blueskiesescapes

Caveat that this is from the UK. If you’re in the Middle East or South East Asia, this is much easier.

This wasn’t the intent of the trip. As it was, I had a few days of annual leave I needed to use before the end of the year, it was November and I needed some sunshine and diving, and the company I do my ‘day job’ for is American and closed over Thanksgiving. It aligned. But could I fly out on a Wednesday and back on a Monday (3 days of annual leave) without it breaking the bank?

First up, could I get there easily? There are only two direct flights from the UK – the BA and Virgin flights which leave early evening from Heathrow. There are several indirect flights, but as I was only going to be on the ground for 4 days, I wanted / needed to get there as quickly as possible and not spend a couple of hours in an airport, no matter how lovely they are.

I have been a long time BA passenger (query if that will continue with the change in membership status from April 2025), and have my BA AMEX. Subject to spending targets, I receive a companion voucher which can be used on Reward Flights. I wasn’t expecting ANY Reward seats to the Maldives. Certainly not at the end of November over Thanksgiving. The travel fairy must have known my need for some sunshine and to my amazement, there was a business class seat available for the outbound overnight flight. Click. The return is a day flight and whilst there wasn’t a business seat, there was a Premium Economy seat. As sleep wasn’t on the agenda, this was just fine. Click.

Now for hotels.

I was going solo. I certainly didn’t want an island geared to honeymooners. I wanted a beach, a good bar, diving on site, and somewhere not too far from the airport.

This was the subject of much office discussion and much internet searching….how hard could it be to find a nice resort without breaking the bank? And ideally without needing a seaplane (which can add upwards of $400pp to the cost, not to mention the time waiting at the airport). I thought I’d cracked it with a resort in the southern atoll. However, the resort was less than helpful in relation to boat transfers for the return flight (it would take over 2 hours any my flight was 11:30 so a 09:30 check in. I didn’t fancy a 06:00 boat that’s for sure. So moving on from that and I set my searches closer to Male.

This is where map searches on the hotel sites came in handy. Much filtering, searching, narrowing the distance and repeat. I was starting to get a little resigned to spending a huge amount on a hotel when one lunchtime Booking.com came up with the goods; a deal on the Sheraton Full Moon Resort. Full disclosure, a Sheraton wasn’t on my initial wish list, I usually opt for smaller hotels, but I was glad I clicked the link this time.

The Sheraton is a mere 15 minute boat transfers from Male, which means you can be off your flight and checked into your room within 90 minutes. Which you won’t be if you’re needing to find your seaplane. It is a large resort with various room types and board options. I’d always suggest a full board or AI if you can in the Maldives as prices for food and drink are eye watering. The option I was being shown was a full board, which suited me fine (alcoholic drinks not included and if I wanted a margarita or two, I was happy to pay for them). The deal was too good not to take up, so click. That was it, 5 nights/4 days booked.

As I wasn’t there for very long, I managed hand luggage only (how much do you really need for 4 days on a beach!) so was off the plane really quickly. Immigration looked like a lot of people, but moved really quickly. The longest wait was for everyone else from that, or flights arriving around the same time to fill the transfer. There’s several coffee shops at the airport (US$) and places to sit. And I was glad that I wasn’t in the huge queues for the seaplanes!

The transfer is genuinely about 15 minutes, and before you know it, the wonderful Sheraton staff are meeting you off the boat with a cold towel and drink. I was checked in, and in my room and changed within 90 minutes of landing.

The rooms at the Sheraton are wonderfully spread out and spacious. Limited sharing of walls so you don’t hear your neighbours, and most look out over the beach or ocean.

I’d booked a beach view cottage which are situated towards the far end of the island; reached initially by a golf buggy, but a 10 minute walk. A huge bedroom and living area with an open air bathroom almost as big. Double doors opened onto the deck which had direct access to the beach and a 30 second walk to the beach bar. Heaven.

That was ideal for me for 4 days, but what else is on the island?

There’s a gym, sports courts – tennis and football, several restaurants and bars, pools, water sports facilities, spa and dive shop. Some of this is included, some of it, such as the diving, is extra. There’s also numerous sun loungers and staff willing to bring you a cold drink and snacks. There are also lots of activities to keep you and your travelling companions of all ages, busy. Whilst I was there, the staff put on a Thanksgiving beach party, various arts and crafts, a quiz and more.

The main restaurant serves a buffet breakfast every morning and a themed buffet dinner every evening – whilst I was there, we had Asian, Maldivian BBQ, Italian and more. There’s also a sports bar which serves pastas and pizzas, an Indian, a Thai and a Mediterranean seafood restaurant. At lunchtime the beach bar serves Mexican inspired lighter bites and burgers. Something for everyone.

The diving. The calling for me to get on that plane for 4 days. I needed to get into the water and with the marine life.

Given proximity to the airport and the traffic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was fabulously surprised. It is possible to get incredible diving without travelling to the outer edges of the atolls. Diving is with Extreme Maldives who are a fun and friendly bunch and the consummate professionals. They definitely know their stuff.

I dived Manta Point, Banana Reef and the one I nearly didn’t do (due to weather), Shark Point.

Manta Point is a seasonal dive site on the southeastern side of North Male Atoll and in the final months of the south-west monsoon season, which runs from May to November, Lankan Manta Point truly comes alive. The dive site takes its name from the nearby island Lankanfinolhu (which translates to Paradise) and the manta cleaning stations that are located here. We saw half a dozen large mantas that were using the services of the wrasse at the cleaning station – majestic and such a bucket list experience.

Compared to this, Banana Reef was quiet….

Shark Point. So close to the airport that you think they’re dropping you back…but this is an outrageously brilliant site. Especially if you get there first thing in the morning. It attracts sharks as it is the last stop for the fishermen on the way back to Male, and here they throw the offcuts and fish they don’t want, overboard.

As we dropped over, immediately we were swimming with stingrays. The bottom is around 20 metres and after being told to keep eyes open, there they were…black tip oceanic reef everywhere. But also more….hammerhead and tiger! I’ve only ever seen either of those from a distance, in the blue before so to be almost within touching distance was a dream.

Due to weather, I managed only 3 dives, but they were incredible.

Can a long weekend in the Maldives be done? Yes, absolutely if you stay fairly close to Male. It can be affordable with a bit of research and the diving is worthwhile.