In a new worldwide competition, the Maldives is contesting against other natural masterpieces such as Rio de Janeiro, Montreal and Warsaw to become one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. To cast your vote, click here.
The Hilton Maldives/Iru Fushi Resort & Spa was opened in a special ceremony on July 1st, presided by the Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed. This is the third hotel in the Hilton Group to open up in the Maldives. Iru Fushi is located in the Noonu Atoll, and comprises a 52-hectare private island resort complete with spa, infinity pool, PADI-certified dive centre and all the other features you might expect from a five-star world-class resort.
Baros Resort Maldives
The Baros Resort, located on Baros Island in the Maldives is one of the most amazing resorts in the whole world. Utterly exclusive, and out of reach for the average person, Baros offers a level of intimacy, indulgence and class that few of us can even imagine.
The private island resort accommodates guests in a variety of stunning rooms, including the Water Villa, Baros Villa and the spectacular Baros Residence. All the options have breathtaking views and extraordinarily comfortable fixtures and fittings. This could be the best hotel in the world!
Oriental Sweetlip in the Maldives
For those of us that don’t quite feel ready to don the full scuba gear and start breathing through a regulator, but still want to get a taste of the underwater world, snorkeling is the perfect option. In the Maldives, so many of the reefs are in shallow water, and located close to the shore, that you can actually get a very similar experience. The benefits – you dont have to dedicate your whole holiday to scuba diving. Instead, you can enjoy some casual snorkeling off the shore close to your resort, and maybe a couple of boat trips to prime snorkeling destinations, including Dhidhoofinolhu Eastern Reef on the South Ari Atoll where snorkelers often get to see Manta Rays and other amazing marine creatures. Another benefit to snorkeling is that it is a lot cheaper than scuba diving. With snorkeling, all you have to rent is the mask, snorkel and fins, whereas with scuba diving, there is a lot more equipment, including wet suit, dive tank, BCD, weight belt and dive computer.
In short, snorkeling is the perfect introduction to scuba diving. If you like it, and want to explore deeper, then it’s time to take the next step and enroll in a scuba class.
Happy exploring!