Island Goers

Maldives Cruising Safari

Published

14 years ago

June 3, 2012

By Red Hunt

The Maldives Islands are one of those rare travel destinations that can live up to the label of ‘paradise’, but for most people they’re out of reach either because they’re so far away or cost so much to visit.

If you can fore go the extreme luxury treatment and pampering, then there is a lesser-known adventurous way to enjoy the islands at a very affordable price. What is even better? You don’t have to be a couple on your honeymoon to enjoy the affordable Maldives.

Taking a Maldives Dhoni Cruise is not only the most affordable way to visit the islands, it is also the only way to explore around some of the more remote atolls and uninhabited islands. To put it in perspective, spending 36 hours at one of the nice (not ultra luxury) Maldives resorts costs as much as a 7-day cruise.

There are a few suppliers out there, Voyages Maldives has a solid reputation and was the company I was with. You can book direct with them, although if you don’t mind giving up some privacy, you can book an organized tour from them via G Adventures. The Voyages Maldives crew was amazing and made the trip a real cultural experience too, not just a relaxing escape to the Indian Ocean.

With a four person crew and an amazing chef on board for just me and the six other boat guests it was an extremely chilled out tour. Sure, the rooms were a bit cramped and hot, but there were three bathrooms between us and a ton of deck space to lounge around or enjoy some card games, watch the sun set or drink some beers.

That last point may be a big one for some people. The Maldives is a dry country. No alcohol allowed. The entire main island of Male’ is alcohol-free. The only places you can drink alcohol are at the resorts or on a boat safari. Be prepared to disconnect too, as you won’t have TV’s or internet while cruising around most of the islands.

Every day was full of laughs and surprises on the Maldives cruise safari, with multiple snorkelling expeditions every day. The colourful fish and reefs we visited were more impressive than anything I’d seen in places like Belize, the Galapagos and Malaysia. Part of what made it extra special was the near fish-like capabilities of our boat captain and guide. They were both so at home in the water that they could free-dive down to insane depths and hold their breath for minutes at a time. Leave it to them to find all the hiding spots for the most elusive sharks, eels, rays and fish!

Our cook would always greet us with some tea and either fresh coconut slices or chocolate cake after our snorkels too. Luxury? No. Pampered? We thought so! Spicy, spicy was the name of the game for lunches and dinners. If you like hot food, then you’d love some of the meals in the Maldives, where we’d usually have a spicy and plain version of each salad we had. While we did have some chicken and meat, the big thing – not surprisingly – was fish.

In fact, we had more than one lunch disrupted as our fishing lines trailing the boat had caught huge deep sea fish. The crew would spring into action to haul in the fish, which would become that night’s dinner or tomorrow’s lunch. I have no idea what most of the fish were that we caught but they were big and they were tasty.

Trips to some of the smaller inhabited islands were a real treat too. The islands that are home to people of the Maldives, not resorts. We had to get special permission from the local chief to visit these islands and see where local children went to school, how people lived on the islands and what they did for entertainment. The Muslim influence was quite evident, but the people were surprisingly outgoing as well.

The further north we went, the less touristy the islands became and I loved it. Fewer and fewer resort islands, more and more traditional islands where they still built wood boats, fished for a living and everyone owned their own patch of coconut trees. This was the real Maldives, not the Maldives found in glossy honeymoon magazines. Probably the most relaxing trip I’ve taken anywhere in the world.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Maldives, here are some helpful travel tips.

First, don’t forget alcohol isn’t permitted. Your luggage does get checked and alcohol gets confiscated. If you’re transiting through the Maldives, you can usually have your alcohol stored away at the airport so you can pick it up when you leave.

Second, the airport is on it’s own island and you cannot arrive without a hotel or accommodation booking. They won’t let you leave the airport until you’ve booked something. If your cruise or resort stay doesn’t start on the day you arrive, you do have a few options.

There is one hotel on the airport island called the Hulhule Island Hotel, which is convenient but pricey. There are many hotels on Male’ Island, which is a quick 10 minute ferry ride away (ferry taxis run at all hours). Some of them such as the Mookai Hotel are safe, simple and affordable. Or there are a few resort islands within a 30 minute fast ferry ride of the airport. Most resorts only run their shuttle ferries or seaplane transfers during daytime hours so if you need to go far and are arriving at night you’ll need to use one of these other options.

Third, don’t forget to bring a weaterproof camera with you! They really aren’t that expensive and will provide you with some stunning photos above and below the water.

Finally, especially if you take a safari or cruise in the Maldives, is bring your own snorkel equipment. While it is provided, you are in the water so often that ensuring you have fins, a mask and snorkel that fit properly is crucial and well worth the hassle of packing them in your luggage.

Editor’s note: Red Hunt is a former journalist and business analyst that now works in the world of travel marketing. Based in Toronto, Red Hunt has travelled to more than 40 countries over the past 10 years. You can find more on his adventures from www.redhunttravel.com

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Maldives’ Dhigurah ranked among world’s 10 most valuable beaches

Published

3 weeks ago

August 7, 2026

m@ldives

Dhigurah in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll has been ranked among the world’s 10 most valuable holiday beaches, with its stretch of sand assigned an estimated value of MVR 2.9 billion (€162.7 million) in a study by luxury villa holiday specialist CV Villas.

The island placed eighth in the global ranking, ahead of Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The study calculated the hypothetical cost of owning some of the world’s best-known beaches by valuing the sand as coastal land. The figures do not represent sale prices or suggest that the beaches are available for private purchase.

Dhigurah was the only Maldivian beach included in the global top 15. Known for its long sandbank and proximity to whale shark habitats in South Ari Atoll, the inhabited island has become a destination for guesthouse tourism, diving and marine excursions.

Florida’s Siesta Beach topped the global ranking with an estimated value of €1.08 billion, followed by Pampelonne Beach in France at €843 million and Praia da Falésia in Portugal at €573.2 million.

Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands was ranked fourth at €376.4 million, while Bondi Beach in Sydney completed the top five with an estimated value of €365 million.

Hannah Marshall, luxury travel destination expert and marketing manager at CV Villas, said the research highlighted the role of location in determining coastal land values.

“Everyone has a beach that means something to them, so there’s something fun about seeing what those stretches of sand might be ‘worth’ if you valued them like the land behind them,” Marshall said.

“What comes through is how much location drives the figure: a beach in St-Tropez or on Siesta Key carries a value that a quieter shore — even just as beautiful — simply won’t.”

While Siesta Beach had the highest total estimated value, The Baths on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands recorded the highest value per square metre, at €8,846. Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda was the most affordable beach assessed, at approximately €199 per square metre.

Culture

Visit Maldives brings spirit of island Eid to worldwide audiences

Published

3 months ago

May 24, 2026

m@ldives

The spirit, colour, and traditions of a Maldivian island Eid will take centre stage this festive season as Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) prepares to deliver immersive daily coverage of the Eid celebrations from Raa Atoll Meedhoo, bringing one of the country’s most vibrant cultural festivities to audiences around the world.

Beginning on 26 May, Visit Maldives will provide daily coverage from the island across its social media platforms and digital channels, continuing through 30 May. The initiative will showcase the atmosphere, traditions, and community celebrations that define Eid in the Maldives, offering audiences a deeper connection to the cultural identity of the islands beyond their well-known luxury experiences.

Throughout the five-day coverage, Visit Maldives teams will provide daily updates, feature segments, and behind-the-scenes storytelling from the island, capturing traditions that continue to shape community life across the Maldives. The campaign aims to position Maldivian culture and heritage as a central part of the destination experience while highlighting the unique character of local island communities.

Among the key traditions featured is Vedhuma Dhiyun, a longstanding custom where groups of islanders formally seek permission from community elders and leaders to begin Eid festivities. The practice reflects the strong communal values and cultural continuity preserved within island life.

The celebrations will also spotlight Bodu Mas, one of the most recognised Eid traditions in the Maldives. Meaning “big fish” in Dhivehi, the celebration centres around a giant fish structure crafted from woven coconut palm leaves and ceremonially carried through the island in a lively communal gathering rooted in the Maldives’ seafaring heritage.

Another major highlight is Maali Neshun, a traditional performance where participants dress as mythical figures and spirits using handcrafted costumes made from coconut leaves and local materials. Accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of boduberu drums, the performances transform the island into a visually striking cultural celebration.

The campaign will additionally feature Koadi Kendun, a traditional community event centred around a decorated wooden structure crafted from coconut palm materials. The celebration combines performance, competition, and artistic expression, reflecting both longstanding traditions and evolving forms of island creativity.

Speaking about the initiative, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, noted that showcasing living traditions and community celebrations remains an important part of strengthening destination storytelling.

“The Maldives is shaped not only by its natural beauty, but also by the traditions, people, and communities that continue to preserve our cultural identity. Through this campaign, we want global audiences to experience the warmth, creativity, and spirit of a Maldivian island Eid in an authentic and meaningful way,” he said.

He also acknowledged the support and collaboration of the people of Raa Meedhoo, particularly the communities of Hulhangu Avah and Irumathi Avah, along with the Raa Meedhoo Island Council, for their role in supporting and facilitating the initiative and helping bring the island’s Eid celebrations to wider international audiences.

Following the daily coverage period, Visit Maldives will continue the initiative through long-form storytelling content scheduled for release from next month onwards on its YouTube platform, offering in-depth features, interviews, and cultural narratives from Raa Meedhoo and its celebrations.

Through this campaign, Visit Maldives continues to expand destination storytelling by highlighting the Maldives as a place shaped not only by its natural beauty, but also by its living traditions, island communities, and cultural heritage.

Island Goers

Island life at your own pace at Cocomo Maldives

Published

6 months ago

February 26, 2026

m@ldives

Set on the serene island of K. Himmafushi, just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Cocomo Maldives is a tropical retreat where the rhythm of the waves guides your days. Whether you’re sharing sunsets as a couple, creating memories with family, or simply unwinding on your own, this laid-back beachfront haven invites you to relax, recharge, and embrace island life at your own pace.

Your Island Hideaway Awaits

At Cocomo Maldives, comfort meets simplicity across 27 thoughtfully designed rooms, each offering a calming blend of modern touches and tropical charm. Surrounded by palm-lined paths and just steps from the beach, every room features air conditioning, a private balcony or terrace, and all the essentials you need to unwind.

Choose the space that suits your journey:

Deluxe Double Room – Compact and cozy, perfect for couples
Superior Deluxe Room – A little more room for small families or close friends
Premium Family Suite – Spacious and refined, ideal for those who want extra comfort

All rooms come with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities, and a sleek ensuite bathroom.

And there’s more to look forward to – Cocomo will be expanding its accommodation inventory in the coming months, adding new rooms to welcome even more guests to this island.

World on a Plate

Rukuraa invites you on a flavourful journey with its carefully curated menu inspired by Pan-Asian and international cuisines. Dine indoors in a relaxed setting, or take your seat by the shore, where the breeze is soft, the waves provide the soundtrack, and every meal feels like a moment to savour.

Adventures at Cocomo

Adventure is always within reach at Cocomo. With its ideal spot on Himmafushi, the island offers direct access to some of the Maldives’ best marine experiences – from colourful coral reefs to the world-class Jailbreaks surf break just offshore. Whether you’re diving in for the first time or chasing your next thrill, our team is ready to help you plan every splash, paddle, and wave.

Conveniences That Make a Difference

Offering a range of thoughtful amenities to make your stay as comfortable and carefree as possible, including:

Direct beach access with sun loungers
A refreshing outdoor swimming pool
24/7 front desk and concierge support
High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Reliable airport transfers and daily housekeeping

Everything is designed to ensure a relaxed, hassle-free island experience from arrival to departure.

Exciting Additions Just Around the Corner

Cocomo Maldives is gearing up to introduce a vibrant new chapter in the Himmafushi experience, with expanded facilities set to open in the coming months. Guests can look forward to the island’s very first full-scale recreation hub, featuring:

A tranquil spa offering relaxing massages and rejuvenating treatments
A fun and inviting karaoke lounge
A cozy shisha bar perfect for winding down
A dynamic games arcade with billiards and classic favorites
And the highlight – Cocomo Beach Club, a lively beachfront spot for music, cocktails, and golden hour vibes

These exciting additions are designed to make Cocomo more than just a stay – it’s a place to connect, celebrate, and create memories that last long after your footprints fade from the sand.

Whether you’re chasing serene escapes, weekend getaways, or fun-filled family adventures, Cocomo Maldives is your lively playground in paradise. Dive into crystal-clear waters, take a refreshing swim in the pool, ride the breathtaking surf, indulge in delicious cuisine, and soak up the genuine warmth of island hospitality – your island home, Cocomo Maldives.

Discover more and plan your stay!