Thanks for posting kungpowdow - looks fantastic

Must have about 300 pics all like these. Couldnt stop taking them.

A good underwater camera is another must have.

KPD

We use Atoll Paradise Pvt Ltd for booking in the Maldives.

We stay at Kurumba because it is only 5 minutes from the airport and if you are only there for the weekend you don't want to waste time getting out to distant islands. And it has 6 restaurants.

Our flights to the seychelles went up from 2700 to 4200 pp over the two weeks, that it took us to finalise and book. Sucked in, weren't we!

However, our accommodation is cheap. 1kdhs a night for 2 bedrooms, kitchen and 2 small living areas.

I have been to Maldives once but Seychelles every year since 2008. Seychelles is paradise whereas Maldives is a desert island.

Both countries are amazing in their own right. If you are looking to rent a house then mahe is your best option. Loo for something close to Beau Vallon or Victoria (North and North East of the island). The south west is stunning but much quieter

The maldives cannot be described as desert islands. They are in the tropics and covered in vegetation. The Palm Dubai etc are desert islands. We are building one in Qatar called the Banana. The publicity shots are taken from the Maldives and look great, but the end result will be some wooden huts on sticks on a desert island overlooking Doha airport. luxury Resort ??

The Maldives are perfect if all you want is sea, sun, food, and drink.

Alright you lot.

Been reading these posts with interest.

The mrs is harping on about going somewhere like Sri Lanka for a weekend, but it doesn't appeal to me. Maldives / Seychelles does. Is it do-able for a 4 dayer?

Also, is it going to bankrupt me?

Researching it myself but haven't started until.....NOW.

Flights to Mahe are really convenient (well from AD). A morning flight out and a late evening flight back. My husband and his colleague are only coming for 4 days and I'm staying on for a week with another family.

Now I'm really torn...Maldives or Seychelles? Think we can rethink the week too as not sure about the weather? September? October? Anyone?
I think after running around the UK visiting people and entertaining visitors here we all deserve a week flat on our backs in paradise.

They look amazing x

By the way, what camera were you using?

Thanks AD.

Best times to visit:
- Maldives = December to April
- Seychelles = May to October

4 days is doable but come on man its the Maldives. You have to do it justice. Save 4 day trips for the likes of Petra, Beirut, Goa and Sri Lanka and slacken off the annual leave belt for this baby. Its a different animal and you will not regret it.

You're in Dubai so can fly cheap and direct to Male with FlyDubai. Yes the hotels are expensive but get a package and you wont have to cut back on the Pina Coladas...!

A Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 on full auto settings and a Fujifilm Finepix XP150 for underwater (that shot of the big black tip).

Pretty pleased with the results really.

Thoughts?