MALDIVES

The Maldives - a dream destination famous for its beautiful beaches and breathtaking underwater scenery. But there is more to this unique nation, these 1190 islands spread across the Indian Ocean and circled into 26 natural atolls. They boast rich cultural traditions, a history of kings and queens, pageants, feasts and festivals, their own language and script. These unique islands are made of pure white coral sand and are grouped into natural atolls that are protected from rough seas by surrounding coral reefs. They are low lying, the highest point on any given island being no more than a metre and a half above sea level. Coconut palms, lush tropical plants, and an abundance of spectacular marine life make the Maldives an idyllic holiday destination.

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS:
Air Seychelles has three weekly flights from Johannesburg International to Seychelles International.
Schedule: From Johannesburg to Seychelles: Monday, Thursday and Sunday
From Seychelles to Johannesburg: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Direct flight time: 4hours 45 minutes
Schedule: From Seychelles to Male Sunday
From Male to Seychelles: Monday
Direct flight time: 3 hours

Emirates has daily flights into Dubai, where there is a direct connection to the Maldives

ACCOMMODATION:

KURUMATHI VILLAGE RESORT

Kuramathi Village Resort forms part of three independent accommodation units on Kuramathi Tourist Island. There are a total of 151 rooms, comprising of 71 superior, 33 deluxe and 47 standard rooms. All rooms are air conditioned with hot and cold running water. This is one of the most popular and affordable 'budget' resorts in the Maldives with a choice of dining options and recreational activities. The resort offers meals and refreshments at various restaurants. Recreational facilities include a daily entertainment program, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, island hopping excursions, snorkelling, sports centre, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and a dive centre with a decompression chamber. It is the most ideal hideaway holiday island and the sheer tranquility of the surroundings and the rustic feel of the secluded cottages are only a hint of what awaits you at this holiday paradise.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
6 nights at Kurumathi on a half board basis
1 night Full Moon room only on arrival, 1 night bed and breakfast on departure at Full Moon

KURAMATHI COTTAGE CLUB & SPA
The most exclusive and tantalizing of the three hotels on Kuramathi Tourist Island. The spacious 50 water bungalows and the 30 beach rooms with spectacular views offer a magnificent seaside holiday experience. Water Bungalows are built on stilts with large glass windows and a wooden deck where you can sit and watch small fish darting below. All rooms have air conditioning, hot and cold water, en suite bathrooms, a mini bar and IDD telephone facility. The resorts dining can be enjoyed at various restaurants. Recreational activities include a daily entertainment programme, boating and fishing, diving, discotheque, volleyball, windsurfing & catamaran sailing, swimming pool, sports centre and island hopping excursions. There is also a SPA - Universal Resorts Spa, managed by Serena for the ultimate in relaxation.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
6 nights at Kurumathi Cottage Club on a half board basis
1 night Full Moon room only on arrival, 1 night bed and breakfast on departure at Full Moon

PARADISE ISLAND
Situated on the eastern edge of the North Male Atoll, a mere fifteen minutes from Male's Hulhule International airport by speedboat. It is the ultimate Maldivian holiday – the massive reef, enclosed lagoon, white beaches and the totally exuberant aura of the aptly named ‘Paradise Island’. Reputed to be one of the finest hotels in the Maldives, this resort has 220 super deluxe beach bungalows and 40 water bungalows, all attractively designed. Each has a mini bar, satellite TV, international direct dial telephone, open air bathroom with shower, tub, hairdryer and hot and cold water. The hotel has a swimming pool, sauna, massage therapy, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, squash and floodlit tennis court. Volleyball, table tennis, basketball, badminton, billiards, waterskiing, jetskiing, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, parasailing, windsurfing, snorkelling. Evening entertainment includes live music, cultural shows, a disco and a karaoke bar. Dining can be enjoyed in a choice of five western and oriental restaurants.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
8 nights at Paradise Island on a half board basis

BANDOS ISLAND RESORT
Bandos is an exclusive coral island situated in the centre of the North Male Atoll and the resort stretches around the entire island. Bandos can be reached by speed boat from Male’s Hulhule International airport in just 20 minutes. Bandos Island Resort has a total of 225 air-conditioned guest rooms comprising of 177 deluxe rooms and 48 suites, spacious and airy, discretely tucked away within the lush tropical vegetation. All rooms have fresh hot and cold running water with en suite bathrooms, IDD telephone, mini bar and verandahs overlooking the beach. The Resort has a selection of six food and beverage outlets. Bandos offers a gym, sauna, steamrooms, tennis and an outdoor swimming pool. Baby sitting facilities and a mini club for children are available free of charge between 09h00 and 17h00.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
8 nights at Bandos Island Resort on a half board basis

VILU REEF RESORT
Vilu Reef is for the discerned traveller who truly wants to get away from it all. Located in the north eastern corner of the South Nilandhoo Atoll, about 150 kilometres to the south of Male' the capital and a 35 minute flight from the airport. All accommodation is in Deluxe Beach Bungalows, giving you the privacy you need wherever you are on the island. All rooms feature an en suite bathroom, airconditioning and mini safe. There are a variety of land and water activities to choose from and the evening entertainment will definitely keep you going until the early hours of the morning.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
6 nights at Vilu Reef on a half board basis
2 nights Hulule bed and breakfast

LOHIFUSHI ISLAND RESORT
The natural beauty of Lohifushi is a strong point for this resort. The island is situated in the North Male 'Atoll and 25 minutes from the airport by speedboat and 90 minutes by motorboat. A choice of standard, superior or deluxe rooms with open air shower, hot & cold water, minibar, IDD and TV. A range of watersports can be enjoyed in the shallow and wide lagoon. Close by the resort there are many dive spots among the best in the Maldives.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
8 nights at Lohifushi on a breakfast & dinner basis

LAGUNA BEACH RESORT
This exclusive five star resort is situated on Vellasaru Island, just 20 minutes from Hulhule International airport, by speedboat. It comprises of 17 water suites and 115 deluxe rooms, all with air conditioning, bath/ shower, hot and cold water, international direct dial telephones, ceiling fans and mini bars. Recreation facilities include a daily entertainment programme, morning and night fishing, diving, discotheque, floodlit tennis courts, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, island excursions, sports centre, table tennis and pool table. There is also a SPA- Universal Resorts Spa, managed by Serena for the ultimate in relaxation. Laguna is especially dedicated to those who appreciate the good things in life: good food, good company, good times and good value. To stay at Laguna Beach Resort is to discover how good a holiday really can be.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
8 nights at Laguna on a inclusive basis

SONEVA GILI RESORT & SPA
Meal basis : Breakfasts only
The first all Water Villa resort in the Maldives, is set on the private tropical island of Lankanfushi. The intimacy of the island and the unique design of the villas, set along jetties that stretch into the lagoon, create a most serene environment from which to discover the many dive sites that may be explored in the Male' Atoll. A gourmet restaurant, over water bar, 2 shops and a variety of watersports are just some of the many facilities that can be enjoyed at this resort.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights on Air Seychelles
Return resort transfers
8 nights at Soneva Gili on a breakfast basis

Other islands and resorts offered: Kandooma Island, Kuredu island, Fun Island, Sun Island, Olhuveli, Taj Coral Reef Resort, Hilton Maldives resort and Spa, Four Seasons, Soneva Fushi, Banyan Tree,

All Maldives package prices include:
Return flights from Johannesburg to the Maldives via the Seychelles on Air Seychelles
Return airport transfers in the Maldives
Accommodation in the Maldives at the selected resort – nights specified
Meal basis as specified
Domestic add-ons required from Cape Town and Durban

Please call for package rates via Dubai and Singapore

ARRIVING IN THE MALDIVES
All passengers traveling to the Maldives, arrive at Male International Airport, on Hulhule Island, adjacent to the Republic’s capital Male. Onward transportation to your chosen island resort will be by speedboat, traditional dhoni or by seaplane.

WEATHER
Straddling the equator, the Maldives enjoys a warm tropical climate all year round. The skies are usually clear and the sun shines brightly with average daily tempartures of between 25 and 30C. Though the southwest monsoon does bring most of the rain, usually around June and July, tropical rain showers can occur at any time. A good sun hat and sunglasses are a must and plenty of suntan lotion with a high factor protection is recommended.

TOURIST INFORMATION: VISAS AND IMMIGRATION
South African passport holders do not require visas to visit the Maldives. A thirty day visitor’s permit is issued on arrival. Passports must, however, be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in the Maldives.
Importation of the following items in the Maldives is strictly prohibited. All baggage is screened and inspected by customs authorities on arrival; illicit drugs, pornography, firearms or dangerous weapons, live animals and alcoholic beverages

DEPARTURE TAX
A departure tax (currently USD10) is payable at the airport upon departure.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Health care facilities are improving almost on a daily basis. The Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ is the biggest hospital in the country providing sophisticated medical care. ADK Hospital is the biggest private health care facility and follows high medical standards. Some resorts have in-house doctors. A decompression chamber is within easy reach of most resorts in case of a diving emergency.

DIVE DOCUMENTATION
Dive operations are very strict with regard to dive documentation. Mo Certification card = no diving. A logbook and Certification card are required.

LOCAL CURRENCY
The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree. The exchange rate for US Dollar at the time of writing is MRf.11.82 for the dollar. One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees. Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in most hard currency in cash, travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Each resort has a gift/ souvenir boutique and there are various souvenir/ general dealer/ duty free shops on the capital island of Male. Duty free shopping is also available at Male airport. With the possible exception of basic souvenirs you will not need to change your foreign currency into Maldivian currency for any other reason. We recommend US dollars cash or travelers cheques. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

CULTURE
A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.