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From the Maldives

Travel guides &
island stories

Written by Ali and the team — people who live here, know the islands, and want to help you make the most of your time in the Maldives.

First international tourist Feevah Maldives Culture
A Maldives first · Feevah, Shaviyani Atoll
Feevah's first international tourist — a visit that changed everything

When a researcher arrived to study cowry shells, she became the first international visitor to ever set foot on Feevah. What followed — Women's Day celebrations, a beach clean, conversations with elders and children, and a certificate from the island council — is the story of what travel can be at its best.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
April 2025
7 min read
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First international tourist Feevah Maldives Culture
Culture
April 2025
7 min
Feevah's first international tourist — a visit that changed everything

When a researcher arrived in Feevah to study cowry shells, she became the island's first international visitor — welcomed with Women's Day celebrations, a beach clean, a certificate from the island council, and the warmth of a whole community.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Best time to visit Maldives Travel tips
Travel tips
March 2025
5 min
Best time to visit the Maldives — a month-by-month guide

Dry season, wet season, shoulder months — we break down every month of the Maldivian calendar so you can choose the experience that suits you best.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Whale sharks Maldives Wildlife
Wildlife
February 2025
4 min
Where to swim with whale sharks in the Maldives

Dhigurah in South Ari Atoll offers year-round whale shark encounters. Here's everything you need to know — the best spots, the best time of day, and how to do it responsibly.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Public ferry Maldives Local islands
Local islands
January 2025
6 min
Travelling the Maldives by public ferry — what it's really like

The ferry is how real Maldivians travel. Slow, cheap, and utterly unlike the speedboat transfers tourists are used to. Here's a first-hand account of what it's actually like.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Velana Airport Maldives Destination guides
Destination guides
December 2024
4 min
Arriving at Velana Airport — your complete transfer guide

Speedboat, seaplane, domestic flight, or ferry? How to navigate Velana International Airport and get to your island without the stress — a step-by-step guide from arrival to destination.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Maldivian culture village Culture
Culture
November 2024
7 min
Understanding Maldivian culture — what every visitor should know

The Maldives is far more than beaches and resorts. A Muslim nation with a rich heritage shaped by the ocean, trade winds, and centuries of island life — here's what to know before you arrive.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Reef safe sunscreen coral protection Sustainability
Sustainability
October 2024
5 min
Why reef-safe sunscreen matters — and what to pack instead

Regular sunscreen contains chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs. In a country that exists because of its coral, this matters enormously. A guide to what to bring and why.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Maafushi island guide Local islands
Local islands
September 2024
5 min
Maafushi island guide — the original local island destination

Maafushi put local island tourism on the map. A comprehensive guide to what's there, the best guesthouses, the dive sites, and when to visit — from someone who knows it well.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Bioluminescence Maldives beach Wildlife
Wildlife
August 2024
3 min
Bioluminescence in the Maldives — the night the ocean glows blue

On certain nights, the waves and sand glow electric blue as bioluminescent plankton respond to movement. Where it happens, when to look, and why it's one of the most magical experiences in the archipelago.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Maldives packing list Travel tips
Travel tips
July 2024
4 min
The complete Maldives packing list — what to bring and what to leave

Reef-safe sunscreen, modest clothing, flip flops, waterproof phone cover — the definitive packing guide for a Maldives holiday, whether you're staying at a resort or on a local island.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
Carpaccio garden dining Vaikaradhoo Culture
Culture
April 2025
6 min
Carpaccio — a garden dining experience unlike anything else in the Maldives

In Vaikaradhoo, a couple with decades of five-star hospitality experience have created something quietly extraordinary — a garden restaurant rooted in local food, local history, and a belief that their community deserves the very best.

Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
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Ali Sujad Ali Sujad
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