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Getting Around |
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Tourism is sternly regulated,
and travelling independently is demoralized since it is viewed
as disruptive to traditional island communities. Those who desire
to see the Maldivian lifestyle can stay in Male, the
fascinating
capital city. From here it's possible to make daytime trips to island
residential areas adjacent to holiday resorts. It's possible to travel to
the remote islands, but it's hard enough to deter all but the
most determined and dedicated. An Inter Atoll Travel Permit is
needed
to travel to islands outside the tourist zone, and the Ministry
of Atolls Administration will issue them only to those whose visit
is supported by a resident of the specific island.
Air Maldives, the small national airline, operates regularly and very
pleasant flights to all four airstrips in the
outlying
atolls. Hydroplanes
and helicopters
are used to transport travellers to some of the more remote
vacation spots. The major form of
regional and local
transportation is the dhoni,
a traditional all-purpose vessel powered by a diesel engine. Larger
boats called vedis are used for longer journeys to far-away
atolls.
Safari cruises in modified; live-aboard dhonis are becoming
more popular, particularly with dive groups who desire to visit more
isolated spots. Most safari trips sail within the tourist area,
but it is possible to organize longer trips to the
outlying
atolls
- the operator must have the requisite permits. Most
islets
are so small that transport is not a problem; however, bicycles motorcycles
and taxis are available in Male, the capital city.
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