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Maldives
General Information
Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles).
Population: 269,010 (2000).
Population Density: 902.7 per sq km.
Capital: Malé. Population: 74,497 (2000).
GEOGRAPHY: The Maldives Republic is located 500km (300 miles) southwest of the southern tip of India and consists of about 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited islands, some of which are mere sand spits or coral tips, are covered in shrubs. Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form an atoll, surrounding a lagoon. All the islands are low-lying, none more than 2m (7ft) above sea level. The majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé.
Government: Republic since 1965. Gained independence from the UK in 1965. Head of State and Government: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since 1978.
Language: The national language is Dhivehi. English is widely used as a business language in government offices and the commercial sector. Other languages are widely used within tourist areas.
Religion: The indigenous population is almost entirely Sunni Muslim.
Time: GMT + 5.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are used, although square-pin plugs are now becoming more common.
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 960. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network operated by Dhiraagu, the Maldives Telecommunications Company (website: www.dhiraagu.com.mv). Handsets can by hired by the day.
Fax
Services are available in Malé and the resorts.
Internet
The Internet can be accessed from most areas of the Maldives. Malé, the capital, has an Internet cafe and almost all resorts facilitate the sending and receiving of e-mails. The islands’ ISP is Dhiraagu (see above).
Telegram
Telecommunications in the Maldives are good – telegram services are available to and from anywhere in the world from Dhiraagu in Malé and the resorts.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes about a week. Post office hours: Sat-Thurs 0730-1330 and 1600-1750.
Press
The Maldives News Bulletin is published weekly in English. The other dailies Haveeru Daily, Aafathis and Miadhu News have English sections. Information about local events is widely available on all the resort islands.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | 1 | Yes | | Australian | Yes | 1 | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | 1 | Yes | | USA | Yes | 1 | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | 1 | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | 1 | Yes |
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for the duration of stay required by all.
VISAS: 1. Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued on arrival only and free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents.
Note: Foreign visitors who enter the Maldives must be in possession of return or onward tickets and sufficient funds to cover duration of stay.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist visas can be extended for a minimum of three months for a fee of Rf750 (Ł45).
Validity: Three months to one year.
Application to: Visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International Airport.
Application Requirements: (a) Valid passport and travel documents. (b) One passport size photo. (c) Fee. (d) Return or onward ticket. (e) Proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay.
Working days required: Visa extensions can be requested on arrival at Maldives International Airport, and will be issued immediately provided nationals are holding valid travel documents.
Money
Currency: Maldivian Rufiya (Rf) = 100 laari. Notes are in denominations of Rf500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Rf2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari.
Currency exchange: Major currencies can be exchanged at banks, tourist resort islands, hotels and leading shops. Payments in hotels can be made in most hard currencies (particularly US Dollars) in cash, travellers cheques or credit cards.
Credit & debit cards: Most major island resorts will accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard and Diners Club. Arrangements vary from island to island, and it is advisable to check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.
Travellers cheques: These are generally accepted in Sterling and US Dollars. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on import or export of either local or foreign currencies.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movement of the Maldivian Rufiya against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | Ł1.00= | 17.15 | 17.90 | 20.16 | 20.30 | | $1.00= | 11.77 | 11.77 | 12.75 | 12.75 |
Banking hours: Sun-Thurs 0800-1330.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into the Maldives Republic without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable amount of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco; a reasonable number of gifts.
Prohibited items: Pornographic literature; idols of worship; pork products and certain other animal products; explosives, weapons or drugs may not be imported. Alcoholic beverages cannot be imported without an official licence. Drugs are strictly prohibited; the penalty for importing drugs for personal or other use is life imprisonment. Animals require a veterinary certificate, but dogs cannot be imported.
The following may not be exported in any form: turtle shells and products made of turtle shell (the Government has banned the killing of turtles), black coral, eel, pufferfish, parrotfish, skate and ray, big-eyed scad under 15cm (6 in), bait fish used in tuna fishery, dolphin, whale, lobster, all stony coral, triton shell, trochus shell and pearl oyster.
Public Holidays
Nov 3 2002 Victory Day. Nov 6 Start of Ramadan. Nov 11-12 Republic Day. Dec 6-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 11 Hajj Day. Feb 12 Eid el-Kebir (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Islamic New Year. May 3 National Day. May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Jul 26-27 Independence Day. Aug 1 Huravee Day. Sep 28 Martyrs’ Day. Oct 27 Start of Ramadan. Nov 3 Victory Day. Nov 11-12 Republic Day. Nov 26-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 1 Hajj Day. Feb 2 Eid el-Kebir (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Islamic New Year. Apr 21 National Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Jul 20 Huravee Day. Jul 26-27 Independence Day. Sep 16 Martyrs’ Day. Oct 15 Start of Ramadan. Nov 3 Victory Day. Nov 11-12 Republic Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on drinking in public places. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself, although this is generally unlikely to affect life on the resort islands. Eid al-Fitr and Eid el-Kebir may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 | | Cholera | Yes | 2 | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A | | Malaria | 4 | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Maldives.
3: Typhoid may occur.
4: Malaria is disappearing. The risk of infection is very low.
Food & drink: The water provided in the resort areas is generally safe to drink. In other areas, water of uncertain origin used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Food in hotels and resorts is usually risk free, although visitors should be cautious elsewhere.
Other risks: Hepatitis A, B, and E can occur. Tuberculosis and diphtheria vaccines are sometimes advised. Dengue fever occurs. Rabies may be present although there have been no reported incidences in animals or humans since 1996. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: There are two hospitals on Malé, the Indhira Gandhi Memorial hospital and the ADK private hospital. First-aid facilities are available on all resort islands. A decompression chamber is accessible from most resorts in case of diving emergencies. Health insurance is recommended.
Travel - International
AIR: The national airline is Island Aviation Services (Q2). There are direct flights from Colombo, Trivandrum, Dubai, Karachi, Singapore, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Bucharest, Bombay, Italy, Rome, London, Narita, Doha, Vienna, Madrid, Moscow, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, Gatwick, Manchester and Paris. Other airlines running services to Malé include Austrian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, which operates daily flights into Malé from Singapore.
Approximate flight times: From Malé to London is 11 hours (excluding stopover).
International airports: Hulule International (MLE) (Malé) (website: www.maldive.com/tour/arrival.html) on Hulule Island is 2km (1.2 miles) from Malé (travel time by boat – 15 minutes). Boats from the various island resorts meet each arriving plane to take visitors to their accommodation. There is no scheduled transfer from Hulule Island to the other islands. If an advance booking has been made, representatives of the resorts will receive tourists at the airport and will take care of all onward transport arrangements. Airport facilities include left luggage, first aid, bank, duty-free shops, snack bar, post office and restaurant.
Departure tax: US$10.
SEA: Many cruise ships stop over at the Maldives islands as part of their itinerary. Cruise operators include Swan Hellenic and Seabourn Cruises.
Travel - Internal
AIR: Internal air services are operated by Island Aviation Services, linking Malé with Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. There are also services to Hanimaadhoo in the north, although these islands will not be on most visitors’ itineraries.
A number of companies operate twin-otter and float plan services around the Maldives. The transfer from the airport to the resort islands may be an optional extra on the tour. These services are also available for trips around the islands.
SEA: Visitors generally remain on their resort island for the duration of their stay, although island-hopping trips by ferries are widely available. Local charter boats are also easily available for hire. High-speed boats meet arrivals at the airport, supplied by the resort they are booked with, and boats are available for hire at the ferry counter near the jetty area. The speedboats connect the airport with Ari Atoll and some outlying islands. The indigenous inhabitants, however, live a parochial life and tend to visit only Malé, and even then irregularly.
ROAD: Travel on individual islands does not present any problem since few of them take longer than half an hour to cross on foot. In Malé, it is possible to take taxis.
Accommodation
HOTELS: There are four hotels on Malé and one on Gan; there are also a large number of guest-houses on Malé, although most visitors stay on resort islands. There are no guest-houses or self-catering facilities on any of the resort islands. For more information, contact the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), Third Floor, Gadhamoo Buliding, Malé (tel: 326 640; fax: 326 641; e-mail: mati@dhivehinet.net.mv).
RESORTS: There are over 90 resorts which vary from extravagantly luxurious to fairly simple. Accommodation almost invariably consists of thatch-roofed coral cabanas with ensuite facilities. Most of the resorts have air-conditioned rooms with mini-bar, although some of the resorts still have fan-cooled rooms. Many resort groups have recently installed desalination plants to provide clean tap water. The resorts are fully integral communities with sport and leisure facilities including scuba diving and snorkelling, restaurants and bars and, in some cases, a shop and/or disco. A few islands have more than one resort and these generally range in size from six to 250 units with most having 30 to 100 units. There is a shop on every resort island. Different islands tend to attract different nationalities.
Introduction
For a long time, the Republic of Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for scuba divers, watersports enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. All of these attractions are still very much in evidence, but in recent years the tourism potential of the country has been developed in the form of a large number of island resorts. Several tour operators have added the Maldives to their programmes, and since the introduction of direct flights from Europe, the islands have become an increasingly popular long-haul destination.
The Maldives consist of 26 natural atolls, approximately 1190 islands in all, most of them uninhabited. Most of the resorts are to be found in Malé (Kaafu) Atoll. A few are found in Vaavu, Baa and Lhaviyani. Alifu (Ari) Atoll has been declared the new Tourism Zone of the Maldives and work to upgrade and build new resorts is progressing in this area. All resorts offer night-fishing trips, superb snorkelling and windsurfing, and most have facilities for scuba diving, catamaran sailing, para-sailing, banana-boating, water-skiing and volleyball. Some offer other sporting facilities, including badminton and tennis.
This guide describes some of the major resort islands in the Maldives. Further information can be obtained from tour operators or by contacting the island resort directly.
Kaafu (Malé) Atoll – North
MALÉ: The capital of the Maldives, Malé, is situated close to the airport on the southern point of the North Malé Atoll. Although accommodation is available, very few foreign visitors stay in the capital; even those doing business normally stay in one of the nearby resort islands and travel to Malé by boat. The capital has several shops which sell examples of local handicrafts and imported goods. Other attractions include the Mulee-aage, a former palace, National Museum, located in the Sultan’s Park with a superb collection of artefacts including Sultanese thrones and palanquins, the fish and vegetable markets, the beautiful 17th-century Hukuru (or Friday Mosque) and the Islamic Centre, with its magnificent golden dome. There are over 20 other mosques scattered around Malé.
Baros: Covering a land area of 60,680 sq m (653,160 sq ft) and with a beach length of 1024m (3360ft), this oval-shaped island is located approximately one hour by boat from the airport. One side of the island is full of corals, within 3-6m (10-20ft) of the shallow beach, perfect for snorkelling and diving lessons, whilst the other side is a superb beach ideal for swimming and water-skiing.
Bandos: East of Baros is the island of Bandos, one of the larger resorts whose accommodation consists of well-furnished beach bungalows with a view of the beach. There is a particularly good diving school; one of the attractions is a dive down to the aptly-named Shark Point.
Hudhuveli: Situated on the east side of the North Malé Atoll, Hudhuveli is, like Bandos and Vaadhu, operated by Deen’s Orchid Agency. It is a modern beach resort with single-unit bungalows with straw roofing and freshwater showers.
Ihuru: This small island is exceedingly beautiful and much photographed. The accommodation consists of simple bungalows.
Kurumba: A tiny island covering an area of half a square mile, Kurumba is 15 minutes by boat from the airport and ten minutes from Malé. There are conference facilities, swimming pools, gymnasia and jacuzzis, as well as five restaurants. Most watersports can be arranged, including scuba diving; the colourful fish in the lagoon will eat out of your hand.
Nakatchafushi: Situated on the west side of the North Malé Atoll and boasting the country’s largest lagoon, Nakatchafushi is perhaps one of the most photographed of all the islands. Located on the western side of the Malé Atoll, it is 24km (15 miles) from the airport, a travel time of approximately 90 minutes. The lagoon is perfect for watersports and a long strip of sand at the western end of the island is a haven for beachcombers. There is also a swimming pool.
Full Moon (Furana): This resort can be reached in 20 minutes from the airport. The resort’s deep lagoon makes it a favourite base for visiting yachts. It also boasts a gymnasium, a business centre and five restaurants.
Giraavaru: The island of Giraavaru lies 11km (7 miles) west of the airport. It can be reached by speed boat (travel time – 15 minutes) or by normal transfer boat (travel time – 45 minutes). The well-appointed rooms face either a tropical garden or have a view of the Indian Ocean.
Reethi Rah: An untouched and beautiful island on the northwest of the North Malé Atoll. Thatched bungalows and ten water bungalows built on stilts over the lagoon are influenced by local architectural styles without missing any of the modern comforts.
Makunudhoo: This island is reached by a two-hour voyage from the airport. It is one of the most expensive resorts and one that is renowned for its food. The Maldivian-run island probably provides the best anchorage of any resort and always has yachts for charter. It is protected on all sides by a beautiful lagoon. The accommodation consists of individual thatched bungalows situated in coconut groves leading down to the beach.
Kanifinolhu (Kani): The island of Kanifinolhu (Kani) is on the eastern edge of the North Malé Atoll. The seas around the island boast some of the best inside reefs in the country, and the protection provided by the external reef makes diving possible even in the roughest conditions. The style of the accommodation is influenced by local and oriental design and some rooms have air conditioning. The island has a desalination plant for fresh water.
Other resorts: The resorts of Farukolhufushi (Club Med) and Thulhaagiri have superb facilities for watersports. Both have a swimming pool and Thulhaagiri has one windsurfing board for every twin-bedded room. Club Med has a qualified team organising sport and leisure activities during the day and in the evening. Summer Island Village offers 93 air-conditioned rooms in an idyllic tropical setting.
Other highly regarded North Malé resorts are Boduhithi and the neighbouring Kudahithi and, closer to the airport, Lhohifushi, which has a beautiful lagoon and a wide range of watersport facilities. Kudahithi, one of the most expensive resorts in the Maldives, has only six units – excellent for small, private groups.
Kaafu (Malé) Atoll – South
Still in the Malé (Kaafu) Atoll, but to the south of the airport, are a further score of resorts. Notable among these are Biyadhoo and Villivaru which are 33km (21 miles) from the airport. Both are owned and managed by the Taj Group from India.
Coco Island: The nearby Coco Island has only eight two-storey thatched huts, all of which are beautifully furnished. Private groups can rent the entire resort.
Veligandu Huraa (Palm Tree Island) and Dhigufinolhu: To the east of Coco Island, these ‘twin’ islands are connected by a causeway across the lagoon. The latter is the more lively of the two, with more rooms and more in the way of entertainment: Veligandu Huraa has individual bungalows and a more intimate atmosphere. They are only a gentle stroll away from each other should one feel the need for a change of mood.
Kadooma: South of Coco Island is Kandooma, where flowering shrubs surround chalet-style accommodation. Trips can be arranged to the nearby fishing village.
Bodufinolhu (Fun Island): Located on the south eastern reef of the South Malé Atoll, this island is ringed with a massive lagoon and connected to two uninhabited islets which can be reached on foot at low tide. All rooms are on the beachfront with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, IDD telephones and hot and cold desalinated water.
Embudu Village: Located 11km (7 miles) from the airport in South Malé Atoll, this resort offers 36 non-air-conditioned bungalows, 72 air-conditioned bungalows and 16 deluxe bungalows built over the lagoon. It boasts a house reef as well as two wrecks, caves and drop offs.
Vaadhu: This diving paradise, on the north tip of the South Malé Atoll and about 45 minutes by taxi boat and 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport, has a fully equipped diving school. There are 31 cabana-style rooms on this island whose features include freshwater showers, and which reflect the high level of capital investment which has been made in the resort.
Other Atolls
Most of the other resorts are to be found in the North and South Malé Atolls, but there are also several others, most in the northern island groups (see map).
ALIFU (ARI) ATOLL: Resorts in the Alifu (Ari) Atoll, which is to the west of Malé with 26 resorts, include Kuramathi, a relatively large island which has first-class facilities and offers an excellent beach, superb diving, windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing and night fishing and has three resorts. Aribeach is a 121-room resort offering standard and superior accommodation with hot and cold fresh water, air conditioning and a superb range of scuba diving and watersport facilities. Nika Island is a small, away-from-it-all, upmarket, 25-room resort offering clients some of the most comfortable boats in the Maldives. Fesdu is situated in the heart of the atoll rather than on the periphery. Accommodation consists of 50 thatched round-houses, all of which are close to the beach. Angaga, also in Ari Atoll, is small and impressively constructed in traditional Maldivian style and with air-conditioned rooms and fresh hot and cold water. Among other resorts are Halaveli, Bathala, Ellaidoo, Machchafushi, Gangehi, Madoogali and Maayaafushi. Several others are under construction or have recently opened and there are now 23 resorts in the Ari Atoll.
BAA ATOLL: The Baa Atoll is about 130km (80 miles) northwest of the capital, one of the few places where traditional arts and crafts are still practised, and now home to five resorts. The atoll’s coral reefs are in pristine condition and are famous for the large number of mantas and reef sharks visiting during the southwest monsoon (May to July). The resorts of Reethi Beach and Coco Palm are both 5-star, each with over 100 rooms divided into three categories of luxurious villas. There are five restaurants, a fully equipped gym and even squash and tennis courts. Unlike other islands, Baa has its own in-house doctor. Transfer is a 30-minute journey by sea plane or helicopter from the airport. The Soneva Fushi resort, situated on Kunfunadhoo Island, has 62 villas, all scattered along the beach front on both sides of the island. It is situated 121km (75 miles) north of Malé airport (travel time – 25-30 minutes by Hummingbird Island Airways). Soneva Fushi has two main restaurants, both offering interior and exterior dining with local and international cuisine. The atoll’s three other resorts are Coco Palm Resort (100 rooms), Royal Island (150 rooms) and Le Meridien (Kihaadhuffaru) (100 rooms), all of which have facilities for a wide range of watersports, a health spa and a professional dive school.
ELSEWHERE: To the north of the North Kaafu Atoll is Lhaviani Atoll with the fairly simple 250-bungalow Kuredhdhoo resort, essentially a spot for the besotted diver. Immediately south of the South Kaafu Atoll is the Vaavu Atoll, with some of the best diving in the entire archipelago. A well established, long-popular resort, especially among visiting Italians, is the 70-bungalow Alimatha.
Most tourism is in the northern atolls, but Seenu, the southernmost atoll of the archipelago (situated south of the equator), is known to many as the site of a former RAF staging post in Gan. It provides tourist accommodation at the Ocean Reef Club. There is a regular, heavily booked domestic flight between Malé and Gan.
Sport & Activities
Watersports: Exceptional and easily accessible underwater life makes the Maldives one of the world’s top diving and snorkelling destinations. All of the resorts have professional dive schools, with fully qualified multilingual instructors offering a range of courses, from beginners to full PADI certification. Basic diving equipment is provided in all resorts and some also rent out underwater cameras. Dive schools organise daily dive boat trips to sites around the islands throughout the year. Night dives and special trips for more experienced divers are also available. Most of the resorts also offer reef sightseeing trips on glass-bottomed boats. Below is a selection of the best dive sites in the Maldives:
Maldives Victory Wreck: The wreck of the Maldives Victory (which sank in 1981) lies on the western side of Hulule island at a depth of 35m (115ft). Due to strong currents, this dive is for experienced divers only.
Mushimasmingili Thila (Shark Thila): Located in the northern section of the Ari Atoll, close to the islands of Fesdu, Halaveli, Maayafushi and Ellaidhu. Renowned for its abundance in fish, notably grey reef shark, giant snappers and tropical reef fish.
Guraidhoo Corner: Near the islands of Losfushi, Guraidhoo and Kandooma, this reef lies on the east side of the South Malé Atoll. Powerful vertical currents make this suitable for experienced divers only. The reef is particularly known for its large fish, including grey reef sharks, eagle rays, sailfish and large snappers.
Kuda Rah Thila (Broken Rock): Located in the southernmost corner of the Ari Atoll, close to the islands of Dhangethi and Dhigurah. Good for less experienced divers as the currents are fairly weak.
Banana Reef: Located on the eastern side of the North Malé Atoll, near the islands of Fullmoon Island, Farukolh, Fushi and Kurumba. Strong currents make for an exceptionally abundant marine life, with reef sharks, bannerfish and oriental sweetlips all present.
The large lagoons surrounding most of the islands are ideal for windsurfing, a sport extensively catered for in all resorts (with windsurfing schools available in most of them). Surfing has recently become popular and there are numerous resorts on the atoll edges that have good waves, notably those located in the north of the South Malé atolls. Many resorts offer regular boat trips to surf breaks. The best time for surfing is during the northeast monsoon (November to April). A list of the best surfing spots is available from the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (see Contact Addresses section). Most resorts also have water-skiing facilities and catamarans for hire. Most of the larger resorts also offer facilities and courses for parasailing. In order to allow visitors to see more than one of the Maldives’ many islands, several types of sailing cruises are available (including diving safaris or relaxing cruises through the atolls). Some boats offer luxury accommodation and all modern amenities, while others offer more basic facilities. Further details can be obtained from the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Note: Visitors should note that the Maldives adhere to a strict reef and marine conservation policy and that severe penalties may be imposed for disrespecting the environment (see also ‘Prohibited Items’ in the Duty Free section).
Fishing: For the people of the Maldives, fishing has been a lifeline and, with over 99 per cent of the Maldives’ total area consisting of water, the country has some of the world’s best fishing grounds. Many resorts offer fishing trips on modern speedboats equipped for big game fishing. Night fishing for groupers, snappers, squirrelfish or barracuda is particularly popular. Fishing trips will usually end with a barbecue at the resort with the day’s catch being cooked and eaten.
Note: As a conservation measure, sport fishing is confined to the tag and release method. The use of harpoon guns and hunting of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins and large fish such as the whale shark is strictly prohibited. The fishing and collection of the following is also prohibited: turtle, Napolean wrasse, berried and small lobster, conch, giant clam and black coral.
Excursions: Different types of excursions are available. Island-hopping tours usually last for a full or half day and frequently combine a visit to a fishing village with a trip to an uninhabited island (where often a beach barbecue will be served). Traditional boats (dhoni) or speedboats can be hired privately. There are options for spending a day and night alone on an uninhabited island. Aerial excursions usually combine aerial sightseeing with diving. Photo flights are also possible. Further details can be obtained from the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Other: Some resorts have facilities for sports such as tennis, football, volleyball and badminton.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Malé, the capital, has a few simple restaurants which serve local and international food. On the other islands, there are a few restaurants in addition to those run by the resorts. Cuisine is international, with all foodstuffs other than seafood imported. The fish is magnificent. Curries and oriental buffets are widely available.
There is a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink available at the resorts, reflecting the demands of the visitors. There are a few local cocktails, including The Maldive Lady, a powerful and delicious concoction, whose composition varies from bar to bar and island to island.
Note: All bars are situated in tourist resorts (no alcohol is available on Malé). All accept cash, but normally add orders onto the total bill. Locals do not drink at all. During the month of Ramadan (see Public Holidays), visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol in public except in the tourist resorts.
Nightlife: There is little or no organised nightlife, although most resorts have informal discos around the bar areas, sometimes featuring live bands playing either traditional or Western music. Beach parties and barbecues are also popular. On some evenings, many resorts have cultural shows and some show videos.
Shopping: Local purchases include sea shells (only when bought in official shops; they may not be removed from the beach or from the sea), lacquered wooden boxes and reed mats. Jewellery to purchase includes gold, silver, coral, mother-of-pearl and turtle-shell items. However, there are strict prohibitions against the export of coral and turtle-shell. Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2300, Fri 1330-2300. Shops officially shut for 15 minutes five times a day in deference to Muslim prayer times; however, this rule is not always strictly adhered to in the tourist areas away from the capital.
Special Events: For further details on special events and festivals in the Maldives, contact the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (see Contact Addresses). The following is a list of events taking place in 2003:
Jan 1 New Year Celebrations. Jul 26-27 Independence Day Theme Floats (celebrations with themed floats). Sep 27 Tourism Day. Oct Culinary Exhibition.
Social Conventions: Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the Government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered. Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged. Tipping: This is officially discouraged.
Business Profile
Economy: Small quantities of cereals, fruit and vegetables are grown on the little fertile land available on the islands. The fishing industry is far more important: tuna fishing accounts for half of the Maldives’ export earnings. The industrial sector has grown substantially since 1980 as a result of major infrastructure investment in desalination plants, refurbished accommodation, generators and air conditioning. Much of this was originally designed for use by the tourism industry, which has also grown rapidly following the decline of shipping, and now accounts for almost one quarter of GDP. Otherwise, there is some light industrial activity, including fish-canning, textiles and boat building, and a small financial services sector which has recently come under scrutiny (along with several dozen other small economies offering ‘offshore’ services). In general, the islands’ economic development has been constrained by their relative isolation and the small size of the domestic market. Hopes that the Maldives might become an oil producer were dashed when a ten-year exploration programme failed to locate deposits in the islands’ territorial waters. The Maldives is a member of the Asian Development Bank and the Colombo Plan.
Business: Since the islands import almost everything, business potential is high, but only on Malé. Most business takes place during the morning. An informal attitude prevails. Appointments should be made well in advance. For business meetings, men normally wear a shirt and tie and a lightweight or tropical suit. Women wear a lightweight suit or equivalent. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Office hours: Sun-Thurs 0730-1430. Friday and Saturday are official rest days.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: State Trading Organisation, STO Building, 7 Haveeree Higun, Malé 20-02 (tel: 323 279; fax: 325 218; e-mail: sto@dhivehinet.net.mv).
Conferences/Conventions: For further information, contact Kurumba Village, Universal Enterprises Ltd, 38 Orchid Magu, Malé (tel: 442 324; fax: 322 678 or 320 274); or Bandos Island Resort, North Malé Atoll (tel: 440 088; fax: 443 877; e-mail: bandos@netlink.net.mv); or Paradise Island, Villa Hotels, STO Trade Centre, Malé (tel: 440 011; fax: 440 022).
Climate
The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F). The best time to visit is November to Easter.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season.
History and Government
History: The Dhivehin, as the islanders are called, are a mixed people of Aryan, Negroid, Sinhalese, Dravidian and Arab descent. The islands were under Muslim control from the 12th century, and then Portuguese rule from 1518 before becoming a dependency of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1645. They became a British Protectorate, with an elected Sultan as head of state, in 1887. The islands became a republic, briefly, in 1953-4 and achieved full independence as a sultanate in 1965. Three years later, the Republic of the Maldive Islands was re-established and Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister since 1954, became President. In 1978, President Nasir decided against a third term as President, and was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Gayoom – the dominant figure in the islands’ politics since then – established a ‘Citizens’ Special Majlis’ (legislature) which began work in 1980 with a brief to revise the constitution. After 17 years of work, the new model constitution was ratified by President Gayoom and came into effect in January 1998. In 1985, the Maldives was a founder member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and hosted regional summits in 1990 and 1997.
The recent political agenda has been dominated by two main issues. The first is relations with India. Despite the assistance of Indian troops in putting down an attempted coup in 1988, bilateral relations have been patchy, mainly because of various economic and trade disputes and are now the focus of a permanent commission on technical and economic co-operation. Secondly, the Maldives are among those small low-lying islands – 80 per cent of the territory is less than 1m above sea level – which have become increasingly concerned by global climate changes that threaten their very existence. The government was especially concerned by the American rejection of the Kyoto protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.
Islam is a central feature of the country’s life and is now supervised by a Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, working under direct presidential control. With no formal political parties, the Maldives’ politics are personality based; no credible threat to Gayoom has emerged in the two decades during which he has held power. At the most recent election in October 1998, he received 90 per cent of the vote.
Government: Under the revised constitution which came into effect in 1998, the legislature, or Majlis, has 48 members. Of these, 40 are directly elected for a five-year term in multi-seat constituencies, and the remaining eight are presidential appointees. The president holds executive power assisted by an appointed ministerial cabinet. Outside the capital, however, considerable power is exercised by the atoll chiefs (Atholhu Verins), who are appointed by the president.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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