An over water bungalow in Maldives qualifies as standard hotel accommodation and a speedboat at your jetty is the same as getting a cab from a taxi stand. It is an experience like no other. The Maldives is one thousand one hundred and ninety islands, of which only two hundred are inhabited. They make up twenty six coral atolls that offer a new appreciation for the ocean.
South Male Atoll is where you should be headed for a relaxing getaway. It is home to Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, just thirty five minute speed boat ride from Male International Airport. A direct and refreshing contrast to North Male Atoll, The South has only three inhabited islands all clustered on the eastern side home to only small populations of locals. The others remain private and secluded ideal for romantic getaways.
The largest island in the group is Maafushi. It has a resident population of just over one thousand and is the site of a handful of guesthouses. During the peak tourist season, the island is teeming with visitors. There are plenty of activities offered including diving, high-speed windsurfing, parasailing for aerial views of the fabulous seascape, kayaking on the lagoon, surfing on some of the world’s best waves and snorkelling for up close encounters the vibrant Maldivian marine life. Guraidhoo is smaller but has a population that is closer to two thousand. The island has the largest town in the entire atoll, it also boasts a busy port that is used for fishing boats as well as tourist boats. Like Maafushi, Guraidhoo also has several cheaply priced guesthouses that attract budget travellers. You will find Gulhi Island north of Maafushi; less than eight hundred people call it home. One of the country’s main industries, fishing, is evident on the island along with a small shipyard, and a few more guesthouses.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
