Maldives Beach Holidays A string of pearls scattered on deep blue silk…the incomparable blue of the sparkling Indian Ocean. Many of the islands are so tiny that you’ll feel quickly at home. Simply take off your shoes the moment you arrive and concern yourself with nothing more than whether you’ll spot a manta ray before breakfast. Once renowned for scuba diving, the Maldives now appeals to a wider and more sophisticated audience, appreciative of the rich melting pot of cultures and fragile ecosystem. The small capital Malé buzzes with activity. Visit the museum with its wide range of historic relics and the 400 year old ‘Hukuru Miskiiy’ mosque, famed for its fine coral carvings. Service everywhere is attentive and friendly, with dining often being a beach affair beneath the stars, and captivating accommodation features all those little individual touches that make a stay magical. The islands are also rich in their variety of music, dance, arts and crafts. There are daily flights with Qatar Airways via Doha, and daily flights except Wednesday and Friday with Emirates via Dubai. Also Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday non-stop from London Heathrow with SriLankan Airlines. Please note that seaplane transfers can only take place during daylight hours, which occasionally necessitates an overnight stop on Malé should an international flight arrive late. LANGUAGE Dhievhi is the spoken language in all parts of the Maldives along with English. TIME DIFFERENCE GMT + 5 hours. CURRENCY Rufiyaa and Laaree although the US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. FLYING TIME Approx 13 hours including one stopover or 11 hours non-stop. CLIMATE Generally warm and humid with sunshine all year round. The best time to visit is between November and March during the north-east monsoon when it is dry with very little wind. BEST: Between November and March. MAP of THE MALDIVES CLIMATE Avg Monthly Temperature (max F) Avg Monthly Rainfall (inches) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 85 02 85 02 87 02 91 03 93 07 93 10 87 9 84 8 86 7 87 8 87 6 86 3