Known as the treasure island for its scintillating beauty and naturally blue lagoons, Maldives is often considered the most picturesque island destination in the world. Here you don’t take cars to go from one place to another, rather boats and seaplanes. With all its beauties and natural archipelagos, there is a lot to try in this water-crisscrossed nation. Here are the best places to try out in the Maldives.
Best Places and Experiences in the Maldives
Male
The experience starts off in the country’s capital. Male is a thriving city for its size and population with the country’s main international airport situated right beside the city. It also acts as the primary destination for tourists.
The place is adorned with Maldivian culture and heritage. Several large market streets are selling authentic local goodies. The Grand Friday mosque and Rasrani Bageecha are some of the most exquisite architectural sites you’ll find in all of Maldives.
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A slight hint of the Maldivian treasure trove can be found in the National Museum. The place is an excellent lesson for the culture and the thousand-year-old history of Maldives.
Hulhumale Island
Moving on from the Male atoll, tourists can explore Hulhumale Island. This is a place you don’t usually see in the scenic photos of the Maldives. Hulhumale Island is a thriving urban city sprawling right across the Male atoll.
The reclaimed -land made city has its own artificial beach and tons of diners and hotel options. Hulhumale isn’t really about the luscious blue water experience. It’s more of a mix between modern and island culture where you get to experience it all without going completely off the grid. Another great place for tourists is the sea promenade. The long walkway made around the outskirts of the island is bound to mesmerize anybody.
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Maafushi
It’s unexpected that a country like the Maldives, which is a complete tourist destination thriving in tourism, would have an offbeat destination. Yet Maafushi islands are exactly that.
The island is unlike any of its neighbors. There aren’t any high-end hotels or resorts. There’s not even a dedicated tourist itinerary here.
Maafushi is a place where you come to experience laid-back and true island life. The island is still recovering from the devastating Tsunami of 2014 which completely destroyed its fishing system, the island’s main source of income.
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Now tourists can come here to visit the fishing settlements and try some fresh and authentic seafood cuisines. There are also some home cafes sprinkled across the island. Overall, it makes for a nice and chill retreat.
Utheemu
Known as the seat of the great Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, Utheemu isn’t just known for its long white sand stretches and palm trees. Sultan Mohamed is a revered figure in the island nation as he’s credited with the expulsion of the foreign invaders in the early 16th century. The legend of his bravery is still remembered with respect.
The utheemu archipelago is situated at the far northern atoll of the island nation. While it’s a bit secluded from the main cluster, it brings a sense of off-the-grid experience to the tourists. There are mainly two ways to get to Utheemu – either by boat or by seaplanes.
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Feydhoo
Feydhoo definitely stands out as the most planned island structure in all of Maldives. But the place hasn’t always been like this. In fact, the island wasn’t even inhabited before world war two.
During the war, the British army used the nearby Gan island as a strategic base. The thousand or so inhabitants were moved to Feydhoo who were the first men of the picturesque island.
Feydhoo offers several resorts ranging from cheap stays to 5-star resorts. Like Maafushi, Feydhoo is also famous for its beautiful sea beaches and rich seafood delicacies.
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Banana Reef
For the longest time, Maldives has been branded as the go-to honeymoon destination in the world. But recently, the situation has been changing with the introduction of different experiences and adventures in different islands of the country.
And the first of that was the Banana Reef. The coral island is known for one thing only – scuba diving. In fact, you won’t find many establishments here other than diving and gear rentals. It’s a great place to enjoy the offerings of Maldives, from down under.
Fuvahmulah
If you want to get truly lost in the vast expanse of the Indian ocean, then Fuvahmulah is your best bet. The island is situated in the far west of the Maldivian land mass with an atoll of its own. It takes a good few hours to get to Fuvahmulah even with the fastest speedboats.
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Fuvahmulah is situated in the equatorial region, meaning a humid climate persists year-round in this region. It is the perfect destination to visit during the winter season.
Alimatha Islands
Alimatha islands bring the best of both worlds to tourists. Here you will see luxurious retreats along with the best scuba diving spots in all of Maldives.
There are beautiful stretches of white sand beaches along the eastern end of the island. The Alimatha island is the last island in the Felidhe atoll. The inexplicable beauty of the water and the salty mists is something that will mesmerize anyone.
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Kuredu
Kuredu is your traditional and usual representation of Maldives. From its scuba diving spots, retreat experiences, and the world-famous cottage on the seas, Kuredu offers it all. I mean no wonder it is called the beauty of the Lhaviyani Atoll.
Getting to Kuredu island is also easy. Just hop on any of the seaplanes or speed boats leaving fromHulhumale island. You will reach Kuredu in no time.
Final Words
The Maldives is a through and through island country. It is a quintessential destination that merges tradition with modernity. The country has been a consistent top choice for a honeymoon as it offers a more relaxed and serene experience all around. Since the last century, the country has steadily developed and centered its economy around tourism. Be it the hospitality of the people, excellent amenities, or the sheer eye-pleasing seascapes, this country mesmerizes unlike any other.
Source: United News of Bangladesh