You're not dreaming - it really is this good. The Maldives is the world epicentre of tropical luxury. Raise a cocktail-filled glass in your lavish over-water villa to this extraordinary patch of paradise: picture-perfect coral atolls strewn across the cobalt-blue Indian Ocean. Stretch out on blissful beaches in the fringed shade of coconut palms - go on, you deserve it. This bestselling guide is your passport to the holiday of a lifetime.

CHOOSE WISELY - our author gives you the facts before you book your stay; the Choosing a Resort chapter and detailed listings compare all the resorts

SUBMERGE - our Snorkelling, Diving & Surfing chapter gives you the when, where and how on getting the best out of all the offshore pursuits

KNOW THE BACKGROUND - dedicated History and Culture chapters give you the picture behind the postcards

JUMP THE FENCE - we give you the options on escaping your resort and meeting the locals

The Author

Gettina Started

Snaoshot

Histo

The Culture

Environment

Choosina a Resort

Snorkelling,

Divina & Surfin

Food & Drink

Male'

 History

 Orientation

 Information

 Dangers & Annoyances

 Sights

 Walking Tour

 Male' for Children

 Sleeping

 Entertainment

 Shopping

 Getting There & Away

 Getting Around

 AROUND MALE'

 Diving Sites

 Viligili

 Hulhule'

Hulhumale'

 Other Islands

North & South Male' Atolls

 North Male' Atol

 Kaashidhoo

 Gaafaru Falhu

 South Male' Atol

Ari Atol

 Thoddoo Island

 Rasdhoo Atoll

 Ari Atoll

 Haa Alif

Northern Atolls

 Haa Dhaa

 Shaviyani

 Noonu

 Raa

 Baa

 Lhaviyani

 Vaavu

Southern Atolls

 Meemu

 Faafu

 Dhaalu

 Thaa

 Laamu

 Gaaf Alif

 Gaaf Dhaa

 Gnaviyani

 Addu Atol

Directory

 Accommodation

 Business Hours

 Children

 Climate Chart

 Courses

 Customs

 Dangers & Annoyances

 Embassies & Consulates

 Food

Gay & Lesbian Travellers

 Holidays

 Insurance

 Internet Access

 Legal Matters

 Maps

 Money

 Post

 Solo Travellers

 Telephone

 Time

 Toilets

 Tourist Information

 Travellers with Disabilities

 Travel Permits

 Visas

 Women Travellers

Transport

 GETTING THERE & AWAY

 Entering the Country

 Air

 Sea

 GETTING AROUND

 Air

 Boat

 Car & Motorcycle

Health

 BEFORE YOU GO

 Insurance

 Recommended

 Vaccinations

 IN THE MALDIVES

 Availability & Cost

 of Health Care

 Infectious Diseases

 Traveller's Diarrhoea

 Environmental Hazards

Languaage

Glossary

Behind the Scenes

Index

World Time Zones

Map Legend