Straddling the equator, the island archipelago of the Maldives stretches across the Indian Ocean in breathtaking natural splendour. Lying north of India and south of Sri Lanka, the Maldivian islands are naturally formed into 26 atolls, each atoll consisting of scores, sometimes even hundreds of islands. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited while less than 100 are tourist resorts. The rest are desert islands, untouched and undisturbed, the perfection of their beauty is intact.  

The islands themselves, with their lush tropical vegetation and surrounding pristine white beaches form the last remaining haven on earth. Tall palm trees, laden with coconuts, is the trademark of the Maldivian island. They stand tall in the sky line, rising way above the shady trees that cluster around beneath.  
The beaches, with fine white coral sand, are inviting in the extreme as they slope down gently into the clear blur sea water of the surrounding lagoon. The lagoons are another of nature’s blessings that Maldives has so much of. The water is clear enough for you to simply wade in and sea hundreds of tropical fish swimming underneath in schools. There’s no need for a snorkelling mask here.