Maldives

Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a chain of 1,900 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The islands extend more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west. Famous for its pristine beaches, reef-ringed atoll and mesmerizing water bungalows, it possesses breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean which are almost dreamlike. The sparkling beaches, upscale resorts, stunning untouched coral reefs and myriad of marine life make it a must visit destination for pleasure seekers as well as sports enthusiasts alike.

Male City is the capital of the Maldives and sits at the southern rim of North Malé Atoll. It is a natural paradise with lush canopy and breath-taking sceneries surrounding it. There are a ton of attractions here from scenic parks to art galleries and heritage museums. The city also has an artificial beach where you can indulge in water-sports such as swimming, kayaking and waterboarding. The Old Friday Mosque is a popular tourist attraction here along with its vast array of vibrant cuisines.

Vaadhoo Island is another beautiful island in the Maldives which possess beautiful beaches, enchanting landscapes and mesmerising beauty. The island is enclosed by a coral reef and thus makes it an ideal destination for scuba diving where you can get a close up look at heaps of colourful fish and other sea creatures. It beaches also make it a popular place for kayakers where you can fast your eyes on the sun’s rays lighting up the waves. And finally, not to be missed is the island’s glowing beach phenomenon where the phytoplankton floating in the water emit a glowing blue light which lights up the beach at night and makes it look like a cluster of stars igniting the night sky.

Nalaguraidhoo Island also known as the Sun Island is one of the top ranked places to visit in the Maldives. Its stunning beaches, lush greenery and plentiful flora and fauna make it a top destination for travellers who love to rest in the arms of nature. It is popular among sports enthusiasts for its abundance of water-sports activities such as snorkelling, diving and windsurfing. The island also hosts an array of luxurious resorts alongside its beautiful beaches thus making it a popular destination for vacationers and honeymooners.

Banana Reef is considered to be among one of the most ancient coral reefs of Maldives. It is packed with beautiful caves, majestically colourful coral reefs and astoundingly beautiful cliffs which make it a favourite spot for diving and snorkelling. Its waters are inhabited by masses of groupers, barracudas and sharks thus attracting divers from all across the globe. The diving range at Banana Reef starts at five meters and stretches to thirty meters and its calm currents and perfect visibility make it an amazing spot for beginners as well as seasoned divers to embark on a breath-taking adventure.

Maafushi Island is another of the best tourist spots in the Maldives owing to its possession of the best beach in the country. This island will offer you everything that you search for in a complete and fulfilling vacation. Its clear untouched waters populated with a plethora of fish and incredible coral reefs provides the island an unforgettable appeal and enchantment. Popular activities in this island include shark diving, snorkelling and dolphin safari while its sandy white beaches are a hotspot of bikini clad tourists looking to get a sun-tan.

Thoddoo Island is a gorgeous oval shaped island which is very well known for its abundant production of watermelons. It is a great place for tourists to immerse themselves in local Maldivian culture while roaming through the lively markets which are filled with mouth-watering seafood. In addition to the diving and ferry rides on this island, tourists can also visit the beautiful Masjidhul Aisha Monsque located in the middle of the island which is considered to be a holy site for the locals.

Ukulhas island located on the Alif Alif Atoll in the Maldives, is the most environmentally friendly island of the Maldives and it is known for it is popularly known for its top class waste management system and cleanliness. It is a great place for families with children as the al the hotels in this island are located extremely close to the beaches. It is a child-friendly island and families who frequent this island love to go fishing, snorkelling, swimming and spotting manta rays and reef sharks.

Dhigurah island which translates to “Long Island” in Dhihevi, is another one of most beautiful islands of the Maldives. It is known for its fabulous long sandy beaches, endless sea-bank and its large blue lagoon. The island is filled with lavish resorts and is popular among visitors for its dolphin spotting, fishing and sandbank picnicking. Tourists who visit this island also have the opportunity to indulge a splendid fish barbeque in the evening which is positioned along the sandbank of the island.

Halaveli island located in North Ari Atoll in the Maldives is the ideal location for any tourist who wishes to experience blissful quiet and solitude. It has over 55 water villas located overseeing awe-inspiring sceneries and is an ideal getaway for couples and friends. There are many activities to be enjoyed in this island which include paddle boating, dolphin spotting, kayaking, surfing and scuba diving. Tourists who visit this island can also explore the local village to experience the culture of the local natives.