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We were in the Maldives between Friday, February 27 and Friday, March 6, 2015. Flew businesss class on Turkish Airlines from Dulles through Istanbul - where we spent 3 nights - then, on to Male. We stayed two nights on Hulhumale (the airport island) at Le Vieux Nice and then five nights at the Robinson Club in the South of the Maldives. Istanbul was fantastic and it was (and is) a great time to be there because of the strength of the dollar against the lira. But, on to the Maldives.

We spent a day looking around Male, the capital city of the Maldives. We hired a licensed guide who approached us on the street and we had a very nice day with him. We had been told by the Robinson Club rep at the airport when we arrived (who met us and got us on our way to hotel in Hulhumale even though we were not going to the Robinson Club for two days) that we probably would encounter guys offering to be our guide for the day when we got off ferry from Hulhumale to Male the next day, and that we should just pick one who was wearing a government ID and License. Which is what we did.

We were in Male and the Maldives right around the same time as some demonstrations/protests in Male because of the arrest of the former President and we were advised not to go over to Male the night of our arrival. But, we were told it would be fine the next day – which it was. We felt completely safe at all times – in part perhaps because we had hired the guide who presumably would have helped us keep away from trouble. One day is enough to see Male - but it was worth seeing, at least for us.

We had five nights and six full days at the Robinson Club, which was recommended to us by Purely Maldives, the UK agency mentioned earlier in this thread - the guys there were excellent at helping us with trip and I would use them again if we ever go back. Getting to the Robinson Club requires a domestic flight after you get to Male of about one hour and then a 25 minute boat ride.

The house reef at the Robinson Club had fantastic snorkeling - the best we have ever seen. We think the off beach reef at Qamea in Fiji - where we visited in 2012 - had more spectacular corals, but overall, the reef at the Robinson Club has to be one of the best (if not the best) off beach snorkeling experiences in the world for the overall flora and fauna. UK people with whom we have talked have always claimed the Maldives have the best snorkeling in the world, and after this trip, we are inclined to agree. We very much enjoy snorkeling in the Caribbean – including in St Martin - but it is a very different underwater world out in the Indo-Pacific.

The Robinson Club is a full board, all inclusive type place, with excellent food. Very few Americans go there - mostly German, Chinese, UK, or Russian. An employee working there said she had been there for about 6 years and she had met less than ten Americans staying there, including us. All of the employees at the Robinson Club were extremely friendly and made you feel very welcome – it was the same on Huhumale and Male. The people of the Maldives have a reputation for hospitality and honesty, and what we saw seemed very consistent with that.

Only real problem with the Maldives - it is a very long trip. On our trip back, we left the dock at the Robinson Club at 6:30 pm local time (11 hours different from East Coast) and arrived at Dulles the next day at 7:15 p.m. Over 36 hours. Being able to use the Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul, along with the great business class on Turkish Air kept us alive – but it is a journey.

Overall, a fantastic experience – if you are a snorkeler or diver, you need to put the Maldives on your list.

Hi. I made this a separate note, so that it would be more apparent that it is a trip report.

Thanks for the report! Any pictures??

Glad you enjoyed yourselves. The swimming and snorkelling is great, but even from Europe, it is a very long trip. Needs to have at least two weeks in the vicinity I think. I still have happy memories though...