Yacht Charter Maldives Male

General Info
Crammed on the 1.7 km long islet of Male, the city which bears the same name is the capital of the Maldives and happens to also be the biggest city in the country, with the largest population. It’s located on the south side of the North Male Atoll and throughout the country’s history it’s been the place where the king used to rule from. Maybe that’s why today it’s such a big attraction for Yacht Charter visitors.

Seen from above, the city looks like it’s literally sitting on the water, surrounded on each side by low seawalls that give it the appearance of a maritime fortress. It’s not really a big city, nearly 2 km long and 1km wide but with a population of over 100,000 people, it’s easily one of the most densely populated capitals of the world, and that’s not adding the numbers of Yacht Charter tourists coming here every year.

Travel & Arrival
Its position in the middle of the Indian Ocean, off the southwest of the Indian peninsula has been crucial in the touristic development of the country, but the thousands and thousands of atolls with their mesmerizing beauty have also played their part in why the Maldives is so popular among the Yacht Charter crowds.

Male International Airport can be found just off the island itself, on the neighboring Hulhule island, in the north of the Male Atoll and it acts as the country’s biggest international air transport hub. You can catch flights with operators from Germany, Italy, Austria, Thailand, Great Britain, Indian, France, Russia and many other locations where you might start your Yacht Charter vacation from.

The only other way to get to the islands is by water, but only cruise ships or Yacht Charter sailors make that trip across the Indian Ocean. In between the islands there is a public ferry system that can take you on the most populated ones. For a trip of the beaten track, you’ll have to speak to your travel agent or make arrangements locally.

Avant & Apres Sail
The good news with a city so small is that everything will be within walking distance and most of the sites are condensed, in this case you’ll find them on the northern shore. Public transportation is limited to the water taxis which are fun to ride and also quite cheap.

Accommodation is varied within the city itself, but most of the Yacht Charter guests don’t stay in Male, they just stop here on their way to other islands. If you do plan to stay here for a couple of days remember that your bill will have a tourist tax added. Also, you should consider booking with one of the more expensive hotels that offer air conditioned rooms as temperatures here can get really hot even during night time.

Some of the main sights include religious and political buildings around Male: Friday Mosque, Islamic Center, Independence Square, Maldives National Defense Force HQ, but there are also some of the more traditional Yacht Charter landmarks such as the Sultan Park and National Museum or Hulhumale Island which has lovely beaches.

Seafood and other fish dishes reign supreme when it comes to the local cuisine, which is only natural for a country made up of over 1100 islands. However, Indian culture weighs heavily on the food habits of the locals so expect to find the same spicy or sweet dishes typical of the mainland. Some of the best dishes to enjoy while here are the cooked trevallies, baracuda and tuna, or the mouth-watering tropical fruit desserts, a real taste of what the Indian Ocean has to offer to the curious Yacht Charter seaman.

The thing to remember is that alcoholic drinks aren’t allowed on the island (the country is devout Muslim) so most establishments don’t serve them, not even to tourists. But, as always, there are a couple of exceptions among some hotels.

Events & Actions
There is little space in Male for what can be considered the main appeal in the Maldives – beaches. There is actually one artificial beach in town, on the east coast but it gets quite crowded and it’s also weird to see the locals who bathe fully clothed due to their religious beliefs. And speaking of religious beliefs, a Yacht Charter tourist should always follow the strict dressing code while in the city (men should wear long trousers and women should cover their legs and shoulders).

There is also a submarine trip available called the Whale subamarine which will take your Yacht Charter crew just off the coast for 30-40 minutes of underwater exploring. There are also numerous sailing tours of the various islands and atolls, locally known as sailing safaris in open boats.