The Maldives for Dummies ?

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Before Covid I was considering a holiday in the maldives - Just as a one off to try something different. I don't really know much about it - any advice welcome - when to go to, who to book with, board options etc.

Wife has MS and is a little unsteady on her feet and can't walk far - so any advice re that would be helpful.
 

Bonefish Blues

Banging donk
Location
52 Festive Road
I personally wouldn't go back tbh - all a bit dull and constrained by the small (by and large) size of the islands and resorts. Everything revolves around watersports, as you might expect. Also it might prove challenging for your wife, depending on how well paved or otherwise the particular island resort is.

How about somewhere like Paradise island/Cable Beach on New Providence, Bahamas where there's more activity and better provision for your wife?
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
I have been a few times.
The islands are just self contained resorts, there's no where really to go or to see. Unless you do a trip to the main island Mali. Or a boat trip to one of the tourist trap islands. You fly in to the islands airport and from there you either get a speed boat or a sea plane to your resort.

I have been to two islands, there was hardly any difference between the two resorts and speaking to others, that's the way it seems to be with most of the resorts. Except some cost more than others.
Most if not all the resorts are fully inclusive, food and drink. From 7 in the morning to about midnight. Every food you can imagine, all freshly cooked and prepared. That I couldn't fault at all. Be prepared to put on a lot of weight on the holiday. Most evening there's was some sort of entertainment provided.

I have been in August and in December/January. The weather is usually the same all year round due to the islands straddling the equator. Each time we went we had very heavy rain, but it doesn't usually last long. Quite refreshing in fact. It can also be quite cloudy but the temperature stays the same throughout the day and night.

In regards to what to do. Well, there isn't really much to do except relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, scuba, boat trips and fishing.
Most of the resorts are small, so not a lot of walking needed.

You don't need to take a huge amount of clothing and you certainly don't need shoes. I took shoes the first time, the other two times I just didn't bother and went barefoot everywhere.

Would I go again?
No. Reason being. The islands were like a prison to me. I'm not a beach bum and like to do, go, see stuff and see a bit of culture. There's none of that in the Maldives It really is a beach bum relaxing holiday, being waited on hand and foot. If you both like that then go. If you want more, then you may be disappointed

Take American dollars for tips. We paid everything by card at the end of the holiday (for boat trips etc). Once a week, we tipped our housekeeping and waiters about $50 (which is gratefully received as they get paid a pittance & they'll treat you as royalty)

Hope that helps.
If I think of anything else, I'll post again.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
I personally wouldn't go back tbh - all a bit dull and constrained by the small (by and large) size of the islands and resorts. Everything revolves around watersports, as you might expect. Also it might prove challenging for your wife, depending on how well paved or otherwise the particular island resort is.

How about somewhere like Paradise island/Cable Beach on New Providence, Bahamas where there's more activity and better provision for your wife?

Great minds and all that :okay:
 
Location
Cheshire
Before Covid I was considering a holiday in the maldives - Just as a one off to try something different. I don't really know much about it - any advice welcome - when to go to, who to book with, board options etc.

Wife has MS and is a little unsteady on her feet and can't walk far - so any advice re that would be helpful.

I would totally recommend. As far as weather goes, had some nasty storms in early October on one trip, but best to clue up as over 500 miles between north/south atolls so have their own variations. Mostly went between December/March and wall to wall sun. Last trip was Kuredu (2019) and loved it, variety of restaurants/bars etc. Big island with lots to do.
On the other hand, the tiny islands like Vilamendhoo can be very scuba diving focused, but the reef around it .... wow!
The best deals are over our summer months for sure as it's their 'rainy' season. Good luck!
 

Milkfloat

An Peanut
Location
Midlands
I have been a few times.
The islands are just self contained resorts, there's no where really to go or to see. Unless you do a trip to the main island Mali. Or a boat trip to one of the tourist trap islands. You fly in to the islands airport and from there you either get a speed boat or a sea plane to your resort.

I have been to two islands, there was hardly any difference between the two resorts and speaking to others, that's the way it seems to be with most of the resorts. Except some cost more than others.
Most if not all the resorts are fully inclusive, food and drink. From 7 in the morning to about midnight. Every food you can imagine, all freshly cooked and prepared. That I couldn't fault at all. Be prepared to put on a lot of weight on the holiday. Most evening there's was some sort of entertainment provided.

I have been in August and in December/January. The weather is usually the same all year round due to the islands straddling the equator. Each time we went we had very heavy rain, but it doesn't usually last long. Quite refreshing in fact. It can also be quite cloudy but the temperature stays the same throughout the day and night.

In regards to what to do. Well, there isn't really much to do except relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, scuba, boat trips and fishing.
Most of the resorts are small, so not a lot of walking needed.

You don't need to take a huge amount of clothing and you certainly don't need shoes. I took shoes the first time, the other two times I just didn't bother and went barefoot everywhere.

Would I go again?
No. Reason being. The islands were like a prison to me. I'm not a beach bum and like to do, go, see stuff and see a bit of culture. There's none of that in the Maldives It really is a beach bum relaxing holiday, being waited on hand and foot. If you both like that then go. If you want more, then you may be disappointed

Take American dollars for tips. We paid everything by card at the end of the holiday (for boat trips etc). Once a week, we tipped our housekeeping and waiters about $50 (which is gratefully received as they get paid a pittance & they'll treat you as royalty)

Hope that helps.
If I think of anything else, I'll post again.

This mirrors my experience exactly - however, we managed to spice things up by arranging a tour of inner working of the island including the desalination plant and kitchens. You can tell how much I do not like laying on a beach for a whole week.
 
I would totally recommend. As far as weather goes, had some nasty storms in early October on one trip, but best to clue up as over 500 miles between north/south atolls so have their own variations. Mostly went between December/March and wall to wall sun. Last trip was Kuredu (2019) and loved it, variety of restaurants/bars etc. Big island with lots to do.
On the other hand, the tiny islands like Vilamendhoo can be very scuba diving focused, but the reef around it .... wow!
The best deals are over our summer months for sure as it's their 'rainy' season. Good luck!
+2. Love the Maldives.
Last time we went was in 2016 and stayed on Vilamendhoo.Beautiful island with a great reef that goes right round the island.
I first went in 1997 to Kuramathi and it wasn't commercialised like it is now.It was truly "no news no shoes"then and not a television in sight!
I use to always go in April which is the crossover period between the dry and wet season but i have known people who have been in June and had really lovely weather.
 
OP
OP
kingrollo

kingrollo

Guru
Just an update. I've been back from the Maldives around a month - and absolutely loved it.

I booked with TUI and stayed at the Rui Attol for 10 nights all inclusive.

I feel like I just sat and starred at the sheer beauty of the place - the sea is vivid blue - and all sorts of colourful fish can be seen by sticking your head under the water incredible.

I flew from birmingham to Dubai - Dubai to Mali - bus, domestic flight & then speedboat. It was 25 hours from leaving my house to being in the hotel room. It's a very tiring journey and the return even more so. But it was the experience of a lifetime - would definitely go again - would stay for two weeks next time.

If you are considering it - don't go for any less than 10 days. You need a day or so to recover.

Also double check what you pack - there are no supermarkets where you can buy what you have forgotten!


Great time though.
 
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