Maldives hotels are dotted all over the various atolls. Information on hotels from Lhaviyani atoll hotels, Male hotels north and south, Ari atoll hotels, Baa atoll and other Maldives hotels. There is also a tsunami Maldives page to give you a rough idea on what hotels are still up and running.
The Maldives is spread across the Indian Ocean north of the equator and southwest of the Indian peninsular.
A chain
of 1190 small coral islands stretch over an area of around 90,000 square kilometers.
What is most attention-grabbing
though, is that only one percent of this considerably large territory is land. The rest is all taken up by the vast
blue Indian Ocean.
The 1190 islands of the Maldives are naturally grouped into 26 atolls. The distribution of islands in the atolls is
random, the number of islands belonging to an atoll varying from one another. No more than 200 of these islands are
locally inhabited.
About 88 have been chosen for resort development and the rest are all desert islands some rarely
ever set foot on by man. It is the endless ocean which separates the islands and contributes to the Maldivian air of
mystery. It is also these geographical features which have helped Maldives retain its natural beauty and centuries
old traditions.
More background information - Maldives hotels
Scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gemlike islands of the Maldives depict the rare
vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters
and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna, continue to fascinate visitors, as it has
fascinated others in the past, for thousands of years. Marco Polo referred to the Maldives as the '...flower of the
Indies', and Ibn Batuta called her in his chronicles ' One of the wonders of the world ' - Maldives hotels.
Truly a natural wonder, the height of the islands rarely reach above two metres. The 1,190 islands, consisting of 26
atoll formations, are spread over an area of 90,000 square kilometres. The Maldivian atolls are a classic discovery
in its own right. The word atoll has been derived from Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, from the word atholhu - Maldives hotels.
The islands are surrounded by shallow crystal clear lagoons enclosed by coral reefs. The unique islands provide
visitors with one of the most breathtaking views of underwater life in the world. Formed above peaks emerging from
the depths of the ocean, upon layers of both living and dead coral, and remnants of other marine life, the islands
are generally covered with dense tropical vegetation - Maldives hotels. Coconut palms towering above dense shrubs and hardy plants
protecting the shores from erosion are natural features in most Islands. The smaller islands and sand banks under
formation are also wonders in themselves - Maldives hotels. These islands together embody living entities in various stages of
formation, as interdependent elements in an ecology, in a food chain where birds, fish, and other marine life
co-exist, with humans at its apex as caretakers for centuries - Maldives hotels.
Measuring 820 Kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west at its greatest width, the closest
neighbours are India and Shri Lanka. With a population off 244,644 ( 1995 official estimate), only 199 islands
are inhabited. Another 74 islands are set aside exclusively for tourist resort development - Maldives hotels.
The origins off the Maldivians are lost in ancient history. There are historical and archeological records which
indicate the islands to have been inhabited more than 5,000 years. There are also indications that the Maldives,
being on an important trade route, was settled by people from all over the world - Maldives hotels. This leaves the origins off the
people enshrined in mystery. However, the main stock of the - Maldivian people, as seen from physical features
and supported by historical evidence of migration, are predominantly Aryan or Dravidian - Maldives hotels. Throughout the Maldives
a language which belongs to the Indo-Iranian group, Dhivehi, is spoken. It shows a strong Arabic influence. Dhivehi
written from right to left is the official language of the country - Maldives hotels. As a second working language, English is widely
used in Government offices. Other foreign languages, however, are widely used within the tourism industry. Foreign
languages, mainly English, are also frequently used in commerce - Maldives hotels.
The Maldives has been an independent country, except for a brief period of 15 years and 6 months of Portuguese rule
in the middle of the 16th century. Between 1887 and 1965, the Maldives a British protectorate though Britain did not
interfere with the internal affairs of the county - Maldives hotels.
Maldives regained her full sovereignty in 1965. The newly independent country changed from a Sultanate to a Republic
on 11 November 1968.
Climate
The climate of Maldives is warm year round determined by the monsoons. However being on the equator the monsoons are
mild and not as defined as in neighbouring countries - Maldives hotels. Of the two monsoons the southwest monsoon from May to October
brings more rain and wind. The northeast monsoon from November to April, is the dry season with very little wind.
The temperature varies little with an annual average daily maximum of 30.4 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 25.4
degrees Celsius - Maldives hotels. The annual rainfall stood at just over 2,000 millimetres in 1994. In the same year the country with
the equator running through it had over 2 500 hours of sunshine.
Entry
Almost all visitors to the Maldives arrive by air - Maldives hotels. Male International Airport situated in Hulhule island is just
over a kilometre or about ten minutes by boat from Male, the capital. All visitors must have a valid passport. For
visitors coming from yellow fever infected areas, an international certificate of inoculation is required - Maldives hotels. No visa
is required in advance. A tourist visa of 30 days will be granted to all visitors with valid travel documents.
During the period December to March when most of the resort islands are full it is advised that all visitors have
confirmed hotel reservations before arrival - Maldives hotels. However for the convenience of visitors without advance bookings a
Tourist Information Counter is provided at the arrival hall through which a booking may be made. Hotel information
is also required for immigration clearance - Maldives hotels. All visitors who enter the Maldives should be in possession of a return
air-ticket and at least US$25 per intended day of stay in the Maldives.
Tsunami - The Tsunami Maldives page is a position statement at May 2005 of the islands following the disastrous Tsunami in December 2004. For the most up to date information, please contact the resort direct using the e-mails provided.
Lhaviyani Atoll - The Lhaviyani Atoll Hotels page gives information about this resort, their accommodation facilities and access to some personal reviews and comments about the Lhaviyani Atoll Hotels Maldives.
Male - The Male Hotels page is your access to the most popular island resorts in this part of the Maldives with examples of prices and booking arrangements for many of the Male Hotels.
Ari Atoll - The Ari Atoll Hotels page has May 2005 example prices of some of the 11 popular island hotels with access to information about their facilities, accommodation and booking arrangements for the Ari Atoll Hotels, Maldives.
Baa Atoll - The Baa Atoll page gives extended details of the baa atoll in the maldives with access to further information, prices and bookings for the Royal Island, Coco Palm, Reethi Beach and Soneva Fushi resorts.
Faafu Atoll - The Faafu Atoll page gives extended details of the Faafu Atoll in the Maldives including maps and pictures with additional information on accommodation at the Filitheyo Island Resort.
Meemu Atoll - Access to information about Meemu Atoll, the Medhufushi Island Resort and Hakuraa Club hotel resorts at Meemu Atoll including facilities, diving, prices and booking arrangements.
Nilandhoo Atoll - The Nilandhoo Atoll page gives extended details of the background to atolls, where to stay and links to the Vilu Reef Beach and Velavaru Island resorts at Nilandhoo Atoll.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
The Maldives has a wide variety of accommodation for the visitor. Choices vary from 73 resort islands which will
increase to 74 in the very near future.
A resort island is a world by itself. Developed on uninhabited islands each island is just one hotel exclusively
maintained in pristine form and serviced for only a limited number of guests. The untouched white beaches are perfect
for relaxation and a healthy tan under the Maldivian sun - Maldives hotels. Crowned by majestic coconut palms which characterise the
Maldives the vegetation on all islands are quite similar; rings of tropical vegetation adapting to a variety of
environments salt resistant and hardy varieties closer to the beach-line giving way to shrubs and plants and more
delicate and dense greenery towards the centre - Maldives hotels.
Just inside the vegetation line well dispersed for maximum privacy along the beach in a typical resort island are
small bungalow style rooms where accommodation is provided. The rooms, though mostly shaded by trees, allow a clear
view of the beach the lagoon and the horizon beyond. They are generally equipped with modern conveniences, with
ensuite facilities. Most of the resort islands have at least two restaurants - Maldives hotels.
Some of the larger resorts may offer as many as five different restaurants. Local and continental cuisine is
available in addition to exotic buffets and barbecues. Normally the hotel rates quoted are for full board - bed
breakfast, lunch and dinner included - Maldives hotels. In club style resorts and in some smaller resort islands this is often preferred.
Except in the evening, when wining and dining under the stars may be the choice for most there is never enough time
to exhaust the wonders of the sea - Maldives hotels.
Naturally, most of the activities centre around the sea. The reefs around the islands are excellent for diving and
snorkelling. Activities such as water-skiing and windsurfing may seem strenuous but exciting. Water sports equipment
and a facilities are available for hire on all resort islands. There Is either a fully equipped diving school or a
more elaborate water sports centre - Maldives hotels.
There is sufficient activity on all resorts which are self contained worlds of their own. Equipment for sports such
as lawn tennis, football volleyball and indoor games such as billiards, table tennis, chess or darts are usually
available free of charge in many of the resort islands - Maldives hotels.
Those who wish to relax can spend time on the beach; sit under the sun or under the cool green shade; admire the
surrounding natural beauty or perhaps simply gaze at the horizon lined with green islands springing out of the
blue ocean - Maldives hotels. The blue ocean beaches are peaceful and never crowded. Every island resort is Robinson Crusoe 's island
but equipped with modern amenities subtly hidden away. As depicted by local artists in stencil prints unique to the
Maldives, relaxing on the beach is not only aesthetic but a sport and an art in itself. There are only a few places
in the world where so much pleasure can be dervied by doing nothing - Maldives hotels.
Cruising among the islands may be an exciting alternative to lazing on resort beaches. Yachts and yacht-dhonis with
bunk beds or private cabins are available for hire. These boats can accommodate between eight to twenty passengers
on cruises that sail for ten to fifteen days - Maldives hotels. Some of the larger vessels have scuba diving and windsurfing facilities
with qualified instructors on board. Food prepared by the crew using the day 's fresh catch of fish may be modest but
a tourist resort is never too far to stop for a sumptuous meal or a drink - Maldives hotels.
On a cruise dining under a clear sky in the Maldives can be an experience in itself. With the equator running through
the Maldives it is an astronomer 's dream too - Maldives hotels.
Besides safari boats and resorts there are a few hotels and guest houses in Male as well. These facilities cater
mainly for the business traveller. The larger establishments provide meals. Tourist accommodation is also available
on Gan Island in Addu; the southern-most atoll of the Maldives - Maldives hotels.
Site structure created by Neil Villette Site written by Steve Dickson
Maldives Travel Tips
Site written by Steve Dickson