

Satellite data has shown that the global ocean has risen, on average, 3 mm a year over the last 25 years. This extremely low elevation makes the country, and its inhabitants, particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise.

One of the world’s lowest-lying countries, more than 80% of the Maldives’ land is less than one metre above average sea level. Several clouds can be seen at the bottom of the image. The turquoise colours in the image depict clear, shallow waters which contrasts with the dark coloured waters of the deep Indian Ocean. Ari Atoll is one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, and is around 90 km long and 30 km wide. In this image, the Ari Atoll in the west of the archipelago is featured. The Maldives actually rests on top of an ancient volcanic mountain range. These structures typically form around a volcanic island that has subsided while the coral grows upwards. This island nation consists of a chain of around 1200 small coral islands that are grouped into clusters of atolls – scattered across 90 000 sq km of ocean.Īn atoll is a circular or oval-shaped reef structure with a lagoon in the centre. Visit here for more info.The Maldives are featured in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.Ī popular tourist and diving destination with white sandy beaches, the Republic of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, around 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka. Public ferries run between the inhabited islands, but schedules are often unreliable and can vary depending on the time of year. These get you to the more far-flung islands in the Maldives if you want to island-hop, but these, too, can be expensive. These high-speed boats are a common way to get around the islands, especially to/from the hotels and airports, but they can be expensive. The average daily temperatures most times of the year are highs of 32 C (89 F) and lows of 26 C (78 F). Prices are typically cheaper May through November during the rainy season. It doesn’t get much more tropical than the Maldives! And the best time to visit the Maldives is January through March, though prices may be higher this time of year. Though a 30-day tourist visa is given to all travelers upon arrival, there are certain entry requirements, such as a passport that’ll be valid for at least six months.įor more visa info, see here. From its location on Hulhule Island near the capital island of Male, you can grab your (usually pre-arranged) speedboat, seaplane or ferry to your destination island.įor more info, visit the Male Airport Guide or Trans Maldivian Airways. It offers several flights to/from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Velana International Airport (VIA) is the only international airport in the Maldives. What is the best way to get there? Flying:

Throw in the remoteness, and on a clear night, unbelievable skies, it's a paradise hard to replicate. With Fuvahmulah, the addition of tiger sharks, oceanic manta, hammerheads, and threshers makes this a one-of-a-kind location for diving. Have to say it's the diving for me, amazing corals and fish, and if you time, the months you travel and location the opportunity to dive with Manta, whale sharks or 200+ sharks at the mouth of a channel is amazing.
