Maldives Opens For Tourism: Unspoiled beaches, reef-ringed atolls, and gorgeous water villas

By Rupali Dean

Not only is the sand the whitest, but the water is the clearest, and the palm trees yonder magnificent. All this natural exquisiteness is waiting to be discovered in the magnificent Maldives as being a one island one resort country with all open resorts being Covid free and entering the country with a Covid Negative certificate you can be stress-free and live an unmasked life for a few days, more so with so many hotels offering superlative deals.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Visiting the Maldives is a fantasy for many holidaymakers; and now there’s a Maldives resort where everyone is welcome. At Kandima Maldives, the moment you step foot on the island, you are a part of the family. Located on the Dhaalu Atoll, this one is not round like the others, but 3.2 km long, with a splendid lagoon and lush, green surroundings. To walk from HQ (what Kandima calls their reception area) to Smoked, the restaurant on the far end of the island, it’s a good long walk (Don’t worry, Kandima offers Buggy’s to take you around).

Do not miss enrolling in a cook-your-catch class where you can go fishing and then grill your own catch later, playing football or swimming in the largest pool in the Maldives. Kandima also houses an art studio where you can turn artists and surprise yourself (under the expert guidance of course). I recommend booking directly on the Kandima website so you can check out a package option to your preference.

MALDIVIAN ESCAPE

With its snow-white sand, winning palm trees, and extremely blue water, Heritance Aarah is the perfect place for an authentic Maldivian hideaway. There’s an outstanding choice of dining, superior facilities, featuring the first medi-spa in Maldives, and a variety of lodging counting over-water and connecting villas. Activity-wise, they have all protected be it diving, canoeing, catamaran sailing, kite surfing, jet skiing – the list goes deep. There are also jaunts that permit you to discover the archipelago, such as dolphin cruises and stopovers to a neighbouring “native” island.

There are six outstanding restaurants to fill-up on, five of which are encompassed in your package. On the fine-dining range, there’s Ambula, which takes on a Sri Lankan tasting menu, and Haathi, which seats only 10 guests and alternates between Bangkok and Japanese set menus and has a chef’s table vibe. Baani, the overwater Middle Eastern restaurant, is obtainable only to Ocean Suite guests (others can book a table at an added price). All-inclusive packages with villas from 799 Dollars in low season to 1000 dollars in high season. It is one of the best comprehensive deals in the Maldives and comprises all food and beverages, and non-motorized activities, and Free Wi-Fi of course.

FAST FACTS

Best way to reach: You can take an Air India flight via Trivandrum onto Male. Next month onwards Indigo is flying directly to Male from Mumbai and Go Air would start its winter special flights as well.

Forms & processes:

• Negative PCR Test Result is Mandatory for all Passengers arriving to Male.
• All passengers are required to register at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/24hrs prior to arrival / Departure Maldives.
• All arrival passengers to Male, are required to register at https://haalubelun.hpa.gov.mv/
• All passengers traveling to India must enroll themselves within 72hrs to the flight irrespective of the state/airport. https://www.newdelhiairport.in/covid19
• If passengers have Negative PCR test results taken within 96hrs to the flight, will be allowed for home quarantine. Unless passengers have to go for Institutional quarantine for 07days and cost should be borne by the passenger.