Where powdery sand meets azure waters…
by Shanna F. Jones
Since it became a tourist destination in the 1970s the Maldives has made a name for itself as being the ultimate honeymoon destination. The country is made up of 26 atolls and each resort is situated on its own private island, all of which have varying degrees of luxury. The luxury resort on the block, (or rather, atoll,) is aimed at fun types who want to have a laidback experience of the Indian Ocean but don’t want to compromise on style.
Located on a mile-and-a-half long isle, Kandima takes Miami chic to a paradisiacal dreamland. The stretching white sand beaches are raked like Japanese gardens each morning, stylish pink sun-loungers await you beside the longest pool in the Maldives and private gardens shrouded with vegetation sit between each villa and the tropical sea. And the best bit? Everyone is welcome, not just honeymooning couples.
Kandima is amazing.
The resort has 274 rooms with the cheapest being studios on the beach and the most expensive being overwater villas.
Rooms are stylishly designed with a minimalist seaside theme. Some villas include private swimming pools, jacuzzis and even secret gardens. Kandima has something for everyone with yoga and other classes, Aquaholics watersports centre, a gym, a marine biology school, a spa, Kandiland kid’s club and poolside late night cocktail bars with resident DJs.
The restaurant quality is important in Maldives resorts as it’s not as though you can nip out to another restaurant for a change. Kandima has ten restaurants to choose from including a smokehouse, chinese food and a mediterranean seafood restaurant on the sand. The cuisine on the island is fresh, varied, international and high quality.
The house reefs around the island are a special interest for SCUBA divers and snorkelers. Go underwater and you’ll see colourful fish in their hundreds, reef sharks, turtles, stingrays and dolphins if you’re lucky.
Kandima’s selling point as being one of the cheapest resorts in the Maldives is debatable as with the added costs that come with being stuck on an island you may end up paying more than one of the luxury honeymoon destinations unless you go all inclusive. Some may find the persistent use of the letter K (kool, kandiland, Kandimatised,) cringeworthy and the Breeze bar DJs are not to everyone’s taste. However, overall, Kandima is that instagram-perfect holiday wonderland you always wanted to be seen at.
Did you know?
The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia regarding the land area and population. The Maldives is made up of a chain of 26 atolls composed of more than 1,000 coral islands. Of these islands, only about 200 are inhabited, while the rest are mainly used for tourism or are uninhabited.
The Maldives is also known for its unique geography and topography. It is the world’s lowest-lying country, with an average elevation of just 1.5 meters above sea level. More than 80% of the Maldives’ land area is less than 1 meter above sea level. Due to rising sea levels and the threat of climate change, the Maldives is at risk of being submerged in the future, which is a significant concern for its people and government.
A little history:
The Maldives has a rich history that goes back over 2,500 years. The early history of the Maldives is shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that people from India and Sri Lanka initially settled on the islands. Over the centuries, the Maldives was ruled by several different kingdoms, and it became an important center of trade, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
In the 16th century, the Maldives came under the control of the Portuguese, who were interested in the islands for their strategic location and as a source of valuable goods such as cowry shells, coconuts, and ambergris. The Portuguese were expelled in the mid-17th century by a local ruler, who established the first Islamic sultanate in the Maldives.
The Maldives remained a sultanate until the mid-20th century when it became a republic in 1953. The first president of the Maldives was Ibrahim Nasir, who led the country through economic development and modernization. In 1965, the Maldives became fully independent from the United Kingdom, and it has since become a popular tourist destination known for its pristine beaches, clear waters, and unique culture.
However, the Maldives has faced many challenges recently, including political unrest, rising sea levels, and economic inequality. Despite these challenges, the Maldives continues to be a popular destination for tourists worldwide, and its people are known for their warm hospitality and unique way of life.
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For more information: kandima.com
Kandima Maldives Dhaalu Atoll Republic of Maldives
Photo: Shanna F. Jones/Kandima Resort
