{"id":46376,"date":"2019-07-02T22:58:40","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T14:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/?p=46376"},"modified":"2019-08-27T00:17:28","modified_gmt":"2019-08-26T16:17:28","slug":"diy-maldives-ocean-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/2019\/07\/diy-maldives-ocean-paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Maldives with Kids \u2013 10 Things To Know Before You Go"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why Maldives?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maldives is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  When people talk about the Maldives, they are referring to a collection of 1200 small islands,  across 26 atolls (or small clusters of sandy islets) set in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Each atoll has its own variety of vibrant coral reefs teeming with lush underwater life – more than 1,000 fish species, 40 species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, sting rays, sea turtles and even whale sharks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 200 of these islands in the Maldives are inhabited, by a population of slightly only over 400,000. (think remote and sparse!).  These geographical attributes make Maldives synonymous with beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs that offer an experience like no other. The Capital, Mal\u00e9, sits on its own atoll. Travels between Mal\u00e9 and the other atolls are done via seaplanes, domestic airplanes or speedboats.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Maldives is ideal for a short-haul family getaway. Families can plan their stays to fully take advantage of the different resort’s services, facilities and scenery. We love Maldives primarily for the chance of a lifetime to see the colourful marine creatures in their natural habitat (the Indian Ocean!) and to enjoy some undistracted time doing water-based activities together.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both our kids fell in love with snorkelling in the Maldives as we swam among beautiful reef fishes every single day (and came face to face with an Eagle Ray and Puffer Fish!). Seeing these marine creatures in their natural habitat has strengthened our resolve as a family to conserve the oceans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Maldives? Tell me more!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a FAQ we’ve put together to help you plan your own Maldives vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. How long is the flight to the Maldives? Which Airlines fly there?<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The flight\u00a0time from\u00a0Singapore\u00a0to Mal\u00e9 is a comfortable 4\u00a0hours\u00a035 minutes.\u00a0 You will arrive into Mal\u00e9 at the Velana International Airport <\/strong>(MLE). There are currently 5 airlines that fly from Singapore to Mal\u00e9 \u2013 Air Asia, Sri Lankan Air, Silkair, Scoot and Singapore Airlines. We flew by Singapore Airlines. The Maldives is 3 hours ahead (GMT +5) of Singapore time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. How is the weather like in Maldives? When is a good time to visit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Maldives is a tropical country much like Singapore.  Weather there can be hot and humid.  The Maldives have two dominating seasons: a dry season (with little rain and lower humidity) that lasts from December-April. The wet season is (you guessed it) is wetter, characterized by stronger winds and rain, which lasts from May-November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For snorkellers and divers, both seasons have their advantages: During the dry season, visibility is superb. During the wet season, the water temperatures are colder, so larger numbers of hammerhead sharks and reef sharks congregate in shallower waters. Visibility isn’t as good during the wet season hence the peak tourism season to the Maldives is from December to March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We travelled to the Maldives during the June School Holidays (low peak, less crowded, cheaper rates). The weather was generally fine during our stay. It rained on the 1st<\/sup> two days of our trip (passing monsoon showers) but was sunny and hot most days.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    3. How to get from airport to resorts? Are the speedboat transfers safe?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In order not to bust our budget, we only shortlisted resorts that are accessible via speedboat transfers<\/strong> from Mal\u00e9. A sea plane transfer, though undeniably more novel experience for the kids, would easily set us back by USD350-500 per pax or USD1400-2000 per family! Next time perhaps, when we’ve more surplus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, the last seaplane transfer leaves the resorts each day at 3pm (as opposed to the last speed boat transfers at 8pm). Our international flight out of Mal\u00e9 (via Singapore Airlines) is scheduled at 11.30pm. If we had opted for seaplane transfers, we would have to spend at least 6 hours idling at the airport. If your flight arrives into Mal\u00e9 at night, the sea planes may not be operational so you’ve to put up one night at a city hotel in Mal\u00e9. So do be mindful of your flight timings when considering the mode of transfers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The duration of speedboat transfers depend on how far the resorts are located from Mal\u00e9.  For our trip, the speedboat transfers averaged 45 minutes each way.  The more remote your resort is, the longer the ride.  Do remember to confirm your transfer arrangements with your hotel upon booking. As far as we know, none of the resorts in Maldives offer free airport to resort transfers. If you know any, please give a holler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Safety onboard the speedboats was good and some were in fact, impressive.  Everyone, including our preschooler was given a proper life vest prior to departure, with quick demonstration of safety procedures.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    4. Can I snorkel if I can\u2019t swim well or if I\u2019m a beginner swimmer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s best that you CAN swim when you come to the Maldives as it\u2019s entirely surrounded by water.  But if you’re not a competent swimmer (like me), the life vests help you stay afloat. We are so happy the weekly swim lessons for Buddy at The Swimming Room<\/strong> paid off and he took to snorkelling like a fish in water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our experience at the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma was fantastic as the hotel provided free daily snorkeling lessons conducted by their water sports instructors.  We picked up valuable snorkeling tips from the patient instructors and gained enough confidence to snorkel in the Indian Ocean the very same afternoon. They also provided fins and snorkels free for hotel guests’ use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Do I need to bring \/ buy my own snorkeling gear?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For hygiene purposes, and also for better fit, we bought our own snorkeling gear in Singapore and brought them with us to the Maldives (sans the fins as it’s bulky). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Adult snorkeling gears are easily available in most resort retail shops but be prepared to pay more, and in USD.  Children\u2019s snorkeling gear is a bit trickier due to their limited sizes so we would advise bringing your own. We purchased our kids’ snorkelling gear from Ocean Paradise<\/a><\/strong>, Singapore’s premier swim wear specialist, located at Paragon Mall.  Their kids snorkeling gear proved to be one of our best investment as it fitted our kids so well, like a glove. Both kids wore it to snorkel every day without any difficulties or complaints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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