The Maldives Getaway: A Serene Dip In The Enticing Gleaming Waters

Tripoto
7th Jan 2014
Photo of The Maldives Getaway: A Serene Dip In The Enticing Gleaming Waters 1/4 by Riya Poojary
Flag of the Republic of the Maldives
Photo of The Maldives Getaway: A Serene Dip In The Enticing Gleaming Waters 2/4 by Riya Poojary
Para-sailing
Photo of The Maldives Getaway: A Serene Dip In The Enticing Gleaming Waters 3/4 by Riya Poojary
Tropical fish- some underwater gems
Photo of The Maldives Getaway: A Serene Dip In The Enticing Gleaming Waters 4/4 by Riya Poojary
View from the Villingili Island

What’s the sight that comes to your mind when you think of an ideal, blissfully beautiful honeymoon? Is it long walks on a never-ending shoreline? Is it a dip in captivating turquoise waters? Or welcoming the sun on your soft skin by simply lying on the sparkling crystal sand? It includes this entire picturesque image, doesn’t it? And this is the very reason why the Maldives are rated as one of the best honeymoon destinations. But since honeymoon is not on everyone’s ‘To Do List for 2014’, I suggest you do what I did. Pack your bags and bid adieu to your stressful, fast paced life and say hello to the sun, sand and water sports!

Maldives is a tropical heaven, which lies to the south-west of India. It is an island nation with an archipelago of more than thousand islands and 26 coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. The sun is constant most of the days with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year. It’s a perfect blend of pleasantly sunny days and windy nights. I would personally recommend you to visit the Maldives between April to October as it’s the best time for surfing. Different water sports are available throughout the Maldives. We went to the small island of Villingili located in the south of the North Malé Atoll and then headed to the Diver’s Lodge Maldives before our final stop, Malé, the capital of Maldives.

No number of brochures and photographs will prepare you for the paradise that awaits you. From lush green palm trees to rich underwater biodiversity, Maldives has it all for you to discover. There is no denying that the enchanting beauty of the Maldives makes it possibly one of the most romantic vacations, but it has so much more than the couples massage coupons and breakfast in bed offers that every travel bible rants about. It’s a perfect weekend getaway with your girlfriends by making this trip about scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing than just sipping cocktails on a beach. Isn’t Goa enough for that? And don’t forget the weekend here begins from Friday.

If you are the kind to spend your time reading a book while relaxing in a hammock as you don’t know swimming, don’t worry. There are a few activities for which you don’t have to flash your certified swimming skills. Maldives is as welcoming to a bunch of single ladies as it to a newlywed couple.

Travel tips- Don’t forget to pack some beachwear (carry a pair of shorts and shirt always as some locals may have an issue with this kind of clothing), camera, a floppy sun hat, sarong and your best friend for the next three days. Beware of stingrays, even in the sand.

PS- Like they say, why should boys have all the fun?

This island is just a 15 minute boat ride from Malé. You can take this ride from the Villingili Ferry Terminal, which is at the southwest corner of the capital. It is also known as Vilimalé Island. Once you reach the Island, you have a gorgeous beach, which is comparatively less crowded. A stroll on the beach followed by a volleyball match is a good way to start this trip.

Photo of Villingili, Malé, Male, Maldives by Riya Poojary

You can ask the resorts or locals to hook you up with a great surfing experience. March to October is the best time when you’ll have strong waves for surfing. Or you can even go to Malé to experience some excellent surfing time. You will easily find local instructors there. You can also indulge in fishing activities. This can prove to be a lot of fun when done in a group. If you have more time, you can even go further to Hulhule Island for parasailing. If you haven’t tried it before you really should.

Photo of Back to the beach by Riya Poojary

After being a thorough water baby, we spent the last day in the capital. We visited the National Museum, which is home to historical artifacts and royal antiques. The museum is located in Sultan Park. There are many cafes and restaurants in the city. You can stop for a quick bite. You can even take a walk to the fish market where you’ll spot yellow fin tunas and even hammerhead sharks. After this idyllic beach holiday, you will certainly attain nirvana.

Photo of Malé, Male, Maldives by Riya Poojary

This is a local diving center based on Villingili Island. This place can prove to be an ultimate spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. It would be a sin not to see the magnificent marine life up close. You will see many distinctive fish and corals. This is a haven for the ones inquisitive about the underwater reality. The mighty ocean can hold so many gems beneath it. If you are staying longer, they even offer PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) dive courses. I never attempted scuba diving before and hence this experience will stay forever with me. Make sure you pay attention to every detail provided by your instructor.

Photo of Diver’s Lodge Maldives by Riya Poojary