Maldives - small island
Discussion
Ok, it's not even Christmas 2024 and we're planning 2025's
Having been to the Maldives a couple of times, once in 2004, and once 3 years ago we're looking to go again.
Both times previously we've been to islands that have comparatively few villas (<40) and are looking for something similar again (the place we went to in 2004 has changed it's name and has been completely redeveloped with loads of over water bungalows), and more recently Kandolhu, which we'd be more than happy to go to again if we can't find an alternate.
Wondering if any recommendations from the PH crowd as trying to 'filter' by number of villas/size of island for our search is proving a challenge...
Having been to the Maldives a couple of times, once in 2004, and once 3 years ago we're looking to go again.
Both times previously we've been to islands that have comparatively few villas (<40) and are looking for something similar again (the place we went to in 2004 has changed it's name and has been completely redeveloped with loads of over water bungalows), and more recently Kandolhu, which we'd be more than happy to go to again if we can't find an alternate.
Wondering if any recommendations from the PH crowd as trying to 'filter' by number of villas/size of island for our search is proving a challenge...
Went to Komandoo in 2019, I think it's been sold to another company since, but it was absolutely spectacular. The most relaxing 10 days I've ever spent anywhere. great house reef. Adults only and only about 40 villas. We booked a water villa but swapped to a beach one half way through.
I didn't like the travel time though, but that's just me.
I didn't like the travel time though, but that's just me.
Lots of assumptions that are mostly dependent on when and where you go.
We had a handful of Russians the last time we went but they weren’t any different to anyone else.
Transfers depend where you go , pick an island closer to Male and you can get a cheaper speedboat or just budget for that as part of your hols.
Some resorts do free transfers May to November so look on travelbag as a good place to start.
Best advice is go half board and if you have two- three drinks a day your bar bill will be about £400 at the end of 10 days.
It’s 10 dollars a beer or cocktail really. It’s a lot cheaper to go half board and have a decent breakfast than full board or AI, a lot cheaper!!
We had a handful of Russians the last time we went but they weren’t any different to anyone else.
Transfers depend where you go , pick an island closer to Male and you can get a cheaper speedboat or just budget for that as part of your hols.
Some resorts do free transfers May to November so look on travelbag as a good place to start.
Best advice is go half board and if you have two- three drinks a day your bar bill will be about £400 at the end of 10 days.
It’s 10 dollars a beer or cocktail really. It’s a lot cheaper to go half board and have a decent breakfast than full board or AI, a lot cheaper!!
Edited by interstellar on Saturday 21st December 20:15
Having been at other destinations with Americans and Russians, I'd be more keen to avoid the Americans to be honest.
The russians I've encountered have either been very pleasant, or outright rude. But not loud.
So many Americans I've been near, particularly in Cancun, were loud, brash, arrogant, rude and hard to ignore.
(Stumbled on this thread as I'm trying to decide on where to go in march and April)
The russians I've encountered have either been very pleasant, or outright rude. But not loud.
So many Americans I've been near, particularly in Cancun, were loud, brash, arrogant, rude and hard to ignore.
(Stumbled on this thread as I'm trying to decide on where to go in march and April)
I’m ditching the Maldives after thinking further, having been to Jamaica in the meantime. We aren’t keen on the man made paradise with no history aspect or being at the behest of an economy where nearly everything is non native and has to be imported. So now looking elsewhere where there’s a bit more depth to the whole experience.
GeneralBanter said:
I’m ditching the Maldives after thinking further, having been to Jamaica in the meantime. We aren’t keen on the man made paradise with no history aspect or being at the behest of an economy where nearly everything is non native and has to be imported. So now looking elsewhere where there’s a bit more depth to the whole experience.
It's certainly paradise, there is a history there as well as for man made, struggling with that as most islands are natural but I get the import thing. Each to their own but its the only place I've visited that's blown me away in relation to Isolation, beauty, beaches, clarity of seawater and abundance of sea life on your doorstep. There's nothing remotely comparable in the Caribbean in that respect, you won't get near it.That said its not for everyone, whereas I spend hours snorkelling house reefs meters from the beach with sharks, rays and every fish imaginable some people don't even stick their heads in the water.
We mix and match, we do Antigua, St Lucia most years with friends (easier flights) and also the Maldives but price wise there isn't much difference. We enjoy them for different reasons, personally I prefer the Maldives for the reasons I've given.
One thing of note for anyone who Vapes -its been banned in the Maldives from December.
DT1975 said:
GeneralBanter said:
I’m ditching the Maldives after thinking further, having been to Jamaica in the meantime. We aren’t keen on the man made paradise with no history aspect or being at the behest of an economy where nearly everything is non native and has to be imported. So now looking elsewhere where there’s a bit more depth to the whole experience.
It's certainly paradise, there is a history there as well as for man made, struggling with that as most islands are natural but I get the import thing. Each to their own but its the only place I've visited that's blown me away in relation to Isolation, beauty, beaches, clarity of seawater and abundance of sea life on your doorstep. There's nothing remotely comparable in the Caribbean in that respect, you won't get near it.That said its not for everyone, whereas I spend hours snorkelling house reefs meters from the beach with sharks, rays and every fish imaginable some people don't even stick their heads in the water.
We mix and match, we do Antigua, St Lucia most years with friends (easier flights) and also the Maldives but price wise there isn't much difference. We enjoy them for different reasons, personally I prefer the Maldives for the reasons I've given.
One thing of note for anyone who Vapes -its been banned in the Maldives from December.
nordboy said:
The same for me, hours snorkelling on the reef, or a bit of scuba. The 10 days I sent on Komandoo I think was the most relaxed I've ever felt when away? And it literally felt like i was in the middle of nowhere and so far away from work and hassle. It was fantastic. But saying that, i didn't much care for the travelling to get there and back.
Back in 2013 I paid for my Sister's honeymoon to the Constance Moofooshi specifically for that reason...The marriage is a speck in the rear-view now but she still talks about the snorkelling, diving and general aquatic life in the Maldives.
Few questions:
How much were you all paying for the holidays? I just mean a ballpark...
I'm looking at all inclusive if I were to go
How long for - 7 days probably too short, so at least 10 days or maybe even 14?
Do you get bored, being on such an isolated island or resort? I understand the relaxation and distancing yourself, but does it feel a bit bland after the first few days?
Was entertainment good? I appreciate this is resort dependent
...
Komandoo is not available for my selected dates (24th March +/- 3 days)
Looking at alternatives.
How much were you all paying for the holidays? I just mean a ballpark...
I'm looking at all inclusive if I were to go
How long for - 7 days probably too short, so at least 10 days or maybe even 14?
Do you get bored, being on such an isolated island or resort? I understand the relaxation and distancing yourself, but does it feel a bit bland after the first few days?
Was entertainment good? I appreciate this is resort dependent
...
Komandoo is not available for my selected dates (24th March +/- 3 days)
Looking at alternatives.
redrabbit29 said:
Few questions:
How much were you all paying for the holidays? I just mean a ballpark...
I'm looking at all inclusive if I were to go
How long for - 7 days probably too short, so at least 10 days or maybe even 14?
Do you get bored, being on such an isolated island or resort? I understand the relaxation and distancing yourself, but does it feel a bit bland after the first few days?
Was entertainment good? I appreciate this is resort dependent
...
Komandoo is not available for my selected dates (24th March +/- 3 days)
Looking at alternatives.
Weve paid 8.5k both times and stayed at You and Me Maldives, adults only - highly recommend it. That includes seaplane and half board. You have to be really going some to make AI worth while. Its about £750 each more and thats a lot of lunch and drinks each - £75 a day is unlikely. Also, in the heat you are not as hungry so we went from late morning to 9pm each day with just some fruit and it was perfect. I like my food but eating at lunchtime in that heat was too much.How much were you all paying for the holidays? I just mean a ballpark...
I'm looking at all inclusive if I were to go
How long for - 7 days probably too short, so at least 10 days or maybe even 14?
Do you get bored, being on such an isolated island or resort? I understand the relaxation and distancing yourself, but does it feel a bit bland after the first few days?
Was entertainment good? I appreciate this is resort dependent
...
Komandoo is not available for my selected dates (24th March +/- 3 days)
Looking at alternatives.
Weve been both times for 11 nights so 10 nights in resort, the outbound flight is overnight if you go direct and its worth it (BA and now Virgin both from heathrow).
No I didnt get bored but I would have if it was lanzarote, I usually like to be doing something but this place just had me do nothing but chill. I did swim round the island one day ( only 40 mins) and run round it a few times but honestly I just felt so relaxed I was catching forty winks several times a day.
Entertainment for us was fine - low key and quiet. Think solo gutarist at dinner and some dancing on the beach with a dj once a week.
They know how to do it and I would recommend it there.
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