Trips 
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With just 4 and a half hours away from Singapore lies a string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean - THE MALDIVES.
Can't decide when to go? We make it easier for you to choose from three sets of dates!
Experience the Maldives on:
10th to 17th April 2010 - Onboard the MV Princess Lara - 5-Star Luxury in the Sea
What better way to experience the Maldives than the hop aboard the MV Princess Lara, a 5-Star Luxury Boat. GET THE FULL DETAILS HERE.
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Geography & Location
The Maldives is a group of more than 1000 coral islands spanning across the equator in the Indian Ocean. Its 26 atolls are divided into 20 administrative regions.
Climate
The temperature averages 29 degree Celsius. The dry monsoon season last from November to March while the rainy southwest monsoon is from June to August.
Economy
Tourism is the main industry of this country. Fishery is also the other main contributor to its economy.
History
The first permanent human settlements were established around 500 BCE by Aryan immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. Early Maldivians were either Buddhists or Hindus. The early travelers to Maldives are the Chinese historian Ma Huan and the famous Arab traveler Ibn Batuta. Islam, the present state religion, is believed to have come to the country from the Arab traders. The Portuguese invaded and reigned in the country for more than a decade before they were overthrown by Maldivian heroes. In 1887, the Maldives became a British protectorate–an unusual arrangement where the British ensured the defence but was not involved with the governing. The Maldives gained fully independent status on 26 July 1965 and later changed the government from a Monarchy to a Republic on 11 November 1968.
Population
There are about 380,000 Maldivians whose ethnic groups are mainly South Indians, Sinhalese and Arabs. Most are Sunni Muslims and they speak Maldivian Dhivehi (a dialect of Sinhala, with the script derived from Arabic). However, English is spoken by almost all tour and dive operators.
Government
Maldives, a republic nation, gained its independence on 26 July 1965.
Currency
Rufiyaa (MRf) and Laari (L), 100 Laaris make 1 Rufiyaa
Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500
Coins are in the denominations of MRf 2, MRf 1 and 50
Electricity
Supply: 230 volts, 50 Hz
Socket: 3-pin type, 2 round pins or 2 flat blade
Visa requirement
No prior visa is required to enter the Maldives. Proof of return ticket needed.
Best Time to Visit
Maldives is attractive all year round. The wet season, though rainy, sometimes offer more exciting encournters during diving. However, do note that it is more crowded during the northern hemisphere’s winter months of November to April.
Dive Sites
Considering there are more than 1000 small coral islands spanning across an area of 800 km by 100 km, there are literally thousands of dive sites, almost every site is world-class.
Some Examples:
Banana Reef" is a very well known dive site in the Maldives - one of the first, one of the best and one of the more treacherous due to strong currents. On the eastern side of the banana-shaped reef, some rocks have broken away and created a perfect habitat for a surprising variety of schooling reef fish and large pelagic. Amongst the large overhangs resides an enormous school of blue-striped snapper. As you carry on along this banana-shaped dive, you will discover a pristine reef wall bursting with life, from different species of moray eels to fascinating corals and fish.
The "Maldives Victory" is a 110-meter long cargo vessel that sank in February 1981. The dive takes you 12 meters down a rope to the ship's main deck, where you will be sheltered from the strong currents. Here you will be amazed by the colorful marine life that calls the Maldives Victory home, from large groupers and tunas to giant trevallies and schools of fusiliers. Come face to face with turtles guarding the bow of the vessel and its stunning corals, or step back in time and explore the ship's former accommodation quarters and bridge. On your ascent you will have a majestic bird's eye view of this beautiful vessel. This dive is best undertaken by experienced divers only.