If the Earth’s temperature rises by just one degree, this lowest and flattest country on Earth will be the first place to disappear since it only sits at an average of 1.5 meters above sea level. The Republic of the Maldives, a nation made up of nearly 1,200 islands is located just south of the Indian subcontinent. With less than 200 of the islands inhabited, the 26 coral atolls making up the Maldives makes it a a world-class diving destination. Every resort in the Maldives sits on its own private island, so it’s popular with honeymooners and those looking for seclusion. Picture-perfect white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and a teeming underwater life draw over 1 million visitors a year to this paradise in the Indian Ocean. Go.
Day 1
Resort
Dive Pre-Work
Stingray Feeding
Day 2
Morning & Afternoon Dive
Sea Turtle Conservation
Day 3
Male Capital Tour
Afternoon Dive
Day 4
Seaplane Tour
Visit Local Village
Day 5
PADI Certification
Resort
Resort
The Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the North Male Atoll is only a 25 min speedboat ride from the airport. A luxury resort chain with locations in exotic destinations throughout the world, this Banyan Tree property is located on its own private island, as are all resort accommodations in the Maldives. Because all Maldivian resorts are remote, many if not most, are all-inclusive. Except for bottled water. Ouch.
This resort has 48 villas set directly on the beach that each come standard with a private jacuzzi, and both an indoor and outdoor shower.
Dive Lessons
This resort is a PADI Gold Palm 5-Star Resort Dive Centre, offering a full range of PADI courses, including certification courses for beginners. Though we had never dived prior, we got certified in just a few days during our stay. Aside from the abundance of underwater life, visibility can be outstanding at 100 feet.
Stingray Feeding
The Banyan Tree invites their guests to participate in stingray feeding each evening as part of their stay.
Sea Turtle Conservation
The first of its kind to be funded and built on a private resort, the Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab conducts research and supports green sea turtle conservation, inviting guests to assist in turtle care under careful staff supervision. A team of international biologists raise 60 turtles each year and release them into the wild after their 1st birthday when they’re old enough to avoid ending up as fish or bird food. The results are expected in roughly 30 years when the surviving turtles return to the island to lay their eggs.
Male Tour
Mulee’aage is the “Official Residence of the President of the Maldives” located in the capital Malé which is a stop on the tour.
Seaplane Tour
A bird’s eye view of this archipelago is a highlight of a trip to the Maldives. Do not skip it.
Book a tour that includes various stops including a visit to a local village, a sandbar, and “walking” to an island for lunch.
