We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Leah, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Leah lives in Singapore and submitted the following report about Maldives. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Dhivehi, English
Breathtaking view from the Island of Maafushi Kaafu Atoll
Reasons to Visit Maldives
Maldives is known to be one of the best honeymoon destinations to celebrate love. But I have to say Maldives is my dream come true summer destination for my second solo trip.
Maldives is a tropical paradise with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year. It is more than just palm trees, turquoise reefs, white sandy sun-kissed beaches, deep blue seas, etc. It is also a place full of personality.
Upon arrival at Nasir Ibrahim International Airport, I had two options of transport, to catch either a boat or a seaplane to my actual destination. Since I'm a traveler on a budget, I took a five minute walk from the airport to the Public Ferry service terminal. The ferry boat departs every few minutes for just a dollar or 10 Maldivian Rufiyaas. It's a 10-15 minute journey to Male City, which is the capital and the largest city in Maldives. The fastest way to get around Male city is by motorbike. Taxis are also available and cost 20-30 Maldivian Rufiyaah per trip.
There is an interesting fusion of the English language and Dhivehi (the official Maldivian language). Some English words are suffixed with a “u.” For example, computer becomes computaru. The majority of the islanders can converse in English, so I wasn’t really worried about encountering any serious communication problems. Maldivians are hospitable and generous by nature.
The country is made up of 1,190 coral islands, and 99% of the Maldives is made up of sea. There are about 200 inhabited islands. About 105 islands are developed as tourist resorts and the rest are uninhabited or used for agriculture and other livelihood purposes.
Excursions like Virgin Island hopping, night fishing, and local island hopping are must-try activities. Hotels in Maldives arrange daily excursions or day trips to other sand beaches, picnic islands, or resorts. For those who are snorkeling enthusiasts like me, I would recommend the full day island hop & snorkel activity at a cheaper price. My favorite activity is the drift scuba diving. The best part of it is that I don't have to be a professional diver to enjoy it. The dive center gave me basic to advanced training using well-monitored diving facilities of a high standard. Even the most reluctant diver can enjoy the beauty of Maldivian underwater life on a drift dive with the guidance of experienced instructors. Aside from sightseeing and food tripping, there were a lot of activities in Maldives that I didn't get the chance to try due to time constraints. You can experience submarine rides, whale watching, stingray feeding, dolphin watching – you can even get married with the backdrop of a beautiful Maldivian sunset. I'm definitely going to visit Maldives again soon. But as of now I need to start saving for my next solo trip!
My Maldivian Diving Instructor
The best way to get around
A Maldivian sunset
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)