The Maldives is not actually one country on a single piece of land but instead a group of 1,192 coral islands that make up the whole. The islands sit on 260 coral atolls and the 300,000 residents that make up the population of the Maldives lives on only 185 of the islands here. As you would expect from a place covered in coral islands, the big draws in the Maldives are island living and water sports, and some of the best diving in the world can be found in the waters surrounding this country. It is also a popular destination with honeymooners looking to get away from it all in one of the most romantic settings in the world.
Backpackers Maldives has been organizing action packed cruises around the waters off Male for years so they definitely know all the best spots in the area. You can go out for full or half day tours and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or trekking on the local islands. They are also known for being cheaper than many of their competitors.
Travel time:
53 minutes by road and ferry
Clothing: Make sure to bring swimwear if you plan to go swimming or snorkeling.
Distance from Male: 330 km
It doesn’t get much more adventurous than diving with sharks at the North Male Atoll in the Maldives. You can easily transfer here by boat from Male City and you will be able to dive in some of the most pristine waters in the world. The sharks here are not the man eating kind so you can dive safely and observe these elegant creatures as the glide about in the turquoise waters.
Travel time:
30 minutes by speedboat
Clothing: Make sure to bring swimwear if you are planning to go in the sea.
Distance from Male: 88.2 km
This is the highlight of a trip for many to Male even if you don’t actually see any whales. The submarine will take you to the ocean floor offshore from Male and you will get a 30 minute trip around some of the most pristine waters in the world where you will get to be up close and personal with all the aquatic creatures that this area is known for.
Travel time:
By hours by road and ferry
Clothing: There are no clothing requirements as you will not actually get wet on the submarine.
Distance from city center: 550 m
The Friday Mosque in Male dates from 1656 under Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I. It is known across the Maldives for its gorgeous Islamic art and decorative features that include intricate wood carvings. It is free to enter the mosque and non-Muslims can visit as long as they obtain special permission beforehand and dress modestly.
Best mode of transport: One foot
Duration of travel: 7 minutes
Dress in long sleeved clothes if you want to go inside the mosque.
Distance from city center: 400 m
The Islamic Center in Male is perhaps the most famous building in the entire country. It is the home of the biggest mosque in the Maldives and you will see the golden onion dome rising on the horizon before you are even close to the complex. Non-Muslims may visit providing that it is not prayer time.
Best mode of transport: On foot
Duration of travel: 5 minutes
Make sure to dress modestly in long sleeved clothes if you want to go inside the mosque.
Distance from city center: 500 m
Republic Square is the center of Male and is famous for its scenic park that has the flag of the Maldives at the center. This is a focal point of the city and you will find that people congregate here to take in the views and enjoy the atmosphere. Certainly if you want to find the city center in Male then don’t miss this famous square.
Best mode of transport: On foot
Duration of travel: 6 minutes
There is no specific dress code to visit this part of town but you may wish to bring a hat in the middle of the day when the sun is hot.
Addu:
The atoll of Addu is also known as Sennu and is the southernmost and also most populated of the atolls after Kaafu. As a result you will find a wealth of resorts to choose from here as well as a clutch of tourist attractions but the big draw are the hidden coves and inlets that run all along the coastlines of the islands. There is also an airport here making it one of the easier parts of the Maldives to access.
Ari:
Ari is one of the most popular atolls after Kaafu and Addu and you will find a big range of resorts here which are popular with honeymooners. You will also find the typical Maldives experience here of clear seas and white sands but with fewer crowds. If you are keen to check out the local flora and fauna then this is a great choice as you can go diving easily not far off the coast.
Kaafu:
Kaafu is the home of both the North and South Male atolls as well as the capital city of the Maldives, Male itself. This is the most heavily populated and visited part of the Maldives and you will find a huge number of beaches here that offer swimming, snorkeling, and diving opportunities.
Majeedhee Magu:
This street is one of the main arteries in Male and also one of the central shopping areas. Shops along the street have both local and imported goods that give this more of a bustling market feel than anything else. You can buy eclectic items like clothes, shoes, handicrafts, and food here but make sure to note that shops close at prayer time so you will need to time your visit accordingly.
Male Market:
Located in the north of Male is Male Market and this is a wonderful place to look for some souvenirs. The market is also aimed at locals and you will find traditional products and foodstuffs here as well as some arts and crafts that make great gifts.
State Trading Organization:
The State Trading Organization is a typical Maldivian supermarket that makes a great place to pick up some local food and drink. It is a much cheaper alternative to some of the resort prices and you can get local snacks that make great souvenirs or gifts such as the canned tuna.
Jade Bistro:
The Jade Bistro is strategically located close to the jetty if you are looking to move on to another island and you will find a cool coffee shop here that also has free Wi-Fi. The cafe serves a range of delicious pastries as well as breakfast items like croissants and light plates and you can also get some soothing drinks here like iced coffees.
Shell Beans:
Shell Beans is one of the most popular spots in Male and attracts a mixed international and local crowd. It is also close to the jetty area so if you are moving on this makes a great stop off. Some famous bites here include the pastries as well as the cooling frozen yoghurts and the coffees.
The Hive Restaurant, M. Nalahiyaage, Majeedhee Magu, Male 20274, tel +960 334 This restaurant sits on the top floor of the famous Beehive Nalahiya Hotel and is the place to come if you want to get panoramic views over the whole of Male. The atmosphere here is relaxed and convivial and they serve a range of international plates including Western and Maldivian cuisines. There is also a Hive Cafe here if you just want to stop off for a quick (and cheaper) bite.
Club Med Kani Bar:
The Club Med Kani Bar is located in the Club Med Kani Resort which is known for being designed in the shape of a palm tree. Here you can get some drinks and listen to music and this is one of the best parties at the Club Med complex. Note that the liquor here is imported and as such it is not as cheap as some other bars in the area.
Kuredu Nightclub:
The Kuredu Nightclub at the Kuredu Resort is one of the most popular parties in the Maldives. They have regular themed nights such as the White Party and some of the most famous DJs in the Maldives come to play here. The club is studded with UV lights which mean that guests glow under the beams if they are wearing white- hence the famous White Parties held here on Fridays.
Niyama Maldives Subsix:
Niyama Maldives Subsix is a world famous nightclub, mostly because it has the claim to fame of being underwater. The nightclub is 500 meters off the coast of the Niyama Resort and has a lineup of visiting and resident DJs who play tunes as fish swim by and guests enjoy the most amazing views of any nightclub in the world.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
All travelers to the Maldives can enter the country without a visa as long as they have 6 months validity on their passport
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival: N/A
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions: N/A
Drug use, possession, and trafficking is illegal in Maldives and can result in serious penalties such as life imprisonment.
Prostitution is illegal in the Maldives
Alcohol is technically legal for anyone over the age of 18 who is non-Muslim but is not widely available and mostly sold in high end resorts.
Violent crime in the Maldives is low, particularly against foreigners. Take care not to leave valuables unattended on beaches as some petty crime exists.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Maldives under Shariah Law.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for the Maldives.
In days gone by the Maldives used to be a Sultanate of first the Dutch colonialists and then the British. In the years that followed the country became a presidential republic and due to the majority Sunni Muslim majority here began to practice Shariah Law. As such this is quite a conservative place to visit, although the island resorts have a more laid back approach to tourists. The official language of the Maldives is Maldivian Dhivehi but many people also speak English.
