Maldives

The Maldives are an atoll of 1100 islands 400 miles south of India in the Indian Ocean. Most of the islands which are inhabited form an amazing sailing area, with unlimited secluded anchorages and diving spots. With clear blue seas and an abundance of white sand beaches the Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world. The reefs acting as a barrier against the sea, forming lagoons of peaceful water, give the Maldives their famous calm and ability to build literally right on the water.

The barrier reefs of the Islands protect them from the storms and high waves of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean has a great affect on the climate of the country by acting as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing and slowly releasing the tropical heat. The heat is further mitigated by cool sea breezes.

Catamarans have become the sailboat of choice because they are nearly perfect for exploring coral reefs. Their low draft and easy access to the water making them well suited for hopping around the Maldives and going ashore to relax on the beach. More and more often yachts are brought to the Indian Ocean for the Winter, as opposed to the Caribbean, which avoids the Atlantic crossing and opens up all of the amazing Indian Ocean Destinations such as the Maldives and Mauritius.

The Maldives, like nearly all Indian Ocean destinations, are subject to the monsoon season. Two monsoons determine the wind directions and rainfall in the Maldives. The southwest monsoon, normally in June and July, brings adequate rainfall and the northeast monsoon from the months of November to April makes Maldives dry with little wind. Sea breezes tend to keep the environment temperate even if it is a hot summer day.

Maldivian cuisine offers a wide range of tastes ranging from mild to very hot and almost always the dishes are prepared using fresh and local ingredients. Some of the chief fishes cooked are barracudas, trevallies and tuna which are served with different types of curries. Maldives cuisine is an exotic combination of flavours ranging from sweet to hot, spicy and mild.

Weather In Maldives

The Maldives are blessed with tropical weather conditions throughout the year. The temperature consistently ranges from 22º C to 33º C year round. As it is very near the equator, these islands enjoy moderate weather. An ideal time to visit the Maldives is from November to April, making it a great escape from the cold Northern Hemisphere winters.