A tropical paradise of more than 1,000 coral islands and home to the world's largest fish - the Maldives is one of the most beautiful places you'll ever visit. Here is 10 reasons you must put it on your bucket list now:
1. SEA LIFE
It is out-of-this-world. Most resorts have little baby reef sharks swimming in the shallows. Don’t worry - they’re tiny and timid. We wanted to see turtles - and saw so many we couldn't keep count! The reefs are so full of fish - it feels like a giant aquarium.
2. GIANT MANTARAY
Swimming with giant mantaray deserves its own category. You’ll head out in a boat with an expert guide - and before long see these giant birds of the sea gliding below. Once in the water - the manta are extremely playful - and put on a magnificent underwater ballet show.
3. WHALE SHARKS
Once again, this magnificent creature of the deep also deserves its own category. The Maldives is one of very few places in the world that is home to this bus-size shark (the largest fish on the planet) and where you can swim right alongside them. They are so gentle and not even remotely interested in harming you - in fact, they eat plankton - the tiniest thing in the ocean.
4. BEST BEACHES
If you want a tropical paradise - don’t look anywhere else. The sand is so white and pure - it feels like it’s never been walked on. The water so clear, you can see the sand all the way out until the bottom turns blue. Snorkelling in 50 metres of water - we could still see the bottom!
5. BEST RESORTS
No country on earth has a better selection of stunning resorts. The island we stayed at, Kuredu Island resort, was an oasis of peace and every detail meticulously was thought of. Get an “all inclusive deal” - meaning all the meals are included. We had a buffet every breakfast, lunch and dinner with over 50 dishes to choose from! All inclusive deals may seem expensive, but they will definitely be cheaper if you stay more than 3 days.
Show me where Kuredu Island Resort is on google maps
6. AMAZING SUNSETS
Because the weather is generally clear skies - and there’s nothing to obstruct the horizon - you’ll see the sun melt into the water every night.
7. WARM WATER
The air temperature and water temperature are generally the same and you’ll be able to stay in for hours and hours! Just like a bath!
8. CORAL ATOLLS
You’ll probably take a seaplane to your resort - and be treated to magnificent views of coral atolls - hundreds of them. The pilots all fly bare feet - it’ll be the best flight you ever take.
9. GET #ONFLIGHTMODE
Most resorts have little internet - and certainly no televisions. The only option is to disconnect from our hectic lives, relax and discover.
10. GAIN CONFIDENCE
Yes, it can sound a little overwhelming to be sharing the water with baby sharks (and their parents), mantas, whale sharks and millions of other fish. But what you’ll quickly discover - is that they don’t care about you. You gain heaps of confidence seeing a small shark swim by - and instead of freaking out - just enjoying it. You’ll have the most amazing stories to tell when you get back from this holiday!