Maldives

A “Robinson Crusoe” experience combined with excellent sea life offers something for everyone. Do not expect your typical large resort offerings found in the Caribbean or the Seychelles as there are no water parks or lively nightclubs to visit. Generally, you will spend your time on one island for the duration of your stay with your time spent lying around in the sun, snorkeling or diving and enjoying quiet, relaxing meals. Many of the accommodations offer fabulous spa treatments and massages.

This richness in corals and fish have made it a top destination for underwater tourism due to its large presence of manta rays and whale sharks. Whale sharks and manta rays are completely harmless to anything but plankton, despite their large size. Since Baa Atoll is a plankton-rich environment, this is one of the best bets for viewing these wonderful animals in their habitat.

Unique water activities — Many island destinations can drop superlatives about their diving, snorkeling, and other water-based activities, but Maldives takes all of these to the next level.  Experiences like wine tasting with reef sharks, champagne meals on private sandbank islands known as ‘thilas’, and cocktails with hors d’oeuvres on a dolphin cruise are just the norm here. That being said, diving with hammerhead sharks or snorkeling with sea turtles is still pretty spectacular, even if there is no twist on the experience!

One of its kind – The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island boasts the world’s first underwater hotel residence, a ground-breaking, two-story villa submerged more than 16 feet below sea-level. The villa is named “The Muraka,” which translates to “coral” in the Maldives’ native language, Dhivehi, for the way that it rests along the ocean floor, peacefully observing the sea life that surrounds it. The sunken retreat embraces luxury, equipped with a private bar, butler’s quarters, gym, and infinity pool. The massive bed, shower, and bathtub have panoramic views of the ocean. The top floor, which rests above the water, comprises a sprawling relaxation deck for tanning and unwinding.

Hidden gem— Although most visitors come to the Maldives for the stunning beaches and water sports, the culture is worth investigation as well. In Male, the capital city, the National Museum gives you a comprehensive history of Maldives. A definite highlight, at either your resort or on an inhabited island will be a dance and drum performance called bodu beru, which means ‘big drum’ in Dhivehi. Typically performed by groups of men this traditional performance will begin slowly and crescendo into a frenzy of drumbeats and dancing.  It is absolutely mesmerizing.

• We advise spending 4 -7 days to relax in style. Maldives is easily combined with destinations such as India, Bhutan, or Sri Lanka. To add time in the Maldives post-safari, we suggest routing through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha.
• We recommend Maldives to anyone wanting a beach escape. With such a wide variety of resorts available it can be tailored accordingly for honeymooners just as much as family getaways.
• Visas are required for most visitors and are typically available upon arrival. Inoculations may be recommended, particularly if you will be flying directly from East Africa where proof of yellow fever vaccination may be requested. We suggest you see a travel medicine specialist for advice.
• There is a good network of shared charter seaplane flights to various islands around the archipelago. Depending on the distance from Male you will either fly or boat into your resort.
• Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives however English is widely spoken at all the resorts allowing for easy communication.
• Food is high quality and of international standards—as with most island destinations, expect an array of seafood options. Maldives has six underwater restaurants with incredible food choices and settings. Our favorites are Undersea and Subsix.

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April. Temperatures average about 85°F to 87°F (29°C to 31°C) year-round and average lows rarely fall below 75°F (24°C).

December – April: This is the best time of the year to visit. Warm, sunny, little precipitation and low humidity. The combination of beautiful weather and distance away from any large land mass means clear seas for some of the best snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the world. As one can imagine this is the most popular time to visit and coincides with busier resorts and higher prices.

May – November: This is the rainy season with large storms rolling through. As the islands maintain high temperatures throughout the year this a good time to visit for those wanting to escape the crowds and higher prices. Visibility in the water is lower due to all the plankton in the water however this comes with its own advantages as whale sharks and manta rays come in their hoards to feed allowing for some amazing sightings. For the avid surfer the Maldives offers fantastic swells during this time of the year.

Whilst it may be tempting to save by booking on a bed & breakfast basis this is a destination that’s best booked on full board as there are no independent or off-property restaurants on the individual atolls leaving no other option for meals. Every property booked on a Rothschild Safari is vetted by staff and offer the highest standards in each category.