Climate of Maldives
The climate of Maldives is warm year round, determined by the monsoons. However, being on the equator, the monsoons are mild and not as defined as in neighbouring countries. Of the two monsoons, the south most monsoons from May to October, brings more rain and wind. The northeast monsoon, from November to April, is the dry season with very little wind. The temperature varies little with an annual average daily maximum of 30.4 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 25.4 degrees Celsius. The annual rainfall stood at just over 1,600 millimetres in 1992. In the same year, the country, with the equator running thought it, had over 2,700 hours of sunshine. back up
Average Daily Sunshining Hours
Entry
to Maldives
Almost all visitors to the Maldives arrive by air. Male' international Airport, situated in Hulhule island, is just over a kilometre or about ten minutes by boat from Male', the capital. All visitors must have a valid passport. For visitors coming from yellow fever infected areas, an international certificate of inoculation is required. No visa is required in advance. A tourist visa of 30 days will be granted to all visitors with valid travel documents.
During the period December
to March when most of the resorts islands are full, it is advised that
all visitors have confirmed hotel reservations before arrival. However,
for the convenience of visitors without advance bookings, a Tourist information
Counter is provided at the arrival hall through which a booking may be
make. Hotel information is also required for immigration clearance. All
visitors who enter the Maldives should be in possession of a return air-ticket
and at least US $25 per intended day of stay in the Maldives.
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The Maldives has a wide variety
of accommodation for the visitor. Choices vary from 69 resort islands,
which will increase to 74 in the very near future, to hotels and guest
houses in Male', to yachts and yacht-dhonis, a specially converted
Maldivian vessel, which are licensed to accommodate visitors.
A resort island is a world
by itself. Developed on uninhabited islands, each island is just one hotel,
exclusively maintained in pristine form and serviced for only a limited
number of guests. The untouched white beaches are perfect for relaxation
and a healthy tan under the Maldivian sun. Crowned by majestic coconut
palms which characterize the Maldives, the vegetation on all islands are
quite similar; rings of tropical vegetation adapting to a variety of environments,
salt resistant and hardy varieties closer to the beach-line giving way
to shrubs and plants, and more delicate and dense greenery towards the centre.
Just inside the vegetation
line, well dispersed for maximum privacy along the beach in a typical resort
island are small bungalow style rooms where accommodation is provided.
The rooms, though mostly shaded by tree, allow a clear view of the beach,
the lagoon and the horizon beyond. They are generally equipped with modern
conveniences, with en suite facilities. Most of the resort islands have
at least two restaurants. Some of the larger resorts may offer as may as
five different restaurants. Local and continental cuisine is available
in addition to exotic buffets and barbecues. Normally the hotel rates quoted
are for full board - bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. In club
style resorts and in some smaller resort islands this is often preferred.
Except in the evening, when wining and dining under the stars may be the
choice for most, there is never enough time to exhaust the wonders of the
sea.
Naturally, most of the activities
centre around the sea. The reefs around the islands are excellent for diving
and snorkeling. Activities such as water-skiing and windsurfing may seems
strenuous but exciting. Water sports equipment and facilities are available
for hire on all resort islands. There is either a fully equipped diving
school or a more elaborate water spots centre.
There is sufficient activity
on all resorts which are self contained worlds of their own. Equipment
for sports such as lawn tennis, soccer, volleyball, and indoor games such
as billiards, table tennis, chess or darts are usually available free of
charge in many of the resort islands.
Those who wish to relax
can spend time on the beach; sit under the sun or under the cool green
shade; admire the surrounding natural beauty or perhaps simply gaze at
the horizon lined with green islands springing out of the blue ocean. The
beaches are peaceful and never crowded. Every island resort is Robinson
Crusoe's island but equipped with modern amenities subtly hidden away.
As depicted by local artists in stencil prints unique to the Maldives,
relaxing on the beach is not only aesthetic but a sport and an art in itself.
There are only a few places in the world where so much pleasure can be
derived by doing nothing.
Cruising among the islands
may be an exciting alternative to lazing on resort beaches. Yachts and
yacht-dhonis with bunk beds or private cabins are available for hire. These
boats can accommodate between eight to twenty passengers on cruises that
sail for ten to fifteen days. Some of the larger vessels have scuba diving
and windsurfing facilities with qualified instructors on board. Food prepared
by the crew using the day's fresh catch of fish may be modest, but a tourist
is never too far to stop for a sumptuous meal or a drink.
On a cruise, dining under
a clear sky in the Maldives can be an experience in itself. With the equator
running through the Maldives, it is an astronomer's dream too.
Besides safari boats and
resorts there are a few hotels and guest houses in Male' as well. These
facilities cater mainly for the business traveler. The larger establishments
provide meals. Tourist accommodation is also available on Gan island in
Addu; the southern-most atoll of the Maldives.
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The tourist resort islands have their own transfer boats to carry their clients. Visitors with confirmed reservations are normally met on arrival at the airport and transferred by boat, helicopter or sea-plane to the resort island of their choice. Transport and communication services provided for tourists are generally of a high standard. Minimum standards of service and safety also apply.
There is no regular inter-island
transportation system between inhabited islands. The ad hoc transportation
system is serviced mainly by local boats called Dhoni or Baththeli
which average a speed of about 8 miles per hour. A lager number of dhonis
plow the Male' International Airport and Male' route as ferries. Dhonis
and even modern speed boats are also available for hire. Air Maldives,
the national carrier, operates regular flights to the domestic airports
at Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan.
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Male', the capital of the Maldives, is the commercial centre, seat of government and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks. With an area of just over 1.77 square kilometres, it is home to over sixty thousand people, and is the busiest and most populous island in the archipelago. It has been known as the Sultan's Island in the past.
The Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A "z" zam is the biggest mosque in the Maldives. It also includes the Islamic Centre. This Grand Mosque with its dominant golden dome decorates the facade of Male'. It can accommodate over five thousand worshippers at a time. Nearly all visitors to Male' take time to visit this magnificent landmark.
The old Friday Mosque with its unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members of royalty resting in the quietness of its compound, gives the visitor a glimpse of the past. The art in the mosque and royal burial grounds are unique and invaluable.
Other important sites in Male' include the tombs of legendary saints, Mulee-aage - the Presidential Palace and the National Museum in the Sultan Park which shows the glories of a different era. All these are within a ten minute stroll.
The fruit and vegetable market
and the firewood market are busy and colourful places where islanders from
outer atolls trade their goods. The fish market nearby, is always immaculately
clean, until the fish is landed in the busy hours of late afternoon when
fisher-folk begin to arrive with the day's catch. The fishermen cutting
and cleaning the fish have developed the process to an art. It is a clean
and well maintained area that generates much interest from visitors and
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Shopping
in Maldives
Male' is the best place for shopping if you are interested in buying imported goods. Most of the shops that specialize in tourists do sell a lot of local handicrafts and souvenirs. It is always best to browse through some shops before making a choice. The shops that are recommended by guides or shop assistants volunteering to be guides are not necessarily the best places for shopping.
If you are looking for duty
free shops, there are some located at the Male' International Airport.
They offer a pretty good range of goods from cameras, cosmetics, electrical
and electronic equipment, cigarettes and other merchandise.
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Maldivian Rufiyaa Mrf and
unit Laari (100 Laari's in 1 Rufiyaa) -
Approximate exchange rates
are US $ 1 = 12.85 Mrf and Sterling £ 1 = 18 Mrf.
All major creditcards, Traveler's cheques is accepted by most businesses in
the Maldives
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© Copyright 2003 - A. S. I. Moosa (Sappe') - It is permitted to use this text in giving information about the Maldives with due acknowledgement of the author. This information set has been in compilation since 1995, if there are any errors or comments please feel free to contact admin@e-maldives.com
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