Joanna James
Male, the capital of the Maldives, is one of the world's most populated cities. It is also the archipelago's most visited island, with most tourists reserving an entire day to explore the fascinating place. Hence, there's plenty to do in Male. Check out this list of things to keep you busy in Male.
The island of Male is located on the south end of the North Male Atoll. It is 5.8 square kilometres in dimension and is made up of a cluster of islands - the airport island, the central island, and two others. The nation's international airport is located on Male and is next to the Male city island. On this island is also the seaplane terminal and speedboat pier; you can take either travel mode to get to your Maldives all-inclusive resort. Popular resorts in the Maldives like VARU by Atmosphere can be reached within a short span of time from Male airport via a speedboat transfer. And speedboat transfers are one of the most enjoyable aspects of a holiday in the Maldives. Besides, choosing Maldives resorts located close to Male makes exploring the capital island easy. Today, a bridge connects the central Male Island to the airport island, although in the past, the only access was via dhoni (traditional wooden boat). And for a more enjoyable experience, you can still choose this option. Next is a list of what you can do on Male.
If your Maldives resort is not located too far from Male Island, you can plan to visit the place more than once during your holiday. Exploring Male is perfect for learning more about the islands, the people, their heritage, and history. The Male Fish Market is an icon of the island's second main economy – fishing. Fishing, next to tourism, is the income of the Maldives. And at the Male Fish Market, you can see how daily catches are brought in to be auctioned off. Visit the place very early to experience the hustle and bustle of what goes on there.
The Tsunami Monument on Male Island is a reminder of the disaster caused by the 2004 Boxing day Tsunami, which affected nearly 1/3 of the population in the Maldives. The monument stands as an ode to all the lives lost during the natural disaster, with December 26th marked as a day to remember how the nation came together as one to help each other.
Male is where you must go for some holiday shopping to remember your holiday in the Maldives. The capital is not home to mega malls. Instead, a shopping spree in the Maldives is full of island charms. Organise a shopping expedition through your resort in the Maldives and enjoy shopping for local handicrafts, lovely souvenirs, and other knick-knacks. The main shopping areas to visit in Male are Majeedhee Magu Road and Chaandhanee Magu Road.
Due to the densely populated nature of Male, the archipelago of over 1000 islands has two manmade beaches. They are lovely oases to spend time at, cool down, and beat the heat. Enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere, grab a bite from the food stalls, and enjoy a day out in the sun. Do keep in mind that as a public beach in a Muslim nation, you cannot wear bikinis to this beach. Do ask your Maldives resort for more details before visiting the beaches.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
