Amongst the best things to do in Maldives is to visit its local islands where you can gain a whole new perspective of the country’s culture; here’s more on what awaits.
Where to Begin
This destination has numerous islands with some of them designated solely for private resorts and others for local islands where you will find cities or villages. For a truly rewarding Maldives experience, stay at a private resort that also offers local island visits so you can enjoy the best of both worlds! Such excursions will include transport which will generally be by speedboat, or a local boat called a dhoni.
What to Expect
On local islands, there’s much to look forward to including experiencing Maldivian culture and seeing attractions. It’s also a chance to witness livelihoods such as fishing, while you can visit lively markets, try typical dishes, buy souvenirs and interact with locals. Guests at a private resort like SAii Lagoon Maldives also enjoy access to the Maldives Discovery Centre where you can find out about aspects such as arts and crafts and the traditional way of life.
Best Local Islands to Visit
There are some ideal local islands to visit with the country’s capital, Male, being one of the most popular. Here, you can see attractions such as Hukuru Miskiiy, the nation’s oldest mosque as well as the fish market and local market both of which let you experience local livelihoods. Thoddoo Island that’s relatively close to Male is another island to visit while depending on where you are based, you can head to the islands of Maafushi, Fulidhoo or Ukulhas.
Keep in Mind
It’s important to keep in mind local laws and customs before visiting such islands. For example, since this is a Muslim nation, you need to wear more conservative attire that covers bare shoulders and legs; additionally, it’s prohibited to sell or consume alcoholic beverages on local islands too. However, such laws don’t apply to private resorts.
