3 Locations You Must Experience In Maldives
The Maldives comprises almost 1,200 islands, set in the Indian Ocean, each with white powder sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters and an incredible underwater world. The islands host many great resorts and guest houses for visitors’ accommodation. In fact, the islands attract over a million travelers each year. However, there is another side to the Republic of Maldives that must be seen on a vacation in this tropical paradise including two underwater restaurants and a beautiful sea of stars.
1. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Rangali Island
Image Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Ithaa is an undersea restaurant, nestled in the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort. The eatery is surrounded by a colorful coral reef with amazing marine life all around. Guests enter the restaurant via a spiral staircase located in a thatched pavilion at the end of a jetty. Down they go, 5 meters (16 ft) below the water into an underground building with a curved acrylic roof.
The dining adventure, designed and constructed by M.J. Murphy Ltd. from New Zealand offers a 270-degree panoramic view of the underwater world. The restaurant only seats 14, so advance reservations are essential.
The restaurant opened in 2005 and was named Ithaa after the word that means "mother of pearl" in the local Dhivehi language. Admittedly, prices are pretty high, but not as much as many would expect to pay for such an experience. As for the cuisine, the restaurant serves contemporary fusion Maldivian cuisine with Asian and Western influences. A lunch or dinner at Ithaa perfectly rounds off a luxury holiday in the Maldives.
2. Subsix, Niyama Resort
Image Aquum Niyama Resort
With this next option, we travel one metre deeper under the ocean. The posh Aquum Niyama resort in Maldives offers guests the chance to play on two private islands. The resort features a range of dining options, but probably the best is Subsix, a gourmet restaurant located 6 metres (around 20 feet) under the surface of the Indian Ocean.
To visit the restaurant, visitors must travel by speedboat on a 40-minute trip from Maldives’ capital, Malé, or just a 15-minute stroll from the Niyama Resort islands. Guests enter through an inconspicuous door on a short dock and then descend three storeys beneath the water into a clam-shaped bar.
The bar and restaurant is seated centrally in a thriving coral reef and the decor matches its surrounds, with sea anemone chairs and soft blue light. While dining, patrons can watch as eels, parrotfish and Hawkbill turtles casually swim by.
2. Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island
Image by Tony Guyton/Flickr
After enjoying an underwater meal, head to Vaadhoo Island for a spectacular sight. Here, the bioluminescence from the reefs causes the sea to glow like a starry night sky. The phenomenon happens during the late summer in the reefs of the Maldives. It is caused by bioluminescent phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum.
The water surrounding Vaadhoo Island is full of the plankton, which glows with the movement of the waves making a beautiful, shimmering effect that looks like the sea is full of stars. The island is located in the Raa Atoll and is the most common spot to view the phenomenon, but depending on conditions, this can happen on any of the islands in the Maldives.
Enjoy the delicious cuisine of the exotic Maldives in one of these special underwater restaurants and view this natural feature while enjoying a tropical vacation in the islands.
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