Above or below the waterline, the Maldives presents a kaleidoscope of colours, flavours, nature and activities that never fails to delight. And LUX* Maldives is no exception.
As the only settlement on the island of Dhidhoofinolhu in South Ari Atoll, this luxury resort in Maldives offers real insight into unspoiled island living. The island of Dhidhoofinolhu is one of the biggest in the Maldives, only a short 25 minutes seaplane flight away from the capital Male, and featuring four kilometres of silvery white beaches stretching out to the sparkling turquoise waters of the natural lagoon. The clear waters of the ocean are home to an infinite variety of species, multi-coloured coral fishes and other marine fauna. Here on the island, LUX* Island Resorts has opened a Marine Biology Centre, dedicated to researching the presence and conservation of whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters. Inland, the island is a haven of lush, green foliage and heady-scented, vividly coloured flowers. The world class PADI diving centre and full range of water-sport activities is an attraction for many, but for those who prefer rest to recreation there is the luxurious LUX* Me spa, two swimming pools and an extensive choice of restaurants and bars.
The Maldives is a year-round destination.The tropical climate is influenced by monsoons, although bright sunny weather with a light sea breeze can be expected most days. The islands enjoy a mild tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 24 and 33 °C (75.2 and 91.4 °F) throughout the year.
The monetary unit is the Maldivian Ruffiyaa (MVR), while international credit cards are widely accepted by resorts.
The Maldives is a country of South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India. It consists of approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers. Only 185 of these islands are inhabited, while the others are used largely for tourism and agriculture. The atolls are composed of live coral reefs and sand bars perched atop a 960km submarine ridge, while the land features lush tropical vegetation with abundant local coconut palms. With an average ground level of 1,5m above sea level, the Maldives is by far the lowest country on earth and as such has a very fragile ecosystem. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Male.
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +5 hours
Daylight saving time No daylight saving time in 2012
Time zone abbreviation: MVT – Maldives Time
Maldivian culture is heavily influenced by geographical proximity to Sri Lanka and southern India. The official and common language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language having some similarities with Elu, the ancient Sinhalese language. English is widely spoken in areas frequented by tourists.
Travel insurance is essential and must be purchased prior to departure, covering personal accident, medical expenses and baggage.
