It can be hard to pick an island to visit in the Maldives. This island chain in the Indian Ocean is known for its all-inclusive, romantic beach getaways, but that’s not how my husband and I travel.
We wanted to go beyond the resorts and see what life was like in the Maldives – and track down some of its most famous marine life. That is how we narrowed down our search to a gorgeous piece of paradise named Ari Atoll.
It turned out to be a great choice. Not only did we get the chance to enjoy the resorts but we also explored the Ari Atoll on a budget. This guide takes you through our trip and explains how we kept the costs low.
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ARI ATOLL : Beyond Resorts
There is so much more to see in Ari Atoll beyond the luxurious resorts.
For years the Maldives restricted its tourism to resorts, which were only allowed to be built on “uninhabited” islands. There are almost 1,200 islands in the Maldives, and many of them continue to be uninhabited.
The first resort opened in 1972, and since then, the number of resorts has allowed tourism to become the driver of the Maldivian economy. However, in 2010 the government relaxed its laws and started allowing for guesthouses – accommodations for tourists on inhabited islands where tourists can mingle more with the local people.
Ari Atoll has 18 inhabited islands, 28 “uninhabited” resort islands, and 37 uninhabited islands. Thankfully, the addition of over 400 guesthouses in the Maldives means that traveling to the Maldives is a lot more affordable for the average traveler.
Staying at a resort has its benefits: alcohol is served, there is no conservative dress code, and all your meals are taken care of onsite. If you stay at a guesthouse, you will need to adhere to the strict dress code of the locals (shoulders and knees covered) except for at designated “bikini beaches”.
Swimming With Whale Sharks
When swimming with the whale sharks remember that you are there to observe. Refrain from interacting with them as they are wild creatures.
Unlike many locations around the world, whale sharks reside in the Maldives all year round. As a result, the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program is one of the forerunners of scientific research and education.
The MWSRP is located in Ari Atoll on Dhigurah Island. There are plenty of tour operators located throughout Ari Atoll that can take snorkelers out to look for whale sharks. Our friends booked through a dive shop on Dhangethi Island and had an amazing experience.
One thing to keep in mind is that whale sharks are wild animals, so they may not be easy to locate and they may not be willing to play. That’s what happened to us when we booked a whale shark swim though Bliss Dhigurah, on Dhigurah Island.
We only saw one whale shark in the murky depths, and he wasn’t interested in coming up to play. However, we still swam with manta rays, sea turtles, and reef sharks while enjoying the crystal clear waters.
The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme identifies and tracks the local whale sharks and studies their behavior. They are the longest-running whale shark research program in the world and take on volunteers to run their programs.
Note: If you are interested in spotting the whale sharks you can also book your tour online.
Taking A Beach Walk
The gorgeous Dhigurah beach.
One of the best things to do when enjoying a guesthouse experience is to take a walk around the island. None of the islands we visited were very big, so many times we walked the entire length of the island.
On a bigger island, like Dhigurah Island, where there are a lot of guesthouses, there are many shops to buy souvenirs or pick up some snacks. You’ll often find the village mosque or a prayer hall that will play the call to prayer.
While there aren’t too many unique creatures in the Maldives (or education about them) we did see some interesting lizards, crabs, and even some huge fruit bats! Each island has different public spaces available: on Dhigurah, we found a public picnic and camping area; on Dhangethi we took a dip in the public beach; on Maamigili.
Where To Stay In Ari Atoll
There are a dozen resorts in Ari Atoll that are rated at five stars. Prices for these resorts range from roughly $400 USD to $2,500 at W Maldives. Guesthouse prices start around $40 a night, a much more cost-effective option for budget travelers.
When we were on Dhigurah, we ate dinner several times at Bliss Dhigurah, as well as booked a whale shark swim with them. The hotel is clean and the service excellent, and it is moderately priced starting at $130 a night. Another benefit of staying on Dhigurah was the variety; we had several choices of restaurants for meals
A Few Tips For Ari Atoll
- -There is an airport on the far south of Ari Atoll called Maamigili (VAM). Flights from Male to Maamigili are roughly 20 minutes.
- -A scheduled speed boat goes directly from Male to Hangnaameedhoo or Dhangethi several times a week.
- -The Maldivian sun gives off a lot of UV and heat! Be extra careful to protect your skin from sun damage. Getting a sunburn on day two of a ten-day vacation will really put a damper on things.
- -Pack some sarongs to cover up your shoulders or legs while walking around the villages.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amy has been traveling full-time since 2014, living on her sailboat and sailing around the world. This lifestyle has enabled her to explore remote destinations rarely seen by tourists, all while bringing her home with her!
In April 2020, Amy will completed her world circumnavigation after over 35 countries and 45,000 nautical miles. She sails with her husband, David, living aboard their 44-foot boat, Starry Horizons. Her favorite activities include hiking, scuba diving, and spotting unique wildlife.
You can read Amy’s blog at Out Chasing Stars or follow along on Facebook or Youtube.
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** The photographs in this post are not the property of Globetrove and have been provided by the author.