
Travelling provides exposure and unforgettable stories to cherish and share with your loved ones. However, most people don’t often get much time to travel. Thus they need to be picky about the places they visit to make their vacation trip worth every penny.
In this article, we’re going to discuss one such travel destination called Maldives. A tropical island country known for its exotic beaches, splendid marine life, lavish resorts, fun spots, yummy food, and much more. You can understand that covering all these diverse offerings in this short article wouldn’t be possible. So we’ll keep it short and share the top exciting things to do and foods to try during your Maldives holidays. But first, let’s learn a few basic things about this island country.
Maldives – Country Profile
With the official name of Maldive Islands, this tropical place is an independent island country located in the north-central Indian Ocean. It is an archipelago of around 1200 small coral islands and sandbanks grouped in clusters. Nearly 200 of these islands are populated and they are known for their sandy beaches dotted with palm trees at the backdrop and pristine ocean waters at the front.
The interesting part is, that Maldives has only been a holiday spot for 50 years. It used to be inhabited by small groups of fishermen living on some of the islands. There were no investments made in the area and no regular flights were available as the world was largely unaware of the Maldives as a travel site. Today, this lowest-lying country residing just 1.5 m above sea level is visited by over 1.5 million tourists.
Fun Activities You Can Enjoy in Maldives
What is any trip without fun? I mean the whole point of going to a holiday spot like Maldives is to enjoy some fun time with your loved ones. Worry not as you can start by enjoying the top fun activities we’ve shared below:
- Explore Local Markets: Visit the famous Male popular street market to admire and buy local crafts. The market is open from 8 am and functions until 11 pm. To shop from the market styled in European designs, visit the island bazaar, opened from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tourists can buy local artisans and home items including shoulder bags, cushions, etc.
- Swim with Sharks & Manta Rays: Visit Hanifaru Bay, the jewel of Baa Atoll, which is listed in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and home to sharks and manta rays. During the monsoon season i.e., May to November, huge amounts of plankton are trapped in the bay, creating a kind of “soup,” which attracts large numbers of manta rays and a few sharks as well. Tourists can’t dive in the Bay but they can snorkel and admire these wild sea creatures from a safe distance.
- Experience Scuba Diving at Biyadhoo Island: Owned and managed by the Taj Group of Hospitality, Biyadhoo Island is a Scuba Diver’s island. Here you can enjoy several exciting water activities like windsurfing, ski paddling, sailing and so much more. You can head to the nearest bars and enjoy coconut and the best of banana shakes. Other than scuba diving,
- Spend A Night in The Villas at Baros Island: Although, the Maldives offers the best resorts and hotels to stay. However, the villas located on Baros Island provide the best stay facilities. There are water villas providing direct access to lagoons and pool villas with private beach gardens. In addition, you can stay on luxury beach villas with alfresco baths, libraries, sun loungers, and a couple of other facilities. There are several spa treatments for couples, singles, men, women, and the elderly. The upscale services of the villas add to the staying experience. The rooms are furnished with luxury decor and furniture. There are private dining options as well as boat tours to make your trip romantic and fun.
Maldivian Foods You Need to Try During Your Tour
You can’t ever expect your trip to a foreign country complete until you don’t try their local dishes. Maldivian cuisine is unique and delicious. Its traditional cuisine is based on three main items and their spinoffs i.e., fish, starches, and coconuts. Let’s discuss the 9 best Maldivian dishes you need to try to complete your tour.
- Garudhiya (Fish Soup): Garudhiya is an aromatic fish soup usually cooked using fish, salt, and water and served with rice, onions lime, and chilli. It is also one of the basic food items of the local populace.
- Mas Huni (Shredded Smoked Tuna): Mas Huni is a ragged smoked Tuna that is a common and popular breakfast among the Maldivian people. It is served with grated coconuts, lemon, and onions and eaten with chapati bread called Roshi.
- Bis Keemiya (Spring Roll): You can say it is a Maldivian version of a spring roll with a pastry filled with tuna/hardboiled egg, sliced onions, and gently sautéed, shredded cabbage. It is an interesting dish that makes for a good snack and its authenticity of the flavors makes it a must-try food.
- Boshi Mashuni (Banana Flower Salad): Boshi Mashuni is a blend of fresh coconut and crispy, shredded banana flowers. It is somewhere between salsa and salad in which curry leaves, turmeric and cumin provides a tasty flavor while spices, lime, and Maldivian chilli give it a tangy twist.
- Maldivian Live Lobster: One of the best local dishes, Maldivian Lobster melts in the mouth and it tastes best when cooked alive. It is served with just a sprinkling of lemon juice that leaves a unique taste in the mouth.
- Saagu Bondibai (Sago Pudding): Sago or sabudana is a popular ingredient in the Maldivian people’s diet. It is warmed with coconut milk and laced with condensed milk. The essence of cardamom and rose makes the whole experience even better.
- Reef Fish Cutlets: You can’t miss this popular food in the Maldives. Reef fish cutlets are made with Tandoor masala spiced reef fish and served with sides like coconut, mint, chutney, papaya, and cucumber.
- Gulha (Dumpling): You can say Gulha is a ‘short eat’ or ‘evening snack,’ which tastes the best when served freshly baked with tea or coffee. It is a small dumpling packed with Tuna fish, onions, chilli, and grated coconuts.
Maldives is a place of dreams but you can experience its attractions in reality. Just reach out to Virikson Holidays and discuss your idea of a perfect vacation. We’ll share the best travel deals and provide seamless services to make your Maldives holidays worth the king’s ransom. Don’t forget to explore interesting activities and foods to enjoy shared in this article and make every moment of your tour memorable.