Maldives Holidays

Maldives: Introduction

Sitting like emerald gemstones in the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprises around 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, one of which is known as the Maldives Atoll.  With only about 200 of these islands inhabited by Maldivians, the rest are so-called 'uninhabited' islands, some of which are home to the country's 87 tourist resorts, while others are used for fishing and agriculture. With sandy white beaches, exotic palm trees and translucent waters, holidays to the Maldives are as relaxing as they come.

Reasons to visit
Although Maldives holidays are perfect for romantic breaks, there is still plenty to make for a great family holiday too. With sea-life that includes rays, turtles and reef sharks, a cheap Maldives holiday offers top snorkelling and scuba-diving and many of the islands have professional PADI diving schools. Couple the captivating coral reefs and white sandy beaches with lots of great restaurants providing delicious great fresh fish and seafood and it’s clear to see why a package holiday to the Maldives makes for the perfect beach holiday.

Things to see and do
With so many heavenly beaches to choose from, a Maldives holiday gives the opportunity to escape the pressures of life by lazing on the sand, swimming in the warm clear waters and taking in the breathtaking views, followed by a barbecue on the beach while watching the sun go down in the evening. Some of the Maldives’ best beaches include those at the South Ari Atoll and Veligandu Island, which is just a 15-minute flight from the capital of Malé. As well as great scuba-diving opportunities and local markets, Malé is home to a museum and a number of historical buildings and the traditional Maldivian Island communities in Seenu and Addu may also be of interest to those seeking culture on their Maldives holiday.

Kids attractions
With Maldives package holidays, kids will experience a real-life Robinson Crusoe island getaway by staying in a thatched roof beach bungalow right on the sandy beach or on stilts in the lagoon. This will make for a really exciting family holiday. Shallow water means that the crystal-clear sea is safe for swimming and the multi-coloured coral reefs are often located just off the beach, giving easy access and making the Maldives the perfect place for children to learn how to snorkel and scuba-dive. For those wanting to marvel at the abundant marine life, without getting their feet wet, there are also glass-bottomed boat tours.

Maldives Weather
With guaranteed sunshine and pleasant temperatures all year round, a holiday to the Maldives is not only a great choice for a summer getaway, but is perfect for escaping the cold and unpleasant winters in Europe too.