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Beyond all the information you read in tourist brochures and past all the highlights listed on resort websites are fun facts about the Maldives that not many travelers know about.
Every nation has its own set of secrets. These are little things that only locals are aware of. For a casual tourist to find out about these titbits, they have to research the destination passionately, scratching through the surface to truly discover more about local life.
Fun facts about the Maldives are precisely that. Covering everything from sports and cool trends to environmental protection and tourism benefits, they provide insight into the Maldives’ unique and wonderful personality.
New biosphere reserves
Let us begin with some good news. As many are aware, due to the Maldives’ low-lying nature, it is a country that is greatly affected by climate change. An interesting fact about the Maldives is that it is the flattest country in the world.
As a result, environmental conservation is of great importance to the locals, and significant changes implemented over the past decade have helped protect the sanctity of life on and around the islands. Among them was establishing Baa Atoll as a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
By limiting the construction of resorts, altering fishing laws, and even restricting the anchoring of boats to protect corals, a significant change has been visible in Baa Atoll.
Now though, there are two new UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Maldives. In 2020, Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll were also added to the list, becoming the country’s second and third biosphere reserves.
Both atolls are home to a diverse ecosystem of reefs, wetlands, sandbanks, lagoons, coralline beaches, and mangroves. Among the waters of the atolls are over 1200 species of fish. Some of these are endangered and only found in this region.
The formation of the new biosphere reserves in the Maldives does mean limited tourist movement in these areas. However, it is a small price to pay to maintain the Maldives’ natural exquisiteness.
Become a barefoot bookseller
For most of us, the idea of a tropical vacation leads to thoughts of lounging on the beach, reading a good book. When holidaying in the Maldives, everyone is free of their worries, creating the perfect setting for a quiet read. Moreover, the island surroundings are idyllic, prompting us to immerse in a fantastic story, be it fact, fiction, or a book about the Maldives itself.
While this dreamy state of mind satisfies most, a fun fact about the Maldives is that the Soneva group of resorts has gone a step further to showcase their love for books. They now offer two lucky souls from across the world to take on an enchanted task, that of the “barefoot bookseller.”
Initiated first in 2018, the concept of Barefoot Bookseller gained phenomenal coverage across the world in 2020. That is when Soneva advertised that they were looking for two new booksellers to join their team. The thought of running a bookshop on two of the most famous resorts in the world, amidst Maldives’ beauty, had many book lovers excited.
Eventually, the position of Barefoot Booksellers for 2020 went to Alice Spencer and Aislinn Shivakumar. Their tasks, though, are manifold. Not only do they cater to the bookish needs of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani’s guests, but they are also responsible for creating a fun-loving book community, for the world to participate in, through their social media posts and blogs.
Underwater restaurant construction
One of the most incredible experiences to enjoy while staying in the Maldives is eating in an underwater restaurant. There are six such restaurants in the country right now, and we can undoubtedly expect more resorts to have them in the coming years.
But, did you know what it takes to construct and plant an underwater restaurant? It’s no simple task, and we are here to tell you a little about how the famous 5.8 Undersea restaurant came to exist through our collection of fun facts about the Maldives.
For starters, the dome of the “world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant” was made by a company called Fitzroy Engineering in New Plymouth, a city located in the North Island of New Zealand. Upon completion of the design, which included a 15cm thick glass, the dome was transported to Port Taranaki on a 200-wheel truck.
The journey from New Zealand to Lhaviyani Atoll, where Hurawalhi island resort is situated, took 19 days. 5.8 Undersea accommodates ten couples for an intimate dinner featuring meat or vegan dishes. However, don’t let the small-sounding size fool you because the dome’s structure weighs an impressive 415 tonne.
Once at its final destination, the restaurant was lowered down to a depth of 5.8 meters into the sea using a large crane, with divers helping position it in a predesignated spot. 5.8 Undersea’s location next to the reef results in diners being able to observe different marine life as they enjoy gourmet food.
A meal at 5.8 or any other undersea restaurant is a romantic dining option in the Maldives that you should not miss. The good part is that you do not have to be staying on the resort to eat at 5.8 Undersea. However, you will need a prior reservation if planning to relish this magical culinary experience.
Bashi – a popular Maldivian sport
Want some more fun facts about the Maldives? Here’s one that even returning travelers to the Maldives don’t necessarily know.
Football is the country’s most popular sport, and you will come across children and adults playing the game everywhere, especially on the beach. However, Bashi is the sport of choice when it comes to Maldivian women.
The game, which takes place on a tennis court, involves two teams of 11 players. All the members of one team stand on one side of the court. On the other side is a single member, with her back towards everyone else. She then takes a racket and hits 12 balls, one after another, across to the other side at great speed. The other team has to try and catch the balls.
Initially, women used to play Bashi with balls made of coconut palm leaves and wooden bats. However, it is no easy game, and people got hurt on their hands regularly. Keeping this in mind, a change came about in 1953 when a standard tennis ball replaced the old ball. Moreover, instead of a wooden bat, nowadays a tennis racket is used.
Before we tell you more, here’s another fun fact about Maldives’ favorite women’s game. Bashi in the local Maldivian language Dhivehi means eggplant.
One game of Bashi consists of two innings, with points awarded to players who manage to catch the balls. Young girls start playing Bashi in school, joining local teams as they grow older. While women predominantly play the game on the islands of the Maldives, its popularity among men is slowly increasing.
Maldives promises a rewarding holiday
To have the opportunity to spend time in a tropical paradise is a reward in itself. Still, the Maldives is a country known to be innovative when it comes to attracting tourists. No wonder that it was rated the best travel destination in 2020.
In September 2020, the Maldives was the first nation to offer visitors another great deal. The Maldives Border Miles Programme is an initiative to reward tourists, especially those who repeatedly visit the country.
The programme has three tiers – Aida (bronze), Anantara (silver), and Abaarana (gold). Vacationers staying in the Maldives for more than three days are eligible for this initiative.
Holiday-goers earn points when they cross the border, celebrate a special event like a honeymoon or a wedding, visit during a Maldives festival, or use services like watersports from programme partners.
As travelers collect points over multiple visits, they go from one tier to another. They are simultaneously eligible for various rewards such as dinner in an underwater restaurant, privileged immigration clearance, and spa days. For up-to-date information on the programme, visit the official website of the Maldives Border Miles Program, which also mentions all the partners associated with this novel idea.
