The Maldives

The top leisure activities on your Maldives holidays

December 20, 2010 by Maldives  
Filed under Holidays

The stunning Indian Ocean island archipelago of the Maldives boasts fantastic tropical landscapes surrounded by soft sandy beaches that are washed by crystal blue seas. For many the allure of simply lying on a secluded beach practicing the art of simply doing nothing is enough, however if you are feeling energetic on your Maldives holidays, there are enough leisure activities on offer to keep you entertained. Whether you want to feel the adrenalin rush of going parasailing or you would like to explore plethora of marine life by snorkelling or fishing, on a visit to the Maldives you can do it all.

Parasailing

For an unrivalled aerial view on your Maldives holidays, consider a white knuckled parasailing adventure. This is a great way to explore the splendour of not only the island you are staying on, but the majesty of the surrounding islands and vast expanse that is the Indian Ocean. Be aware that generally parasailing is only offer by the larger resorts, so if this is high on your list of priorities ensure you find out whether the resort you wish to stay at offers this service,

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular activities for anyone on Maldives holidays is exploring the myriad of underwater flora and fauna on a snorkelling or scuba diving adventure. With visibility of up to 60 metres, 70 different coral reefs and more than 700 different species of fish, people from all over the world travel to the Maldives just for the magnificent diving conditions. Many of the resorts across the Maldives have onsite certified scuba diving schools and for those who prefer, most will offer visitors complimentary use of their snorkelling equipment.

Fishing

If you are a keen angler, you won’t be short of options for a fishing expedition on your Maldives holidays. No longer will you be dreaming of catching the elusive dolphin fish, rainbow runner or barracuda as these hard to come by fish and many others are found in abundance in the waters of the Maldives. For extra keen fishermen or women there is the option of charter trips to the nearby reefs where the ever present challenge is to land some of the strongest fish in the area such as giant trevally and snapper.

Surfing

A relatively new sport to the Maldives, the islands are fast establishing themselves as one of the world’s premier surfing destinations. If surfing is your thing, consider staying in a hotel near the Male Atol which is recognised as having some of the best and most easily accessible breaks. For extra indulgence consider hiring a boat or dhoni where you can sail to unexplored breaks found off some of the many uninhabited islands. The best surfing conditions are generally from May to October so you should plan your Maldives holidays accordingly.

Cruising and Catamaran Adventures

For something a little lower key, consider taking a cruising trip around the Maldives. Options range from day trips up to several weeks and there a selection of vessels available for private hire or with an on board crew depending on your sailing experience. All Maldives holidays are sure to impress and whether you add a sailing adventure onto your hotel stay or you spend your entire visit to the Maldives cruising from one island to the next, this tropical destination will leave you mesmerised and extremely satisfied.

Peter Vasiliou is an Indian Ocean specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering Maldives holidays as well as holidays around the world. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book great Maldives holidays.

All inclusive holidays…the only way to holiday!

May 29, 2010 by Maldives  
Filed under Holidays, Maldives

Holidays are meant to be enjoyed. I know this sounds clichéd but holidays are meant to help you let your hair down, keep worries on the side and take a long deep breath and soak in the sun, sea, sand, hills…wherever you are. Imagine, whipping out your wallet every few hours to pay for meals, services, experiences and you can see some of the holiday pleasures slip away. Top that with managing receipts, negotiating pricing and you might as well stay at home!

Maldives tour operators and resort owners are beginning to understand this and offer all inclusive holiday packages which make your holidays in Maldives smooth and all you have to do is pay for everything at one go. Sounds simple? It is. All inclusive holidays are becoming popular with people who do not want to be bothered with monetary details in their holiday and by paying for everything together, you can manage to get more out of your vacation. In fact, an early version of all inclusive holidays was already made popular by the resorts and hotels with packages which included stay, all meals, therapies or any relevant activities.

An all-inclusive holiday is the best option to choose provided its available….it starts from the flight costs and includes all costs such as:

  • Airport pick up and drop
  • Stay
  • Meals and unlimited drinks
  • 24/7 Snacks
  • Services at the resort/hotel
  • Sightseeing
  • Spa therapies if available
  • Luxury add-ons
  • Any other special services available at that location

You can practically leave your wallet at home and relax. All inclusive holidays are becoming popular with honeymooners and couples who are getting away from the daily stress of domesticity and the sheer numbers of offers for inclusive holidays are on the rise.  Shopping and tips aside,  inclusive holiday deals take care of everything that you would need during your stay.

One of the myths surrounding all inclusive holidays are that they tend to be more expensive than the regular packages that you would book. Well, anything that has an extra element of service is not likely to be the cheapest option available. Compare it with the time you spend getting the best deals around and you will realize that all inclusive holidays are a big time savers.

There are two broad categories in the inclusive holidays that you are likely to find with tour operators.  An all-inclusive holiday includes the flights and there are some which are without the flights. Both are attractive offers as you can also utilize your miles or choose flights based on your preferred airlines.

In fact, if you are travelling long-haul, you can be rest assured that all-inclusive holidays are ideal as they not only save you time and money, they also help you get the most of your holiday and create long lasting memories. So the next time you look at the long two week holiday with either your loved ones or even the entire family, make sure you check out inclusive holidays for your preferred destination!