Maldives Once in a lifetime

The Maldives, the crown jewel among the wanderlust and longing destinations in the Indian Ocean, are not only particularly sustainable, but also entice visitors with unique experiences that they will never forget. And have received the "Worldʼs Leading Destination" award for the third time in a row.

Surreal powdered sugar beaches and the blue of the Indian Ocean, dotted with turquoise waters - the 1,192 tropical islands that stretch like a string of pearls southwest from Sri Lanka to the equator are currently experiencing a boom. Today, you can dive into the colorful Maldivian underwater world with its fascinating corals and more than 700 species of fish at depths of up to 37 meters without getting wet: In environmentally friendly, battery-powered underwater vehicles, which - thanks to a large glass dome - allow you to get up close and personal with hawksbill turtles, dolphins and colorful schools of fish.

On some islands you can even "dine down under": In underwater restaurants with first-class menus and well-stocked wine cellars behind thick Plexiglas walls. Thanks to numerous plankton-rich marine reserves, such as the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, you can swim with manta rays and whale sharks, the largest and most impressive sea creatures on earth. Goosebump moments guaranteed. Because an encounter with these magnificent animals is something very special. If you are not only looking for adventures with depth during your Maldives vacation, but also for adrenaline-filled moments in the air: some island resorts offer skydiving. The 360-degree view of the atolls from above are unique moments that will be etched in your memory. The natural phenomenon known as the "Sea of Stars" in Raa Atoll is also quite magical, where phytoplankton illuminates the sea in spectacular colors between July and February.

Would you like another "magic moment"? Perhaps a dinner in the treetops of the island jungle among palm leaves, lianas and birdsong? Or out on a lonely sandbank for a sunset dinner? The setting in the middle of the ocean of setting sun and twilight, which soon turns into a sparkling night sky, while sipping champagne and nibbling on grilled lobster claws, is better than any movie!
But preserving and protecting the reefs is a fundamental part of a thriving ecosystem. It would be unthinkable if this island world were to be swallowed up by the Indian Ocean forever. Sustainability is not just a buzzword: most resorts are working on a new, better travel world with effective concepts, often producing their own water, which is filled fresh daily into reusable glass bottles, incinerating their waste and cleaning waste water. Hardly any tropical wood is used in new buildings and no more trees are felled.

According to the motto "Inspiring instead of missionizing" , holidaymakers can take part in renaturation projects. For example, when corals raised in the "Nursery" are reintroduced into the reefs, sea turtles are freed from fishing nets or endemic plants from the island's own tree nurseries are planted. In addition to initiatives such as plastic-free options and plant alternatives from the organic garden, milestones are being set in the area of alternative energy generation with solar systems in the sea and with the planned first floating city in the world, the "Maldives Floating City".

The connection between the vacationer and the natural spectacle that surrounds him and the local craft tradition in cooperation with Maldivian artists is to be strengthened even more. Ultimately, the aim is to protect regional culture and reduce the ecological footprint.