among all the island groups, the Maldives, being a 100% Islamic state, have created perhaps the most original recreation system for their guests. Protecting the population from the bad influence of tourism, the government allocated 200 previously uninhabited islands for vacationers, on which there are no indigenous inhabitants.

Map of the Maldives online interactive from satellite
(to enlarge or reduce the map use + and -)

Residents of India and Sri Lanka are involved in the service sector there. Therefore, the rare opportunity to see an indigenous inhabitant of the islands does not come often. An interesting and important feature is that you don’t pay for anything on the spot, but collect bills that you will have to pay when leaving the country. And therefore, by chance, you may not calculate your material capabilities. The islands can be recommended to those who want to spend their entire vacation on the beach.
You can get there by direct flight from Moscow. You will be taken from the airport by boat or helicopter.

Pros are one of the best places for diving and snorkeling. Experienced instructors will make you a pro in a week.
Disadvantages - you cannot import alcohol, swim naked and have contact with local women. The last two points are prosecuted under Islamic law.

The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everything here is conducive to bliss: kilometers of secluded beaches, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature. All about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.

• Last minute tours to the Maldives
• Tours for May Worldwide

The Maldives, famous “residents” of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are just right: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, a rich underwater world. And also something without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern tourists - good hotels and a high level of service.

Prices, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: holidays here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level marketers define as “above average”. Having paid a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Divers are maniacs, diving three times a day. This is the most problem-free subtype of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happily married (or unmarried) couples who need no one but each other. They can choose a hotel with the appropriate furnishings - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the ambiance of a tropical paradise.

Time difference from Moscow

2 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

History and legend

According to legend, life in the Maldives was once not as cloudless as glossy catalogs would have us believe. Sea genie Rannamaari, bad luck local residents settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.

But it’s not all Maslenitsa: one day a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently had nothing to do with) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, but in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians joyfully converted to Islam - that’s why now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no toplessness (presumably, they are afraid that the genie will return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists.

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Climate

The climate of the Maldives is warm and humid. Air temperature during the day is about +30 °C, at night +26 °C, water temperature +26 °C. Due to its close location to the equator, seasonal changes associated with the monsoons are almost imperceptible. During the southwest monsoon (May to October), it rains more often and the weather is windier. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.

Maps of the Maldives

Visa and customs

Police: 119, fire service: 118, ambulance: 102.

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine snow-white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life. The coastline is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas assigned to modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in grooming and comfort to fashionable five-star zones.

Topless sunbathing and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited on Maldivian beaches.

The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Lhaviani, and dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. The wealthy relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadhoo (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as the recreation areas at luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and swimming. sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the “glowing” beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer with blue lights in the dark, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the ground.

Diving in the Maldives

Maldives... how much this word brings together for a diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of this direction include strong currents outside the reefs. Best season for scuba diving in the archipelago - the period from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, which is on the North Atoll, has over 20 places known to divers from all over the world.

For beginners, diving on reefs would be ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (amazing ocean fish live there in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and their base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship Victoria with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: national reserve"Embudu" with amazingly diverse underwater world, the Felivaru and Halaveli rivers (here you can see giant stingrays), the Maaya reef, the cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, the secluded dive site of Rakido, the protected marine area of ​​​​Guraidhoo, the “shark” site of Miyaru.

Read more about local diving in the article by our regular expert, the charming Veronica Birman, “Diving without lyrics - 13. The soul of the Maldives.”

Surfing

Wave boarding is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. The first surfers flocked here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: it is never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideally shaped. The prestigious international tournament O’Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held on the island of Lohifushi.

There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with exclusive rights to “rent” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.

You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom and there is no risk of cutting yourself on the coral at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as at the atoll resorts.

Wedding in the Maldives

Entertainment and attractions

All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level; there are no special attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of “action” - a fishing excursion. Perhaps the only notable overwater excursion is the Photo Flight, a seaplane flight over the islands. It costs a lot: for 15-20 minutes in the air you will have to pay about 150-250 USD. Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from 80-90 USD) or a submarine dive (from 45-50 USD).

Do you know how an atoll differs from “just an island”? Just in case, we provide information: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding a lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, over many centuries collapsed and sank under water. You know the rest: people sailed from somewhere to the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.

If your soul still requires a cultural program, we recommend visiting National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan's Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The oldest in the country, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend of national resistance, are also located here. There are ruins on Ari Atoll Buddhist temple 90 BC e., on the island of Matirah (Haa Alif Atoll) - a mausoleum with a sacred tomb, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.

Holidays and Events

The main holidays in the Maldives are patriotic and religious in nature. The most magnificent celebrations take place on Independence Day, July 26: the islanders have fun in honor of the long-awaited exit from British protectorate and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, Nation Day is celebrated to commemorate the liberation from the Portuguese invaders by the troops of Mohammed Takurufanu. On the 12th day of the same month, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated.

The end of holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Fitr: three days of hearty meals, visits and other entertainment. After 70 days, Eid al-Fitr begins with traditional services and sacrifices. November 3 is Victory Day in honor of the coup d'état prevented in 1988. In the first month of the Muslim calendar, Muharram, religious celebrations are held to celebrate the Islamic New Year.

December 10 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with folk festivities and noisy fairs. On New Year (January 1) and Christmas (December 25), adored by foreign tourists, colorful celebrations are held in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.