The Maldives - Cruise, Dive, Swim, Snorkel

Visit the Maldives for an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime!

You don't need a visa to come to the Maldives although a 30 day entry permit will be given to you on arrival, i.e. any designated entry port. You will need a valid travel passport from your country of origin, along with a scheduled return ticket, and any necessary visa for the country you're leaving to.

There are several dozen cruise boats that sail around the islands as well. There's a lot to see with 1,200 islands, and certain cruises offer complementary diving expeditions; others are for relaxation - plain and simple. A good cruise will wind its way through the heavily populous atolls and also the virgin, pristine islands. Luxury cruises have modern amenities, and each cruise has its own twist on things.

This is a land of sun and water. A perfect paradise for those that need to unwind and relax. Scuba diving, snorkelling, submarine tours, whale and dolphin tours, and a variety of water sports including wakeboarding, jet skis, parasailing, and water skiing, are also available.

There are at least 17 hotels in the capital of Male, and you'll need booked reservations upon arrival or else $30/day for every day you'll be staying there. You have to provide proof of one or the other to officials upon entry. Ask your cruise if they commonly see any of Male's oceanic spectacles like the Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, Pilot Whale as well as the Spinner, Bottlenose, Risso's, Spotted, Striped, Fraser's and Rough-toothed dolphins. There are Maldivian specialities, which are frequently seen here but hardly ever anywhere else. You might even get a chance to see a Dwarf Sperm Whale, Melon-headed Whale or the elusive Tropical Bottlenose Whale. Even Orca killer whales abound.

Night fishing is another popular way to relax for tourists. The boats take off before sunset and settle down in a reef area. Even if the fishing is so-so, it's still a good chance to relax.