When cruising the world, you have to make a stop there at least once to say you have been there done that! Glad to hear your 'contact man' has been so influential in making it easier for future cruisers.
You never know how you're going to like a place until you experience it. Some of our favorite spots weren't initially on our radar as places to visit so you definitely need to keep an open mind!
Well, we had a guided sailing trip in Maldives a few years ago and it was amazing. Dead corals is an issue but there are a lot of places where corals were not affected. And the skipper knew exactly when and where to go for dolphins, sharks, turtles, manta rays and so on. I mean hundreds of dolphins, tens of sharks and manta rays.
Do you think the time of year you visited affected the weather and how you enjoyed your stay? Would sailing conditions have been better 3-6 months before/after, and would that have affected your routing? Very sad about the coral. May have to rethink my bucket list. Looking forward to the Seychelles! Stay well!
Well, the Maldives do straddle the equator so the winds year round are pretty light. I doubt sailing conditions would change much no matter what time you're there. You're also a bit time limited due to cyclones. Sometimes a circumnavigation seems like a rush to get from one 'cyclone-free zone' to another in time. Leave Thailand too early and you can run into a cyclone on the way to the Maldives. Leave Thailand too late and you're in a mad rush to get to South Africa before cyclones hit the Southern Indian Ocean...
Wonderfull review! Is It possible to entry to the Maldives for a couple of days to refuel with fuel and food without using the services of an agent? Which port is easier to come in? Thanks in advance!
Out of curiosity do the strict dress standards (I’m assuming predominantly for women here because that’s generally the deal with Muslim countries) apply on your own boat or is it only when you go ashore/swim or paddle?
If we were anchored right outside a village, we tried to maintain respectful dress standards when walking around outside on the boat as well. But there are so many uninhabited islands, or anchorages a lot ways away from any villages that we didn't have that issue too often.
As usual you are very objective and state your reason for your opinion. Excellent! As far as the "rules & regulations" go it seems like: give a small mind (government) a little power and watch them abuse it, i.e.: limitations that seem to serve no other purpose than to enrich their coffers.
Some countries seem to really welcome cruisers and other's not so much. From the Maldivian government's perspective, I can understand why cruisers (who are generally very budget conscious) would be more of a nuisance to deal with compared to people flying in and spending thousands of dollars per night on fancy all inclusive resorts.
@@OutChasingStars imagine if everyone crusied to and aroundthe Maldives instead of staying on the resorts. The impact of all the untreated sewage ( don't think small cruisers treat their sewage) dumping, diesel fumes and carbon impact when motoring around , damage caused by anchorage , many more boats cluttering the bays and disturbing the aquatic life will be distastrous. To top it off , the Maldives government and resort owners will end up paying for all this damage with very little revenue. Why should they pay for your ( cruisers) enjoyment?
Hey Amy you're looking good. Anyway I had to laugh when you guys said when you're in another country follow that countries rules after you just said you disregarded the rules about places to visit...lol
Yeah, we recognize the irony there. There was a lot of conversations around that very issue while we were there, both among cruisers and Maldivian officials with lots of nuances that can't really be explained in a video like this.
Out Chasing Stars actually you do not have a nuanced by people who trying to preserve the only socalled natural resource they have. But this is a typical Western attitude we think our own personal individual liberties superseded the collective whole of other people. I guarantee, you would have never done that in any European country. Most actually really think you habe some type of nuances to respecting other people. Now what if I came on your boat and done whatever I want and then told you about some nuances to your rules that you don't fully understand. And to top it off then I made a video about it talking about how these rules inconvenience me. I mean those are the things were supposed to learn about travel when you go to all these places and see how nice people are compared to the West it should teach you something even considering the history of the West towards these people but it doesn't. But this is the history of the West going to other cultures and doing whatever they want and think nothing of it. So much for cultural travel brings about cultural awareness.
I debated talking more about getting fuel, but in looking back on it, we only had real difficulties the one time. Our other fill ups were super easy and quick. I'm not sure if the other islands weren't quite as rigorous with implementing new rules or what. But the Maldives also gets points for having spaces with fuel truck delivery. No jerry cans from the beach is a big plus!
As a Maldivian I would give one advice, don't sail through the night within the atolls. You can't really trust Google maps. Trust me on this one. If you really need to then get locals help.
I think our biggest issue with the rules in the Maldives is that it doesn't seem like they're very logical or evenly applied. For example... Why limit cruising boats to only commercial harbours when many of the islands with villages are open for tourism through the guesthouses?
@@OutChasingStars imagine you set up a beautiful b&b in your home country and a whole fleet of RVs start parking in your front yard. I am sure you will be reaching for your gun.
@@OutChasingStars it's very a complex issue. There so many things that has to go right be we allow cruising boats into local islands harbour. Trust me, it's for the best of you and us. Slowly more islands will be open but to be honest government is not very keen on investing small cruise ships and budget travellers.
It's due to "El nino phenomenon". The southern atolls are not really affected much compared to the rest. But lot resorts and islands house reefs are very good but can't access without a permit.
When cruising the world, you have to make a stop there at least once to say you have been there done that! Glad to hear your 'contact man' has been so influential in making it easier for future cruisers.
You never know how you're going to like a place until you experience it. Some of our favorite spots weren't initially on our radar as places to visit so you definitely need to keep an open mind!
Very good info for people like me who think it would be fun to do next year. Thank you for this video!! Great stuff and stay safe
Glad you find it helpful! Definitely check out our blog and noonsite for even more info on the Maldives.
@@OutChasingStars t
@@OutChasingStars Thanks but I have no idea what that is?? I will watch you on Tube again.
Thank you ! Interesting !
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. These are so helpful for those of us in the planning stages of a circumnavigation.
You are so welcome! Planning the route of a circumnavigation can definitely be a challenge so we're glad to help in any way we can. :)
Well, we had a guided sailing trip in Maldives a few years ago and it was amazing. Dead corals is an issue but there are a lot of places where corals were not affected. And the skipper knew exactly when and where to go for dolphins, sharks, turtles, manta rays and so on. I mean hundreds of dolphins, tens of sharks and manta rays.
Thanks for this very informative, would like to visit this place soon. Thumbs up from me👍
Guys can you advise on the best or most suited publication for anchorages from Cape Town heading to the Maldives then across to Australia.
Fabulous video. One thing I'm wondering about. What would change for someone traveling with a dog?
Do you think the time of year you visited affected the weather and how you enjoyed your stay? Would sailing conditions have been better 3-6 months before/after, and would that have affected your routing? Very sad about the coral. May have to rethink my bucket list. Looking forward to the Seychelles! Stay well!
Well, the Maldives do straddle the equator so the winds year round are pretty light. I doubt sailing conditions would change much no matter what time you're there.
You're also a bit time limited due to cyclones. Sometimes a circumnavigation seems like a rush to get from one 'cyclone-free zone' to another in time. Leave Thailand too early and you can run into a cyclone on the way to the Maldives. Leave Thailand too late and you're in a mad rush to get to South Africa before cyclones hit the Southern Indian Ocean...
Great information.👍🙂
Wonderfull review! Is It possible to entry to the Maldives for a couple of days to refuel with fuel and food without using the services of an agent? Which port is easier to come in? Thanks in advance!
Cool video
Out of curiosity do the strict dress standards (I’m assuming predominantly for women here because that’s generally the deal with Muslim countries) apply on your own boat or is it only when you go ashore/swim or paddle?
If we were anchored right outside a village, we tried to maintain respectful dress standards when walking around outside on the boat as well. But there are so many uninhabited islands, or anchorages a lot ways away from any villages that we didn't have that issue too often.
As usual you are very objective and state your reason for your opinion. Excellent! As far as the "rules & regulations" go it seems like: give a small mind (government) a little power and watch them abuse it, i.e.: limitations that seem to serve no other purpose than to enrich their coffers.
Some countries seem to really welcome cruisers and other's not so much. From the Maldivian government's perspective, I can understand why cruisers (who are generally very budget conscious) would be more of a nuisance to deal with compared to people flying in and spending thousands of dollars per night on fancy all inclusive resorts.
@@OutChasingStars imagine if everyone crusied to and aroundthe Maldives instead of staying on the resorts. The impact of all the untreated sewage ( don't think small cruisers treat their sewage) dumping, diesel fumes and carbon impact when motoring around , damage caused by anchorage , many more boats cluttering the bays and disturbing the aquatic life will be distastrous. To top it off , the Maldives government and resort owners will end up paying for all this damage with very little revenue. Why should they pay for your ( cruisers) enjoyment?
Hey Amy you're looking good. Anyway I had to laugh when you guys said when you're in another country follow that countries rules after you just said you disregarded the rules about places to visit...lol
Yeah, we recognize the irony there. There was a lot of conversations around that very issue while we were there, both among cruisers and Maldivian officials with lots of nuances that can't really be explained in a video like this.
Out Chasing Stars actually you do not have a nuanced by people who trying to preserve the only socalled natural resource they have. But this is a typical Western attitude we think our own personal individual liberties superseded the collective whole of other people. I guarantee, you would have never done that in any European country. Most actually really think you habe some type of nuances to respecting other people. Now what if I came on your boat and done whatever I want and then told you about some nuances to your rules that you don't fully understand. And to top it off then I made a video about it talking about how these rules inconvenience me. I mean those are the things were supposed to learn about travel when you go to all these places and see how nice people are compared to the West it should teach you something even considering the history of the West towards these people but it doesn't. But this is the history of the West going to other cultures and doing whatever they want and think nothing of it. So much for cultural travel brings about cultural awareness.
Now we know why not many channels go there.
The Maldives were definitely beautiful, but from a cruising perspective, they were a challenge!
where are you now dealing with COVID pandemic? please make separate episode
Fortunately, we are safe and sound in Antigua. 😃 We arrived two days before they closed their borders.
Hello. Im from maldives. And my dream is also living off grid
You forgot to mention how difficult it was to get fuel....That process looked very tedious
I debated talking more about getting fuel, but in looking back on it, we only had real difficulties the one time. Our other fill ups were super easy and quick. I'm not sure if the other islands weren't quite as rigorous with implementing new rules or what.
But the Maldives also gets points for having spaces with fuel truck delivery. No jerry cans from the beach is a big plus!
As a Maldivian I would give one advice, don't sail through the night within the atolls. You can't really trust Google maps. Trust me on this one. If you really need to then get locals help.
The Chinese rocket brought me here.
Basically dont travel there, to much of frustration for a little Island to travel half around the world to see
so most issues with maldives are actually issues with cruisers not maldives... their country, their rules...
I think our biggest issue with the rules in the Maldives is that it doesn't seem like they're very logical or evenly applied. For example... Why limit cruising boats to only commercial harbours when many of the islands with villages are open for tourism through the guesthouses?
@@OutChasingStars nothing in the world is logical so I don't know why you think this should be an exception....
@@OutChasingStars imagine you set up a beautiful b&b in your home country and a whole fleet of RVs start parking in your front yard. I am sure you will be reaching for your gun.
@@OutChasingStars it's very a complex issue. There so many things that has to go right be we allow cruising boats into local islands harbour. Trust me, it's for the best of you and us. Slowly more islands will be open but to be honest government is not very keen on investing small cruise ships and budget travellers.
The destruction of coral all over the world due to global warming is tragic.
Absolutely. 😕
It's due to "El nino phenomenon". The southern atolls are not really affected much compared to the rest. But lot resorts and islands house reefs are very good but can't access without a permit.
seems like the maldives suck, better avoid