How to immerse yourself in the authenticity of the Maldives

Explore the treasures of the Maldives your own way. Explore some hidden cultural spots that embody the rich roots of the nation, interact with the Dhivehin communities, and savour the flavorful dishes in the region. You can travel the entire area as a local and take back numerous recollections with you. Check out these meaningful ways to take a deep dive into the authenticity of Baa Atoll, which has been noted as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

Interact with locals 

One of the best ways to experience the culture of the Maldives is to speak to those who have first-hand experience. This means that you need to interact with the locals to get insights into their lifestyle and customs. A fantastic way to make this come true is to travel with them. Navigating the RTL Ferry Service in the Baa Atoll will make way for this experience. This high-speed ferry network connects 13 local islands on all days except on Fridays. 

Another way to exchange ideas with the community is to engage in island-hopping ventures. Eydhafushi, the capital of the atoll, is the ideal place to witness the fishing community and boat building. Visit Male Local Market or Male Fish Market to talk to vendors and purchase local handicrafts and dried fish.  You can even speak to them and other Maldivians if you choose to dine in street stalls and marketplaces. This will also provide you with the opportunity to witness the food being made before you from scratch. 

Taste the Dhivehi cuisine

Seafood items such as tuna, rice and coconut are featured heavily in the Maldivian cuisine. Mas Huni (shredded smoked tuna) is the national dish of the country and is a popular breakfast dish. Garudhiya (aromatic fish soup), Kulhi Boakibaa (spicy fish cake) and Boshi Mashuni (banana flower salad) are some other must-try dishes. Bis Keemiya (tuna and egg pastry) is a favourite snack. Many Asian restaurants in the Maldives offer this delicacy to travellers who are looking for a quick bite to sustain their appetite while on the road. Fresh coconut water, known as Kurumba, is also readily available and is a great way to stay hydrated in the tropical climate.  

NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort offers an ‘Ocean-Aged Rum Discovery’ which features the world’s first certified underwater-aged rum. This distilled alcoholic beverage is aged 10 meters under the sea. This makes it have direct contact with the ocean environment, which is central to the life of the nation. Then it is offered to guests at Handhuvaru bar, giving them a taste of modern luxury and local influences.  You get offerings like these, which link modernity with local elements to cater to the tastes of the international communities. 

Experience cultural activities 

The cultural activities in the Maldives centre upon blending rich marine heritage and traditional Maldivian island life. You can witness local artisans at work building traditional boats and making enthralling lacquerware in places like Thulhaadhoo Island. Weaving traditional mats, too, is an enthralling activity which has enchanted many tourists. Kihaadhoo Island is the destination you need to visit for this experience. Women in particular engage in this craft, and you will be able to see the process of this art as the designs are being made from coir rope and dyed in eye-pleasing shades. 

Experience local Maldivian culture through artistic performances. Boduberu features rhythmic drumming, soulful chanting and frenetic dancing. These are high-energy musical traditions that are also made up of around 15 to 20 performers. Such shows are considered the ‘heartbeat’ of Maldivian culture and start as a slow and meditative tempo and gradually build up to be a rapid, ecstatic crescendo.