We spent 12 days in the Maldive Islands on the Island of Kuredu, 152km north of the capitol city, Malé.

 

 

Youtube link to the Maldive Islands stills image video:-

https://youtu.be/ARtKKzYTL6I

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Youtube link to the JustRetired50Plus Kuredu Island Video:-

To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/U5vOMjPYcPY

 

 

Maldives, Kuredu Island

We visited the Maldives in January 2017 and stayed in the all-inclusive 5 star resort on  Kuredu Island for a 12 day period. The Maldives have long been on our bucket-list, and Kuredu island resort truly lived up to our expectations. 

 

In selecting this resort key factors were: the number and variety of restaurants; the option to go all-inclusive which means the one doesn’t have to think about costs while there, and the availability of a variety of both water sports and land-based activity (tennis, badminton, golf, yoga etc)

 

The climate was warm and sunny,  ideal for a beach style winter break from Ireland. It was just after Christmas and high season for the Maldives. Our trip to the Maldives, being just after Christmas and the hectic month of December, represented a rest and recuperation opportunity. We stayed in a beautiful one-room villa on the beach, no more than 10 meters from the waters-edge. So a bit of snorkelling before breakfast was a must. While the out-door shower, tub and toilet might seem romantic, the mosquitos can take the allure of it a bit.

 

The Maldives are seen as an all year around holiday destination, however, in the period from January to April the Maldives get low levels of rainfall, fantastic hot temperatures and clear blue skies, making it one of the best times of the year to visit. Sea waters are calm and clear then, so ideal for sun-seekers and snorkellers alike.

 

It is a sun-seekers ultimate beach destination with exquisite private island resorts encircled by pristine powder white sandy beaches and extraordinarily calm turquoise lagoons. There was no need for shoes, with most people opting to go bare-footed all the time.

 

The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It’s known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. The capital, Malé, has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on the main road. To be honest, unless you make a point of seeing Malé on your transit either in or out of your resort, it is unlikely that you will leave your resort for the entirety of your vacation.The distance between the atolls and the requirement to use a water plane for transiting between them, generally means that you will remain on your chosen resort. 

 

The Kuredu Island resort is 152km north of Malé and we got there via water-plane. We dined out every night in the resort’s different beach restaurants that were spread out around the island, each with its different theme and ambiance. Everyone of our meals was excellent. The resort had a very high concentration of European tourists staying there, we met zero Americans and no other Irish guests. 

 

After our stay we flew initially the 152k back to Male airport and from there to Dubai and then directly back to Dublin.

 

 

 

A sense of Maldives, Kuredu Island

The official currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa, with a population of ~500k. A visit to any of the island resorts is a unique experience, in a beautiful Indian Ocean setting.

Our general experience of the people from the Maldives was that they are very friendly. Within the resort itself the staff, all Maldivian and Indian, were courteous, friendly and somewhat serene. The resort could not be faulted for service and the general excellence of the guest experience.

 

Recommendations for Maldives, Kuredu Island

There is no language barrier, if you speak only English. All staff and Maldivians in general speak perfect English.

From dolphins to whale sharks and manta rays to turtles, the Maldives has a wide variety of marine life. Most resorts have an impressive house reef which allows you to explore the underwater world straight from the shore. Staying in a villa directly on the beach or perched on stilts over the turquoise lagoon is the quintessential Maldivian experience. With direct access to the warm waters, you can jump straight in to explore the marine life. Flying, on your way to and from the resort, over the reefs, lagoons and aquamarine atolls provides incredible aerial views of the rich turquoise waters. It is a truly unforgettable experience and adds some excitement to the start of your holiday by arriving at your chosen island in style. Choosing a resort nearer Malé would mean you could get to your resort more quickly and also travel by speedboat rather than by sea plane 

 

Our must see recommendation for a trip to Maldives, Kuredu Island:-

1. Life is a beach, and no where more so than a stay at anyone of the atolls in the Maldives. Kuredu resort was a great choice and we would gladly return;

2. While we went diving one day, the snorkelling from the beach was fantastic;

3. The choice of restaurants, and their beautiful settings, provided a lovely memorable    end to each day. 

 

The cost of this type of holiday is €4-5K per person, with a very large part of the total amount being made up of the cost of getting there.

 

“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.” 

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“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”