Why have so many world travelers not visited the Maldives in 2006 & 2007?
Jun 13th, 2007, 01:22 PM
#1
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Why have so many world travelers not visited the Maldives in 2006 & 2007?
I understand why travelers avoided the Maldives in 2005 after the Tseunami in Dec. 2005 but it bounced back by late 2005 yet I posted a question about impressions of snorkeling being as good as they say it is in the guide books written in 2006. I realize it is a long trip but only 3 1/2 hrs. from Singapore so combined with Bali, HK, BK it would seem like a varied and wonderful though expensive trip.
If you have gone in the past 18 months where did you stay and was it all the resort awesome in terms of rooms, food, snorkeling, staff, etc. considering it is $700-$1000/day for 2??
If you have gone in the past 18 months where did you stay and was it all the resort awesome in terms of rooms, food, snorkeling, staff, etc. considering it is $700-$1000/day for 2??
Jun 13th, 2007, 02:00 PM
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Stan, there have been a number of reports on the Maldives in the last year on this board. None were focussed extensively on snorkeling, but they did review hotels there.
I haven't been to the Maldives because I see it as pretty exclusively a beach vacation. While I enjoy a few days at a beach, I much prefer to focus my travels on culture.
I haven't been to the Maldives because I see it as pretty exclusively a beach vacation. While I enjoy a few days at a beach, I much prefer to focus my travels on culture.
Jun 13th, 2007, 03:10 PM
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My husband and I went to Veligandu Island Resort in November 2005...We stopped there as it was on route to and from Kerala....so we enjoyed a 3 night stay..It was absolutely gorgeous..We had a beach front bungalow and our room was about 250.00 per night..Not a 5 star property, but still very nice..Our room included 3 meals per day by the way. Anyways if u care to see my pic's check out: I definately hope to go back again..
http://travel.webshots.com/album/510872949qDQXtD
http://travel.webshots.com/album/510872949qDQXtD
Jun 13th, 2007, 04:18 PM
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Stan,
I'm leaving this afternoon on Bangkok Airways(direct flight) to the Maldives. Will be spending 5 days there at both the Soneva resorts(Gili then Fushi). Last time I was in the Maldives was before the Tsunami so I can make a comparison for you when I come back.
Hoping for good weather!
I'm leaving this afternoon on Bangkok Airways(direct flight) to the Maldives. Will be spending 5 days there at both the Soneva resorts(Gili then Fushi). Last time I was in the Maldives was before the Tsunami so I can make a comparison for you when I come back.
Hoping for good weather!
Jun 14th, 2007, 01:42 AM
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I think many travelers who post here don’t go to the Maldives because most posters on this site are from the US. From there, it requires two or more. For most people, the flights end up taking 21-30 hours each way. That’s just too long for most US visitors to find attractive. The majority of visitors to the Maldives are European, a large portion of those being Italian and recently a huge number of Russians. Neither tend to post on this board. So don’t get the impression that world travelers don’t go the Maldives, they do; it’s just that not a lot of world travelers who live in the US go there at this point.
I live in Hong Kong, and the flight is 8 hours via S’pore or KL, so I have been 3 times and an going again next week. I happen to think it is really has THE loveliest beaches and water I have ever seen anywhere in the world. White soft sand, water color of varying hues. Waves breaking out on the distant reef lending charm both visually and audibly. My last trip was about 5 weeks ago at the beginning of the rainy season and even the thunderstorms were gorgeous: huge coal- black clouds filling the entire sky and changing the water color every minute. Really it is just stunning. I last dived and snorkeled there in 2002 and found both to be excellent, great sea life and coral. I like diving best between 40-60 feet and there was a lot of good diving at those depths. I only started traveling back to the Maldives this year, and have not dived in at all since the Tsunami and have not done any appreciable amounts of snorkeling so can’t really say what it is like now; although I don’t think they had a great deal of damage and they have had plenty of time to recover. I would not really have any concerns about diving or snorkeling due to the Tsunami.
I also have to say that the people are without doubt the kindest and most friendly people I have had the pleasure to meet in 20 years of traveling the world. And I think that is saying something based on the great people generally you find in SE Asia. They are a combination of the gentle friendly manners of the SE Asian combined with the extreme hospitality of the Middle Easterner. Really wonderful people. (And Kathie, there really is quite a culture there, although I agree there is almost nothing to see, and Male really is not much; but what they have managed do with absolutely no natural resources is amazing. Their literacy rate is about 98% and they mange to get basic health care and schooling to an archipelago of literally thousands of islands spread over thousand of miles. There are many countries in SE blessed with better geography and natural resources who have not been able to achieve this. It’s quite amazing, and admirable.)
OK, that’s all the good stuff. The bad stuff is that it is bloody expensive. I don’t mind spending money on hotels, but really this place is expensive. Although you can find reasonable hotels it’s not just the $800 a night (plus tax), it’s the boat fee to get to the island, or the seaplane fee, and then the meals. Everything has to be brought in and the food is pricey. All to lay on a beach (or pay a pretty stiff fee to go out and dive or snorkel). No castles or museums or charming villages or walks or Amalfi coast drive to take. Not even any shopping beyond the hotel shop (and a little bit in Male but there isn’t a whole lot of reason to go to Male really). No restaurants except at your hotel (and then there is the money again). There is nothing wrong with doing nothing on a vacation, but boy it’s a lot of money to spend to do it. It is not Bali which has an absolutely magical charm with the Hindu religion and the mountains and the rice paddies and where there are a myriad of activates for your $800 a night at the Amankila, or you could stay in a home stay for very little. In Hawaii, you can get in a lot of action at the same Maldives prices and see volcanoes to boot and surf the bonzai. In the Caribbean you can always shop and there is usually at least one major town with restaurants. So, yeah, you do have to think whether it is worth it. And I think that is another reason people don’t go, or they go on their honeymoon or other special occasion.
With Bali, Hong Kong and Bangkok adding the Maldives would be an wonderful trip. I totally agree. I would do it if I were you. I would not worry about the lack of postings about it on this board.
My last trip was to the Four Seasons Kuda Hurra. I posted on it, you might hunt around for it. I have also stayed at the Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, but my last trps there were in 2001 so I can’t really give current comments. Of those two I preferred the Fushsi. I think the Gili is too close to Male, you get boat traffic, the views aren’t as good, and it just does not feel remote enough. I actually preferred the Four Seasons over both, but I like the room decor better mostly, it wasn’t a service issue or anything, service is really almost too much at the Soneva properties.
Locals will tell you they can see a huge water quality difference as you get further from Male, which I don’t notice myself but can certainly understand, and would be another reason that Gili or close-in islands may not be as preferable for snorkelling. A new international airport is going to open in the far south at Addu Atoll in the next 6 months or so, which will make travel to remote islands much easier, you might want to look into this. There will be service from Singapore.
I live in Hong Kong, and the flight is 8 hours via S’pore or KL, so I have been 3 times and an going again next week. I happen to think it is really has THE loveliest beaches and water I have ever seen anywhere in the world. White soft sand, water color of varying hues. Waves breaking out on the distant reef lending charm both visually and audibly. My last trip was about 5 weeks ago at the beginning of the rainy season and even the thunderstorms were gorgeous: huge coal- black clouds filling the entire sky and changing the water color every minute. Really it is just stunning. I last dived and snorkeled there in 2002 and found both to be excellent, great sea life and coral. I like diving best between 40-60 feet and there was a lot of good diving at those depths. I only started traveling back to the Maldives this year, and have not dived in at all since the Tsunami and have not done any appreciable amounts of snorkeling so can’t really say what it is like now; although I don’t think they had a great deal of damage and they have had plenty of time to recover. I would not really have any concerns about diving or snorkeling due to the Tsunami.
I also have to say that the people are without doubt the kindest and most friendly people I have had the pleasure to meet in 20 years of traveling the world. And I think that is saying something based on the great people generally you find in SE Asia. They are a combination of the gentle friendly manners of the SE Asian combined with the extreme hospitality of the Middle Easterner. Really wonderful people. (And Kathie, there really is quite a culture there, although I agree there is almost nothing to see, and Male really is not much; but what they have managed do with absolutely no natural resources is amazing. Their literacy rate is about 98% and they mange to get basic health care and schooling to an archipelago of literally thousands of islands spread over thousand of miles. There are many countries in SE blessed with better geography and natural resources who have not been able to achieve this. It’s quite amazing, and admirable.)
OK, that’s all the good stuff. The bad stuff is that it is bloody expensive. I don’t mind spending money on hotels, but really this place is expensive. Although you can find reasonable hotels it’s not just the $800 a night (plus tax), it’s the boat fee to get to the island, or the seaplane fee, and then the meals. Everything has to be brought in and the food is pricey. All to lay on a beach (or pay a pretty stiff fee to go out and dive or snorkel). No castles or museums or charming villages or walks or Amalfi coast drive to take. Not even any shopping beyond the hotel shop (and a little bit in Male but there isn’t a whole lot of reason to go to Male really). No restaurants except at your hotel (and then there is the money again). There is nothing wrong with doing nothing on a vacation, but boy it’s a lot of money to spend to do it. It is not Bali which has an absolutely magical charm with the Hindu religion and the mountains and the rice paddies and where there are a myriad of activates for your $800 a night at the Amankila, or you could stay in a home stay for very little. In Hawaii, you can get in a lot of action at the same Maldives prices and see volcanoes to boot and surf the bonzai. In the Caribbean you can always shop and there is usually at least one major town with restaurants. So, yeah, you do have to think whether it is worth it. And I think that is another reason people don’t go, or they go on their honeymoon or other special occasion.
With Bali, Hong Kong and Bangkok adding the Maldives would be an wonderful trip. I totally agree. I would do it if I were you. I would not worry about the lack of postings about it on this board.
My last trip was to the Four Seasons Kuda Hurra. I posted on it, you might hunt around for it. I have also stayed at the Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, but my last trps there were in 2001 so I can’t really give current comments. Of those two I preferred the Fushsi. I think the Gili is too close to Male, you get boat traffic, the views aren’t as good, and it just does not feel remote enough. I actually preferred the Four Seasons over both, but I like the room decor better mostly, it wasn’t a service issue or anything, service is really almost too much at the Soneva properties.
Locals will tell you they can see a huge water quality difference as you get further from Male, which I don’t notice myself but can certainly understand, and would be another reason that Gili or close-in islands may not be as preferable for snorkelling. A new international airport is going to open in the far south at Addu Atoll in the next 6 months or so, which will make travel to remote islands much easier, you might want to look into this. There will be service from Singapore.
Jun 14th, 2007, 01:48 AM
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Hi
I went there in April 2004 and it was beautiful. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links from my stay at Sun Island and I would not hesitate to go again if I had the chance. Next time I think I will try to combine it with e.g. Dubai
regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
I went there in April 2004 and it was beautiful. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links from my stay at Sun Island and I would not hesitate to go again if I had the chance. Next time I think I will try to combine it with e.g. Dubai
regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
Jun 14th, 2007, 06:00 AM
#7
My scuba diving spouse has been going to the Maldives at least once a year for the past 12 years, regardless of where we've lived at the time.
He and his dive buddies love Bandos. It has a great dive operation and a house reef makes for excellent snorkeling.
The resort used to be just average in terms of rooms, food, etc, but they've made vast improvements in the past few years (new pool, new spa units, new overwater bungalows). And by Maldives standards, Bandos has remained affordable.
He and his dive buddies love Bandos. It has a great dive operation and a house reef makes for excellent snorkeling.
The resort used to be just average in terms of rooms, food, etc, but they've made vast improvements in the past few years (new pool, new spa units, new overwater bungalows). And by Maldives standards, Bandos has remained affordable.
Jun 14th, 2007, 07:14 AM
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Stan...Someone else asked the same question last year...and the basic answer was that it's too expensive and doesn't sound too exciting from the cultural-things-to-do standpoint. Plus, those of us who live in the Pacific Ocean states, have the ocean all of the time and if we want something different, we can hop over to beautiful Hawaii for as low as $298 rd. trip out of L.A. Happy Travels!
Jun 14th, 2007, 10:21 AM
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Plenty of Brits travel there, mostly on all-inclusive, as it probably works out cheaper (bottle of water costs around £3 ($6)!!
Far better combined with Sri Lanka, especially if a few days R&R is needed after a tour.
Far better combined with Sri Lanka, especially if a few days R&R is needed after a tour.
Jun 18th, 2007, 09:32 PM
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Stan,
Just got back late last night and this is what I've observed.
Both the Soneva property(Gili and Fushi) are slightly higher than your price range. Soneva Gili have better rooms(suite villas) but Soneva Fushi have better reefs for snorkeling or diving. Food was very good for both property and everything else was very luxurious.
Snorkeling - the corals were in good shape from 5 meters and deeper and did not any sign of bleaching. Fish life was abundant with big wrasse, parrot fish, blue fin trevally, trumpet fish, groupers and lots of small sharks(black fins). Saw 2 turtles and a few rays with one nice big manta.
Personally it was a good trip but for a real avid snorkeling person I would recommend Lizard Island in Australia instead.
Let me know if you need any other information.
Just got back late last night and this is what I've observed.
Both the Soneva property(Gili and Fushi) are slightly higher than your price range. Soneva Gili have better rooms(suite villas) but Soneva Fushi have better reefs for snorkeling or diving. Food was very good for both property and everything else was very luxurious.
Snorkeling - the corals were in good shape from 5 meters and deeper and did not any sign of bleaching. Fish life was abundant with big wrasse, parrot fish, blue fin trevally, trumpet fish, groupers and lots of small sharks(black fins). Saw 2 turtles and a few rays with one nice big manta.
Personally it was a good trip but for a real avid snorkeling person I would recommend Lizard Island in Australia instead.
Let me know if you need any other information.
Jun 19th, 2007, 04:47 AM
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Hanuman; We went to Lizard Island in 2002 after Fiji (not very impressive for snorkeling or shollow dives) and found Lizard and the Redang & Prehensen Islands in Malaysia to be the best we have visited in 38 years. In North America now St. John around Caneel is probably the best you can get.
In April at Gili what would the daily tab for 2 with MAP and a deluxe room (not necessarily a plunge pool), tax/service charge be?
In April at Gili what would the daily tab for 2 with MAP and a deluxe room (not necessarily a plunge pool), tax/service charge be?
Jun 19th, 2007, 06:54 AM
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Stan,
Glad to hear that you've been to lizard. I try to go back to Lizard every year around Oct or Nov for fishing and I either stay on Lizard or a mothership(moving around the ribbon reefs).
Back to the Maldives. For the Soneva Gili even the lowest grade rooms or villas (Soneva Gili Villa Suites) are very nice and probably the best option. From looking at the hotel web site I figure the room rate to be just over $1,000 ++ a night (our villas were complementary at both resort). Breakfast is worthwhile and plentiful with a good selection plus free flowing champagne! I think the breakfast, if not included in your room fare, will cost around $40. Lunch and dinner are a la carte so it depend on what you order. It's very expensive for everything in the Maldives! I think they charge $30 per person for a snorkeling trip on one of their boat. If the cost is ok then go for it!
The area that had the best snorkeling for us was around "one palm island" but we did not go on a boat snorkeling trip which according to their GM was suppose to be good.
Glad to hear that you've been to lizard. I try to go back to Lizard every year around Oct or Nov for fishing and I either stay on Lizard or a mothership(moving around the ribbon reefs).
Back to the Maldives. For the Soneva Gili even the lowest grade rooms or villas (Soneva Gili Villa Suites) are very nice and probably the best option. From looking at the hotel web site I figure the room rate to be just over $1,000 ++ a night (our villas were complementary at both resort). Breakfast is worthwhile and plentiful with a good selection plus free flowing champagne! I think the breakfast, if not included in your room fare, will cost around $40. Lunch and dinner are a la carte so it depend on what you order. It's very expensive for everything in the Maldives! I think they charge $30 per person for a snorkeling trip on one of their boat. If the cost is ok then go for it!
The area that had the best snorkeling for us was around "one palm island" but we did not go on a boat snorkeling trip which according to their GM was suppose to be good.
