Hidden Tips

There has to be a whale shark trip to make your Maldivian adventure truly memorable. South Ari Atoll is among the top spots in the world for year-round whale shark sightings. A key tip is having your Noovilu host arrange this excursion for you; through local knowledge and contacts, he always finds out where the best places are, who has recently seen them, and which boat captains are most reliable in giving tourists such an experience. Maximum chances of seeing these gentle giants! This experience belongs on every bucket list.

An excellent way of getting yourself absorbed within the local culture is by being respectful towards the customs of the island. While bikinis and swimwear can freely be worn at Bikini Beach, ensure to cover up your shoulders and knees when crossing through the village to show some respect that will go a long way in enhancing your interaction with the community members who will highly appreciate such simple acts. Try eating hedhikaa, served hot in small cafes on different islands-local short eats-for an original taste of Maldives.

Ask your host to organize something extra private and romantic: a trip to a remote sandbank, just for the two of you. You will be taken by boat to a small, pristine stretch of white sand in the middle of the turquoise ocean where you are free to snorkel, sunbathe, and have a picnic lunch completely alone. This is the real Maldivian paradise experience, and if booked through a local guesthouse it is often much cheaper than from a luxury resort.

At last, come ready for adventure and relaxation. High SPF sunscreen-reef safe since most of the good stuff now contains harmful chemicals to reefs-plenty in stock, together with a hat and sunglasses because the sun near the equator burns so much stronger. A GoPro or equivalent is almost compulsory to keep memories of all that fabulous marine life. And remember-you're on a local island; therefore, Wi-Fi can be quite dodgy at times. Take advantage of this chance for digital detox: switch off to tune into breathtaking natural beauty and warm personal hospitality which makes staying at Noovilu Suites something special.