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In the 1970s, many doubted the appeal of the two resorts located on this archipelago to tourists from all over the world. But today, the Maldives has dispelled those doubts. The first thing that greets visitors to the Maldives is the blue sea, white sand, and salty sea breeze.
The Maldivian government does not require a visa for visits under 30 days. Simply presenting your passport and stating the name of your hotel or resort will allow you to quickly enter the country. 185 of the 1200 coral islands in the Maldives are inhabited by locals, while the remaining islands are mostly resorts.
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Maldivian Air Taxi proudly boasts the slogan "A unique experience." Indeed, nowhere else do you get to fly on bright red seaplanes with barefoot pilots like here. The planes are a bit cramped and noisy, but they fly very low, allowing passengers to admire the coral reefs, like strings of white pearls against the deep blue sea.
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Constance Halaveli, like most other resorts, occupies its own private coral atoll. The coral atolls in the Maldives are quite similar in structure, consisting of a circular coral ring that "grows" from the ocean floor. Wind and water erode the skeletons of millions of corals into sand; therefore, between each coral ring is a very shallow area of water, usually less than 2 meters, with a fine sandy bottom.
Beyond the usual luxurious amenities, each villa boasts a spacious sun deck overlooking the sea, with a wooden staircase leading directly down to the crystal-clear water. The sea here offers three shades of blue: bright and clear like emeralds in the shallow waters, deep and dark blue at the edge of the coral reef, and mystical purple in the distant ocean. The surrounding coral reefs create a nearly calm sea, attracting countless fish species seeking food and shelter. Even just walking along the wooden bridge that runs through the resort, you're guaranteed to see a variety of fish, big and small, swimming around.
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Visitors can spend hours snorkeling in the coral reefs surrounding the resort. You don't need to swim more than 100 meters to see vibrant fish among the colorful coral branches. Or, if you don't feel like snorkeling, you can lie on the pristine white sand and enjoy the warm sunshine. For those who love scuba diving, the Maldives is one of the most ideal destinations in the world.
The Maldives is also an ideal location for learning to scuba dive. Most resorts have a globally recognized dive center, such as PADI or SSI. For around $200 a morning, a certified instructor will teach you the basics in the pool, then lead you on a 50-minute dive. This price isn't too expensive, especially compared to the cost of rooms and food at the resort, but the experience of swimming among thousands of bluefin tuna, the thrill of seeing a group of sharks larger than a person dart past, or simply admiring the majestic coral walls that look like they just stepped out of the movie Finding Nemo, less than half a meter away, is truly indescribable.
