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As Maldives’ fame reaches astronomical heights among avid travelers, more and more people are learning about the island nation and its many wonders.
Still, the archipelago holds some secrets close to its heart. These Maldives tips and facts highlight the country’s brilliance as a top tropical holiday destination. They are also a gateway to having a fantastic vacation, often at a bargain.
Whether to save money, find out about Maldives’ humble beginnings, or get the latest on airport taxes, here are 12 Maldives tips and Maldives facts that you might not know!
The first resort in Maldives
Do you know when and where did the first-ever Maldivian resort start? If not, it’s okay because this is one Maldives fact that many tourists do not know.
Let’s begin by giving you an idea of the Maldives’ awe-inspiring transformation to becoming the top island destination in the world. Until the 1970s, the island nation was a hard-to-reach secluded country only die-hard offbeat travelers dared to explore.
In 1971, though, Italian travel agent George Cobin spoke with Ahmed Naseem in the Maldivian Embassy about wanting a new destination for his clients. And the very next year, the first tour of enthusiastic tourists reached Karumba.
Karuma Maldives, the first “real” hotel in the island nation, started to welcome guests on October 3, 1972. It was, however, a basic set-up with beach huts that could accommodate around 30 guests.
Not surprisingly, the Maldives was still a hit. As word spread, more tourists started to visit the islands. With that, there was more investment, local jobs, and within 50 years, the Maldives became a luxury destination like no other.
Stay more, get extra
Many first-time travelers miss out on the Maldives tip that the longer you stay in a resort, the more complementary benefits you get. Added features can include some of the best spa experiences in the Maldives, special dinners, and boat excursions.
Honeymooning couples have even more benefits like in-villa BBQ at Soneva Jani, 3-course romantic dinner at Conrad Rangali, or a 60-minute couple’s spa treatment at Como Maalifushi.
Resorts generally offer these benefits to guests booked for more than three nights. Stay a week, and you can get better extras like a sandbank picnic or a free transfer to the airport.
The truth about water sports
The Maldives is among the best places on the planet to enjoy watersports. The endless blues of the ocean, relatively calm waters, and abundant marine life make it the perfect place to enjoy all types of water activities.
In most cases, your room charge includes non-motorized water sports. These range from snorkeling equipment and paddleboards to kayaks.
Motorized sports come at an extra cost. Jet skiing, flyboarding, and para-sailing are a few popular watersports guests enjoy at private resorts.
When planning a day out in the sea, take care of all water sports safety precautions, such as wearing a lifejacket, applying sunscreen, and not venturing out into the water alone.
Make your Maldivian holiday cheaper
An important Maldives tip to remember is that transfer costs can significantly alter your holiday budget. All private islands require arrival via a speedboat or seaplane. Whether going private or shared, the cost per head of this transfer adds up, especially when traveling in a group.
Transfer costs, however, depend primarily on the distance traveled. As a result, one of the easiest ways to save money in the Maldives is to choose a resort closer to Male.
Most of the resorts that are roughly 30 to 45-minutes from Velana International Airport have regular speedboat connections and do not require a seaplane flight. More importantly, the transfer fee is considerably low – money you can then spend on other excursions.
Alternatively, choose a resort that is ready to include the transfer fee as part of your room booking. If you travel during the off-season, resorts offer huge discounts, and one of them is a free shared speedboat to and fro from the airport.
The secret of an all-inclusive deal
Booking a resort in the Maldives requires a little bit of planning. The country has an array of resort types, from budget retreats to uber-luxurious private islands.
Similarly, you will find resorts that offer all-inclusive packages. In contrast, others give discounts but don’t include everything in the stay.
An all-inclusive deal, in general, is a good bargain. It saves you money, takes away the worry of keeping tabs, and you get to eat and drink all you want.
Still, always read the fine print of an all-inclusive package.
For example, the deal might advertise unlimited drinks but only serve a specific brand of beer, wine, or hard liquor. It might not include your favorite beverage.
Often all-inclusive deals have you eating buffet meals at particular restaurants. If you like to try different eateries, it means paying extra or missing out. So, check to see if you can dine at other island restaurants as part of the deal or not.
Water sports follow the same suit. While non-motorized sports are typically a part of the all-inclusive, motorized sports may or may not be.
So, don’t be afraid to ask specifics from the staff or your travel agent before confirming an all-inclusive package.
Divers beware!
Professional divers typically know not to fly for at least 24 hours after having dived. A beginner who spontaneously decides to dive in the Maldives might not know this.
When diving, our body accumulates more nitrogen. It then takes close to 24 hours for nitrogen levels in the body to return to normal. During this time, if you sit in a pressurized plane cabin, the nitrogen bubbles can expand, resulting in a fatality.
Some travelers might think it is okay to take a seaplane, which flies at a lower altitude, within 24-hours of a dive. Our recommendation, don’t take the risk and wait for a day, enjoy the island, and then fly without a worry.
Island-hopping Vs. liveaboard
It is common for tourists to only visit one island during their holiday in the Maldives. Most travelers land at Velana International Airport and either take a domestic flight, seaplane, or speedboat to their resort.
Time permitting, try and include a stay at a second private island during your holiday. It’s even better to have an inhabited island on your itinerary. Living with the locals is an unmissable opportunity to experience the Maldivian lifestyle.
However, it is pertinent to keep in mind any COVID rules before planning an island-hopping holiday in the Maldives. The government might not allow moving from one island to another. They may also quarantine an entire island if it sees an increase in COVID cases.
An alternative to island-hopping that allows visiting several locations is a liveaboard tour. Whether for snorkeling, diving, or casual boating, a week-long boat cruise is a fun way to enjoy the splendor of the island nation and its vibrant marine life.
Once again, depending on COVID protocols, you may or may not have the option to step on different islands. Still, you can witness more places in the archipelago than just one resort.
Pack less, go barefoot
Famous for promoting itself as a “barefoot” holiday destination, the Maldives is an excellent vacation option for heavy packers.
From the pilot flying your seaplane and the captain of your speedboat to the resort staff, you’ll find everyone on the islands either in flip-flops or barefoot. Therefore, leave behind your heels, dress shoes, and stick with slippers, sandals, and flats when packing.
At the same time, there are a few resorts with fine-dining restaurants that require a formal dress code. While many overlook guests being barefoot, some might require slightly proper footwear. You can always check on this by emailing the resort staff in advance.
Cycle care
Individual cycles are a standard feature provided by most resorts for guests staying in overwater villas or beach bungalows. The cycles are an excellent and eco-friendly way to travel around the island, exploring its many secrets.
However, an often forgotten Maldives tip is to wear proper clothes when planning to cycle around. By proper, we mean avoiding any loose clothes like long dresses, flared pants, or skirts.
Usually, you can wear whatever you like while on a Maldivian private island. However, there have been several instances of loose clothing getting caught in the bicycle’s gear or tire.
While this won’t result in you getting hurt, your dress can get torn, and you might have to call upon the staff to fix it.
Oh! If you are wondering, it happens more often than you can imagine.
Photo-spots galore
Although camera phones have made it easier for everyone to take photographs, not all tourists feel confident about clicking good photos.
So, a Maldives fact to know is that even if you are not a professional photographer, it is still possible to take Instagram-worthy photos in the Maldives.
Firstly, the entire nation is one large picture-perfect destination. You’ll have to try relatively hard NOT to get a memorable photo, no matter the background.
Still, most resorts have well-marked photo spots on their islands. These can include an opening with a flawless sunset view through the lush green foliage. A perfectly hung hammock for that must-take honeymoon photo. Or else, a swing in the middle of the water, the classic picture to take in the Maldives.
You can always opt for a professional photoshoot, organized quickly through your resort’s reception. If on a budget, simply ask the resident photographer for some tips, the best locations, and the ideal time to take photos.
Changes in Departure Tax
Until December 31, 2021, any foreign national leaving the Maldives needed to pay $30. The amount included Airport Service Charge and Airport Development Fee.
Starting January 1, 2022, there has been a revision in the fee based on your class of travel.
Now, international passengers must pay the Airport Development Fee and the newly implemented Departure Tax.
The breakup of the total tax payable collected by the airline on behalf of the government is as under:
Economy passengers – $60
Business-class passengers – $120
First-class passengers – $180
Private jet passengers – $240
Post-Covid precautions
Post-Covid traveling anywhere around the world is slightly unpredictable. The Maldives, while it has been at the forefront of keeping tourism functioning over the last two years, is no different.
Therefore, as travelers, it is essential to keep up-to-date with the changing COVID protocols of the country before your departure date. Among the more important ones include having a vaccination certificate. Also, you may or may not require an RT-PCR test before boarding a flight to the Maldives.
Do keep in mind that most resorts monitor their guests’ health for the first 24-48 hours. They may ask for an additional RT-PCR test or require you to stay in your accommodation for this period.
If stuck in your room, use this time to make the most of all the in-room facilities and luxuries. Those with a package deal that includes half a stay in a water villa and the other on the beach should pick the former first. A water villa tends to be more secluded and intimate – the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the unrivaled beauty of the Maldives.
N.B.: All the information in the article is correct as of the date of publication. The prices mentioned, if any, are subject to change.
