Joanna James
The archipelago is synonymous with amazing beaches, and the reality is there are very few places that can rival the Maldives when it comes to the quality of the beaches. Here are some fun facts that make the destination even better!
The powdery white sandy beaches the Maldives is famous for are partly the result of coral particles! So, unlike other sea shores formed from quartz, the sand here doesn't get so hot, as the coral doesn't absorb the heat of the sun. One of the best things in the Maldives is that despite the harshness of the sun anyone can comfortably walk bare feet along the coast, at any time of day! However, this is all the reason to lather up on the (reef-safe) sunscreen, as the sun can get very hot and will burn you up easily!
The beaches move every year – twice to be exact, once during each monsoon season! When the northeast season starts in January, the majority of the beach sand shifts towards the southwest. This pattern gets switched up once the southwest season of the monsoon descends from May to September. Regardless of this phenomenon, many of the beach villas in Maldives will offer some of the best beaches you have ever seen in your life. Check out the likes of The Residence Maldives Dhigurah if you are looking for places to stay in the Maldives.
A considerable amount of the sand that constitutes the Maldivian beaches are undigested coral discharged by the multicoloured parrotfish. It mostly eats polyps and seaweed off the coral's exterior, but the sharp-beaked jaws of the parrotfish often result in fragments of stony coral breaking up, along with its food. The fish spews out the chipped pieces of coral, which eventually get washed up on the shore to become part of the beach.
Crabs live along the beach and on the water, and you will encounter a number of them in all kinds of sizes and shapes. These little crustaceans, however, mostly venture at night. Most of them, such as the ghost crab, burrow into the sand to make holes and live inside them. You will notice crabs scurrying away when on a nighttime walk on the beach. These troops of crustaceans do a lot to maintain the ecosystem and keep it clean. They eat specks of waste and food, which aids in preserving the cleanliness of the beach.
The coastline of Thundi, in Fuvahmulah, is renowned worldwide for the polished shells and pebbles in shades of white, brown, pink and purple. Pebbles are strewn all along its seemingly never-ending stretch of stunning beach to create the biggest seaside in the Maldives. Quite unlike the usual white sand, you will encounter in Maldivian seashores! This location was the 9th most secretive beach on the Asian Continent as chosen by Wanderlust! So, all the more reason to experience it if you ever find yourself in the Maldives.
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