|
Together with:
|
|
|
|
|
Where there is one resort per island, folklore says witches promote clean teeth, and you can feast surrounded by reef...
Known as one of the world's most desirable destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling, the Maldives also has a reputation for luxury. High-end resorts featuring sumptuous overwater villas, pristine white sand beaches, and restaurants serving cuisines from around the planet ensure the country is front of mind among couples planning romantic getaways.
But this small independent nation is more than luxe resorts and white sand beaches (as amazing as those are). Away from the resorts, islands known as "local islands" offer a look at Maldivian life, local folklore, and the challenges of living on some of the lowest-lying specks of land in the world.
|
|
|
You can't reverse aging, but you can age better.
Do you want to hike in your 70s? Travel in your 80s? You can't reverse aging, but you have the power to age better.
Starting in our 30s, some key cellular processes begin to slow down, making us feel tired and weak over time. This decline affects not just our physical strength and endurance, but significantly reduces our quality of life making everyday activities harder to enjoy.
Luckily, scientists have discovered a way to shape how we age. Mitopure®, by Timeline, targets the root cause of this cellular decline and is clinically proven to increase cellular energy, giving our bodies the energy they need to function optimally. The results? Double-digit increases in muscle strength and endurance without any change in exercise.
Take aging into your own hands. Going readers get 30% off with code GOING for a limited time, while supplies last.
|
|
Asia's smallest country
The 1,192 islands of the Maldives are spread over an area of ocean that's about the size of the state of Maine. The islands stretch nearly 500 miles from north to south, yet the collective landmass of all those tiny islands measures just 115 square miles. If they were placed next to each other the islands would measure smaller than the city of Athens, Georgia.
The islands are grouped across the Indian Ocean in 26 atolls. The word atoll, which denotes a chain of coral islands, was adopted into English from Dhivehi, the official language of the Maldives.
|
|
Life on the local islands
Of the more than 1,000 islands of the Maldives, about 200 are inhabited. Since 2009 the so-called "local islands" have been permitted to welcome international travelers, offering accommodation in moderately priced hotels and guesthouses. In effect, they present a budget alternative to the Maldives' luxury resorts. From a Maldivian perspective, they broaden opportunities for islanders to benefit from the foreign currency that the industry brings.
Staying on a local island means being able to get a feel for the everyday rhythm of Maldivian life. You'll hear people speak the Dhivehi language and be able to taste authentic Maldivian cooking like garudhiya, a spicy fish stew, and masroshi, a type of flatbread filled with fish and aromatic ingredients such as coconut, chili, and ginger.
The Maldives is a Muslim country, and there's an expectation for international visitors to local islands to respect customs by covering their chest, shoulders, and thighs. Pulling on long shorts or a skirt along with a T-shirt-rather than swimwear-when you're anywhere other than on bikini beaches is usually enough to fulfill local expectations. It's also worth remembering that kissing and other public displays of affection are considered disrespectful.
|
|
|
Lock in flight deals for 1, 2, or 5 years with up to 50% off
|
|
Plenty of fish in the sea
After tourism, fishing is the Maldives' second-largest industry, and almost a third of the country's workforce is employed somewhere along the chain of catching, packaging, and exporting fish. Nutrient-rich underwater channels between atolls mean ocean-dwellers such as barracuda, swordfish, and giant trevally are frequently seen. Snappers and groupers count among widely caught species, but tuna is the fish most commonly landed in Maldivian waters.
Keen anglers can head out on boats to experience the thrill of casting a line, and night fishing expeditions are a great option. Sailing late in the afternoon, they bring opportunities to see the sun set before lamps are lit to attract fish. Experienced fisherfolk demonstrate the local way of fishing using lines dangling from reels rather than rods, then encourage guests to give it a go.
Read more
- The policy that keeps beaches and resorts enjoyable for all
- Maldivian folklore, from witches to sea monsters
- Underwater fine-dining restaurants that redefine sea to table
|
|
MLE flight price history
|
|
$908 Average Going deal
|
|
$1,400 Normal ticket price
|
|
|
|
|
Interested in a trip to Maldives?
Premium and Elite members can find, watch, and get alerts for specific destinations on their Watchlist.
|
|
|
|
|
With expert:
Stuart Forster
|
Stuart Forster is from northern England and has lived in Germany, India, and Portugal. Not really one for sunbathing, he has enjoyed participating in diving, snorkeling, and fishing while in the Maldives, which he first visited in 2017.
|
|
|
Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend.
|
|
|
Get the app today 
|
|
|
