Maldives

[kampong boi]

I am back from a recent trip to Maldives and here is my review.

Some introduction: Maldives is filled with many small islands, the biggest island, Male, their capital is about the size of Jurong, given 2 hours, you can walk the circumference of the island. A cluster of these islands will make up an Atoll. The many Atolls make up the country, hence it could be as big as Malaysia.

Flight: Booked a flight on Tiger, and it was cheap, just bear with the 4 hours flight or occupy your time.

Spending: Spent about ~SGD 1,300 per person for a total of 8 days. Most of the spending was on diving. They accept USD and MVR, Maldivian Ruufiya. It is good to change some USD to MVR at the Ibrahim Nasir Airport, comes in handy when you pay for small items as they tend to round up if you try to pay in USD and probably get short changed.

Accomodation: I stayed in lodges and inns, not those island resorts. I've covered Male (the capital), Hulhumale (Airport) and Maafushi. These lodges and inns are inland and may not have a nice view out of the window, probably a view of the inland country, not the sea. These islands are inhibited with the locals hence you get to see provision shops, mini-marts, different restaurant/cafe. In Male, you will get to see the markets, gift shops etc. While those island bought by private companies such as Club Med do not have those mentioned and you will probably be eating at the only restaurant on the island, but the upside is you have a private beach and can wear bikini.

Food: Their food are all halal, meaning no pork and can take 1-2 hours to be served, I am not sure why. But the private resorts do serve pork and alcohol. I've tried their local food as much as possible (who would want to go there to try pasta or char kway teow), it is more of fish (tuna), curries and roshi (prata-like dish). The local food are much cheaper so there is more reasons to try them. Tuna is quite a common source of food, they have an abundance of tuna in the sea and in the market, very fresh. They have a breakfast dish called mashuni-roshi which is a tuna coconut shaving mix wrapped inside a thin mini prata, quite spicy. Kottu roshi is something the locals commonly eat during lunch or dinner. It is teared chapati fried with tuna or chicken. The other items worth mentioning is their finger food that can also be found in mini-marts, kulhi boakibaa - fish cake, gulha - fish ball, bajiyaa - samosa, keemia - fish rolls.

Activites: This to me is the most important factor that determine your length or stay. Diving, if you have a licence, is quite worthwhile as there are many dive sites in one island and if you travel to other islands, there will be different things to see.
Otherwise, one should go snorkeling at least, because the water is so clear that you might see the seabed if it is within 30 n and maybe see some rays or turtles if lucky.
Sea-plane, even though it is expensive, I believe it is a good experience as you get to see the islands and resorts from above, some of them form a unique shape or pattern. However it is only available from Hulhumale. Those staying in a resort that is far from the Hulhumale, will have to take a seaplane as the boat is too slow.
A few others would be fishing, yes the resort, inn, lodges will help you cook the fish catches in curry or BBQ. There is night fishing as well.
Island hopping, you will need to pay for the boat trip and the entrance fee to the island/resort. If you would like to eat or do any activities on the island, you have to top up.
Jet-ski, para-sailing, I have tried them before so I gave them as miss, para-sailing might give you a good view from above.
In Male, you might be interested in the market where they sell huge tuna, marlins, coconuts, bananas and their pinefruit.

All in all, I would go back there again, but not so soon.

I will post more if anyone wants a more detailed account on any area or reply to the best of my knowledge.

 

[a1v1n_]

good simple review. thanks! a place to head to in the future.

 

[suangern]

thanks and any photos to share with us?

 

[kampong boi]

I will get the pictures sorted out, most of the pictures were ruined by my face.

Don't expect the clearest of pictures or beaches you see on websites, those are mainly beaches from private resorts or an inhibited island. I stayed at public islands so their sand are not as good, but definitely better than sg or bintan. Waters are crystal clear, can see a distinct change in colour from green to turquoise, from shallow to deep.

A local did mention this place was originally for those on honeymoon or willing to spend. Not many of these inn or lodges were built in places where the locals stay, as the government did not want them to be influenced by the tourist and the country being a strict Muslim like Brunei, eg no alcohol. But I guess things have changed and more economical options are made available. A ~10 storey hotel was being built on Hulhumale while I was there, it will be the tallest building on the island, a mid-price option for those between inns and resorts.

 

[smilingbuddha]

Can share your diving details?

 

[dicxz80]

can help to post here, break down of your spending ?

thank you

 

[kampong boi]

Please bear with me, I will get the photos up by the weekend.

Off hand, I might not remember all the details of my trip, feel free to ask.

Can share your diving details?

I dived in Hulhumale and Maafushi. Male and Hulhu(short form) are quite near to each other so there is not much difference and it is quite hard to spot a dive shop in Male as it is a city area. Take note, these are dive shops located on public islands and not private resort islands.

Dive shop: I looked up the reputable dive shops listed by PADI, and noted them down. I didn't want to book in advance as 1) I wanted to take a look at the shop, equipment, dive masters etc 2)their pricing, most them do not list their pricing on the dive shops 3) in case any last minute I am not feeling well or a change of plans.

There are at most 3 reputable dive shops in Hulhu and Maafushi, so I visited all of them before settling down on 1. They are Dive Club Maldives for Hulhu and Maafushi Dive in Maafushi.

Pricing: In general, 1 dive is about USD55, but it will even out to USD50 if you go for more dives. Some dive shops maybe give free snorkeling for those who do not dive or want to snorkel, but best if you have at least 1 person diving or have at least dived with them before. Other shops require you to top up for snorkeling. Edit: I tend to ask the dive shop is there a dive the next day and if yes, how many people have already signed up.

Diving times: They usually have 2 in the morning, and 1 in the afternoon. But the afternoon slot usually have to be more relaxed due to your rest time and also, imo less things to see as sea creatures tend to come out at night and stay till the late morning. There is a night dive as well.

Equipment and masters: the equipment are generally okay, as for the dive masters, most of them are native people, once in a while they might have expat dive masters working/helping them. There was a Jap dive master living there but touring around the different islands, so he will hop around. Another was a Vietnam master who was there to train a few dive masters, the course was over and he was there to do his leisure dives. Be friendly with them and they will try to bring you to good spots and point to you the rare creatures. Note: dive shops usually don't bring you to their best spot on your first dive, unless you request and are a returning customer. It also depends on the group, the bigger the better the spot. But there was once I was the only diver and they brought me to where and what I wanted to see, probably because I was a returning diver. Yes they will give you a dive briefing before going down, dive time, which direction, what to see etc. Little factors that are important.

I myself only a basic open water actually went below 20 m, almost 30 m, went on cave dives, wreck dive, strong current dive. Yeah there is a small ship wreck there about 20+ m down, just swim around the wreck, not big but still an experience. Cave dives, need to check your overhead to prevent you tank or head from hitting the ceiling. Small cave, size of a taxi stand? Strong current dive, can see your bubbles float 45 degrees rather than just upwards. Need to keep paddling if you are against the current.

White tip sharks - lots of them sharks in general, I am quite scared of them.
Mantas, Eagle ray, sting ray - quite a number of them if you go to the right spot.
Turtles - usually found quite deep, my favourite creature
Octopus - quite hard to find, but they are usually curled up
Dolphins - not underwater, lots of them especially when the boat is speeding.
Moray eels - hiding inside holes or inside wrecks, they will pop out to greet you.
Lots of tunas, I did not get to see whales as the they said it was not in season.

4 dives in Hulhu, 5 in Maafushi

can help to post here, break down of your spending ?

thank you

On average and approximation:

Accommodation: ~USD80-100 for twin sharing per night x 7 nights = USD700 or 350/person
Diving: 9 x 50 = USD450
Misc: Food - it local food :/
water - the inn will provide as well as cafe/restaurants, but sometimes got to buy on your own
souvenir, tips -
transport, ferry to Maafushi - only took the bus once from the airport to the inn, a taxi ride once to the ferry terminal. The rest is on foot.

Plane ticket: ~SGD270 depends if you want check in baggage - I excluded this in my cost in the first post.

 

[torque]

anyone interested I am selling a pair of air tix to Maldives pm me

 

[smilingbuddha]

Please bear with me, I will get the photos up by the weekend.

Off hand, I might not remember all the details of my trip, feel free to ask.



I dived in Hulhumale and Maafushi. Male and Hulhu(short form) are quite near to each other so there is not much difference and it is quite hard to spot a dive shop in Male as it is a city area. Take note, these are dive shops located on public islands and not private resort islands.

Dive shop: I looked up the reputable dive shops listed by PADI, and noted them down. I didn't want to book in advance as 1) I wanted to take a look at the shop, equipment, dive masters etc 2)their pricing, most them do not list their pricing on the dive shops 3) in case any last minute I am not feeling well or a change of plans.

There are at most 3 reputable dive shops in Hulhu and Maafushi, so I visited all of them before settling down on 1. They are Dive Club Maldives for Hulhu and Maafushi Dive in Maafushi.

Pricing: In general, 1 dive is about USD55, but it will even out to USD50 if you go for more dives. Some dive shops maybe give free snorkeling for those who do not dive or want to snorkel, but best if you have at least 1 person diving or have at least dived with them before. Other shops require you to top up for snorkeling. Edit: I tend to ask the dive shop is there a dive the next day and if yes, how many people have already signed up.

Diving times: They usually have 2 in the morning, and 1 in the afternoon. But the afternoon slot usually have to be more relaxed due to your rest time and also, imo less things to see as sea creatures tend to come out at night and stay till the late morning. There is a night dive as well.

Equipment and masters: the equipment are generally okay, as for the dive masters, most of them are native people, once in a while they might have expat dive masters working/helping them. There was a Jap dive master living there but touring around the different islands, so he will hop around. Another was a Vietnam master who was there to train a few dive masters, the course was over and he was there to do his leisure dives. Be friendly with them and they will try to bring you to good spots and point to you the rare creatures. Note: dive shops usually don't bring you to their best spot on your first dive, unless you request and are a returning customer. It also depends on the group, the bigger the better the spot. But there was once I was the only diver and they brought me to where and what I wanted to see, probably because I was a returning diver. Yes they will give you a dive briefing before going down, dive time, which direction, what to see etc. Little factors that are important.

I myself only a basic open water actually went below 20 m, almost 30 m, went on cave dives, wreck dive, strong current dive. Yeah there is a small ship wreck there about 20+ m down, just swim around the wreck, not big but still an experience. Cave dives, need to check your overhead to prevent you tank or head from hitting the ceiling. Small cave, size of a taxi stand? Strong current dive, can see your bubbles float 45 degrees rather than just upwards. Need to keep paddling if you are against the current.

White tip sharks - lots of them sharks in general, I am quite scared of them.
Mantas, Eagle ray, sting ray - quite a number of them if you go to the right spot.
Turtles - usually found quite deep, my favourite creature
Octopus - quite hard to find, but they are usually curled up
Dolphins - not underwater, lots of them especially when the boat is speeding.
Moray eels - hiding inside holes or inside wrecks, they will pop out to greet you.
Lots of tunas, I did not get to see whales as the they said it was not in season.

4 dives in Hulhu, 5 in Maafushi



On average and approximation:

Accommodation: ~USD80-100 for twin sharing per night x 7 nights = USD700 or 350/person
Diving: 9 x 50 = USD450
Misc: Food - it local food :/
water - the inn will provide as well as cafe/restaurants, but sometimes got to buy on your own
souvenir, tips -
transport, ferry to Maafushi - only took the bus once from the airport to the inn, a taxi ride once to the ferry terminal. The rest is on foot.

Plane ticket: ~SGD270 depends if you want check in baggage - I excluded this in my cost in the first post.

thanks fr the info always wanted to dive in maldives. Budgettttt

But tbh, untrained overhead dive jin dangerous. I wouldn't do that..

 

[kampong boi]

thanks fr the info always wanted to dive in maldives. Budgettttt

But tbh, untrained overhead dive jin dangerous. I wouldn't do that..

I think after diving in Maldives, one will be a little disappointed in Malaysia, Thailand waters. Especially the visibility part.

I would not call it a cave either, but I guess if you want to go for advance open water, you will have to start somewhere.



Ok some pictures:

The beach at Hulhu

Inside the wet market, any fresher or bigger, you have to fish them yourself

The waters at one of my dive site

You can see the distinct change in water colours, turquoise and green

This was taken on the flight back, a shot of Hulhu, distinctly recognised by the circular town centre road in the middle. At the bottom left of the island, you can see a black building, that is said to be a hotel in construction.

This is the following shot, you see the waters are quite shallow between the smaller island and Hulhu. My guess is they might reclaim the land between them.

Hence, I say a seaplane ride would be worthwhile.

 

[smilingbuddha]

Advanced open waters only penetrate wrecks. Not cavern diving.

Anw, nice pics. Are the seafood thr expensive? See the fishes so huge

 

[kampong boi]

Advanced open waters only penetrate wrecks. Not cavern diving.

Anw, nice pics. Are the seafood thr expensive? See the fishes so huge

i see, but wreck also quite dangerous, need to remember your exit route and all those metals can cut you.

seafood are generally cheaper than red meats. Tune is the most commonly used/eaten meat. Squid, prawns are generally lesser, but there was once I ordered BBQ seafood, they gave a big portion for the slightly expensive price.

 

[George Soros]

any more picture?

 

[dleodleo]

If stay at mainland, which area should i stay?

Maybe i could stay few nites at mainland and stay one nite at the water villa. wahhaahahah

 

[kampong boi]

any more picture?

I am not a good photographer, in fact I am mainly armed with a map and my phone(gps/map) for directions to walk.

If stay at mainland, which area should i stay?

Maybe i could stay few nites at mainland and stay one nite at the water villa. wahhaahahah

Hulhumale and/or Male, both has its pros and cons

Hulhu is on the same island as the airport (quite important depending on the timing of your flight in and out of Maldives) and it much quieter of the 2 islands. It is also the hub of the seaplanes.

Male has more things to see (market, the president's residence), more things to eat and is also the main port to the various islands by public ferries. Male has a number of hotels facing the sea, the cabin crew usually stay there, especially those from SIA, Emirates, Qatar.

I would say try to try both islands if possible, otherwise a stay at Hulhumale would be better and from there take the regular ferry rides to Male.

Water villa is good espcially if you are a couple and/or have the money to splurge. 1 night at the villa = 3 nights at a inn

 

[torque]

wowww.. nice pics

if anyone is interested, i am selling a pair of return air tickets to maldives at half price.. cos last min cannot go

pm me for details

 

[taongbundok]

any tips on how to do island hopping to the island resorts and maybe the costs?

 

[kampong boi]

any tips on how to do island hopping to the island resorts and maybe the costs?

Island hopping is a day activity, hence you will be visiting 1 island and spend the day there till mid afternoon where the boat will then take you back. Lunch may or may not be provided. There is the boat fee and the entrance fee. If the island is a sandbank or uninhibited then there is no entrance fee.

Prices may range from USD20-200.

For starters, it will be good to shortlist the various islands or resorts that are near to your place of accommodation. From there see what do these places offer (inclusive or is there topping up required), swimming pool, beaches, activities etc. More often than not, resort will offer about the same activities, your accommodation might even offer it as well, the only difference is the beauty of their resort, some of a higher class than the others. The other difference in island hopping is probably the distance from where you are as the boat price will vary. Be sure to let your boatman know when you intend to go back so that they can pick you.

It is very unlikely to do 2 or more islands per day as you will be paying a 2 day island trip for 1 day, so it is important to choose a good, if not the best island to visit.

Your accommodation should offer island hopping as an activity to their guests.

I hope that answers your question.

 

[dleodleo]

Kampong boi,

Is it true that most water villas don't allow children?

Any suggestion on which water villa to stay that is not so exp? Best is by boat transfer and not seaplane transfer.

I now planning stage only.

 

[JetFixation]

Resorts accessible via boat (look toward the right side showing you time taken via boat / seaplane)
Maldives Complete - Resort Finder



If anyone is interested in the Park Hyatt Maldives I can get discounted rooms at US$700 a night (discounts available for longer stays)