A taste of tranquility in the Indian Ocean
The Maldives is unquestionably a beautiful country. Its more than 1,900 islands are mostly surrounded by idyllic white sand beaches and dotted with palm trees offering spectacular scenery for tourists eager for an escape from reality.
The climate, sunsets and snail-like pace of life have made the country increasingly popular with holidaymakers over the past 30 years and tourism has exploded across the country, rapidly overtaking fishing as the main source of income.
It’s the lowest country on earth and is spread over 26 atolls, although less than 200 are currently inhabited. For all its natural beauty on land, it is however, beneath the waves that the Maldives excels.
Diving is without doubt some of the best in the world. Clear, clean and warm waters allow for fantastic visibility and the endless parade of sea creatures on any one dive will etch lifelong memories into anyone lucky enough to submerse themselves beneath the waves.
Expect huge manta and eagle rays, turtles, white/black tip reef sharks, eagle rays, batfish, tuna, lumbering Napolean wrasse and a myriad of other fish to join you as you descend into their world and admire their stunning homes around rich and colourful coral reefs.
Jostling for supremacy on the sea floor are exotic and bizarre crustaceans including lobster and crab offering a tempting live underwater smorgasbord for seafood lovers as they peer at the creatures in their natural habitat from a few yards away.
Most resorts have diving facilities or will certainly be able to put you in touch with dive operators. Live-aboards are also available where you can sleep, eat and dive for a number of days without touching dry land.
The elusive whale shark can also be found in the seas surrounding the Maldives as it circumvents the globe on its annual migration pattern. Although huge, they can grow up to 12-metres long and weigh around 20 tonnes, they are docile and good natured. It’s most divers’ dream to witness one in the wild, but you have to be in the right place at the right time. Local experts will be able to guide to you to the best potential places to see them up close and personal, but you’ll need patience and a great deal of luck.
There are numerous stunning resorts dotted along the atolls and most people land at the international airport on Hulhule Island that is just a short boat ride to the capital Malé.
Just 1.7km long and 1km wide, Malé can be walked around in just a few hours. Take the road that circles the city and soak up the sights and sounds of island life.
The fish, fruit and vegetable market is well worth a visit for the kaleidoscope of colours on show and the frantic bidding and buying taking place as fresh fish is unloaded, displayed and then bought before being taken to resorts all over the islands. Indian food is excellent and there are a number of small restaurants secluded down little side streets serving traditional spicy tuna and coconut curries. Wahoo, mackerel and mahi mahi are also popular ingredients.
Be aware that some places have two menus with different prices – one for the locals and one more expensive to extract extra money from tourists.
People tend to only spend a day or night in the capital and then head out to the wonders beyond in search of their own little taste of tranquility.
Where to Stay
If you’re after supreme luxury in a quite stunning setting, then the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa should exceed your expectations.
It is the first luxury resort located south of the equator in the Maldives and also the first in the country to introduce its own nine-hole recreational golf course to help guests unwind.
Surrounded by a striking coral reef, the luxurious hideaway resort is a lush, picturesque paradise with six kilometres of coastline and two kilometres of white sand beaches.
From private ocean retreats to tropical tree houses, villas at Villingili Resort & Spa offer luxurious retreats with sensational sea views.
Seven distinctly styled types of villas are all equipped with luxurious amenities to make your stay as pleasant and stress free as possible.
The accommodation exudes a sense of serenity, with touches of Middle Eastern and Indian elements in the décor.
Dining here is a real treat and guests will be served some sumptuous food at the resort’s five restaurants and bars. Expect seafood to feature heavily.
If you fancy an adventure over dinner you can tailor-make your own dining experience by taking a torch-lit dinner under the banyan trees of the resort’s jungle, a spa dinner in the privacy of a meditation pavilion overlooking the ocean or a romantic in-villa evening.
There’s an amazing spa that offers a selection of Asian massages and Indian Ayurvedic treatments, alongside locally inspired treatments and specific well-being programmes to help you unwind even further. If it’s high-end luxury you’re after – you’re definitely in the right place staying here.
Visit: www.shangri-la.com or email [email protected] for further information on the resort.
