Maldives, the famous "residents" of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. Here there are 1190 islands (or rather atolls) and all of them - as for selection: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. For a decent rest on them there is everything: silence and tranquility, beautiful nature, rich underwater world. And then, without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern spoiled "tourists" - good hotels and high level of service.

Prices, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite "on the level": rest here can afford mainly representatives of that stratum of travelers whose level of income marketers define with the words "above average" . After laying out a tidy sum for the trip to the Maldives, the following categories of travelers will be happy with the 100% vacation: maniac divers, and once a day (they are likely to be interested in material about diving in the Maldives) . This, the most problem-free subspecies of Maldivian tourists, can be populated at least in the barn: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning till night nights . Happy couples (or, as an option, outside of it) couples who, except for each other, no one needs . Such a holiday-maker should choose a hotel with the appropriate environment, which will not cause any special problems - those on the islands abound . And, of course, seekers of absolutely relaxed rest in the entourage opic paradise .

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Capital - Male (Male ). For a complete list of all the paradises of the country, see the city page and the resorts of the Maldives, and the best time to go to the Maldives and what to do on site is described in detail on the page tours to the Maldives.

History and legend

According to the legend, once life in the Maldives was not so cloudless as the glossy catalogs inspire us .The sea genie Rannamaari, for the misfortune of the Maldivians settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male . Bedolag was brought to a certain temple, and the next morning it was found dead . But not all of Shrovetide cat: One day a traveler from the distant Maghreb arrived in the atoll Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari . The stranger felt sorry for the girls (to which his compatriots, apparently, had no business) and on the full moon himself sat in the temple at the victim's place . All night he read the Koran , a in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the sacred book . So the Maldives were saved, and the Maldivians happily converted to Islam - that's why there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no topless (think, fear, not returned) . However, in the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists - it did not affect .

How to get there to Maldiv

Regular direct flights on the route Moscow - Male carry out "Transaero" and "Aeroflot" (flights are performed on the new airliners "Airbus A-330-200" twice a week - on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Travel time is 9 hours minimum. National carrier Srilankan Airlines operates Moscow-Male flights with a stop at Colombo airport or Dubai

There are also regular Qatar Airways flights with a landing in Doha, Emirates Airlines with a landing in Dubai and Singapore Airlines with a landing in Singapore. The airport fee of USD 10-15 is included in the ticket price. Aeroflot operates a Moscow-Male charter flight (via Colombo) since November 2008.

The citizens of Kazakhstan are most convenient to reach Male via Dubai with Air Astana and Emirates Airlines, or via Kuala Lumpur from Astana and Malaysia Airlines. From Kiev to Maldives fly Emirates Airlines (on the opposite - the way overnight in Dubai). Belarusians can fly to Male from Moscow

Visa

Citizens of Russia and CIS visa is not required for Maldives.

Customs

Import and export of foreign currency is not limited. All baggage passes strict customs clearance. Permission is granted duty-free import of 200 cigarettes and 125 ml of perfume, as well as personal consumption goods "within reason", that is, not more than one subject per person.

It is strictly forbidden to transport alcoholic beverages (even bought in duty free shops), sausage " salami ", pork and products from it, pornography and drugs. It is forbidden to export black coral and its products (except for souvenirs made by officially certified producers), items from the shell of a sea turtle, and objects found on the seabed.

Phone numbers

The Republic of Maldives does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Russia and CIS countries.

The Russian Embassy nearest to the Maldives is located in Sri Lanka: 62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo-7; tel .: +94 (11) 257-35-55, 257-49-59; website

Police: 119, fire department: 118, ambulance: 102.

• How to call to mobile in Maldives

Transport of Maldives

Most of the traffic between islands is by seaplanes, helicopters and boats . The most widespread water type of transport in the Maldives is a wooden boat "Doni" with a flat roof. On it you can swim from island to island for 1, 5-2 hours. On land are mainly driven by bicycles and motorcycles, there are cars only in the capital.

Safety of tourists

In the Maldives it is strictly forbidden: to break and collect live and dead corals in the ocean and near the shore, damage the shells and raise them to the surface, catch fish near the islands . Categorically prohibited underwater hunting and fishing off the coast . Diving at night in the Maldives is organized quite rarely due to strong currents and unpredictability of marine life . To swim in the high seas is also notit is recommended . Do not throw empty cans, bottles or other debris on the islands . There are sensitive fines imposed for violation of these rules . Nudism and even innocent "topless" in the country are prohibited by law .

There are no pharmacies on the resort islands , so all necessary medicines must be taken with you.

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Climate Maldives

The climate of Maldives is warm and humid. The air temperature during the day is about +30 ° C, at night +26 ° C, water +26 ° C. Because of the close location to the equator, seasonal changes associated with monsoons are almost invisible. During the southwestern monsoon (from May to October) rains are more frequent and the weather is more windy. The north-east monsoon season (November to February) is considered to be less humid.

See also the current weather forecast for the Maldives.

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Hotels

In Maldives, there is almost no exception to the rule of "hotel exclusivity": almost always one island is only one hotel designed for a limited number of guests . @ Most of the local hotels - the level of four-p stars, bungalows . "Treshki" are extremely rare: there are mostly unscientific divers stopping from day to night diving in the ocean . Many hotels also offer accommodation in "water bungalows" - spacious wooden houses on stilts standing straight on the beach over the water . Among the merits of such exotics - the measured splashing of waves under the floor and swimming "from the bed", the shortcomings - the same splash during periods of storms (you can not fall asleep) and the position "on the tower" at low tides .

In the country there are almost all known world hotel brands.

More one, not the most traditional option of living in the Maldives - yachts. Places on them (including diving) are about the same as the number and entertainment in a good hotel. But there is an opportunity to see a dozen different atolls and not to be roasted in the sun - the sea is still a little cooler.

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Money

@ Monetary unit in the Maldives - Rufia, however practically Usually accepted for payment are US dollars and major credit cards. The currency can be exchanged at a clear official rate in any of the banks, exchange offices or at the airport. Banks are open from 8:00 to 13:30 from Sunday to Thursday, weekends are Friday and Saturday.

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Kitchen and dining Kitchen Maldives much borrowed from the Indian and Sri Lankan gastronomy: hot sauce with curry, an abundance of spices, use in the preparation of dishes a lot of fruit and almost Full ignoring of vegetables and greens . Everything here revolves around two products: fish (especially tuna) and rice served in different variations with all kinds of gravies and sauces . Among the ways of cooking sea dwellers: grilling, in oil or in breading, smoking, drying and decoction . "bite" options: the same fish, only in the form of a variety of toppings for cakes, buns balls and a fair size pie . Often they fried impossibly . Every meal comes with unleavened bread " roshi "or crunchy cakes "papada" .

Also it is worth trying rice dishes with the addition of fish curry and coconut milk. you can buy canned fish in the fish market of Male or in various supermarkets (tuna - a favorite among the local public and visitors), stockfish and dried fish

Traditional Maldivian drink -. "PAA" from palm milk, alcohol, local people almost do not consume (in mainly because of religious prohibitions)

Magical views

Shopping Waterfront restaurant in the Maldives Maldives bring

With: lacquered black casket with yellow , green and red flowers, mats of local natural palm fiber, miniature traditional fishing boats, scary shark jaws, tender coconut, colored shells, sarongs, handicrafts made of wood and coconut "monkeys" .Lovers of exotic outfits interested in national dress with embroidery around the neck . prone to masochism lovers of large gifts should pay attention to the traditional drums, including a rather big "Boda-taking": authentic 100% and give a lot of unforgettable moments in the process of home transport . From edible souvenirs it is worth to buy such an amazing thing as coconut sausage .

The best choice of souvenirs is in Male, where many shops and shops work. By the way, it's also worthwhile to buy high quality diving equipment for foreign production.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of the Maldives

All the main beauties of the Maldives are below the level sea, on land there are no special attractions observed .There is a little more than a remarkable capital of Male (an excursion from 35 USD), a lot of similar uninhabited islets where they like to make picnics (from 35 USD), and also some kind of "action" - sightseeing-fishing . Perhaps the only remarkable surface the excursion is "Photo-flight", flight over the islands on the seaplane . It is not too cheap: in 15-20 minutes in the air it will be necessary to lay out about 150 USD . Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from 80 USD ) or submarine diving (from $ 50) .

Now it's become fashionable di tourists to rest on the Maldives in the "honeymoon."

The most common way of spending time in the Maldives is diving, coral reefs are near each island . Also popular are windsurfing, catamaran, water skiing, snorkeling, beach volleyball, tennis , billiards, squash and darts .Fishing - morning, afternoon and evening - will cost approximately 35-40 USD (on a local boat "Doni" - from 20 USD, deep sea on a specially equipped boat - up to 300 USD, the price includes a barbecue from the fish, even if you catch nothing ) . Some hotels have discos, live music (local celebrities play and sing) and karaoke (including in Russian) . A lot of SPA centers .

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Diving in the Maldives

Maldives ... how much in this word for the diver's heart has merged: and the comfortable water temperature (+ 27 ° C at a depth of up to 40 m), and excellent visibility to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. Strong currents outside the reef can be referred to the "minuses" of the direction.

The best season for scuba diving in the archipelago is from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, which is on the North atoll, has more than 20 places, known to divers from around the world. Among holiday-makers, there are certainly those who can become a guide for underwater attractions for beginners

For beginners, diving on reefs is also ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (there are amazing ocean fish in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and surf waves. The underwater coral hills are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and the base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting racks in the Maldives, for example, a cargo ship "Victoria" with remains of an island-bound merchandise or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull is completely split in two. Some popular sites: the Embudu National Reserve with an incredibly diverse underwater world, the Felivar and Halaveli Rivers (here you can see giant rays), Maia reef, cozy channel between the reefs of Fush , a secluded dive site Rakido, a protected maritime area of ​​Guraydu, a shark site for Miyaru.

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Surfing

Skateboarding on the waves is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: it was not until the end of the 80s that the first surfers were drawn here. Today, the islands are considered to be one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: there is never a lot of people here (the number of people going to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are simply a sight: high, stable, ideal shape. On the island of Lochifushi, the prestigious international tournament O'Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held.

The popular places for surfing in the Maldives are seven, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with the exclusive right to "rent" waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called " Police Island. " The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of the local waves is from 1 to 2, 5 m.

Photo Maldives (99)