Maldives - South Male Atoll holidays

introduction to South Male Atoll

Scattered in the middle of the Indian Ocean, these paradise islands are palm-fringed jewels lying in turquoise lagoons of the most remarkable blue you've ever seen. Entirely circled by two large atolls, the majority of the islands are scarcely higher than two metres, and from the surface are no more than mounds of pure white sand, covered with intense tropical vegetation interspersed with soaring coconut palms. Stretch out on the beach and relax...peaceful, uncrowded, with pure, soft dazzling sand. Crystal clear lagoons, enclosed by coral reefs overflow with extraordinary marine life and exotic corals. These islands are popular with scuba divers and snorkellers, and are legendary and for those who have never dived before - it's a perfect opportunity to learn with warm waters and sunshine, and plenty of the resorts have their own fully-equipped diving schools. Of the 12,000 islands, about one in ten of them are inhabited and less then half of them have any tourism development, and those that do, there is room for no more than one hotel - in fact the capital, Male, occupies one island, the airport another! These islands are worlds in themselves, some of the larger ones offer different restaurants featuring local and continental cuisine along with exotic buffets and barbecues. Because fish and coconuts are the only items that don't have to be imported, they find their way onto most menus and spinybacked lobster is a particular delicacy. Needless to say the majority of the more taxing activities are sea based, and watersporting equipment is always available, with most resorts offering windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing and water-skiing. You'll find the nearest thing to sightseeing is a leisurely trip in a local boat known as a dhoni, in search of an ideal beach or picnic spot.

Journey Times: Airports, Malé - 45 mins approx by speedboat