Sprinkled in the middle of the Indian Ocean, these paradise islands are palm-fringed gems lying in turquoise lagoons of the most incredible blue you've ever seen. Entirely circled by two large atolls, the majority of the islands are barely higher than two metres, and from the surface are no more than mounds of pure white sand, covered with dense tropical vegetation interspersed with characteristic, towering coconut palms. Their lagoons are crystal clear, enclosed by coral house reefs teeming with life and exotic corals - in fact the marine life is extraordinary. The islands' popularity with scuba divers and snorkellers is legendary and for those who have never dived, this is the perfect opportunity to learn - the waters are warm, the sun always shines and there are plenty of resorts with their own fully-equipped diving schools. Of the 12,000 islands, about one in ten of them are inhabited and less then half of them have any tourism development; of those that do, there is room for no more than one hotel - in fact the capital, Male, occupies one island, the airport another! The resort islands are worlds in themselves. Some of the larger ones offer several different restaurants featuring local and continental cuisine along with exotic buffets and barbecues. Since fish and coconuts are the only items that don't have to be imported, they find their way onto most menus and spinybacked lobster is a particular delicacy. The Maldives are highly recommended for those who wish to do absolutely nothing and it would be difficult to find a more beautiful place to relax than a typical Maldives beach...peaceful, uncrowded, with pure, soft sand of an almost dazzling whiteness. Needless to say the majority of the more strenuous activities are sea based. Watersports equipment is always available and most resorts offer windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water-skiing and canoeing. You'll find the nearest thing to sightseeing is a leisurely trip in a local boat known as a dhoni, in search of an even more perfect beach or picnic spot. Clearly the essentials for a Maldives holiday are a good supply of books, a generous supply of sun cream and a burning desire to do as little as possible......
