The gorgeous Maldives totally rely on tourism for a living and reopened to the world on July 15, including Americans.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with haste, many people are longing to travel to tropical climes and escape the daily stress of quarantine or work. While many destinations are still out of reach of American tourists, some are available and welcoming, including the stunning Maldives. There are many reasons for traveling to this beautiful spot in the world.
Amazing Beaches
Nestling in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, almost every one of the country’s 1,200 islands has gorgeous, white-sand beaches. There is no problem with social distancing here! Even better, each unspoiled beach overlooks luminous, crystal-clear, cyan-blue water, just waiting for you to dive into the warm, tropical water.
Underwater Wonders
Those looking for a spectacular underwater world can do no better than the Maldives. When not relaxing on palm-fringed beaches, the islands offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Diving into the crystal-clear water reveals dazzling and colorful coral walls. Swim through schools of colorful tropical fish and explore magnificent underwater caves.
Heading out deeper into the water off the Maldives, divers can spot turtles, sharks, manta rays, and the largest fish in the world, the whale shark, while swimming in comfortably warm water.
The Islands Are Accommodating
There are more than 100 resorts to choose from in the Maldives and each one has its own private island. What’s not to like? The resorts are part of some of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands offering every level of luxury, including private lap pools, personal butlers, and in-room massages.
However, these days not everyone can afford such luxury. No problem here, as during the last ten years, islands have been opening up more to tourism, with locals able to build their own welcoming guesthouses. This way, instead of being locked away from the locals on a private island, visitors can get to know the locals, their cuisine, and their culture.
Visitors can go island hopping on public ferries, or book speedboat trips and domestic flights to get around the islands. Some of the best budget accommodation can be found in the Male and Ari atolls, with dozens of guesthouses to choose from. According to the official website, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands will officially open for bookings from August 1, 2020.
Dining In The Maldives
There is a multitude of great restaurants to choose from on the islands. It is probably a good practice to check with your concierge for recommendations. However, some restaurants are a little different, including the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant.
This beautiful eatery is located at the Conrad Maldives Resort and Spa on Rangali Island and is set 16 ft below sea level. Made from acrylic, the restaurant was designed by the Kuala Lumpur Science Center and is known as the largest aquarium tunnel in the world.
Here you can dine while enjoying a 270-degree panoramic view of the surrounding sea life. The menu features contemporary fusion Maldivian cuisine with Asian and Western influences and advanced bookings are required. By the way, you can also sleep under the water at the resort!
Travel To The Maldives In The COVID-19 Era
The Maldives officially opened to the world, including Americans, on July 15 this year. At this stage, there are no mandatory testing or quarantine protocols in effect. Basically, travelers from the U.S. will have their temperatures checked at the airport and will have to complete a health declaration card.
To get a full idea of the protocols involved in visiting the Maldives, check out this official advisory from the islands.
