HomeKunfunadhoo IslandKunfunadhoo Island
Water enthusiasts are going to have a lot of fun, here at Thulusdhoo Island. Rather than scuba diving, surfers could explore the gentle waves of its sun-kissed beaches. Surf breaks adjacent to the island, such as Coke, Honekeys, Sultans, Jails and Chickens are visited by surfers from all across the globe. The island is known as a paradise for surfers. On your stay in Thulsshoo Island, get yourselves busy with delightful swimming, snorkelling, sandbank trips, diving and even stand up paddling. Get enticed by the alluring reefs neighbouring reefs and the magnificent coral garden. At any of those beachfront resorts, you may spend quality time with your dear ones and relish some fresh coconut water. People do come here for sunbathing and relaxing. In the meantime, you may think of trying out some adventurous things like swimming along with nurse sharks or snorkelling near the shipwreck. Furthermore, Thulusdhoo Island situated about 23 km from Male city is preferred by backpackers chiefly, as they are more budget-friendly. The ocean waters surrounding it are quite rich in marine biodiversity, as they are an abode of marine turtles, reef-dwelling fishes, dolphins, manta rays and several others.
Tourists holidaying in the Maldives would inevitably partake in Scuba diving activities. Then you should never miss diving in Banana Reef, which is quite worth it. Located in North Male Atoll, Banana Reef is claimed to be the first-ever discovered scuba diving spot in the Maldives. In fact, Banana Reef is one of the best spots in the Maldives to partake in such a spellbinding underwater activity, as you could capture some spectacular underwater photographs with the azure blue backdrop and flamboyant fishes. Dive into its turquoise blue ocean waters and explore the underwater marvels by spotting those Bannerfish, squirrelfish, snappers, Sweetlips, barracuda, fishes, manta rays, fishes and what not. Banana Reef is named so for its distinctive curved shape. The depth of this beautiful reef also called Gaathugiri would mostly range from 10 to 30 metres. These adorable marine creatures inhabiting the waters of Banana Reef would be seen moving swiftly across the cliff and overhangs present deep in the ocean. Snorkelling indulged in reef would also not make a bad idea as they could also make your adrenaline pump, much like Scuba diving.
Situated to the northern parts of this gorgeous archipelago in Haa Alifu Ato, is the Utheemu Island. It is yet another tourist attraction that should not be missed by the tourist holidaying the Maldives. The alluring view of the white sanded shores and the blue lagoons surrounding Utheemu Island is a captivating sight to behold. However, a lesser number of tourists is seen visiting them, when compared with other islands of Andaman. This 297 sq. km of land has got a historical significance for being the birthplace of Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who during the 16th century had defeated invaders from Portugal. When you are visiting them, you may drop into the wooden Palace where the royal Maldivians dwelled. In fact, this particular Sultan had ruled this land for around 12 years. Tourists could take a tour of this 500 year old palace. When you are sightseeing on this adorable island, you may offer prayers once paying visits to Kaduvalhu Old Mosque. Exploration of Badi Fasgandu is a must-do thing, as you will be getting to know about the rich culture and history of the island nation.
Even though there are numerous tourist islands in the Maldives, Maafushi Island has got a separate fan base. For which the praise goes to its enthralling water sports activities and obviously for its pristine shores with pristine white sand and coconut grooves. You may choose between scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, flyboarding, water skiing and plenty others. How cool will it be to swim along with dolphins? Even that wild fantasy could be made a reality here while holidaying in Maafushi Island. On top of that, the diverse marine habitat inhabiting these ocean waters could bestow a visual treat and once in a lifetime experience for the divers. If you wish to try them out, you may check out the diving spots around Maafushi Island such as Cocoa Corner, Dhigu Thila, Kuda Giri & Shipwreck and Kandooma Thila. Rare marine creatures such as grey tip sharks, eagle rays, white tip sharks, green turtles and so on, could be spotted here. Moreover, the transparency rate of ocean waters is also commendable in these popular diving sites. Yet another exciting thing to do while visiting Maafushi Island could be of sailing up to the sandbank. Do not skip to capture spectacular pictures of such a nature’s marvel.
Hulhumale Island needs no introduction as this is the island where you would set your foot first in the Maldives. It is said so as Velana International Airport is located on this island near North Male Atoll, which is spread across an area of 188 hectares. This artificial island created in the year 2020 was truly life-changing. Now, when you visit them, you would get to discern both the ethereal natural beauty alongside its beaches and the charm of the rapidly growing city. Even though the island is man-made, the crystal clear waters of these parts of the Indian Ocean had made its shores enticing to its visitors. The island created on the blue lagoons of Maldives would be lined by magnificent corals and driftwood, creating a dramatic look during the times of the low tide. Lately, well-planned residential spaces have sprouted up on the island. So the population growth is not really impacting this dredged out island. Tourists visiting them could spend some quality time by the appealing green spaces found both in the interiors and shores of Hulhumale Island.
Now, this is the capital city of the island nation, Maldives. But do not expect a huge city with a large area, as it is barely 8.30 sq. km and is situated in Kaafu Atoll. The skyscrapers and other huge buildings of the islands are still surrounded by turquoise blue ocean waters. Even though Male is the largest and most populous city of Maldives, you could get to experience that beach vibe everywhere you move to. To explore the rich culture and history of this island nation, you may wander around its narrow yet vivid streets. Tourists when visiting them could take a stroll through its buzzing streets and know the very pulse of this capital city. Do not miss to pass by Victory Monument and the iconic Grand Friday Mosque of Male, which is the biggest in the Maldives. Shop for some rare souvenirs from those streets of Male, where you could also get to find massive mosques, offices, restaurants and a gateway to all other tourist islands of Maldives. Nevertheless, unlike other capital cities, you are not going to the airport. For which you will be required to sail to the adjacent Hulhumale Island.
When various other tourist destinations of Kashmir have been discussed for their scenic spots, this significant district could be considered for being the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Because of this same reason, you would get to find some monuments, other than the innumerable number of temples. The city founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan is situated on the banks of River Tawi. If you have got plans of paying a holy visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, you may first arrive at Jammu by train or by flight, as it serves as a base camp for it. Meanwhile, at the banks of Chenab River, tourists could get to see the two-storeyed Akhnoor Fort, which is perched on a cliff. As these regions around Jammu was dwelled and planned by the royal family of Jammu, they had built some magnificent structures such as Mubarak Mandi Palace. It was inhabited by the erstwhile rulers of the Dogra dynasty. It depicts both Mughal and Rajasthani styles of architecture. Some of the crucial parts of the palace have been converted to a museum that exhibits rare paintings and even the weapons of Shah Jahan. Likewise, Amar Mahal of Jammu is yet another museum located in the city, where you may plan to drop into. Here, some interesting paintings and most significantly, the golden throne of Jammu, made of gold is preserved.
Tourists love to venture into this bewitching tourist destination of Kashmir, no matter what time of the year it is. The lush green mountains never fail to impress them. The elegant Lidder River flowing through its valleys make various parts of Pahalgam look sumptuous and enriching. This hill station of Anantnag district is situated at an elevation of 2200 m above the mean sea level. Your visit to Betaab Valley in Pahalgam should be a never to miss tourist spot in your trip to Kashmir. Once you arrive here and turn your attention to any side, you may find them familiar if you had watched all those old Bollywood song sequences. Most of them would be filmed about the appealing grasslands of Betaab Valley. For some adventure, you may partake in river rafting across the serene and gushing waters of the Lidder River. However, a sobriquet of a ‘mini- Switzerland’ is given to its counterpart, Baisaran Valley. It can be reached by traversing merely 5 km from Pahalgam. During winter, the scenic locations around them would take a different appearance, when its mountains and pine forests would be covered with heavy snow. Meanwhile, during summers, tourists may head to the scenic golf course of Pahalgam.
Rather than a tourist destination, Katra could be called a stopover place or gateway to the significant spiritual centre of Kashmir, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. The glorious shrine perched on the slope of a hillock is known to be the holiest place for Hindu believers. To offer your prayers at the temple located at the temple, pilgrims would be required to collect certain tokens from Banganga, from where you will have to cover your path by foot or rely on ponies. En route to the holy shrine, one could get to halt at yet another small yet holy place of Baba Dhansar. Here crystal clear from high up the mountains will be flowing and collected in a pond, believed to be dwelled by a demon that was killed by Dhansar with the help of Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, at the pilgrimage town of Katra, you would get to shop for some unique products that are made or bought from different parts of Kashmir. That long list would comprise of dry fruits, Kashmiri shawls, copperware, souvenirs, wooden furniture, leather goods, brassware and whatnot. Buy some of them would be highly recommended, as you could later reminisce of your adventurous Kashmir tour.