The Sunny Side of Life
Maldives
Located in the Indian Ocean at the top of the equator, the Maldives is one of a few unique destinations in the world. A vast underwater mountain range makes up the country, with less than 4% reaching through the water’s surface to form 26 atolls of over 1,000 low-lying islands. Approximately 200 of these islands are inhabited nearly 100 of them have been developed as luxury tourist resorts.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
How to Get There
Male International Airport is serviced by international flights from Europe, Middle East, Singapore, Sri Lanka and other regions. You will need to take a sea plane or a speed boat to reach your resort from Male Airport. The trip can range from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the location of your resort. If you plan to stay at two different resorts that are not part of the same group, you will need to make your way back to Male Airport before being picked up by the other resort.
Inter-Island Travel
Once arriving in the Maldives at the Malé International Airport (also known as the Velana International Airport) you will be greeted by a resort representative who will take you to your speedboat or sea plane transfer. These transfers must be arranged through your resort at time of booking. There are no public ferries or water taxis available at the airport, so booking your transfers ahead is vital. Your resort will inform you of the best island transfer method, timings and cost and will organise everything on your behalf.
Depending on the location of your resort, speedboat transfers can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as 2 hours. Of course, flying via sea plane is much faster and offers some of the most breathtaking views, but it’s also more expensive. Speedboat transfers operate 24 hours a day and sea planes operate from 6:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
A dream destination bursting with culture, adventure and natural beauty, the Maldives is a special place unlike anywhere else on earth. While the Maldives is renowned as the ultimate relaxation destination, there is so much to see and do. From world-class diving and surfing excursions to yoga and water sports, this tropical paradise has so much to offer the visitor abroad. Consult our in depth guide to discover everything there is to do in the Maldives.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
Essential Items to Pack
Time Difference
The Maldives is 12 hours ahead of US Pacific Daylight Saving Time.
Visa
A US passport valid for at least 6 months from date of return is required. US
passport holders will be granted a visa on arrival at no cost.
Currency
The Maldivian Rufiyaa is the official currency of the Maldives. The current
exchange rate is US$1 = MRF 15.35. One Rufiyaa could be divided into a
hundred smaller units known as Laari, the local version of cents. The Rufiyaa
comes in eight different denominations of Five Hundred, One Hundred, Fifty,
Twenty, Ten, Five, Two and One. The denomination of One Rufiyaa comes in
the forms of coins, while for Two Rufiyaa denominations both notes and coins
are used and the rest comes in notes. The laari comes in denominations of
fifty, twenty-five, ten, five, two and one.
The US Dollar is the most popular foreign currency. However, other
international currencies can also be exchanged at the banks and authorized
moneychangers. Traveler’s checks are accepted by most hotels, resorts and
banks.
Power
The electric system is 220-240 Volts – the same as the UK. The plug sockets
are usually 3-pin UK type sockets too.
Language
The official language is Divehi which is an ancient form of Sri Lankan Sinhalese,
however, English is widely spoken at resorts and in Male.
Weather
Weather is great year round in the Maldives. The wet season in the Maldives
is comparable to the dry season in many other destinations. There are two
main seasons, the winter months tend to be dryer (October to May) and the
summer months are typically a little more humid (June to September).
The driest months tend to be February to April. Peak season is from Christmas
through New Years and this is the most expensive time to go. The weather
in the Maldives can be fairly hard to predict, as rain can happen any time of
the year. When rain falls, it typically falls for an hour or so in the afternoon or
evening and tends to cool people off.
Dress Code
Due to the Maldives’ tropical climate, smart or casual resort wear is acceptable
at all restaurants. Swim suits are worn only at the beach or by the pool, cover
ups are requited indoors. Footwear is required indoors.
Water
It is advisable to drink bottled water in the Maldives as most tap water is
desalinated sea water. Tap water is fine to wash or brush your teeth with.
Health
Health care facilities are improving almost on a daily basis. The Indhira Gandhi
Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male is the biggest hospital in the country
providing sophisticated medical care. ADK Hospital is the biggest private
health care facility and follows high medical standards. Some resorts have
in-house doctors. A decompression chamber is within easy reach of most
resorts in case of a diving emergency.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
The Islands of Tahiti
Tahiti island destinations have always been ready for their close-up, ranking among the most picturesque on the planet. Has Bora Bora ever taken a bad photo? Do Moorea’s lofty spires and opalescent lagoons ever fail to inspire envy? And can the untamed Marquesas possibly be any more appealing to adventure travelers? Add in the pristine beaches and world-class dive sites of the Tuamotu Atolls, the old-school Polynesian customs of Huahine and Raiatea, the vanilla beans and lustrous black pearls of Taha’a, and even the chaotic bustle of the capital, Papeete, and Tahiti stands alone as a Technicolor mosaic of vacation perfection.
If you see yourself in this picture, here’s more exciting details about Tahiti vacation destinations: They’re bilingual with most residents speaking both Tahitian and French. The crystalline lagoons of Tahiti’s 118 islands are filled with so many tropical fish it’s like snorkeling in an aquarium. Its hundreds of overwater bungalows are waiting for you to drift off to asleep as shallow aquamarine water laps a Polynesian lullaby.
Traditions such as hip-shaking tamure dances and hypnotic fire performances seduce resort guests nightly and daytime diversions like shark and stingray feeding and Jet Ski excursions up the adrenaline level. Spa goers will enjoy traditional nature-based treatments that feel (and smell) divine, while cruise lovers can tour with ease, unpacking just once but sampling multiple islands in all their panoramic glory. Plus the merging of French and Tahitian cultures means great food and wine. Yes, Tahiti has star quality – and that’s even before you count the multitude of etoiles in its nighttime sky.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
How to Get There
The Islands of French Polynesia or more commonly known as “Tahiti” are only 8 hours nonstop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tahiti’s Papeete’s Faa’a Airport (PPT).
Nonstop flights depart Los Angeles almost daily on Air Tahiti Nui and Air France. Hawaiian Airlines operates nonstop flights from Honolulu (HNL) to Papeete (PPT) weekly.
Inter-Island Travel
Travelling to Bora Bora, Moorea or Tahiti’s outer islands is easy. Air Tahiti and Air Moorea operate regular scheduled flights out of Tahiti from Faa’a Airport over a network of islands. Charted flights are available on request.
Catamarans and ferry boats cross between Tahiti and Moorea several times a day. All transfers can be arranged by our specialists at Islands In The Sun. For taxis or public transportation, it is best to ask the Concierge for options available and timetables.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-282-4346.
Pape’ete
While Bora Bora, Taha’a or even the Marquesas may beckon, French Polynesia’s gateway – where a fragrant lei greeting awaits at Faa’a International Airport after a comfortable eight-hour nonstop from Los Angeles – is a Tahiti destination that should not be overlooked.
Mo’orea
Moorea’s beauty is mind-blowing. You’ll steal your first glimpse from the main island of Tahiti and then as you arrive and Moorea’s towering green peaks and slender white beaches come into focus, you’ll be in awe over what nature has created for relaxation-starved visitors to enjoy.
Bora Bora
Tahiti’s prized jewel, Bora Bora has been seducing travelers for centuries and creating romantic memories since the first overwater bungalow resort was built some 50 years ago.
Raiatea
Revered by Tahitians as The Sacred Island, Raiatea is an undeveloped tropical playground that’s home to both a rare mountain flower and French Polynesia’s only navigable river.
Taha’a
Taha’a Tahiti – try saying that five times fast! Known as “The Vanilla Island,” Taha’a earned its nickname by producing some of the world’s finest vanilla and you’ll enjoy that deliciously comforting scent practically everywhere you go.
Huahine
Huahine island has a sparkling blue lagoon, beautiful white-sand beaches and lush green peaks – just like French Polynesia’s more-well-known Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora) of which it is part.
Rangiroa
When divers head to French Polynesia in search of stellar coral and adrenaline-rush dives, Rangiroa is often the destination of choice. The water’s 150-foot visibility and abundant schools of sharks and tuna add to the allure.
Tikehau
Tikehau travel is the equivalent of a detox. After landing on a slender atoll, you are whisked off via motorboat to an intimate resort set amid soft pink sand to relax in a swaying hammock and snorkeling in a serene aquamarine lagoon.
Marquesas Islands
Located about three hours by air from French Polynesia’s main island of Tahiti and steeped in both history and adventure, the Marquesas is a lost-in-time island chain of dramatic volcanic cliffs shrouded in mystical clouds, and the final resting place of the South Pacific’s most famous artist.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.
Essential Items to Pack
Time Difference
Tahiti and her islands are two hours behind Pacific Standard Time and in the same time zone as Hawaii. During Daylight-Saving Time (March to late October) the time is three hours behind.
Entry and Visa Requirements
Every visitor must have:
US and Canada:
For stays of up to 90 days, there are no visa requirements for citizens of the U.S. or Canada carrying a US or Canadian Passport. A foreigner with a residence card for the U.S. is not exempt from the above requirements and should consult the French Consulate based in the U.S. for information.
Entry requirements are subject to change without notice and it is advisable to check with your Islands In The Sun specialist before departure. For more information on French Polynesia entry and visa requirements, please contact the French Polynesian Embassy and Consulates in the United States or Canada.
Health Requirements
No vaccines or certifications are required from North America. Regardless of the traveler’s nationality, entry from high risk areas of the world as defined by the World Health Organization requires certifications (please check with your airline).
Weather
Tahiti enjoys a tropical climate with the average yearly air and water temperature of 80°F. The summer months run from November through April, when the climate is slightly warmer and more humid. Winter is from the months of May through to October, when the climate is slightly cooler and dryer.
Language
The official language is French and native languages such as Tahitian are widely spoken. English is spoken and understood in tourist areas. A few basic French phrases and Tahitian greetings are appreciated by locals.
Currency and Tipping
The currency is the French Pacific Franc (XPF). Upon arrival most visitors exchange some money at the airport or at their hotels. Since most credit cards are readily accepted in all tourist areas, it is not necessary to exchange large amounts. Tipping is not customary or expected in Polynesian culture. However, tipping is welcomed for exemplary service.
Bargaining
Bargaining and haggling over prices in markets and stores is not customary.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink in most hotels and restaurants. If in doubt, inquire with your hotel or drink bottled.
Electricity
110 or 220 volts depending on the island. Islands In The Sun recommend bringing a universal adapter.
Postal Service
Papeete’s Central Post office is located near the yacht wharf and Bougainvillea Park, open weekdays from 7am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 11am.
Telecommunications
Direct dialing international calls is available in most hotels and phone booths. Phone cards are easily purchased in Tahiti. When calling from the U.S. to Tahiti, dial 011 and then the country code of 689 along with the local number. Cell phone roaming is available for many telecommunications service providers; however it is recommended to check with your service provider before you leave as to whether their services are available on roaming.
To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.
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