Sand made from pearls, a deep clear ocean of azure wonder and a balmy breeze of warm air that gently caresses your sun licked body. You contemplate ordering another cocktail. I mean this is your fourth in the last hour but apart from your loving partner (equally engrossed in their own fourth Pina colada), there’s no one to say anything about it. You order it with a lazy wave of your hand at the nearby smiling waiter as he walks by with a tray of food to another couple by the pool. The wafting smell of a seafood platter freshly cooked brushes against your tingling senses and you think perhaps it’s a good time to get something to eat. And it is. All is well in the Maldives.
Now perhaps you’ve come down for just a few days, maybe you’re only down for one due to a crazy schedule. How do you make the most of it? How do you ensure the perfect beach holiday in a limited time?
Sit back and relax, I got it this. I’ll make sure that the relaxation part of your day in the Maldives means you’re relaxed before your toes have even felt the Luke-warm water waiting to soothe away all your problems from back home.
Here are a few necessary pointers for those only visiting the islands for a few days and not looking to book an expensive week-long trip.
Book a hotel on the airport Island
If you’re only planning to stay a short while, rather stay in one of the cheaper hotels located on the airport itself. This will save you money (as well as time) and you can work your base of operations from here.
What the other flight attendants and I do when we have only one or two days in the Maldives is to buy a party package from one of the island event vendors located in and around the airport. From 100 USD to 150 USD per person (better prices if you can haggle successfully) you can get a boat to take you out to one of the islands for a full day of beach fun – drinks and food all included. The most popular destination is a tie between Baros and COMO, each one costing around 150 USD a day, but if you’re looking for somewhere a little more relaxed and less expensive there are a multitude of smaller islands that are cheaper and offer all day eating and drinking as well. These resorts typically offer some additional free activities like snorkeling around the islands or showcasing the resplendent fish life during scheduled feedings that allow you to view the menagerie of colourful critters at your own leisure. I find that the amount of food and drink that you’re able to consume in a given day makes up the cost it takes to take a day trip out to one of these luxurious isles.
So now that you’re ready to head out to the islands where dreams and postcards are made from, let’s keep in mind a few things on our quick trip to ensure our day in paradise isn’t ruined by sand getting in all the wrong places and giving our holiday an unsightly chafe.
Some mustn’t and musts in the Maldives
- Don’t stay at an island far from the airport the day before your departure date. The Maldives is known for its sudden tropical storms which tend to halt all water transport progress, i.e. your main mode of transportation. In this weather its possible for planes to take off but not boats, which can lead to you having a stranded island feel to your holiday as you watch your flight leave without you.
- Don’t agitate the wildlife. There are plenty of things in the water that doesn’t take kindly to you getting in too close to get that underwater selfie you’ve been yearning for. All it will take is one triggerfish bite (which isn’t poisonous but feels like it should be) to give you a healthy respect of personal space.
- Wear your damn sunscreen. That sun doesn’t care that you’re here on holiday or your honeymoon. You don’t want to be mistaken for the lobster entree at your resorts buffet dinner.
- Stick to the designated areas for scuba diving and snorkeling. The currents have the same attitude as the sun towards your holiday and honeymoon plans.
- Everything is in dollars so the bill at the end of the day can be expensive, but also open to haggling. Bring your best negotiation tactics and don’t be afraid to shop around, there are plenty of deals offering the same experience at a lower price. You can’t walk two meters without tripping over a guy offering you a better bargain than the other one two meters back.
- The food in the Maldives is delicious, but they do love those spices. If you are like me and believe mayonnaise makes for quite a spicy side dish, then be sure to inform them of your handicap when ordering anything to eat.
- You absolutely have to go swimming in the water and explore the various underwater flora and fauna, it’s a breath-taking experience (especially since its underwater) buuuuut, do keep note of the location and timings of the fish feeding episodes the resorts like to have for the guest’s This is when they dump a load of fish food and a little bit of what looks like chum to attract a myriad of large fish and medium sharks to one area for the guests to gaze in wonder over. I’m sure the workers will make sure no one is near the water when they do this, but just make sure for yourself. I personally saw a team of behemoth fish hang together to shoo away a decent sized shark, so it’s clear that’s one gang territory fights you don’t want to be a part of.
- Make sure to take lots of pictures in skimpy bikinis and revealing speedos on white sand beaches with cocktails in both hands. Otherwise, how will people truly believe you went to the Maldives?
Have you been to the Maldives lately and have an activity you want to share? Or perhaps you believe there are better beach resort countries to visit instead? Feel free to comment below on your experiences.
