The Maldives was recognised as the World’s Leading Destination from 2020 to 2023. — Photos: GISELE SOO/The Star
Did you know that there are four atoll nations in the world?
The Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and, arguably the most popular holiday destination among the four, the Maldives.
Tucked in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is renowned for its beautiful beaches, and glorious crystal clear waters. The nation boasts over 1,190 islands, often grouped in atolls, a term that refers to a cluster of coral islands surrounding a lagoon.
Of all the islands on the archipelago, only about 200 are occupied by humans– more than half of these islands serve as tourist resorts.
The Maldives was named the world’s leading destination for four consecutive years (2020 to 2023) at the World Travel Awards. After spending a few days on the island nation recently, we finally understood what all the fuss is about.
A wild ride
Stepping out of the Velana International Airport, the view of the sparkling blue waters immediately drew a chorus of “wows” from us. At the jetty, located a short walk away from the airport, we stood and gaped in awe, still mesmerised by the beautiful landscape.
Boats of various sizes were docked at the jetty. They are used to transport guests to and from their hotels; they are the primary mode of transport in the Maldives, as a large portion of the island is surrounded by water.
For travellers, this sure is an interesting way to commute.
While waiting for the staff to load our luggage onto the boat, we took a brief stroll along the pier, where we caught sight of a seaplane flying over the airport and into the distant horizon.
If you want, you can also take a seaplane instead of a boat to get from one place to another ... but it will cost you quite a bit.
A boat ride, of course, is relatively more affordable and convenient too. Unlike a seaplane that is only available during the day, a speedboat is readily accessible to anyone. The ferry is another form of water transport available on the island – an ideal choice, especially for those travelling on a budget.
We soon learned that boarding the boat was an adventure in itself, thanks to the waves and current. The boat was rocking back and forth, which made standing still on the boat near impossible. In a way, we were “forced” to sit immediately after stepping on to the boat.
Our tip: Remember to bring along motion sickness medication if you get seasick easily.
Once securely in the boat, we began our journey to Maafushi Island, where we would stay for a couple of nights at Arena Hotel during our six-day media visit to the Maldives with AirAsia. The 40-minute ride was indeed exhilarating: A few minutes after departure, the boat started skimming across the choppy waters, creating huge splashes along the way.
Its dramatic bounce made me feel like James Bond in his Q Boat!
Local charm
Maafushi is a local island nestled within the South Male Atoll. It is one of the more popular islands among tourists due to its close proximity to the capital city, Male. Some of the other islands around include Thulusdhoo, Gulhi and Himmafushi, which are favoured by surfers.
Meanwhile, Thoddoo’s laid-back atmosphere, with farmlands and lush greenery, is great for folks looking for a peaceful, restful holiday.
We learned more about Maafushi during a tour led by Moosa Umar from the hotel. He told us that the island spans 1,270m in length and 265m in width. Despite its smaller size, it is home to some 2,000 islanders.
A faint, sweet scent enveloped the air as we rode past quaint establishments, mostly cafes and retail stores. The neighbourhood exudes a welcoming atmosphere, as we were greeted with warm smiles from the local folks.
Cruising down the sandy path on our buggy, we came across a community centre. Moosa proudly said that this was where people go to exercise. “It offers a free gym service!”
After our 45-minute tour, we headed to the public beach, a stone’s throw from our accommodation. We were told that it was an excellent spot to watch the sunset, but alas, we didn’t get to witness this. We did, however, enjoy quietly observing the “dancing” coconut trees.
We also checked out the private beach at our hotel while waiting for dinner to be served. Beachgoers were frolicking happily in the water as the sun gradually set beneath the horizon.
Dinner was a delicious spread of Maldivian dishes, as well as other items of different cuisines. Some of the local stuff we got to try were the chicken skewers (similar to our satay) and garudiya (clear fish broth).
An unexpected visit from a wild heron at one of the resorts.
Boundless blues
The second day of our tropical getaway kicked off with a snorkelling excursion. After picking up our equipment at the snorkelling centre outside our hotel, we headed straight to the reef. We arrived at the snorkel site about 10 minutes later, which was already crowded with tourists, both young and young-at-heart.
We excitedly jumped into the ocean to start our underwater exploration.
Witnessing a shoal of fish swimming past me was certainly a memorable experience. Among the schools of fish I managed to see here was the adorable clownfish (remember Nemo of Finding Nemo “fame”?).
Out of curiosity, I ventured into the deeper end of the water. What I found was a moment of tranquillity as I floated alone, mesmerised by the bottomless sea.
Throughout the snorkelling session, our boat guides took beautiful photos of us. Photography services are usually included in snorkelling tours in the Maldives, though this does depend the package of your choice.
Lunch on the sandbank, before heading back into the water.
We headed to a sandbank after that, where our guide told us that it was a favourite spot among locals, who come here for picnics and parties on the weekends. The Maldives has numerous sandbanks, both natural and artificial.
En route to our destination, we chanced upon wild dolphins swimming in pods along the coastlines. Two of them even put on a show for us, spinning and leaping out of the water!
At the sandbank, we went into the sea for a quick dip to cool off from the heat. The initial calm and quiet of the place was soon replaced by the soft chitter-chatter of tourists who, like us, had come to the sandbank for lunch.
After a restful afternoon at the hotel, we ventured out once again, this time to go sunset fishing. We could feel the buzz of anticipation echoing around us as we boarded the boat.
Waiting for the sun to set at Villa Nautica.
It was only a half-hour journey on a dhoni (fishing boat in the local Maldivian language) to the fishing site, where fish like snapper, grouper and barracuda flourished.
Fishing, particularly handline fishing, is part of the rich Maldivian tradition that holidaymakers get to experience. Guests can try either the morning or the evening fishing session.
We eagerly watched as the boat crew sliced the fish bait into smaller pieces and then attached them to a hook.
In about two hours, we managed to catch a few snappers – with the help of the crew, of course. Our catch was then cooked and served to us for dinner.
Commercial or net fishing is prohibited on the Maldivian shores. The ban was imposed by its government as an initiative to protect its diverse marine ecosystem.
One island, one resort
It was time to bid farewell to Maafushi as we set off to North Male Atoll’s Paradise Island. We took a boat back to the airport before boarding another one at the jetty to the island, which was only 20 minutes away.
Here, we spent the remaining four nights of our trip at Villa Nautica. The private island resort occupies the entire island, providing guests complete seclusion and privacy.
The resort has ample activities for guests, including table tennis, basketball and billiards, as well as a wide range of water sports, like jet-skiing, parasailing, wind surfing and canoeing.
Additionally, guests can board a semi-submarine, where they can admire the diverse marine life below and tropical island landscape above.
Other out-of-island excursions like the sandbank tour and whale submarine are equally fascinating, too.
There are also a few snorkelling points within the resort. One of these was where guests could see sharks. We had the opportunity to experience this ourselves.
This perked me up because we were originally scheduled to swim with sharks on Maafushi Island, but that plan was unfortunately foiled by the weather.
Now, here we were excitedly watching the sharks loom into our view.
Besides nurse sharks, the snorkelling site was also teeming with other fish species. Among them were the palette surgeonfish (think Dory, another character from Finding Nemo) and the tiny needlefish, which bore a long and narrow beak.
On a separate occasion, we enjoyed a rejuvenating spa session at the resort’s Araamu Spa. It was located within a garden, where the fragrance of flowers and essential oil permeating the air made guests feel relaxed while getting a massage. My masseuse, Reetha, hails from Bhutan. She did a marvellous job as I certainly felt revitalised after our session.
Later in the evening, we tried making traditional Maldivian dishes in an hour-long class led by the resort’s chefs.
Bored of breakfast in bed? Try breakfast in the pool.
Some of the dishes we prepared were mas riha (fish curry) and mas huni (salad made up of flaked tuna mixed with grated coconut and spices). The latter is typically served during breakfast and eaten with Maldivian roshi (what we in Malaysia would call chapati).
When it comes to food, choices are abundant here. From Maldivian to Italian and Japanese cuisines, Villa Nautica has a diverse offering that will satiate guests’ appetite.
One meal that stood out for me was my sumptuous floating breakfast, served in the private pool at my villa. I opted for the Maldivian spread, which included mas huni, aveli (pressed rice and grated coconut with banana) and local sour banana.
As the evening rolls around, the Maldivian musical performance comes to life, as guests will be treated to the art of Boduberu. Traditionally performed during celebrations and festivals, Boduberu is commonly used to welcome guests to the Maldives today.
Travel notes
Getting there: AirAsia operates 14 direct flights weekly from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 to the Velana International Airport in Maldives.
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa is the official currency, with RM1 equivalent to MVR3.50. Alternatively, US dollars are accepted, too, as well as credit cards.
Where to stay: Luxury resorts are in abundance here, but there are plenty of affordable two- and three-star hotels too. There are guesthouses on bigger islands like Maafushi, such as the Arena Hotel. You will also find budget accommodation in Male.
When to visit: The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April for sunnier weather.
