Maldives Holiday Guide | Elegant Resorts

Capital	Malé
Language	Dhivehi
Time Difference	5 hours
Currency	Maldivian Rufiyaa
Voltage	220V

Each Maldivian island is unique, yet they are all idyllic, and offer some of the finest luxury resorts. A tropical idyll of dazzling beaches and swaying palms, it also has the ultimate in eco-friendly spa luxury. Once you’ve arrived, the focus is on pleasure and relaxation – and the Maldives is an ideal setting for some serious spa indulgence. They range in sophistication from straightforward Balinese massage centres, to world-class holistic sanctuaries. Scuba-diving and snorkelling rank amongst the finest in the world here – the waters around the Maldives are home to over a thousand different types of marine life with a vast array of reef fish, turtles, stingrays and friendly sharks, which provides a spectacular sight. Water sports abound with windsurfing, sailing and water-skiing all on-hand, while the surrounding seas boast some of the world's best big-game fishing year-round.

Truly the most blissful of destinations, the Maldives may well be the last real paradise on Earth. For couples, honeymooners and incurable romantics, the crystal-blue lagoons and stunning coral islands are a perfect destination.

Diving
With just two-hundred inhabited islands and only around ninety developed for visitors, a holiday to the Maldives is both fascinating and tranquil. Twenty-six natural ring-like atolls are home to 1,190 coral islands. The atolls each boast a glorious coral reef and lagoon which gives each island its unique natural quality above and below water. No trip to the Maldives would be complete without an exploration of the beautiful coral reefs, whether you’re snorkelling or diving there are thousands of species of marine life to discover in the warm, crystal clear waters. You’ll find that the resorts feature PADI dive centres and offer snorkelling equipment allowing you to explore this glorious underwater world.

Turtle Rehabilitation
In conjunction with the Maldivian Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has initiated a series of projects to protect, monitor, relocate, release, rear and rehabilitate Maldivian sea turtles. One of the centre's greatest successes is Olivia, an Olive Ridley Turtle who came to the centre to recover from a head injury. She was released in February 2012, equipped with a satellite-tracking device mounted on her carapace. Because there has been so little research into Olive Ridley Turtles, Olivia is a pioneer for her species, contributing to valuable research into the movements of the world’s smallest sea turtles.

Luxury Yachts
For a unique holiday experience, why not discover the Maldives on a luxury yacht? Four Seasons Explorer, a three-deck, 128ft catamaran, has been navigating the most sought-after dive locations in the Indian Ocean since 2002 and is, quite simply, a floating Four Season resort, with all that implies – guests enjoy everything from three dives a day, to gourmet cuisine, exemplary accommodation and even castaway massages on idyllic sandbanks.

Other Water-based Activities
Staying above water can be just as exhilarating as below it, with all manner of watersports, dolphin-watching, ‘dhoni’ boat fishing, sailing in splendour on a private yacht or rowing to a deserted island for a candle-lit dinner or Champagne breakfast. Whether you decide to take a thrilling jet-ski excursion at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island or a luxurious spa treatment at the world’s first underwater massage treatment room at Huvafen Fushi, there are plenty of activities available in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean.

Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.

Accommodation Upgrade
Aside from the spa facilities and coral reefs, many resorts say their biggest attraction is the ‘lagoon villa’ accommodation. These luxurious wooden over-water bungalows often come with outside Jacuzzis and lounging decks, perfect for a spot of private tanning. Slide straight from the villa into the ocean for a dip. They are also the first type of accommodation to be booked up so do speak to your Travel Consultant at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

Excursions
Many of the resorts we feature, offer excursions such as big game fishing, private island picnics and traditional dhoni boat trips − at COMO Cocoa Island, the perfect end to the day is a sunset cruise − as you sail towards an empty horizon, you might spot dolphins in the cerulean sea.

Shoreline Changes
Low-lying coral islands such as the Maldives are fragile landforms susceptible to seasonal oscillations in shoreline change.

The Maldives' climate is almost perfect, balmy mornings and sun-filled days are followed by gentle breezes in the evening and a star-filled sky. Temperatures are fairly constant – around 30 degrees Celsius. The only difference is the dry and wet seasons.

The period from May to November is the Hulhangu Monsoon season, leading to significantly higher rainfall, particularly on the southern islands. During this time there may be strong winds and stormy, overcast skies. Whilst less popular as a summer destination during this time, the temperature remains hot and there is a strong chance of extended periods of sunshine in between showers.

During the Iruvai dry season which starts in January and continues through April there is a reduction in humidity and rainfall, whilst February and March provide the most sun. The Maldives is at its most popular between December and April, when visitors come to take advantage of the long warm days. However, whilst the temperature is relatively consistent, the weather is always unpredictable and storms can suddenly strike, regardless of the season, although they do tend to be short lived.

Whatever time of year you choose to visit, the Maldives offer azure blue seas and sunshine, making it perfect for a relaxing luxury holiday.

Temperature Guide

These figures show monthly average maximum temperatures and monthly average rainfall for Maldives.

	Temp °C	Rain mm
January	30	90
February	31	68
March	31	81
April	32	129
May	31	211
June	30	183
July	30	161
August	30	183
September	30	213
October	30	229
November	30	192
December	30	198

Flight Information
British Airways direct from London Gatwick to Malé.
Via Dubai with Emirates from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Via Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways from London Heathrow and Manchester.
Via Doha with Qatar Airways from London Heathrow and Manchester.

Flight Time
From London Gatwick to Malé: 10 hours, 10 minutes.

Travelling With Children or Without an Adult

Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country (for example, South Africa) or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.

Visa and Advance Passenger Information

All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.

Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.

For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/insect-tick-bite-avoidance/

In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.

Visit the FCO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Additional sources of information include: www.hpa.org.uk, http://nathnac.net, www.fco.gov.uk, www.hpa.org.uk and www.nathnac.org, your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.