The Maldives is stunning, but let’s be honest, every picture basically looks the same. So how can you decide on the right private island? Having investigated hundreds, first hand, here we share our top 5 resorts to help you find the right one for you. The Maldives are where people come to experience island life at its most relaxed — and most beautiful.
Tourism in the Maldives includes ecotourism, natural beauty, scuba diving, snorkeling, underwater scenery and listed as best recreational diving destinations in the world.
Here are our top 5 islands in Maldives
Fihalhohi Island
Photo credit: agoda.com
Fihalhohi Island offers a great holiday with family and you will see the tropical natural beauty of the Indian Ocean.
Alimatha Island
Photo credit: visitmaldives.com
Alimatha Island of Maldives is rated as one of the best dive sites in the country and famous for its white beaches and aquamarine lagoons.
Ambara Island
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Ambara Island is located in Felidhoo Island. Our Vaavu Atoll sightseeing planner makes visiting Ambara Island and other Vaavu Atoll attractions simple and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
Biyadoo Island
Photo credit: snorkelaroundtheworld.com
Biyadhoo Island is located 29 km from Male International Airport and famous for water sport activities such as windsurfing, canoe paddling, snorkeling, scuba diving and Catamaran.
Halaveli Island
Photo credit: constancehotels.com
Halaveli Island is a real paradise of the Maldives where the blue sky is as blue as the sea and the white sand of the beach are as white as the clouds in the sky.
Many people think about the Maldives as a dream holiday destination and never turn these dreams into reality because they believe that a Maldives holiday is too expensive. But with little research, we say that you can easily find deals that fit your budget! The differences are huge in service and in price level between the islands, there are 6-star luxury resort islands but fair hotels at affordable prices too. We recommend to set your maximum budget first, find a few hotels you like and start comparing prices on booking sites. It is always worth giving chance to travel agencies’ package prices. They might have good offers on complete (flight+hotel) options.
Maldives is an all-year destination with a hot, humid climate with two seasons. The monsoon season starts in May and ends in October. The rainiest months are June and July. The dry season runs from November to April. The best weather you can except between December and April
Palau (Belau) is a group of islands in the Micronesia area of Oceania, to the southeast of the Philippines. Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82°F (28°C), although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone.
Tourism is Palau’s most important industry, and it is one of the wealthiest nations in the Pacific. It’s a magnet for tropical vacationers and a revered UNESCO World Heritage site.
President Remengesau declared most of Palau’s territorial waters, the size of California, a marine sanctuary in 2015.
The Palau Roman Tmetuchl International Airport is connected by the Friendship Bridge to the main city of Koror. The larger and more luxurious resorts are set closest to the dive sites.
The capital of Palau is Ngerulmud. It has only been the capital city since 2006. The city of Koror previously held the title of capital. Palauan are making the largest ethnic group of the country. Other minority ethnic groups include Chinese, Vietnamese, White, Carolinian, and Filipino.
Palauians are known for their hospitality, and they are largely very happy to welcome and show respect for foreign visitors and cultural differences. However, this respect should be returned. Visitors should not violate historic areas, pollute the environment, harm the ocean, or denigrate the people or local culture.
Palau is also one of the few places in the world to see the nautilus. Don’t forget to check out the many shipwrecks which are littered with nudibranch, scorpionfish, pipefish and other critters.
The diving season is all year round, but the best time to dive Palau is during the “dry” season, between October – June.
This is one of the most beautiful island destinations on the planet and also one that is renowned for its incredibly diverse dive sites.
Kayak or snorkel tour of the Rock Islands
The famous Rock Islands are a maze of unsurpassed beauty—tropical gardens atop limestone ridges set in glass-clear waters.
From Koror you can take easy day-trips to the jungle-capped Rock Islands, to Turtle Cove, Soft Coral Arch, and Ngemelis Wall. The only free public place in Koror where you can find coral reef is Icebox Park, located within walking distance from the port.
The best way is to explore kayaking is by joining tours. Kayaks are specially developed for paddling on open waters of lakes or oceans.
It is a snorkeler’s paradise, and expeditions can take you on an in-depth exploration of Palau both above and below the water’s surface.
Ngardmau Falls
The Ngardmau Waterfall is located on the island of Babeldaob and it is Palau’s tallest waterfall.
The waterfall was designated the “Taki” Conservation Area in 2005 and expanded in the area in 2010. The conservation area includes a variety of terrestrial habitats, with upland old-growth forest, savanna, river, swamp forest, and secondary forest. The conservation area is part of the Middle Ridge Important Bird Area, and the endangered Micronesian megapode has been observed there, in addition to other endemic birds.
The constant foot traffic on the dirt trail has substantially increased erosion and sedimentation into the river. This threatens the community water source, river fauna, and marine flora and fauna at the river mouth.
There are 52 basalt megaliths, some of them weighing over 5 tonnes. The purpose of these monoliths are unknown, many believe that they served as supports of what could have been the largest bai (meeting house) ever built in Palau.
Six of these stone monoliths have rough faces carved into them. Island settled over 1,000 years before by inhabitants of the Philippines
Belau National Museum is Micronesia’s oldest museum. To get closer to the customs and an introduction to the natural history of the region or browse the extensive exhibits focusing on Palauan art, communities, and traditions. Here you’ll find an impressive array of specimens, artifacts, and models inform you about the area’s diverse animal and plant life, spiritual and ceremonial history.
The museum was established in 1955 and it was originally located in the former Japanese Administration Weather Bureau building and later relocated to a new building. The museum exhibits artifacts from all aspects of the local life of Palauan people.
The Milky Way is located in the rock islands of this Micronesian country and is famous for its being a natural spa treatment. Locals and tourists look forward to applying the white limestone mud from the lagoon all over their bodies. Locals claim that applying the mud will make you lose ten years off your age.
The Milky Way Lagoon also offers a stunning view of natural beauty and it is a nice place to have a soothing, relaxing and peaceful time.
Visit the Airai Bai
Palau’s oldest bai is over 100 years old, 21m long and 6m wide. Airai Bai is a men’s meetinghouse where we can gain a unique insight into local customs.
Palau was first inhabited by Austronesian settlers and it developed a unique society where women often played a dominant rule in government and religion.
The assembly hall is 79 by 20 feet, rising to a height of 40 feet. The roof is woven from nipa leaves and tropical woods are used across the floors and walls.
Etpison Museum
Learn about Palauan Culture at the Etpison Museum. The museum is open 9-5 Monday – Saturday and there is a $10 entry fee.
The museum features cultural displays with dioramas, and includes displays on the history and foreign influence, traditional money types, the famous 1st childbirth ceremony, Palau and Yap canoes.
The museum opened the Captain Wilson Art Gallery at the Palau Pacific Resort in April 2017, which showcases Palau’s nature and culture through the photography of Mandy Etpison.
Do you need a Palau visa?
Visas are not required for USA, UK, CAN and AUS. US citizens are issued a free one year visa on arrival. UK, AUS and CAN citizens are issued a free 30-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Raja Ampat is a group of islands on the western tip of Papua in Indonesia, famous for its diving experience. Most of the world’s coral reefs biodiversity and rare species of marine life can easily be found in an archipelago.
There are 612 islands, but four are the major islands Waigeo, Misool, Salawati, and Batanta. Estimates by conservation groups show that the diversity of marine life in Raja Ampat is among the highest in the world, with over 1,300 species of fish, 700 species of mollusks, and 537 species of coral.
Raja Ampat is one of the few places on the planet where you will see such a wide range of marine life in their natural habitat.
With its location in the great Coral Triangle between the Indian and Pacific oceans, Raja Ampat offers a snorkeling experience you’ll never forget. While scuba diving, you will find wobbegong, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, whales, nudibranchs, lionfish, sea dragons, giant trevallies and so much more.
The reefs of Raja Ampat are in perfect condition, with many giant corals, purple corals, and sea squirts, hard coral tables, deer antler corals, green and brown moose antler corals.
Experience the joy and relax of sailing with a boat in the style of a traditional Melanesian outrigger.
One of the best diving spots around here is Batu Lima (Five Rocks). Check rates and availability:Raja Ampat Dive Resort
Papua Explorers is an eco-friendly dive resort in a traditional Indonesian setting with quick access to some of the best dive sites in Raja Ampat. Papua Explorers is located near the Dampier Strait, where many of Raja Ampat’s best dive spots are located. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and rainforest, while you tasty some of the most deliscious traditional Indonesian cuisine
Papua Explorers is one of Raja Ampat’s latest resorts but has already built a reputation for exceptional service, amazing natural experiences and a commitment to conservation and sustainable practices.
Over-water bungalows in a unique location between a wide sandy bay and a mangrove fringed lagoon. The view from the tops is amazing, but first you have to climb lots of stairs.
You can see an iconic karst island seascape from the top. These mushroom-shaped rocks are towering from the unnaturally blue and crystal clear water.
Kri Eco Resort opened in 1994 with traditional houses built with local materials from the jungle and each contains two rooms and a sitting area.
Great food and a relaxed friendly atmosphere in a peaceful location. Kri Island is located on the northwest tip of West Papua in Indonesia, about 2 hours by boat from Sorong. If we have to describe it with a few words is golden sand surrounded by clear shallow waters.
Pianemo Island is one of the most epic spots in Indonesia and one of the most picturesque spots in Raja Ampat. You will witness a terrific landscape made up of turquoise waters underneath a blue sky, representing the raw beauty of this destination. It is also popular due to its karst hills and stunning underwater scenery.
Hiking is also very popular thing to do. There are several karst hills, on which tourists can climb.
Most of the Raja Ampat Diving Liveaboards include Pianemo viewpoint in their itinerary. You can compare liveaboards and to check the availability and pricing of the tours from their website.
Want to learn more about sustainable travel? Check our other posts about sustainable travel.
Love the content. My husband and I run a diving center in Cyprus. We want to offer something more than diving to our existing customers. Anyone have any ideas? It can’t be coffee.
Photo credit: agoda.com
Photo credit: visitmaldives.com
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Photo credit: snorkelaroundtheworld.com
Photo credit: constancehotels.com
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Love the content. My husband and I run a diving center in Cyprus. We want to offer something more than diving to our existing customers. Anyone have any ideas? It can’t be coffee.