The real Maldives begin where the resorts end but many travellers don’t go beyond resorts because there are so many. There are more than 1200 islands here and the majority of them are still untouched by many visitors. And each island offers a unique experience where you can enjoy nature and bustling island communities. Not just that, there are many islands where you get to interact with exciting underwater organisms. Also, you will be able to enjoy multiple kinds of food places and markets that will help you understand how locals live in places like these. And obviously there are numerous kinds of watersports that many islands offer. To enjoy unlimited fun and gripping discounts for your vacation, try to acquire Maldives holiday packages from a trustworthy travel agency. The following article will guide you what you can do to enjoy this country beyond the resorts.

Understanding Climate and Best Time to Visit

It is a tropical destination and you should understand one thing about such places that the temperature remains the same throughout the year at places like this. You will experience a temperature between 25 degrees and 32 degrees around the year here which is very moderate. To understand better, you can divide the climate conditions of this country into the following two seasons.

Dry Season

It is the best season to plan a trip in this country because you will find clear skies and very moderate temperatures. It is the time when the country experiences very little rain and allows you to explore every island freely. This season usually starts in December and ends by April and gives you multiple opportunities to enjoy numerous kinds of watersports. The best sport in this season is snorkelling because the gentle waves allow you to swim comfortably.

Wet Season

You would have guessed by the name that you will get to experience a lot of rain in this season. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t visit this country during this time. You just need to make the necessary preparation for such a visit. Also, it would be best to understand that each season in this country has a different vibe. You will find heavy shower during wet season which will start from May and ends in October. Also, you will experience heavy waves in this season which is best for surfing.

There are shoulder months in which you will see moderate rain and fewer crowds in the country. In these months, the hotel rates go down so you can live in comfortable places without spending much. It will be your choice which vibe you want to enjoy and plan your vacation accordingly.

Explore Islands & Local Life

There are hundreds of islands in this country that are still undiscovered by many travellers. All these islands offer a very unique vibe and give you an opportunity to understand the local life. Also, when you visit these places you will know that they are very affordable compared to expensive resorts. There are many islands that you should visit but here are some few that you should not miss at any cost. And these islands will give you the chance to avoid expensive resorts and live in classy but affordable places.

Island Name	Budget Level	Best For	Key Highlight	Unique Feature
Maafushi	Very Budget-Friendly	Snorkelling, local life	Affordable hotels & activities	Bikini beach, rare marine life
Thulusdhoo	Budget-Friendly	Surfing, cultural experience	Strong waves for surfing	Only Coca-Cola factory in the country
Dhigurah	Moderate Budget	Marine life, beach lovers	Whale shark encounters	Long white sandy beaches (3 km approx.)

Maafushi Island

The most interesting thing about this island is that it is the most budget-friendly place in the entire country. You will find some of the best hotels with extraordinary services but at the cheapest rates. Also, it is the best place to enjoy a lot of watersports especially snorkelling. And you will get to interact with some of the most incredible underwater creatures here. These creatures include dolphins and manta ray fish and the kind you will find here are the rarest that you will not see anywhere. This island also features a bikini beach which is very popular among travellers. The restaurants here offer delicious food but you will not find alcohol here.

Thulusdhoo Island

It is also one of the most budget-friendly islands offering numerous kinds of accommodations at the cheapest rates. It is the best place to enjoy surfing because of the strong waves. It is one of those places where you can also learn surfing if you are interested in this sport. The local culture on this island is very interesting because it blends with the modern industry and it will give you a chance to experience diversity. Also, it is the best place for fishing and boating because many locals are associated with the fishing profession.

Dhigurah Island

It is the best island to interact with the most exciting underwater creatures. You will get to swim with a whale shark on this island in clear water. Also, it is one of those islands and the only island where you will find the longest beaches. Some of these beaches are approximately three kilometers long and most of them have a white sand bed. Also, it is the best place for swimming and to enjoy snorkelling using some of the best facilities.

The best time to visit island is the dry season because you will need a lot of time to explore them fully. And you will find the temperature very moderate in these entire islands, allowing you to enjoy peacefully. After living in these islands you will realise that resorts are very expensive and you can live more comfortably without using them. Another thing about these islands is that you will find both kinds of transportation. To keep your expenses at minimum you should use local transportation to move across the island.

Water Sports & Other Adventurous Activities

It will not be wrong if you refer to this country as the playground of multiple water sports. There are resorts that offer you private places to enjoy these sports. But there are also companies that offer you the same opportunity with better equipment and gadgets. There are many sports that you can enjoy on the different islands of this country.

Snorkelling

It is one of the best sports that you can enjoy in almost every island in the country. Also, there are many resorts and private services that offer you this sport. You will find a different vibe in different season for this sport. During the dry season you will experience calm and clear water while in the wet season you will find more diverse water life here. It does not mean that you will not get to see underwater organisms in the dry season but the dry season brings out more colours.

Scuba Diving

Travellers around the world come to this country especially to enjoy this sport. You will not find more suitable and ideal weather conditions anywhere except here to enjoy this game. Also, it is the best place to learn this sport because there are numerous outfits that offer to learn it. The best season to enjoy this sport is the dry season because the waves are not that hard in this season.

Surfing

It is another sport that brings thousands of travellers to this country but there are only a few islands where you can enjoy this sport. You will enjoy this sport at its maximum only during the wet season. As the wind will be hard and you will get high and strong waves which will give you a chance to perfectly enjoy this sport. The best island to fully enjoy this sport is Male Atolls.

Jet Skiing

You will find many watersports outlets on many islands throughout the country offering this activity. Also, these outlets will give you workshop and necessary instructions to enjoy it properly. They will give you the best facilities and gadgets to enjoy this sport.

There are many other activities that you can enjoy throughout this country. These activities include swimming with a shark whale and hanging out with a manta ray. To have a pure local traditional vibe you've got to do night fishing. It is a fun activity that many locals practice and it is a tradition of the people of this country. South Ari Atoll is the perfect place to enjoy swimming with shark whale but there are other places as well. And to interact with Manta Ray you will find many places but Hanifaru Bay is the best.

Eat Food like a Real Maldivian

It is one of those things that you will not be able to enjoy if you book a resort for yourself. It is because after booking a resort you will be bound to it and will rely on everything they will offer. And it will be a waste of your money if you book a resort and then eat your meals from the outside. The thing about Maldivian food is that it a blend of Sri Lankan and Arabian cuisines.

There are some dishes that you should definitely try on your visit to this country. These dishes include Mas Huni which is a mixture of tuna and coconut and locals consume it for breakfast. There is another dish Garudhiya which is a soup of certain fish and you will love it. It will be one of those cuisines that you will not get to eat anywhere else. The following are some of the best places to enjoy local food.

Seagull Café House

It is one of the most popular places in the entire country that offer the Maldivian food at its finest. It is also known as one of the first cafes in the country that showcases local dishes in a new style. You will get to enjoy traditional breakfast and many more options for lunch and dinner at this café.

Shell Beans

It is another great place to enjoy traditional food in an international setting. And not just food, this place also offers many kinds of cocktails and some of the most refreshing juices. Also you will be able to enjoy some of the best sweet dishes at this café and the most delicious muffins as well.

Apart from these two cafes, there are many other options of many islands that you can try. The best way to enjoy the most out of your holidays is to acquire one of the Maldives holiday packages from a reputable travel agency. Your agency will guide you to the places you should visit to get an original vibe of the country. Also, they will book your reservation at all the appropriate places so you do not have to go through any hassle.

 

Short Travel Tips

Maldives is a very small country and some people on some of the islands are very conservative. You should be respectful of their norms and the traditions they follow. It is necessary that you always wear modest clothes wherever you go especially when you visit local markets. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited and if you want to enjoy any kind of such beverages it would be best to do so inside a resort. There are resorts that offer such drinks but you will get into serious trouble if you try to consume it in public. Also, you should stay at guesthouses to save money and use only local transport to move within the country. You should pack your bag according to the season in which you are going to travel and take some essential gadgets with you if you want to enjoy water sports.

Last Word

These are some of the many things that you can enjoy while on your vacation in the Maldives and you will not need a resort to enjoy them. But to make your journey comfortable and full of privileges you should book your journey with Virikson Holidays. This travel agency also offers Maldives holiday packages that will help you enjoy many amenities at discounted rates. This country has some of the finest resorts but if you follow the activities and tips mentioned in this article you will get to enjoy more without spending more money.