The backpacks are packing the swimsuits and the sun protection, because their next adventure brought them to the heart of the Indian ocean: endless islands and turquoise blue waters, home to the gentle giants, also known as Manta Rays. Let’s explore the Maldives beyond the fancy Resorts.
The adventure starts with an Etihad flight from Vienna to Male, with a 3 hours stop in Abu Dhabi. The next 10 days will be spent on 2 different islands, in order to get a deeper know-how of this touristic gem, called Maldives islands.
Velana International Airport in Male is not big, but it has everything a traveler needs. The immigration service is one of the fastest the backpacks have experienced. A tourist visa is received on arrival, but a travel declaration must be submitted 96 hours prior traveling. Here is the site where we submitted ours before our trip in Nov 2024: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/traveller.
In this adventure, we’ll start by immersing ourselves in the heart of the Maldives’ local life, staying on an island close to the world-famous Hanifaru Bay. This spot is renowned for its spectacular manta ray gatherings, promising an unforgettable start of our journey. We have booked a half-board stay in LVIS Blancura Hotel. By booking your stay at the hotel, you will be contacted by the hotel staff, who will organize your inner flight to the island. We had to take a flight with the domestic airline Manta Air, which took 20 minutes only, and we did not have enough time to marvel the view from above. The island of Dharavandoo is small, but we were still greeted at the local airport by Vikash and driven in a golf cart, like we’re arriving at a fancy 5* resort.
After a refreshing shower and a comfy bed, we stretch our legs on the Maldives’ most beautiful beachline. The soft, powdery sand stretches out before us as the turquoise waves gently lap at the shore. It’s the perfect moment to unwind and let the beauty of the Maldives sink in. The peaceful setting, far from the crowds, invites us to embrace the tranquility while we soak up the sun and the spectacular views. This is paradise, and it’s just the beginning of our unforgettable adventure.
We chose Dharavandoo island, because it is very close to Hanifaru Bay, which is a renowned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, famous for snorkeling with giant manta rays. Since we arrived in the beginning of November our hopes of seeing mantas were high, because the peak season for mantas is between May and November. In our first boat ride to Hanifaru Bay, we got so lucky. We swam with manta rays! The feeling is indescribable, peaceful, and surreal. Their graceful movements and immense size create a magical, humbling experience. Manta rays feed by filter-feeding. They glide through plankton-rich water, using their wide mouths and cephalic fins to funnel plankton into their gills.
The waters of the Maldives host manta rays, stingrays, reef sharks (blacktip), nurse sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, colorful reef fish, octopuses, and vibrant coral reefs. You might also witness the majestic whale shark, which is harmless to humans.
The Maldives are famous for its crystal-clear waters, luxurious overwater villas, vibrant marine life, white sandy beaches, and romantic, tropical ambiance. In Dharavandhoo we found everything except the luxurious overwater villas, instead it offered us a serene escape where you can truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. We were on a quiet beach, exploring the underwater world and we were completely happy. It’s a place where you can reconnect with nature and enjoy a slower, more mindful pace of life. Do you dream of a place like this? Let us know in the comments!
We also had a fantastic picnic on a sandbank, where we could enjoy freshly grilled tuna fish on a small, uninhabited island. It was just a few meters above sea level, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and the endless horizon.
Saying goodbye to Dharavandhoo and heading back to Malé is not the happiest moment during our trip in the Maldives, but after 5 days in Dharavandhoo it was time to explore another island. We took a speed boat (30min) from Male to Maafushi island, where we will stay another 3 days in Kaani Palm Beach hotel. Arriving there, we saw a mixture of local life and tourism. There were many guesthouses, shops, coffee houses and shisha bars. Life on this island reminded us of Europe: Big groups of tourists, going on boat tours and many jet skis swirl around the coastline.
We should mention that there was a specific reason to go to this island and this was the nurse sharks. We were waiting for a long time to get the chance to swim with those guys. We booked a “Vaavu Atoll tour” with Shadow Palm Tous. The program was to have a dive first thing in the morning with the nurse sharks, then to visit a local island, where we could spot stingrays and turtles. After many hours of swimming and snorkeling we were offered a visit to an uninhabited sandbank in Vaavu Atoll, where we could relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, and swim in the crystal-clear waters.
We were feeling overwhelmed by the masses of tourists, but we could still enjoy the charm and authenticity of the tour, while having access to those thrilling experiences like dolphin watching or exploring uninhabited sandbanks. The company provides also drone footage, which is for sure very desirable for everyone on Instagram 😉
Maafushi is ideal for travelers seeking a balance of local culture, activities, and a social atmosphere, with more options for dining, shopping, and excursions. However, it does have a slightly more commercialized vibe due to its popularity among tourists, making it more vibrant and livelier.
As we head to Europe, we will take with us the memories of quiet beaches, stunning sunsets, and moments of relaxation in this paradise.
“Maldives, we will miss you!” – but your adventures are far from over, and the world is full of more incredible places to discover! 🌴🌊✨
We almost forgot that we have one last magnificent stop before heading back to Europe: Abu Dhabi and the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – is an incredible final stop on our journey!
Secrets revealed:
- Diving is prohibited in Hanifaru Bay to protect the ecosystem. Only snorkeling is allowed. Do not worry, it is enough as the mantas come so close to the surface that you will see them even if you only float.
- The snorkeling trips are organized by the LVIS Blancura Hotel, the free diver in charge is Lishan and you cannot get a better guide for those activities. He will jump in the water before everybody else to check the current and if it is safe, you can follow.
- We had to fly to and back from Dharavandhoo to Male. The flight is only 20 mins, and everything was organized from Vikash and LVIS Blancura Hotel. We used the airline Manta Air and the cost was 200 USD per person, but the views from above are priceless.
- Speed boat from Male to Maafushi was provided from Kaani Palm Beach hotel. The price was 25 USD per person, and it took 30 minutes.
- Shadow Palm Tour costs 60 USD per person. Keep in mind that paying with credit card is possible, but you need to calculate 4% more to the bill.
- We stayed the last night before our flight in Hulhumalé at Rivethi Beach hotel. We took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, which was just 7 USD. You could pay in USD or local currency (Maldivian Rufiyaa – MVR) everywhere.