Destination Guide 2013 _ English.pdf

7/27/2019 Destination Guide 2013 _ English.pdf

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Ofcial Publication of Maldives Marketing & PublicRelations Corporation (Previously MTPB)www.visitmaldives.com

ENG

THE LARGEST PUBLICATION OF MALDIVES

RESORT & HOTEL GUIDE

Travel Well


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Experience All - Inclusive holidays at two

Centara resorts in The Maldives

CENTARA HOTELS & RESORTS

999/99 Rama I, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

T : +66 (0) 2101 1234 I F : +66 (0) 2101 1235 I E : [email protected] I

WWW.CHR.CO.TH

centarahotelsresorts MyCentara

All guests will enjoy the ultimate in barefoot

luxury including Champagne breakfasts,

sumptuous lunches and dinners with a choice

of three restaurants, free-flowing premium

drinks throughout the day and evening, daily

allowance to spend in the spa village, and

off-island excursions.

Open in February 2013. Just 15 minutes away

from Male International Airport by speedboat.

The resort guarantees a serene holiday

experience with 140 adult-oriented villas

located ocean-side or set above the

magnificent lagoon. An island get away for

young adults and adults alike.

Experience The Ultimate All-Inclusive All Adult Fun


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I N S P I R E D B Y PA S S I O N

O n e o f o u r s o m m e l i e r s s a m p l i n ga g r a n d c r u c l a s s .

T a s t e s o m e o f t h e w o r l d s g r e a t e s t

w i n e s s o u r c e d b y o u r 4 5 o e n o l o g i s t s .

M AU R I T I U S S EYC H E L L E S M A L D I V E S M A DAG A S C A R

The magical settings fuel our Passion to create for youThe Ultimate Hotel Experience

The Unique Resort Experience

Begin the U-experience:call (230) 402 2772/ 73 or visit us at www.constancehotels.com


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THE ESSENCE OF MALDIVES.

THE SOUL OF SERENITY.

Be spoiled for choice with two exceptional island resorts in the Indian Ocean.

Escape to the enchantingly sublime Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, a secret hideaway on

the southern end of the rich Maldivian landscape. Or stimulate your senses at Jumeirah

Vittaveli, perfect for an indulgent stay with family and friends. Whichever you choose,

the experience will be unique and magically unforgettable.

Lagoon Villas at Jumeirah Vittaveli Ocean Revives at Jumeirah DhevanafushiBeach Villas at Jumeirah Vittaveli


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Ma. Dhilaasaage . Ground floor, Chaandhanee Magu, Male, MaldivesTel: (960) 300 1000 . (960) 300 1011email: [email protected] . www.zebracross.mv

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONMMPRC - Gov of Maldives

www.visitmaldives.com

PUBLISHED BY

ENGLISH GERMAN ITALIAN

JAPANESE FRENCH SPANISH

CHINESE RUSSIAN KOREAN

no. 1 Destination Promotion publication in the Maldiveswith OVER 130,000 copies printed In 9 LANGUAGES.To be distributed at MAJOR TOURISM FAIRS.

MALDIVES DESTINATION GUIDE& VISITOR GUIDE

To advertise please contact +960 300 1000or email to [email protected]


9/1417

PRODUCTIONTEAM

EDITOR'SNOTEWelcometothesecondissueofthedestinationandvisitorsguide,theofficialtravelguideanddestinationmarketing

platformoftheMaldiviangovernmentpublishedbyzebracross.Wearedelightedtopresentyoutheultimateguide

tothenumberonetouristdestinationthatweallarefamiliarasthesunnysideoflife.Inthiseditionwebringyouthe

finestofwhatMaldiveshastooffer,includinghowtoplanyourstay,shoppingguides,cityguideofmalethecapital

andinfoongettingaroundandwheretodineout.Thedestinationguidefeatureseasytogothroughinfooneach

hotelincludingtypesofaccommodation,sportsandentertainmentfacilities,cuisineoffered,etc.Beingthepublisher

ofthelocalyellowpageswww.yell.mvweatzebracrosshaveanunparalleledadvantageingettingallyouneedto

knowaboutthemaldivesandwearepleasedtoinformyouthatwehavesuccessfullyextendedthepublicationto

theappworldforthebenefitofmakingitmoreaccessible.Iwouldliketoexpressmysincerethankstoallthehotels

andliveaboardswhohavebeenapartofthisissueandonthepublicationfront,hatsofftothecreatives,contributors

andcommunicationsteamandtheMMPRCfortheircontinuedsupportinmakingthisthemostsoughtaftertravel

guidetotheMaldives.

Travelwell!

PUBLISHERSNOTE

Noreproduction,copying,imagescanning,storing,recording,broadcastingortransmittingbyanymeans,inanyform,ofanypartofthisdirectoryis

permittedwithouttheexpresspriorwrittenconsentofZebraCrossPvt.Ltd.

ThedirectorymaycontaininformationwhichhasbeenlicensedtoZebraCrossfromthirdparties.Thecontentofthispublicationisbasedonthelatest

informationavailabletoZebraCrossPvt.Ltdatthetimeofgoingtoprint.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthispublication,Zebra

Crossacceptsnoliabilityforanylossordamageofanykindwhichmayariseorresultfromerrorin,oromissionofanyentry,regardlesshowitiscaused.

AnyerrordiscoveredinthepublicationshouldbeinformedtothePublisherinwriting.

Copyright2013byZebraCrossPvt.Ltd.

Destination Guide 2012

Editor Mohamed Luveiz | Creative Director Abdulla Ziyath | Editorial Team Aminath Hasna, Raafl Mohamed | Production & Design Yusfa Athif,

Lazzath Shareef, Moosa Mamdhooh, Mohamed Binah, Lafwa Hassan | Cover Concept Zebra Cross | Map Illustrations Samra Saleem | Photography

Kiram Studio, Ahmed Shuau, Mohamed Sifah, Mohamed Riyaz, Miusam Mohamed Brian Knutsen, Oxbow, Kurt Amsler, MMPRC Image Library |

Sales & Marketing Munyza Faiz, Fathimath Laisha

2012 Issue

OfficialPublication ofMaldives Marketingand PublicRelations CorporationPrevioslyMTPBwww.visitmaldives.com

.

.

SPECIAL

EDITION

forWTM

ENG

THE LARGEST

PUBLICATION OF

MALDIVES RESORT

& HOTEL GUIDE

Travel Well

Cover Concept 2013 by Zebra Cross

Official Publication of Maldives Marketing & PublicRelations Corporation (Previously MTPB)www.visitmaldives.com

ENG

THE LARGEST PUBLICATION OF MALDIVES

RESORT & HOTEL GUIDE

Travel well


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Welcome,welcometraveller.Welcometoalandthathasgrantedmanya

fatigued,stressedandover-workedsoulsinnerbliss,solitude,peaceand

tranquillity.IfthisisyourfirsttimecomingtotheMaldives,thengetready

tobeenthralledbyourlushwhitesandybeaches,thesereneturquoise

lagoons,therichlycolourfulcoralreefsrenownedtheworldoverfortheir

greatbio-diversity,theradiantfloraandfaunabeinghosttothemother

ofalltropicaltrees-theMaldivianCoconutPalmandmostimportantly

thefriendlyandhospitableMaldivianpeople.Youlllovethatrapturous

feelingofswimmingwithdolphins,gazingatthemajesticMantaRays

underwater,catchingagnarlywave,dancingthenightawayatabeach

party,indulgingonthescrumptioustropicalandmulti-culturalfoodon

offerorjustplainloungingonthebeachsippingonarefreshingcocktail,

Recurrentvisitorswouldknowexactlywhatwearetalkingaboutandto

themwefirstwishaheartywelcomebackandremindthemofthefact

thattheyllalwaysdiscoversomethingnewandwondrousaboutthese

pearl-likeislandsoneachdifferentvisit.Sitback,relaxandletourisland

andseaspiritsgiveyourmind,bodyandsoulthatheavenlyhighyouve

comeseekingforonceagain.

Onamoreseriousnote,wewouldliketoremindallvisitorstobecome

andfunctionasenvironmentallyconsciousandawaretouristsonyour

visit.Globalwarming,pollutionandotherman-madecrimesagainst

naturetheworldoveraredevastatingthenaturaleco-systemsofvarious

countriesincludingours.Wearearathersmallislandnationbeinghost

toaratherfragileandvulnerableenvironmentandmarineeco-system.

Helpusprotectourcoralreefsandshoressothatwecanpreservethem

forfuturegenerations.Pleasekeepourbeachescleanandadhereto

responsibledivingandsnorkellingpracticessuchasrefrainingyourself

fromtouchingthecoralsandmarinelifeorextractingthemforpersonal

use(moreinformationwillbepresentedtoyoubytherelevantresort/liveaboardthatyouarestayingin).

Allinall,wewishyouapleasantandsunnystayinourbeautifulcountry

andlookforwardformoreandmorevisitsfromyou.Aswelocalssay

MajaaKollahChey(Translation:Dohavefun)

WELCOMETO MALDIVES

Photography|Caroline

QUICK FACTS AND FIGURES

MALDIVIAN HISTORY

PEOPLE & LOCAL CULTURE

ESSENTIAL & USEFUL INFORMATION

THINGS TO DO IN THE MALDIVES

MALE CITY GUIDE

TUNE UP YOUR DHIVEHI

RESORTS & LIVEABOARDS PROFILES

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

MAPS OF MALE & MALDIVES

10

12

14

20

26

28

40

42

133

138

CONTENTS


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Local Time+5hrsGMT

CapitalMale

Population360,000

LanguagesDhivehi(Official),English

Currency Rufiyaa(MRF,MVRorRF)

Exchange RatesUSD$1=MRF15.42

,GBP1=MRF24.65,EUR1=

MRF21.85

LocationIndianOcean,Southwestof

SriLanka

Geographic Co-ordinates315N,7300E

Area90,000km(ofwhichlessthan

1%island-298km)

Immediate Neighbours

NorthofMaldives:Lakshadweep

Islands

Northeast of Maldives

SriLankaandIndia

South of Maldives Chagos

Archipelago

Southwest of Maldives Seychelles

Climate Tropical,Warmtemperatures,

lotsofsunshine

Best time to visitDecembertoApril

(DrySeason/North-eastMonsoon)

Clothing Modest,Lightcotton

Religion Islam

No. of Islands 1190

Inhabited Islands 201

Resorts 100

Liveaboards (Safaris) 60

Major Industries Tourismand

Fisheries

Electricity 240Volts,50Hz

Working Hours: Government

0800hrsto1600hrs(Sundayto

Thursday)

Working Hours: Private Sector


Thursday)

0800hrsto1400hrs(Saturday)

Working Hours: Banks


Thursday)

International Telephone Code +960

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES


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LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY

ENVIRONMENT WEATHER & CLIMATE

TheMaldivesconsistsapproximately1,190coralislandsclusteredinachainof26atollsinthe

IndianOcean.Theatollsarescatteredalongthenorth-southdirectionwithanareacoveringroughly

90,000km.However,only1%ofthissurfaceareaconsistsofland.Thenationliesbetweenlatitudes

0706Sand0800N,andlongitudes7232

and7346E.

LandwildlifeandvegetationintheMaldivesare

limitedintermsofbio-diversity.However,this

aspectisovershadowedbytheabundantmarine

floraandfaunatobefoundintheMaldives.

ThemonthofJune2011evensawBaaAtollof

theMaldivesbeingdeclaredaUNESCOWorld

BiosphereReserve.TheMaldivesishometo

over2,000speciesoffishrangingfromreeffish

toMantarays,MorayEels,reefsharksandtothe

majesticwhaleshark.Thesemarineeco-systems

arebothextremelyvibrantandextremely

fragileatthesametime.Theirvulnerabilitywas

madeclearlyevidentbythenation-widecoral

bleachingincidentcausedbytheElNio(An

unusualwarmingofthesurfacewater)of1998.

Furthermore,globalwarmingandrampant

pollutionarebecominggreaterthreatstothe

environmentoftheMaldives.

TheMaldivesenjoysatropicalclimateand

hastwodistinctseasons;thedryseason,

knownastheIruvaiMonsoon(Northeast

Monsoon)-ApriltoDecember,andthewet

seasonorHulhanguMonsoon(Southwest

Monsoon)-MaytoNovember.Thedryseason,

asthenamesuggests,isaperiodofregular

sunshinewithlittleornorainshowers.This

isalsothebestseasonforscubadiving.The

wetseasonisaperiodinwhichthewholeof

Maldivesexperiencestorrentialrainshowers

whichincludesthunderstorms.Thisisthebest

seasonforsurfingduetogoodswellsandwave

generation.Thewetseasondoesofferperiods

ofsunshinesimilartobalmydaysyouwould

experienceduringthedryseason,asMaldives

enjoysyearlongsunshine.Thetemperature

normallyrangesfrom23C-31C.

QUICK FACTS AND FIGURES


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1stCentury

AD

2ndCentury

AD

362ad 662ad

1558

1153

1573

1752

1887

1932

1953

1954

HistoricalChineseDocuments

recordstheMaldivianKing

sendinggiftstotheChinese

EmperorKao-TsungofTang

Dynasty

ConversiontoIslam

Liberationfrom

Portuguesecontrol

MalabarInvasion

establishinga3month

rule

FirstConstitution

Enacted

Establishmentofthefirst

Republic(Electionof

MohamedAminDidiasthe

President)

RomanmanualofnavigationPeriplusMari,Erihraei

mentionsoftheislands

Referenceoftheislands

byPtolemyinhis

geography

Romanhistorianrecords

visitofdelegationbearing

giftstoEmperorJulian

PortugueseInvasion

Protectorate

AgreementSigned

withtheBritish

Failureofthe1st

Republic,Sultanate

Resumedwith

MuhammadFareedDidi

takingthethrone

ANcIENT MALDIVIAN hISTORy IS RIch AND DIVERSE INEVENTS INFUSED wITh MyThOLOGIcAL ELEMENTS ANDFOLkLORE. ARchAEOLOGIcAL REcORDS ALSO REVEALThAT pEOpLE hAD SETTLED IN ThE MALDIVES OVER5000 yEARS AGO MOST pRObAbLy bEING OF INDIAN,SRI LANkAN AND ARAb ORIGIN.

MALDIVIANHISTORY


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TsunamiDisaster

Inceptionofthe

MaldivianTourism

Industry,firstisland

resortsdeveloped,arrival

offirsttourists

FailedCoupattemptby

hiredTamilmercenaries

(PLOTE)leadby2Maldivian

businessmen

ElNio,Widespread

destructivecoral

bleaching

GainedIndependencefrom

theBritish

ThefourthRepublic

(ElectionofMohamed

NasheedasthePresident)

PresidentNasheedsteps

downaspresidentandelects

hisVPasthenewpresident

ofMaldives

Endofthe853yearold

Monarchy,startofthe

secondRepublic(Election

ofIbrahimNasiras

President)

ThethirdRepublic

(ElectionofMaumoon

AbdulGayyoomasthe

President)

1965

1968

1972

1988

1998

2004

2008

2012

1978

13

MALDIVIAN HISTORY


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ThE MALDIVIAN pEOpLE ARE A FRIENDLyFOLk ThAT hAS ANcESTRAL ROOTS OFSRI LANkAN, AFRIcAN, INDIAN, ARAb ANDpORTUGUESE ORIGIN. ThE MALDIVIANcULTURE IS hEAVILy INFLUENcED by SRI

LANkAN, INDIAN AND AFRIcAN ELEMENTS. FOR ExAMpLEbODU bERU - A FORM OF MALDIVIAN FOLk MUSIccONSISTING OF DRUMMING IS LINkED TO AFRIcAN TRIbALDRUMMING RITUALS. FOLk MUSIc, DANcE, ARTS ANDcRAFTS ThOUGh bEING SIMILAR TO ThOSE OF OURIMMEDIATE NEIGhbOURS AND ThE AFRIcAN AND ARAbwORLD, hAS A UNIqUE MALDIVIAN TINGE ANDTwIST TO IT.

LANGUAGETheofficiallanguageoftheMaldivesis

Dhivehi,anIndo-Aryanlanguagehaving

somesimilaritieswithSinhala.Thefirst

knownscriptusedtowriteDhivehiis

EveylaAkuruscriptwhichisfoundin

historicalrecordingofkings.Laterascript

calledDhivesAkuruwasintroducedand

usedforalongperiod.Thepresent-day

writtenscriptiscalledThaanaandis

writtenfromrighttoleft.Thaanaissaidto

beintroducedbythereignofMohamed

Thakurufaanu.Englishisconsidered

thesecondlanguageandtheMaldivian

educationsystemhasbeenfollowingthe

BritishStandardsincethe1960s.Itcanbe

saidthatmostMaldiviansarequitefluent

andadeptattheEnglishlanguage.

LIFESTYLEThetraditionalMaldivianfamilyconsisted

ofapatriarchwhoearnedalivingprimarily

byfishing.Carpentry,seamanship,tapping

toddyandboat-buildingarealsotraditional

professionssomemenpursued.The

womannormallystayedathomeandtook

careofthechildrenandotherhousehold

duties.Shewasalsoresponsiblefor

activitieslikedryingthefishandsmoking

thefishforcommercialuse.Somewomen

alsoengagedinactivitieslikematweaving

andmakingcoirrope.Therewasvery

muchaclose-knitcommunalatmosphere

totheislands.

Howeverafterthe1970swhichushered

inaneweraofrapidmodernisation,

urbanisation,industrialisationandthe

growthoftourismhadbroughtabout

significantchangestothelifestyleand

professionsofthelocals.MostMaldivian

peoplenowpursuemodernprofessionsin

boththeprivatesectorandpublicsector.

Employmentintheconstructionindustry,

tourismindustryandtheservicesector

hasboomedwithhigherconcentrationsin

Male(capital),commercialandbusiness

centreofthenation.

CULTURAL MUSIC & DANCETheMaldivianpeopleareafriendlyfolkthat

hasancestralrootsofSriLankan,African,

Indian,ArabandPortugueseorigin.The

Maldiviancultureisheavilyinfluencedby

SriLankan,IndianandAfricanelements.For

exampleBoduBeru-aformofMaldivian

folkmusicconsistingofdrummingis

linkedtoAfricantribaldrummingrituals.

Folkmusic,dance,artsandcraftsthough

beingsimilartothoseofourimmediate

neighboursandtheAfricanandArabworld

hasauniqueMaldiviantingeandtwisttoit.

Dhandi JehunSimilartoLangiri,inwhich

eachdancerholdsa90cmlongstick.

Thesticksarebeatenagainstthoseofa

partnerwhilecontinuouslydancingtothe

rhythmofthemusic.Performerscommonly

wearsarongs,t-shirts,whiteheadcloths,a

sasharoundtheirwaistandwhiteunder-

garments

Bandiyaa JehunThisdancehasroots

inIndiaandisperformedexclusivelyby

women.Thedancerskeeptimetothe

rhythmofametalpotwiththemetal

ringsontheirfingers.Nowadays,drums,

harmonicasandotherinstrumentsare

utilised.

ThaaraistheDhivehiwordforTambourine.

Thisisadanceexclusivelyperformedby

men.Itisperformedbyabout22people

seatedintwoparallelrowsfacingeach

other.TheearlysongsoftheThaarawere

inArabic.Thaarawasintroducedtothe

MaldivesbytheArabstravellingfromthe

Gulf,mid17thCentury.

pEOpLE &LOCAL CULTURE


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Photography|AhmedShuau

Clockwise from top left:Couple relaxing in their traditional Maldivian hut |

Ohvalhu gondi- A game played by two people using a board carved from wood and cowrie shells |

Women in the islands gets together outside their homes to prepare food while socializing with the neighbors |

Men making coir rope from coconut husks. Children come to help and participate with the proces |






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Clockwise from top left:| Men performing the traditional dance Dhandi Jehun

| Women performing the traditional dance Dhandi Jehun

| Vases crafted and designed by using the method known locally as Liye Laa jehun

| Cooking rihaakuru in the old style kitchen

Photography|MohamedSifah

Photography|MohamedRiyaz

Photography|ZebraCrossLibrary



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Maafathi NeshunThisNeshun

(translation:Dance)issimilartoLangiri,

butisperformedbywomenwearingthe

nationaldress.Thisisagroupdancein

whichwomendanceintworowsoften.

Eachdancerhasa1meterlongsemi-

circularstringdecoratedwithartificial

flowers.Theyholdthesestringsanddance

indifferentstyleinsmallrowsorgroupsof

twoorthree.

LangiriisamodificationofThaarabythe

youthlivingintheeraofthereignofSultan

ShamsuddinIII(early20thcentury).Thisdanceisnormallyperformedby14people

seatedintworowsofsixpeoplewitha

leadsingersittinginfrontofeachrow.

Eachdancerhastwo60cmlongsticksare

calledLangiriDhandiwhichhascolourful

traditionalflowersattheedges.ALangiri

showusuallyconsistsofsevenorsixsongs

Bodu Beruisaformoffolkmusicwith

rootsstretchingasfarasEastAfrica.An

ensembleconsistingof15-20people

performBoduBeruwhichincludes

3-4drummersandaleadsinger.

Somemembersalsoplayabellandan

onugandu(asmallpieceofbamboo

withsmallgrooveswhichproducessharp

sounds).Thisisthemostpopularformof

traditionalMaldivianmusicwithrecent

annualnationalcompetitionsalsobeing

heldinthemonthofRamazan.Many

resortshaveweeklyBoduBerunights

sothatvisitorscanalsotakepartinthis

tradition..

Gaa Odi Lavaislinkedtoastrategic

defensiveinitiativeformulatedbytheSultan

MohamedImadudeenI(1620-1648).He

attemptedtomakeafortaroundMaleand

assignedworkerstocollectcoralstones

fromreefsnearbytoconstructthewall.The

workersweregroupedintodifferentboats

traditionallycalledodi.Afterfinishingworktheworkerscamebythepalacesinging

songs(initiallyinArabic).Thus,Gaa(stones)

Odi(vessels)Lava(song)wasborn.

Bolimalaafath NeshunThisdanceis

performedexclusivelybywomenand

representsanearliertraditionofwomen

offeringgiftstotheSultanonspecial

occasions.Thesegiftsmainlyconsistedof

shells,keptinasmallvaseorbox,which

wasknownastheKurandiMalaafath.This

vase,closedandexternallydecorated,was

coveredbyacolourfulsilk.Thebearersof

thisvaseworebrightcolouredtraditional

dressessmellingofincense.Thedanceis

performedby24womenwhocreatesmall

groupsoftwo,three,fourorevensixpeople.

TRADITIONAL FOODThetraditionalfoodofMaldiviansnot

surprisinglyisbasedaroundfish,tunato

bemorespecificandcoconuts.Whiterice

androshi(aflourbasedflat-bread)are

stapleitems.Fishisnormallyconsumed

smoked,fried,barbequed,roasted,etc.

Oneofthemostpopularlocaldishes

Garudhiyaisalsoasoupmadefrom

tuna.Moreovertunaisalsoconsumedin

theformofacurryalongwiththestaple

items.Otheritemsincluderihaakuru

whichisafishpastemadefromcooking

garudhiyaoveralongperiodoftimeand

mashuni-dicedsmokedtunamixedwith

lime,onions,pepperandcoconut.forlocal

consumption.Sweetsrangefromaddu

bondi-thinkbountywithoutthechocolate,

dhiyahakuru,karuhakuru,etcwhich

areallcoconutbasedsweets.Traditional

beveragesincludeToddy-agedcoconut

sapandplaincoconutsap.Maldivian

snacksconsistoffriedbreadfruitanda

rangeoffriedspicyandsweetitemscalled

HedhiKaa-short-eats.Popularitems

includegulha,bajiyaaandboakibaa.

Dolookforwardtosavouringandsampling

someoftheseitemsatyourselectedresort

orliveaboard.

ARTS & CRAFTSTheMaldivesisfamousforitsintricately

designedandcraftedlacquerworks(The

majorityofthesepiecesarenowproduced

inBaaAtoll,Thulhaadhoo.Thesepieces

whichincludejewelleryboxes,containers,

andvasesarecraftedbymouldingand

hollowingoutpiecesofwoodwhichis

locallyknownasLiyeLaaJehun.Colours

consistofstrandsofred,blackandyellow

resinandpatternsarenormallyofafloral

nature.

Additionallymatweaving(thundukunaa),

coirropemaking,pyrographyandcalligraphyarewellknowntraditional

Maldivianarts.However,theirprominence

isatadeclineinrecenttimesduetorapid

modernisationandurbanisationandsimply

alackofdemand.

FESTIVALSRamadanThisistheholiestmonthofall

forMuslimsandnormallyfallsontheninth

monthofthelunarcalendar.Thisisamonth

consistingof29or30daysoffasting.The

normalflowoflifeisalteredwithworking

hoursalteredbeingcutshortsignificantly.

Traditionalgamesalsotakecentrestage

atnightwithanincreaseincamaraderie

betweenneighboursandhouseholds.

Kuda Eid (Eid-Ul-Fitr)

ThisdaymarkstheendofRamadanand

beginswithanearlyEIDmorningprayer.

Feastsarepreparedateachhouseholdwith

neighbours,friendsandfamilybeinginvited.

Theeidlastsfor3dayswithcelebrations,

dances,musicandtraditionalandmodern

sportsbeingplayed.Thisincludesthe

nationalBaibalaa(asportsimilarto

Kabaddi)tournamentbeingplayedinthe

capital



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Bodu Eid (Eid-Ul-Al Haa) Thelongerof

theEIDs,thisoccasionfallsontheholy

monthwhenMuslimsarecompletingthe

HajjPrayers.Thisisatimeforcelebrations

andfeastingforthosestayingback.

Traditionalsports,musicanddancego

handinhandwithmodernsportsand

musicatthistime.

Independance dayThe26thofJuly

1966marksthedateinwhichMaldives

wasliberated(fromprotectoratestatus)

fromBritishrule.Thisdayisnowmarkedannuallywithfloats(exclusivetothe

capital),paradesandcelebrationsacross

thenation.

RELIGIONMaldivesisa100%Islamicnation.

However,thecountrywasaBuddhist

statepriortomassconversionin1153AD.

Archaeologicalevidencealsoconfirmsthe

existenceofsunworshippersandother

paganpractitionersinancienttimes.

ConversiontoIslamislinkedtoamythical

storywhichthelocalsrefertoasthe

Rannamaaristory.Thetalespeaksofa

seamonster,whichthelocalsrefertoas

Rannamaarithatterrorisedthecapital

everyfullmoon.Thepeopleinorderto

appeasethemonsterandtoprevent

rampantkillingsofferedasacrificialvirgin

maidentofeedon.AtravellingMoroccan

IslamicscholarnamedAbu-alBarakaath-

UlBarbarywasresponsibleforslaying

theRannamaarithroughtherecitationof

versesfromtheQuran.Thelegendstates

thatAbu-alBarakaathmadeastop-overinMaldivesduringaroutinevoyage

andstayedwithalocalfamily.Hewas

madeawareoftheRannamaariandthe

sacrificesalongwithotherlocaltraditions

bythefamily.Hewasalsoinformedby

thefamilythattheirdaughterwaschosen

forthenextupcomingsacrificewhich

madeAbu-alBarakaathformulatea

plantosaveher.Onthesacrificialday

hedisguisedhimselfasagirltakingthe

placeofhishostsdaughterandstayed

atthealtarnearthebeachbuiltforthe

sacrifice.HestartedtorecitetheQuran

uponseeingthemonstersurfacefromthe

ocean.Thevibrationsandspiritualpower

ofhisrecitationkilledtheRannaamaari

sendingitbacktothedepthsoftheocean.

TheKingalongwiththelocalsarrived

thenextmorningtothealtaronlytofind

theMoroccanstillrecitingtheQuran.

Thismiracleastonishedandbewildered

theKingandafterlisteningtoAbu-al

Barakaathsstoryissuedanofficialdecree

orderingallMaldivianstoconverttoIslam.Abu-alBarakaathsbodynowrestsinthe

tombknownasMedhuZiyaariaywhich

canbefoundinthecapitalMale.

Suficsectshavealsobeenknowntohave

existedandoperatedafterconversionand

theyhavebeenlinkedtotheconstruction

oftombsnexttomosques.However,no

suchsectexistsinthemoderndayandthe

countrycomprisesofsolelySunniMuslims.


22/141

ESSENTIAL & USEFUL INFO

ARRIVAL & IMMIGRATIONNopriorvisaarrangementsarerequired

buteachvisitormusthaveapassportvalid

formorethansixmonths.

TheairportofyourarrivaltotheMaldives

isIbrahimNasirInternationalAirport.You

willneedtofillinalandingcard,which

shouldbedistributedbythecrewofyour

flight.Alternatively,youcanfindthecards

immediatelybeforeimmigrationbooths.

Toobtainimmigrationclearance,itisa

requirementtoindicate[inthelanding

card]anaddressorprovideproofthatyou

haveabookingatahotel/resort.

TO & FROM AIRPORTThecapitalcity(Male)islocatedonaseparateislandfromtheairportisland.Yourwill

needtotakeasmall(localferry)calleddhoniacrosstothecapital,whichtakesaround

15minutes,toarrivefromtheairporttoMale.TheseFerrissarriveanddepartevery15

minutes.TheselocalferrieschargeRufiyaaforaone-waycrossingandacceptbothUSD

($1perperson)andlocalcurrencyjustincaseyouhaventchangedcurrencyatthe

airport.Taxisarenormallyavailableatthejettyofyourarrivalandwillchargeaflatfeeof

20Rufiyaapertrip(thoughfrom12.00midnightto06:00amitisraisedto25Rufiyapertrip,

plusanadditional5Rufiyaaifyouplacebagsin

theboot).

CUSTOMSInaccordancewiththeLawofCustomsofMaldives,thefollowingitemsare:

ReligiousmaterialsoffensivetoIslam

Idols(forworship)

Pornographicmaterial

Narcoticsandpsychotropicsubstances

Livepigs

Armsandammunition

Alcoholandspirits

Porkanditsby-products

Dogs

Dangerousanimals

pROhIbITED RESTRIcTED(FOR pERSONAL IMpORT)

From left to right:

| Maldivian sea planes

| Tourist shopping

| The friday mosque outer wall


23/14121

MAIN CULTURALCONSIDERATIONTheprimeadviceis:listenandobserve.

ManyoftheWesternconceptslackreality

onceyouareinMaldives,andlikewise

manyviewsheldintheWestneedtobe

carefullyconsideredbeforeembarkingon

majordiscussions.

Maldiviangovernmentofficialsdressrather

formallyintheoffice,withmenwearing

longsleeveshirtsandties,andladies

wearinglongsleeveblousesandtrousers.

Shortsthatexposethelegabovetheknee

aretobeavoidedbybothmenandwomen,

asarerevealingdresses,halter-tops,

see-throughgear,minis,etc.Althoughyou

willseeplentyoftheminMale,wornby

tourists,suchattireisstillnotacceptedby

theoldergenerationorislandcommunities.

Therefore,comfortablebutnottoorevealing

styleofclothingisrecommended.

ThecapitalislongusedtoWesterntourists

passingthroughen-routetotheluxurious

resorts.

PeopleinMaleshowalotoftoleranceto

theoftenscantilydressedforeignerswho

spillofftourboats,butasinanyMuslim

countrythesedisplaysareoffensiveand

tendtoattractalotofunwantedattention

fromlocalmen.Thesametolerancecannot

beassumedontheislands,wheremore

caremustbetaken,especiallybyfemale

delegatesandvisitors,toavoidcausing

offenceandunconsciouslyprovoking

unwantedattentionfrommaleislanders.

Forwomen,amoreconservativeapproach

toclothes(blousesort-shirtsthatcoverthe

shouldersandskirtsorshortsthatcover

theknees)attractfarlessattentionon

thestreetsthanminiskirtsandvesttops,

andforthisreasonthelattershouldnot

beworn,apartfromwhenvisitingresort

islands.Likewise,menshouldtryandwear

Bermudatypeshortsandshirtsthatcover

theshouldersontheislandsand

inthecapital.

CLOTHINGGiventhelimitedvariationintemperature,

onlylightweightclothingshouldbe

broughttotheMaldives.

Wealsorecommendthatyoudress

modestlyandrefrainfromwearingbikinis

andbathingsuitswhileinthecapitaland

otherinhabitedislandsastheMaldivesisa

100%Islamicnation.

LOCAL CURRENCYMaldiveshasanon-convertiblecurrency;therefore,MaldivianRufiyaa(MVR/MRF)cannotbepurchasedbeforehand.Majorinternational

currenciescanbechangedattheairportonarrivalorinthecapital.TheUSD$isacceptedaslegaltenderanditsexchangerate

fluctuatesbetween12.75to15.42toadollar.Theexchangeratesforothercurrenciesvarydaily(visithttp://www.bankofmaldives.com.mv/

Information/Pages/rates.aspxforlatestupdatesonexchangerates).

Thecurrencyexistsinthefollowingbanknotes:5,10,20,50,100,and500andinthefollowingcoins:1&2MVRaswellas25&50laaris.

BANKINGAllmajorcreditcardscanbeused(andareoftenpreferred)atresorts,hotels,shops,

travelagents,etc.TheMVRhasmaintained

afixedexchangerateagainstthedollar.

Mostrestaurantsandshopswillaccept

USD$inpayment,providingchangein

localcurrency.



24/141

PERSONAL HEALTHSensibleprecautionsshouldbetakento

avoidsunburnanddehydration.Onarrival

andwhentravellingintheMaldives,stick

tobottledmineralwater.

Thoughinfectiousdiseasesareunder

control,denguefeveriscommon,

especiallyontheislands.Mostmedicines

areavailableinMaldives,therearetwo

hospitalsonthemainisland,Male.The

hospitalscantreatnon-traumainjuries,

butanysevereinjuriesrequiringspecialist

attentionwouldneedtobereferred

abroad.Therearealsodentalfacilities

availableandyoucanseekadviseonthe

onesforspecificneeds.

IF MEDIcAL ATTENTION IS REqUIRED ON REAchING MALDIVES, GO TO ADk hOSpITAL (+960-331-3553) OR IGMh (+960- 333-5335)

COMING HEREWiththerecentopeningandoperationofGanInternationalAirport

locatedinthesouthernmostatolloftheMaldives,visitorsnowhave

achoiceofarrivingeitheratthisnewairportorat IbrahimNasir

InternationalAirportlocatedontheislandofHulhule.However,we

recommendthatyouchooseGanInternationalAirportonlyifyour

selectedresortsuchasShangri-LasVillingiliResortandSpa(just

minutesfromtheairport)islocatedintheSouthernmostAtolls.We

recommendthatyouchoose IbrahimNasirinternationalAirportas

yourflightdestinationifyouregoingtostayinaresortlocatedin

thecentralandnorthernatolls.Furthermore,thisairportshouldalso

beyourflightdestinationifyouveselectedaliveaboard(safari)and

optedtocruiseinsteadasthesevesselsnormallydocknearby.

Europeantravellerscanchoosetoarriveonfrequentcharterflights

operatingfrommajorEuropeancitiesoronscheduledflightswhich

normallyconnecttoMaleviaDohaandDubai.

TravellersfromSouth-eastAsiacancatchdailyflightsfrom

SingaporeandKualaLumpur.Regularflightsalsooperatefrom

citieslikeBangkokandJakarta.

1-3flightsoperatedailyfromournearestneighbourColombo.

FrequentflightsalsooperatefromTrivandrumandBangaloreif

yourplaceoforiginisIndia.

COMMUNICATIONMaldiveshasaveryefficientlandlineandmobiletelephonesystemthatoperates

effectivelythroughoutthecountry.TheofficeandhoteltelephonelineshaveSubscribers

TrunkDialling(STD)/InternationalDirectDialling(IDD)facilities.Therearetwomajor

privatetelecommunicationsandinternetprovidersintheMaldivesnamedDhiraaguand

Wataniya.Youcanpurchaseapre-paidSIMfromeitheroneonyourvisittomakecheap

localcalls.Pre-paidinternetcardsarealsoavailable,butmostresortsandhotelsfacilitate

broadbandinternetaccesstovisitors.

GENERAL SECURITYMale,isarelativelycrime-freecity.

However,pettycrimedoesexistthough

minimalasitmaybesoitpaystobe

careful.Femalesmayfindthemselves

staredatveryoften:inthemarketplace,

tourismspots,etc.Avoidtakingoffenceto

this:inalllikelihood(unlessyouarenot

observingthestandarddresscode),itmay

beoutofcuriosity.


25/14123

RESORT OR LIVEABOARD?Visitorscaneitherchoosetostayinaresort

orcruiseonaliveaboard(safari)during

theirstayintheMaldives.Dependingon

yourfinancialresources,youcouldeven

opttospendhalfofyourtripinaresortand

theotherhalfonaliveaboard(safari).

Donotethatpricesforresortsvary

dependingontheirsize,facilities,luxury

status,etc.Bookingscanbemade

fromtraveloperatorsandtravelagents

tocapitaliseonpackagedeals.Direct

bookingscanalsobemadewiththe

resorteitherthroughwebsiteorby

communicatingdirectlywiththem.Prices

forcruisingonliveaboardsalsovarybut

aremoreuniformacrossthespectrumthan

resorts.Liveaboardsoffereithersurfingor

divingpackagesthatcanbebookedfrom

atouroperator/travelagentorevendirect

fromtheliveaboardoperators.

TRANSFERGettingtoyourselectedresortorliveaboard

isaprettystraightforwardaffair.Almost

alloftheresortsandliveaboardsofferan

airportwelcomeandcollectionservice.You

caneithertakeaseaplaneoraspeedboat

togettotheresort(sucharrangementswill

normallybetakencareofbytheresort).

However,ifyouprefertoflyonaseaplane,

youcouldrequesttheresorttomakesucha

booking.Liveaboardsarenormallydocked

atHulhumale(areclaimedisland)north-

eastofMaleInternationalAirport.Ittakesjust10-15minutesbyboattogettoyour

selectedvessel.



26/141

BandosHyperbaricChamber(Mr.AhmedWafir)..........7771392

SunIslandHyperbaricChamber............................................6680088

KuramathiIslandResort..............................................................6660160

KureduIslandResort(Dr.Ahmed)......................7901754/6620337

KandoludhooIslandResort.......................................................7773485

Shangri-laVillingiliResortandSpa.......................................6897888

TMA-TransMaldivianAirways...............................................3315201

MAT-MaldivianAirTaxi.............................................................3325708

IGMH......................................................................................................3336658

ADKHospital.....................................................................................3320436

SiriusSpeedboatService...........................................................3315333

SouvenirMarine..............................................................................3317449

MTCC....................................................................................................3322025

X-SpeedMarine...............................................................................7932534

SunTravelsandTours.................................................................3325977

SharuLaunch....................................................................................3318808

BankofMaldives.............................................................................3322948

StateBankofIndia.........................................................................3312111

HSBC....................................................................................................3330770

HabibBank........................................................................................3322948

BankofCeylon.................................................................................3323045

MauritiusCommercialBank.....................................................3305656

MaldivesIslamicBank.................................................................3325555

EMERGENcIES:

hypERbARIc chAMbERS(DIVE RELATED EMERGENcIES)

SEA pLANE SERVIcE

MEDIcAL(hOSpITALS)

SpEEDbOAT SERVIcE

bANkING


27/14125


28/141

DIVINGTheMaldivesisrenownedtheworldover

asoneofthetopdivedestinationsin

theworld.Thecountryishometoovera

thousandbeautifulreefsboastingofan

abundantanddiverserangeofmarine

lifeandfloraandfauna.Almostallofthe

resortshavePADIcertifieddivecentres

housingexperiencedPADIInstructorsand

PADIDivemastersthatwillcatertoallyour

scubadivingrequirements.

Famousdivespotsinclude

MushimasmingiliThila(FishHead),

MaayaThila(Oncevotedasthebestnightdivingspotintheworld),LankanManta

Point,BananaReef,MaldivesVictory,

MaalhosThila,etc.

SNORKELLINGSnorkellingintheMaldivesdoesnot

requireyoutopossessanyspecific

qualification.Snorkellingisperfectfor

exploringthehousereefsofresortsata

leisurelypace;howeverthedivecentres

alsoprovideboattripstodifferentspotsif

youwanttoseeandexploredifferentsites.

Liveaboards,thoughmostlyofferingdive

andsurfpackagesalsooffersnorkelling

trips,socheckwithyourtouroperator/

travelagentforrates,timingsandother

details.

WATER SPORTSPara-sailing,jet-skiing,wake-boarding,

water-skiing,catamaransailing,canoeing,

wind-surfing,kitesurfing,etcareallfun-

filledwaterbasedactivitiestoindulgeinat

yourselectedresorts.Manyresortshave

watersportscentreswithprofessional

instructorsandguidesthatalsooffer

coursesofdifferentlevelsforwatersports

requiringskillandabilitysuchaswind-

surfingandwake-boarding.

ThINGS TO DOIN THE MALDIVES

Photography|Oxbow


29/14127

THINGS TO DO

SURFINGMaldivesboastsofanumberofgoodsurfingspotswhichincludesthefamousPasta

Point,Honkys,Sultans,Jailbreaks,etcfoundintheNorth-MaleAtollandShangri-la,

Zubairs,Kottey,etcfoundintheAdduAtoll(Southernmost)aswellasspotslikeTiger

Stripes,LoveCharms,etcfoundinHuvadhooAtoll.ThaaandLaamuAtollarealsohome

togoodsurfspots.Ifyouwishtoexploreawiderangeofsurfbreaks,wesuggestthatyou

bookasurfpackagefromaliveaboard(safari)astheywillnormallycruisetodifferentspots

pertrip.However,ifyouwishtostayinaresortandwanttocatchagoodwave,resorts

suchasChaayaIslandDhonveliResort(hometoPastaPoint)andHudhuranfushiIsland

Resort(hometoLohis)amongothersareperfectdestinations.Surfingseasonbeginsin

MayandendsinDecember.

PHOTO FLIGHTSTheseareaerialflightspresentingyouthe

opportunitytogazeovertheislandsfrom

abovebyseaplane.Someselectedresorts

organizegroupphotoflightsandprivate

flightsuponrequest.Youcouldalsobook

yourownphotoflightbycontactingeither

officesofthetwoseaplanecarriersTrans

MaldivianAirwaysorMaldivianAirTaxi

ExCURSIONS (ISLAND HOPPING)Anislandhoppingexcursionletsyouvisitasetnumberofinhabitedislands,uninhabited

islandsorresortsinadayforgeneralexploratorypurposes.Mostlypackagecombinations

ofvisitingoneinhabitedisland,oneuninhabitedislandandoneresortperday-tripare

offeredbyresorts.However,youcouldrequestachangeintheitineraryfromtheresort

tocustomisetheexcursiontosuityourpreferences.Someexcursionsarealsospecificto

visitingthecapitalMaleforspendingtheday.ExcursionpackagesincludeBBQlunches

onthebeach,fishing,etc.

BIG-GAME FISHINGMaldivianresortsaswellasprivatecharter

operationsofferbig-gamefishingtrips.

Adrenalinejunkiescansavourthatfeeling

ofhookingalargeyellow-fintuna,wahoo,

marlinoramajesticsail-fishonsuchtrips.

Therearenolocallawsthatstipulatethe

mandatoryreleaseofbig-gamefishafter

catchingandoftenthecatcharetakenbacktotheresortforaMaldivianstyleBBQ.

NIGHT FISHINGNightfishingisamuchmoreleisurely

affairthanbig-gamefishing.Almostall

oftheresortsofferregularnight-fishing

tripsoryoucouldevenbookatripfroma

privatecharteroperation.Redsnappers

(locallyknownasthetastiestreeffish

around),groupers,grunts,etcareworthy

andformidablecatches.Doremember

toreleaseendangeredspeciessuchas

sharksifcaught.

WHALE SUBMARINEThewhalesubmarineiscapableofcarryingamaximumof50passengersandreaching

depthsupto150metresthoughitnormallygoesandstaysatdepthsbetween10m-

40masthisistherangeinwhichcoralgrowthandfishlifeareabundant.Thewhale

submarineoperatesfromthecapitalMaleandisdockedneartothecapital.Bookingscan

bemadedirectlyfromtheirofficelocatedinMaleorfromyourselectedresort.Pricesfor

adultsrangearoundUS$75andUS$38forchildren.Discountsmaybeavailableforgroup

bookings.


30/141

MALE IS ThE cApITAL OF ThE MALDIVES. ThE cITy IS hOMETO OVER A 100,000 INhAbITANTS ThAT INcLUDES bOThMALDIVIANS AND ExpATRIATE wORkERS. IT hAS A LAND AREA OF

AppROxIMATELy 4 Sq kM. IT IS 1.7 kM IN LENGTh 1.0 kM IN TERMSOF wIDTh. ThEREFORE GETTING AROUND IS A pRETTy EASy ANDSTRAIGhTFORwARD AFFAIR (pLAN wALkING), ThOUGh yOU wILLFIND qUITE A NUMbER OF TAxIS, bUSES AND MOTOR VEhIcLES

SUch AS cARS AND MOTOR-cycLES USED by RESIDENTS OpERATING ON ThEROADS. ThE ROADS ARE MADE Up OF bRIckS UNLIkE TAR whIch yOU wILL FINDIN MOST URbAN cITIES.

Male is the commercial hub of the nation and is hometo the main governmental offices, private sector offices,

multi-national corporations branches, main branchesof banks, the port, etc. It is a vibrant and busy citywhich perfectly captures the transition of traditionalMaldivian lifestyles into the modern era while retainingtraditional family values and traditional elements of folkmusic, dance and recreation, traditional food, etc.

MALECITY GUIDE

Above:

Male City thecapitalofMaldives|



31/14129

MALE CITY GUIDE

Maleishometoquiteanumberofhotels,guesthousesandinns.Budgetconscioustravellerscanopttostayatguesthousesand

innssuchastheLuckyhiyaHotel,AthamaPalace,ChampaMoonGuestHouse,etcwhilethoselookingformid-rangedpricesand

mid-rangedclassaccommodationcanlooktowardsbookingroomsfromhotelslikeMookaiHotel,KamHotel,RelaxInnandthe

governmentownedNasandhuraPalaceHotelalllocatedneartheNorth-EastcornerofMaleclosetotheHulhuleFerryterminal.If

yourelookingforapricierhigher-endaccommodationwerecommendthatyoucheckoutTradersHotelandtheHulhuleIslandHotel

(locatedattheairport).

WHERE TO STAY

Gettingaroundthecapitalisquiteastraightforwardaffairconsideringthesmallsize

ofit.Weconcurthatyoucouldcompletelyencircletheislandinanhourandthirty

minutestimebywalkingatabriskpace.However,ifyoureabittootiredandhotto

walkcheappublictransportationisonofferintheformoftaxisandbuses.

GETTING AROUND

Buseshaveonlyrecentlybeen

introduced(Juneof2011)andcostsjust

Rf5fortheentiretyofthebusride.Atotal

of18busstopshavebeenscattered

acrossthecapitalwithatotalof4routes

onoffer.Theroadscoveredincludethe

capitalsouterroad(Boduthakurufaanu

Magu),AmeeneeMaju,Majeedhee

Magu,FareedheeMagu,OrchidMagu,

MedhuziyaraiyMaguSosunMaguand

KanbaAisaRaniHingun

Airport FerryGoingtotheairportcosts

justRf10perpersonpertripbyferryand

takesabout15-20minutes.However,

thepriceisincreasedtoRf20perperson

pertripaftermidnight.Thejettyfortaking

suchaferry(dhoni)islocatedatJetty9,

onBoduthakurufaanuMagu(outermost

road)closetoNasandhuraaPalaceHotel.

Ferriesdepartapproximatelyevery10-15

minutes.

MTCC Airport Express isaspeedboat

operatedservicethatcostsRf20per

personpertripandRf30perperson

pertripaftermidnight.Ittakesjust4-5

minutestogettotheairport.Theterminal

fortakingsuchaspeedboatisalso

locatedattheHulhumaleFerryTerminal,

BoduthakurufaanuMagu(outermost

road)closetoNasandhuraPalaceHotel.

Speedboatsdepartevery15minutes.

TaxiThecommonnormisto

usuallycallataxi,thoughyoucould

flagdownoneontheroad.Taxiscan

beidentifiedbytheyellowlicense

platesaswellasbytheTAXIsign

printedonthecardoorsorsometimes

attachedtothetopofthecar

Taxis cost Rf. 20 per trip, Rf. 5 extra

for luggage carried and Rf.25 per

trip between the hours 12.00am -

6.00am

DialCab.................................3323131

DialServices........................3313130

FineTaxi................................3321414

JRTaxi....................................3321919

KuleeDhuveli......................3322122

LoyalTaxi..............................3325656

NewTaxi...............................3325757

RasalTaxi.............................3329292

RegalTaxi.............................3321313

TAxI cENTRE NUMbERS:


32/141

pLAcESOF INTEREST

FRIDAY MOSQUE(HUKURU MISKIIY)Thisancientmosquewasbuiltin1656

duringthereignofsultanIbrahimIskandar

I.Theinteriorsandexteriorsofthismosque

areintricatelycarvedwithArabicwritings

andornamentalpatterns.Unfortunately

non-Muslimsarenotallowedinsidewithout

priorpermission.Askyourtravelagentor

touroperatortoarrangethisaspect.Ifyou

donothaveone,callorgototheMinistry of

Tourism forinformationcall+960 3323224

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE(JUMHOOREE MAIDHAN)Thisisalittleparkonthenorthcoastofthe

capitalandismarkedbyaflagpolewith

agiantMaldivianflag.Itsalsothecentral

pointofeverypoliticaldemonstration

inthecapital.ThepoliceHQlocatedin

ShaheedHussainAdamBuildingisright

nextdooralongwithapremisesusedby

theMaldivianNationalDefenceForce

(Thearmy).Theformerpresidentialjettyis

locatedinfrontoftheparkandtheIslamic

Centreisalsonearby.

ISLAMIC CENTRE (MOSQUE)Openedin1984,thisisMaleslargestand

best-knownarchitecturallandmark.The

complexcontainsthelargestmosqueinthe

Maldives,toppedwithagoldendomeand

capableofaccommodating5,000people.

Visitorsarewelcomeinsideoutsideprayer

hours,butnointeriorphotographsare

allowed.Entranceisfree.

Above:

Jumhooree Maidhan Independencesqaure|


33/14131

MALE CITY GUIDE

MEDHUzIYAARAIYThisisthetomboftheMoroccantravellerAbu-alBarakaath-UlBarbary,thescholar

responsibleforthemassconversionoftheMaldivestoIslam.Thistombislocatednearthe

FridayMosque(HukuruMiskiiy).

NATIONAL MUSEUM & SULTAN PARKOpeninghoursarefromSaturday-Thursday9am-5pm.TheNationalMuseumlocated

insidetheSultanParkhousesacollectionoftraditionalantiques,artifacts,royalregaliaand

oldphotographs.ThemuseumcostsUS$3orRF38.Entrancetotheadjoiningsultanpark

isfree.

VELAANAAGETheformerresidentialaddressofthe

latepresidentIbrahimNasir(The2nd

PresidentoftheMaldives),thispremises

isnowa15-storeyofficecomplexhousing

theadministrativedepartmentsofmajor

governmentalministries.Thisbuildingis

locatedinAmeerAhmedMagu.

THEEMUGE (THE FORMERPRESIDENTIAL PALACE ANDCURRENT SUPREME COURT)LocatedinOrchidMagu,Theemuge

wasthemassiveresidenceoftheformer

presidentfrom1998onwardsupuntilthe

year2008.ThecurrentpresidentMohamed

NasheedtransferredtheSupremeCourtof

theMaldivesandofficestoTheemuge.This

isaworthysightwithadesignboastingof

amagnificentmixedlookoftraditionaland

modernelements.

Top left:

| Velaanaage formerresidentialaddressofthelatepresidentIbrahimNasir|

Top right:

Islamic Centre Mosque|


34/141

THE RAALHUGANDU (SURFBREAK)Locatedinthesouth-eastcornerofthe

Male,theRaalhuganduishometothe

capitalssurfbreak.Frequentedbylocal

surfers,itishowevernotalocalsonlysurf

point.Expectminorscrapesandcutsif

youreplanningonsurfingasitisashallow

reefbreak.

Clockwise from top left:Hukuru Miskiiy |

Sultan Park |

Muleeaage |


35/14133

MULEE-AAGE (THE PRESIDENTAL PALACE)BuiltbySultanShamsuddeenintheyear1906andlocatedbehindMedhuziyaaraiy.This

premiseswasfirstusedbyPresidentMohamedAminDidiofthefirstrepublicin1953.The

Presidentsofthe2ndand3rdrepublics(PresidentIbrahimNasirandPresidentMaumoon

AbdulGayyoomrespectively)usedMulee-aageastheofficialpresidentialresidenceas

well.Theyears1998-2008sawtheformerpresidentGayyoomdeparttoTheemuge.

However,Mulee-aagehasonceagainbecometheofficialresidenceoftheMaldivian

President.

THE FISH MARKETJustwestofIndependencesquare

(JumhooreeMaidhan)andwithagroup

offishingboatsdockedjustopposite,this

iswherefishwhichincludesmainlyTuna

varietiessuchasskip-jacktunaandyellow-

fintunaarebrought,guttedandsoldfor

consumptionofthelocalsofMale.

THE ALIMAS CARNIVAL AREAHometocoffeeshopsandcafs

frequentedbytheyouthofMale.Popular

hang-outsincludecoffeeshopssuchasthe

DineMoreGarden,Skippy,Lilys,Dolphin

viewcaf,etc.Theareaalsoboastsofa

stageusedfordifferentmusicshowsand

events.

THE ARTIFICIAL BEACHAdjoinstheRaalhuganduandlocatednear

thesouth-eastcornerofMale.ThisisabeachbuiltduetothefactthatMalelostits

naturalbeaches(duetolandreclamation,

rapidindustrialization,etc),thisisapopular

swimmingpointandhang-outforlocal

youth,familiesandchildren.Inadditionto

abeachandartificiallagoon,thearea

boastsofvolleyballcourts,basketball

courtsandaFutsalturfpitch.

THE LOCAL MARKETInthesameareaasthefishmarket,the

localmarketboastsofindigenousfruits

andvegetablesgrownintheMaldives.All

vendorsarelocalsstationedatsmallstalls.

Inadditiontolocalfruitsandvegetables

youllalsofindyams,packetsofbetelnuts.

Breadfruitchips(atraditionalMaldivian

snack),bottlesofhomemadepickles.

Clockwise from top left:Fish |

Local Market |

dsfsfddfsd |

MALE CITY GUIDE


36/141

FOOD &

RESTAURANT GUIDE

COFFEE SHOPS & CAFSCoffeeshopsandcafarepopularhang-outsforMaldivians.Somecoffeeshopsalso

functionasrestaurantsofferingqualityfood.Popularcoffeeshopsfortouristsinclude

Seagull,ShellBeans,JadeBistro,theSeaHouse(a24hourcaf),BourseCaf,

etc.Theyopenaround8amandcloseat1amexcepttheSeaHousewhichisopen24/7.

BudgetRf50-Rf100perperson.

MALDIVIAN STYLE TEA-SHOPSThesearetraditionaleateriesservingHedhikaa(traditionalMaldiviansnacks/fast-food)

alongwiththemostpopulardrink-aKalhu(blacktea).Foodanddrinksarepretty

cheapandtheseeateriesaremostlyfrequentedbyMaldivianlocalmen.Thesetea-shops

areprettyloudinsidewithvarioussimultaneousbanter.Famoustea-shopsincludethe

MaarukeytuHota,FaseyhaPoint,etc.Theyopenasearlyas5amandcloseat1am.

BudgetRf25-30perperson.

RESTAURANTSTherearequiteanumberofrestaurantsinMaleofferingdifferenttypesofcuisines.Closed

air-conditionedrestaurantsaswellasopen-airconceptscanalsobefound.Popular

eaterieswithtouristsincludeSalaThai(ThaiFood),ThaiWok(ThaiFood),SalaItalia

Ristorante(ItalianFood),Aioli,OceanBreeze,SalsaRoyal,Olivegarden.Theyopen

around8amor9amandclosearound12am.BudgetRf100-200perperson.


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bEING ThE cApITAL AND ThE MOST URbANISED,MODERNISED AND DEVELOpED ISLAND IN ThEcOUNTRy, ThERE ARE A LOT OF ShOppING OpTIONSON OFFER. FROM Up-ScALE FAShION, jEwELLERy,hARDwARE, cOMpUTER SOFTwARE, AccESSORIES,MARINE EqUIpMENT, SpORTING EqUIpMENT, GROcERIES,SOUVENIRS, ELEcTRONIcS, ScUbA DIVING EqUIpMENTTO ITEMS FOR ThE bUDGET cONScIOUS ShOppER,MALE DEFINITELy hAS IT ALL ON OFFER.

Almostalloftheshopsopenaround9amor10amexceptthosesmallneighbourhood

convenientstoreswhichmightopenat7amoreven6am.Allshopscloseat11pm(except

theFantasystorelocatedonFareedheeMagu-ahigher-endsupermarket,whichclosesat

10pm)andtwo24/7convenientstoreslocatedonSosunMagu.Doalsonotethatallshops

closeforabout15-20minutesforprayertimes.

Mostshops,exceptsmallerconvenientstoresdoacceptcreditcardsnowadays,thoughwe

recommendthatyoutakesomecashforyourshoppingtrips.

Majeedhee Maguisthemainstreetforallofyourshoppingneedsandrequirements.Thisis

thelongestroadstretchingacrossthecapital.

Chaandhanee Maguistheplacetogoifyourelookingforsouveniritems,localhandi-craft

items,scubadivingequipment,surfingequipment,touristbookguides,etc.

SHOPPING

MALE CITY GUIDE


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SURFINGThereisjustonesurfbreaklocatedinMalecalledTownsanditislocatedatthe

Raalhuganduareanearthesouth-eastcornerofMale.Itisareefbreaksobeprepared

forminorscrapesandcuts.Manylocalsurferscanbefoundfrequentingthissite.However,

thisisnotalocalsonlysurfspot.IfyoudonthaveaboardyoucouldbuyonefromtheSea

SportsshoplocatedatChaandhaneeMaguoraskalocalifyoucouldborrowhisboard

(enticehimwithsomemoneyifyoureallydontwanttobuyaboard-heyitsacheaper

optioneh?)

DIVINGThereareanumberofPADIaffiliateddive

centresofferingPADIcertifiedscubadiving

coursesandboat-trips.Thesecentres

areequippedwithqualityequipmentand

certifiedprofessionalandexperienced

localinstructors.Notablelocaldivecentres

includeMaldiversandSeaExplorers.

SpORTS &RECREATION


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FOOTBALLMaldivesisconsideredtheBrazilofAsiaduetoitsunabatedloveoffootball.Almost

everybodyplaysitandlocalscanbefoundplayingontheartificialturfpitchesandhard-

groundsandpitchescanbefoundattheMaafannuStadium.Localscanalsobefound

playingattheartificialturfpitchandhardsandyareaneartheartificialbeach.Sograba

pairofbootsandheadovertotheselocationsasthepeopleareextremelyfriendlyandwill

letyoujoininforagameortwoifyoujustask.

FootballisthemostwatchedspectatorsportinMaldives.Thereisanationalfootball

leaguecomprisedof3divisions.FirstdivisionmatchescanbeseenattheGalolhuNationalStadiumduringseason.

GYMS & FITNESS CENTRESTherearequiteanumberofgymsand

fitnesscentreslocatedinthecapitalsuch

TFG-TotalFitnessGroup,Heat,Male

FitnessClub,etc.Thereareevensome

ladiesonlyfitnesscentresoperatingin

MalesuchasMaleFitnessClubHers.

BAIBALAABaibalaaisanannuallyheldsporting

competitionheldduringtheEIDUL-FITR

orKUDAEID.ItissimilartoKabaddiand

toputitinanutshellinvolvestheraiding

ofagroupofplayersinacircularplaying

surfacecomposedofwhitesand.The

objectiveofthegameistotouchopposing

playersinsidethecircleandgetoutbefore

beingtackled.Thecompetitionisheldattheopenarealocatedneartheartificial

beach.

OTHER RECREATIONAL SPORTSTheArtificialbeachandMaafannuStadiumhasvolleyballcourts,basketballcourts

andacricketpitchforpublicusewhiletheEkuvenisportscomplexlocatednexttothe

MaafannuStadiumhousesbadmintoncourts,somebasket-ballcourts,table-tennis

tablesandatrainingareaforcricketforpublicuse.

MALE CITY GUIDE


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Theislandhasabeautifulhousereeflocatedon

thenorth-eastsidewhichisfrequentlyvisited

byscubaandsnorkellingenthusiastsofMale.

ThereisalsoascubadivingschoolcalledDivers

lodgeinVillingiliwhichoffersPADIcertifiedscuba

coursesandboattripsforlocals,touristsand

expatriatesalike.

Villingilialsohasanexcellentright-handsurfbreak,

thoughthewaterismuchshallowerthanthesurf

breakfoundinMale.Localsurfersareregularly

seenatthispoint,butitisrecommendedfor

experiencedsurfersonly.

Asidefromdivingandsurfing,youcouldeven

spendthedayexploringthevariousfacetsofthe

islandonfootorjustplainloungeaboutonthebeach.

IMpORTANT: wE REcOMMEND ThATyOU wEAR T-ShIRTS AND ShORTS ASbIkINIS AND REVEALING SwIM-wEAR

ARE NOT ALLOwED IN VILLINGILI.

Foodincludingtraditionalitemsareonofferat

variouscafsforamuchcheaperpricethanto

befoundinMale.Freshcoconutsarealsomuch

cheaperandquiteabundantthroughouttheisland.

Villingili,thoughbeingthe5thwardofthehighly

urbanisedandmodernisedcapitalhasmanaged

toretainsubstantialelementsoftheMaldivianpast.

VILLIMALE OR MORE cOMMONLy REFERRED by ThELOcALS AS VILLINGILI IS A SMALL ISLAND cOMMUNITyLyING 2kM wEST OF ThE cApITAL. yOU cAN TAkE AN8 MINUTE FERRy RIDE cOSTING jUST RF5/- pER TRIpFROM ThE VILLINGILI FERRy TERMINAL LOcATEDIN ThE SOUTh-wEST cORNER OF MALE TO GET TOThIS ISLAND. VILLIMALE hAS UNIqUELy ADOpTED AN

ADMINISTRATIVE pOLIcy OF ThE RESTRIcTION OFpERSONAL USE OF MOTORISED VEhIcLES, whIch UNDOUbTEDLy hAS MADE ThISwARD qUIETER AND ThE AIR cLEANER. ThERE IS A TAxI SERVIcE AVAILAbLE, bUTMOST RESIDENTS pREFER TO TRAVEL ON FOOT OR ON bIcycLES. ThIS ISLAND IS

A REGULAR wEEkEND hAUNT OF MANy RESIDENTS OF MALE. ThE ISLAND IS hOMETO ThIck VEGETATION, A whITE SANDy bEAch AND A cRySTAL cLEAR LAGOON.

VILLIMALE/VILLINGILI

ThE qUIETER 5ThwARD OF MALE


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VisitingHulhumaltakesaround20minutescostingjustrf5/-per

tripandyoudhavetovisittheHulhumalferryterminallocated

nearthenorth-eastcornerofMaletogettothisisland.Theisland

isslightlybiggerthanthecapitalandduetotheplannednatureof

developmentboaststhickervegetationandplantlife.Theroadsare

muchwiderthanthoseofthecapitalandtheyarealsoconstructed

outoftarunlikethebrickroadsofMale.

TheexpandedspaceofHulhumalhadinitiallyinvitedbikeandcar

racerstoholdillegalimprompturacers.However,thegovernment

hasnowgrantedtheMaldivianracingassociationtheuseofa

tracksurroundinganindustrialareaonFriday(afternoon-evening).

YoucanheadovertoHulhumalonFridaystocatchaglimpseof

localbikerstrainwhilepullingofftheoccasionalstunt.

Ifyourenotaracingenthusiast,thereisalengthybeach,lagoon

andahousereefontheeasternsideoftheislandforyourlounging,swimming,snorkellinganddivingpleasure.ComparedtoVillingili

thisshoreishugeandcanaccommodatealotofpeople

(IMpORTANT: wE REcOMMEND ThAT yOU wEART-ShIRTS AND ShORTS AS bIkINIS AND REVEALINGSwIM-wEAR ARE NOT ALLOwED IN hULhUMAL).

Thereareanumberofbeach-fronthotelsandguesthouseswhich

youcouldbook,ifyouplantostayforlongerperiods.Thereare

alsooneortwoPADIaffiliatedscubadivingschoolsoperatingin

HulhumalofferingPADIcourses,house-reefdivesandboatdives.

Youcouldevenheadovertothefishingspotstodosomefishing

(askalocalfordirectionstothebestspots)andsetupaBBQat

oneofthemanypitslocatedonthenorth-westcornertoprepare

yourcatchforconsumption.

Ifyouwishtoexploretheislandbyfoot,werecommendthatyou

dosointheeveningsasitgetsreallyhot(muchmorethanMale)

duetotheroadsbeingcomposedoftar.However,youcouldtake

thebeachrouteeveninthemorningorafternoonascoolingoffisjustadipaway.Therearemanyrestaurants,cafsandlocal

tea-shopsin-storeifyouwishtogrababiteoracupofcoffee.All

inall,Hulhumalisworthavisitifyougetachancetospendafew

daysinthecapitalbeforeyouheadofftoyourchosenresortor

liveaboard.

HulHumal is a reclaimed islandapproximately 1.3km nortH-west ofmale. tHe concept for HulHumal aroseout of a need to ease tHe Housingand congestion problems of male.tHe reclamation project began on

october 16, 1997 under tHe administration of president maumoonabdul gayyoon. a lot of maldivians especially tHe people of male Havenow sHifted tHeir liveliHoods to HulHumal. all works wHicH includestructural and Housing development are scHeduled to be fullycompleted by tHe year 2020.

HULHUMALEThE REcAIMED

ISLAND

MALE CITY GUIDE


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HELLO/GREETINGSAssalaam Alaikum

WELCOMEMaruhabaa

YESAann

NONoon

HOWKihineh

WHATKoacheh/Keekay

WHOKaaku

WHENKonn Iraku

WHEREKobaa/Konn Thaaku

WHYKeehhve

GOODBYEDhanee

PLACEThann

PEOPLEMeehun

WOMENAnnhennun

MENFirihenun

MALEFirihenn

FEMALEAnnhenn

MANFiriheneh

WOMANAnnheneh

COST/PRICEAgu

PEOPLEMeehun

WEATHERMoosunn

FOODKaa Echehi

WATERFen

DRINKSBoa Echehi

HOWS THE SURF?Raalhu Kihineh?

ARE THE WAVES BIG, SMALL?

Raalhu thah bodu tha, kuda tha?

HOWS THE VISIBILITY?Visibility Kihineh?

IS THE FISH LIFE ABUNDANT?Varah mas gina tha?

CAN YOU TELL ME THE NAME OF A GOOD DIVE SITE?

Ey salhi dive site ehhge nameh bunebala?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE DIVE SITE?Eh dive site ah dhaann kihaa ireh nagaa?

NORTH:Uthuru

SOUTH:Dhekunu

EAST:Irumathi

WEST:Hulhangu

BEACHGonndu Dhoh

LAGOONFalhu

REEFFaru

TREESGahss

COCONUT TREESRuhh

CHANNELKandu Olhi

ATOLLAtholhu

ISLANDRahh

SEAKandu

FISHMahss

COMPASS DIRECTIONS

ENVIRONENT

FOR DIVERS & SURFERS

Useful asi loal ords & rases

TUNE UPYOUR DHIVEHI


43/14141

TOILETFaahana

TOILETFaahana

POST OFFICEPost Office

BANKBank

ATMATM

ENTRANCEVanna Thahnn

ExITNikunna Thahnn

ROOMKotari

RESTAURANTKaa Thahnn

SHOPFihaara

OFFICEOffice

RECEPTIONReception

zEROSummeh

ONEEkeh

TWODheyy

THREEThineh

FOURHathareh

FIVEFaheh

SIxHaeh

SEVENHatheh

EIGHTAsheh

NINENuvaeh

TENDhihaeh

HUNDREDSatheyka

THOUSANDEh haas

NUMBERS

WHAT TIME IS IT?Gadinn Kihaa ireh

tha?

TIMEGadi/Vaguthu

TODAY

Miadhu

YESTERDAYIyye

TOMORROWMaadhan

THE DAY AFTERTOMORROWMaadhan noon

anaiy dhuvas

DAYDhuvas

WEEKHafthaa

MORNINGHendhunu/

Dhuvaalu

AFTERNOONMendhuru

YESTERDAYIyye

WEEKHafthaa

MORNINGHendhunu/

Dhuvaalu

AFTERNOONMendhuru

EVENINGHaveeru

NIGHTReygandu

SUNDAYAadheetha

MONDAYHoama

TUESDAYAngaara

WEDNESDAYBudha

THURSDAYBuraasfathi

FRIDAYHukuru

SATURDAYHoni Hiru

TIME & DATE

USEFUL WORDS

TUNE UP YOUR DHIVEHI


44/141

Photography|MMPRCIma

geLibrary

RESORTS, hOTELS &LIVEAbOARDSPROFILES


45/141

RESORTS, HOTELS

LEGENDlease refer to te legend on te last age forinformation on te ions used in te rofiles

LIVEABOARDSAdaaran Club Rannalhi .........................................44

Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas .............................45

Adaaran Prestige Vadoo .......................................46

Adaaran Prestige Water Villas ..........................47

Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi ........................48

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu ..........................49

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa...............................50

Anantara Kihavah Villas ........................................51

Angaga Island Resort & Spa ................................52

Angsana Ihuru .......................................................53

Angsana Velavaru .................................................54

Ayada Maldives .....................................................55

Bandos Island Resort & Spa .................................56

Banyan Tree Madivaru ..........................................57

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru ........................................58

Baros Maldives ......................................................59

Bathala ...................................................................60

Beach House Iruveli ..............................................61

Beehive Nalahiya Hotel .........................................62

Coco Bodu Hithi ....................................................63

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu ........................................64

Constance Halaveli Maldives ...............................65

Constance Moofushi Maldives..............................66

Diamonds Athuruga Beach .................................67

& Water Villas .........................................................67

Diamonds Thudufushi ..........................................68

Beach & Water Villas .............................................68

Embudu Village .....................................................69Equator Village.......................................................70

Eriyadu Island Resort ............................................71

Filitheyo Island Resort ...........................................72

Four Seasons Resort Maldives ............................73

at Kuda Huraa .......................................................73

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru ..........................74

Fun Island Resort & Spa .......................................75

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives .....................................76

Helengeli Island Resort .........................................77

Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi ......................................78

Holiday Island Resort & Spa .................................79

Huvafen Fushi ........................................................80

Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi Maldives Spa,Resort & Marina .....................................................81

J Resort Alidhoo ....................................................82Kanifushi Beach & Spa .........................................83

Kanuhura, The Maldives .......................................84

Komandoo Maldive Island Resort ........................85

Kuramathi Island Resort ........................................86

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa .................................87

Kurumba Maldives ................................................88

Lily Beach Resort & Spa .......................................89

Lux* Maldives ........................................................90

Makunudu Island ...................................................91

Marble Hotel ..........................................................92

Medhufushi ............................................................93

Meeru Island Resort & Spa ...................................94

Mirihi Island Resort ................................................95

Mookai Hotel ..........................................................96

Mookai Suites ........................................................97

Naladhu Maldives..................................................98

Nika Island Resort .................................................99

Niyama .................................................................100

Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort .............................101

Paradise Island Resort & Spa .............................102

Reethi Beach Resort ...........................................103

Robinson Club Maldives .....................................104

Royal Island Resort & Spa ..................................105

Summer Island Village ........................................106

Sun Island Resort & Spa .....................................107

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives ....................108

The Residence Maldives .....................................109

Thulhagiri Island Resort & Spa ...........................110

Vakarufalhi Island Resort.....................................111

Velassaru Maldives..............................................112

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa ...........................113

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa ......................114

Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort ............................115

Vivanta By Taj Coral Reef Maldives ....................116

Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru ..........................................117

Dhaainkanbaa ....................................................118

Four Seasons Explorer ........................................119

Gahaa ..................................................................120

Gulfaam ...............................................................121

Gurahali................................................................122

Kethi .....................................................................123

Koimala ................................................................124

MY Monsoon ........................................................125

Ocean Sapphire ..................................................126

Sea Coral .............................................................127

Sunset Queen ......................................................128


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Reservations / Inquiries

Special Activities & Entertainment Facilities

Room Types Restaurants & Bars

Activities & Entertainment

Adaaran Club Rannalhi sits exclusively at the tip of the

South Male atoll within the exotic collection of islands

known as the Maldives.

Its unique location offers access to pristine beaches,

excellent scuba diving opportunities and a relaxed

environment with easy access to the capital city

of Male. The resorts vicinity to Male allows it prime

access to the countrys most treasured attractions

such as the stunning Grand Friday Mosque and the

revered National Museum.

Bask in the golden sun and frolic on the soft sands

as you experience friendly Maldivian hospitality and

explore the rich tropical wonders of a vibrant islandnation.

Reside in one of our elegant water bungalows situated

on clear, turquoise water and admire the colourful sea

fauna as they swim past you. Or simply laze in one of

our many standard rooms offering both terrace and

balcony views. All retreats at Adaaran Club Rannalhi

seamlessly blend modern comforts with the wonders

of their natural surroundings.

Savour a plethora of sumptuous cuisine featuring

both local and international fare whipped up by our

culinary maestros deeply inuenced by the vast array

of delicious seafood available daily at Adaaran Club

Rannalhi.

Join one of the many excursions available from

the resort and partake in exciting activities such as

windsurng, canoeing and shing.

Adaaran Club Rannalhi

A: Adaaran Central Reservations, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, South Male Atoll, P: +(960) 664 0375, F: +(960) 664 0379, E: [email protected] W: www.adaaran.com

We accept: Visa, Master, Amex

Live Band/DJ Music, Theme Nights, Excursions

Standard Rooms

Water Bungalow

Main Restaurant

Cocktail Bar

Nika Bar


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A: Adaaran Central Reservations, Adaaran Club Rannalhi , South Male Atoll, P: +(960) 664 0375, F: +(960) 664 0379, E: [email protected] W: www.adaaran.com


Excursions

Fine Dining Restaurant Restaurant Bar Lounge

Beach Bar

Sunset Bar

Surf Bar

Dhodhi Bar

Over Water Bangalows

A selection of 37 exclusive Ocean Villas in a private

paradisiacal setting over water sophistication

treated with a distinct local touch; it is a breathtaking

discovery of the Maldives where memories begin.

A world of renement and luxury to discover comforts

and warm services, and a host of facilities designed

uniquely for the connoisseur in you. Exotic fragrance

of bath oils ll the air inside as the ocean awaits in lazy

contemplation outside.

Fine dining presents new magic at the Ocean Villas;

a table for an exquisite meal; on the islander in a

private setting of your choice. A bottle of chilled wine

to compliment your taste buds as you experiencelocal seafood and delicious gastronomical delights

prepared to perfection as you sip champagne and

dusk falls on your candle lit rendezvous with nature.

Stroll into the caressing hands of your expert massage

therapists for a time perfected Spa experience. The

various spa remedies and the art of healing come next

to a choice of more modest treatments like facial and

bath; creating a complete liberating experience for

mind and body.

Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas

45

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legendonlastpageleaf


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Light Entertainment, Sand Bank Lunch, Excursions

Fine Dining Restaurant

Beach Bar

Sunset Bar

Main Bar

Sunset Villas

Sunrise Villas

Honeymoon Villas

Japanese Villas

Welcome to Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, where time

ceases to exist and the voice of the Indian Ocean

beckons you to her shores.

As the gateway to the South Atolls, Vadoo possesses

its own exotic reef teeming with vibrant aquatic ora

and fauna.

A mere 15 minute speed boat ride will take you to a

tropical escape that offers not only the nest creature

comforts, but to a coral island that is kissed by the

sun, its sands golden and soft.

Awarded as the Worlds Leading Water Villa retreat at

the World Travel Awards in 2010, Adaaran Prestige

Vadoo is honoured to stand out amongst the best.

Our only hope is that we can enrich the precious

moments you spend with us, to give you and your

cherished ones the dream holiday that you have

always wanted. The list of indulgences that await

you can only be matched by the captivating lushness

of the surroundings, warmed by signature Adaaran

hospitality.

Adaaran Prestige Vadoo


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Excursions, In-Villa, All Day Dinning

Fine Dining Restaurant Main Bar

Wine Cellar

Over Water Villa

In a different part of the world. Dawn breaks to

the sound of waves dashing on a shallow coral reef.

Complimented by a serene blue lagoon, The Water

Villas line up on a winding jetty overlooking a private

beach, warm and in complete seclusion.

The rich wooden oors, supple Kind sized bed and

elegant dcor of The Water Vil las reinforce the strong

ambiance of supreme comfort. You can enjoy a

movie on a state of the art LCD TV & home theatre

system or slow dance with your sweetheart while the

integrated CD system plays your song. With more

than 80 square meters of oor space, these spacious

Villas offer ample room for your relaxation. Unwind onthe Villas sundeck to watch a breath-taking sunrise or

curl up on the daybed with your favourite book. Youre

never more than a few feet away from a refreshing dip

in the ocean.

Discover succulent delicacies, from a local seafood

platter to wonderful delights closer to home. Delight

your taste buds in the comforts and setting of your

choice. Add a chilled glass of ne Champagne and

have a signature dining in true Water Villas style.

Step in to world of ultimate relaxation and calm your

senses by treating yourself to a spa treatment in

the comfort of your own villa or at any location your

desire. With a private butler at your call, free your

thoughts to the nest indulgence. Your each request

is met with delightful care.

Adaaran Prestige Water Villas

47

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Live Band/ DJ Music, Theme Nights, Excursions

Main Restaurant

Fine Dining Restaurant

Main Bar

Beach Bar

Sunset Bar

Surf Bar

Dhodhi Bar

Beach Villas

Experience a holiday in the tropics beyond compare

at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi. Blessed with

thriving vegetation and pristine waters, the Island of

White Gold nds itself in peaceful seclusion in the

North Male Atoll. Discover a paradise hidden away in

plain sight where the sun rises painting the skies in

rich orange hues and the gentle waves of the Indian

Ocean caress the shore with grace.

Set in 83 acres of surprisingly lush tropical beach

property on Lhohifushi Island the resorts design

enables it to snuggle into its surroundings reinforcing

the impression of a quiet village whose shores are

lapped by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, ahaven of tranquillity.

Complete with 137 air conditioned and well appointed

Beach villas with wonderful views, an outdoor pool,

a white sandy private beach, tennis court, childrens

play area, a spa with varied treatments and tness

centre. Guests can avail themselves of recreational

activities including snorkelling to view the rich and

diverse marine life, wind surng, surng (seasonal),

canoeing and indoor sports. Night shing, photo

cruises where spinner dolphins can be spotted are

activities of a more exciting nature.

Adaaran Select Hudhuran

Fushi


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We accept: Visa, Master & Amex

Live Band/ DJ Music, Theme Nights, Excursions

Main Restaurant

Grill & Bar

Main Bar

Pool Bar

Sunset Bar

Sunrise Bar

Beach Villa

With the promise of an incomparable holiday in the

tropics, Adaaran Select Medhupparu offers blissful

accommodation for the discerning traveller to

Maldives. Bask under the healing sunshine and soak

up the alluring sights and sounds of a truly enchanting

island in the tropics. A ve star resort in Maldives,

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu offers tranquil settings

brimming with luxury. Surrender your senses to the

soothing atmosphere and experience opulence

redened.

Offering every aspect of a fullling Maldives travel

experience, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu assures

access to the azure waters surrounding the magicalisland blessed with spectacular sunsets. Travellers

looking for adventure will be able to try their hand

at an array of activities from wind surng, water

skiing to scuba diving, shing and Complete with a

host of modern facilities, we offer our guests lavish

accommodation with vistas of clear emerald waters.

Venture out into the open ocean and witness the raw

beauty of a world studded with sprawling coral reefs

and lively schools of chromatic sh.

With our skilled chefs and experienced service team,

sample some of the nest local and international

dishes loved by many from across the world at our

Restaurants.

Awaken your senses to a culmination of healing

treatments at Chavana Spa where tranquillity and

relaxation denotes a whole new meaning. Settle into a

holiday full of breathtaking experiences that will leave

you with memories to last a lifetime

Adaaran Select Meedhupparu

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A: P.O. Box 2014, South Male Atoll, P: + (960) 6644100, F: +(960) 6644101 , E: [email protected], W: www.anantara.com

We accept: All major credit cards & USD

Fushi Caf

Fuddan Fusion Grill

Terrazzo

Dining by Design

Aqua

Baan Huraa

72 Degrees

Geckos

Dhoni Bar

Sunrise/Sunset Beach villa

Sunset Pool Villa

Anantara Pool Villa

Anantara Over Water Pool Villa

Two Bedroom Anantara Pool Villa

Sunrise/Sunset Over Water Suite

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa Maldives welcomes you

to discover a tropical paradise island. Anantara Dhigu

Resort & Spa, comprising spacious over-water suites,

and beach villas, some with private plunge pools. Just

a 35 minute speedboat ride from Mal International

Airport. The tropical lagoon setting creates a Maldivian

paradise of breathtaking natural wonders, where the

warmest heartfelt welcome leads to journeys that

can be deeply relaxing or truly invigorating. From the

moment you arrive, peer into the crystal waters below

the jetty at puffer sh, sting rays and baby reef sharks.

Take part in an array of watersports including diving,

snorkelling, surng and island hopping.

37 Sunrise Beachfront Villas, 25 Sunset Beachfront

Villas, 18 Sunrise Overwater Suites, 18 Sunset

Overwater Suites, 2 Sunset Pool Villas, 6 Anantara

Pool Villas (can be booked as Two Bedroom Anantara

Family Pool Villa, interconnecting on the sundeck),

2 Anantara Overwater Pool Villas. Whichever room

type you choose, all are air-conditioned with TV, DVD/

CD player, mini-bar, in room safe, coffee machine,

internet access, sun terrace or deck, sunbeds and

snorkelling equipment and over sized indoor or

outdoor bathrooms.

Unwind at Anantara Spa with a range of renowned

signature treatments. An array of cuisine choices

awaits from international buffets at Fushi Cafe, to

Italian fare at Terrazzo or enjoy a fresh grills at Fuddan.

Anantara Dhigu guests also enjoy access to more

dining options at sister island Anantara Veli.

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa


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A: PO Box 2014, Baa Atoll P: +(960) 660 1020, F: +(960) 660 1040, E: [email protected] W: www.anantara.com

We accept: Visa Card, Master Card, & Amex

Cooking Classes, Cocktail Classes, Diving, Watersports and Excursion

Manzaru (Italian Restaurant and Bar)

Plates

Sea