subject: Maldives Excursions - Discover Your Own Private Island [print this page] The Maldives are just what an idyllic summer vacation should be; calm blue ocean lapping at the end of a golden beach covered with green palm trees. If this is the kind of holiday you are looking for then the Maldives will certainly deliver. But while you are here take some time to explore what lies beneath the surface in this island archipelago.
The Maldives is a collection of thousands of islands formed of coral; they are linked by shallow stretches of ocean that are easily navigable by boat. Out of the thousands of islands, only a handful are inhabited and islands are exclusively the property of holiday resorts. This means that there are hundreds of islands out there in the Indian Ocean, untouched by humans, awaiting discovery. Excursions out into these uninhabited isles can be arranged with tour operators who will either transport guests in fibre glass boats or fly them out by sea plane.
These island excursions are very popular among tourists and rightly so, who would not want the privacy of their very own tropical island even if it is only for a few hours. Most islands have sparse vegetation and hardly any animal life. There are some nesting sites for birds and these islands are usually known to the locals so boat trips can easily be arranged for budding birdwatchers.
For tourists embarking on an island excursion by boat, an interesting activity to engage in is snorkelling, while if you have the experience, scuba diving. Many tour operators offer this for their travellers and it is a great chance to experience the beauty of the coral reefs beneath the Indian Ocean. Coral reefs serve as a sanctuary of sorts for smaller varieties of fish; it feeds and gives them shelter and thus it is the best place to witness the diversity of the Indian Ocean's marine life.
For a guest staying at a Maldives resort these excursions can easily be arranged by liaising with some locals. The occasional resort in Maldives such as Chaaya Lagoon Hakura Huraa will offer its own boat service to ferry you across to these deserted islands.
