It would be strange if in such a paradise of the Earth, where everything is permeated with the atmosphere of a carefree and measured life, like the Maldives, one would have to enter on a pre-arranged visa. Logic triumphs – citizens of Russia (as well as most countries of the world) when entering the Maldives get a visa for free at the airport; it is valid for up to 30 days. The requirements for the validity of a passport are also minimal: it should only “overlap” the date of return from the country. The only small concession to the “adult” requirements of the Maldives is the airport tax, which, however, is often included in the ticket price.
Entry into the country
According to Wholevehicles, for citizens of Russia and the CIS countries, a tourist visa is stamped free of charge in the passport at the airport of arrival and is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into the country. The validity of the passport must expire no earlier than the end date of the trip. Also, at passport control, you may be asked to present return tickets with a specified departure date and vouchers for tourist services.
On the plane, shortly before boarding, passengers are given an immigration card, which they fill out according to the model. After passing through passport control, they have an immigration card spine in their hands, which must be kept until the return flight.
When returning from the country, you must pay an airport tax – 10 USD. Often it is already included in the ticket price.
The Republic of Maldives does not have its own diplomatic representation in the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.
In addition, you should definitely take out a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip. Let it be better not to be useful than to be left without qualified assistance in case of an accident.
Laviani Atoll
Lhaviyani is definitely one of the most colorful dive sites in the Maldives. Tropical fish, millions of glassfish, families of imperial angelfish, large nurse sharks and moray eels teem with local reefs. Up to a heap in the coastal waters there are two wrecks that have managed to noticeably overgrow with corals.
The atoll is located 120 km north of Male and has 63 islets, most of which are concentrated for 30 km around the barrier reef from Selikhifushi in the east to Aligau in the very south. The islands of this atoll are tiny even by Maldivian standards. They housed only two and a half hotels – Kuredu Island Resort, the tiny Koamndoo hotel and luxury huts (no kidding!) from One & Only on Kanuhura.
To the west of Kuredu Island, there is a long sand bar on top of a reef. One of the main local entertainments is to walk along it at sunset and drive luminous plankton particles with bare feet. In addition, Kuredu is the only island in the Maldives with 9 golf courses.
Due to the small number of both local and imported people, the atoll is full of places where secluded tents are set up for romantics for a day or two. Inside the atoll, there are many shallow reefs where you can snorkel for hours.
On the islands of the atoll (especially on the main one, Naifaru), you can buy interesting jewelry made of coral and pearls.
How to get there
You can get to Laviani Atoll by air taxi (40 minutes flight) or by boat (4-6 hours depending on the season).
Diving in Laviani
There are caves on Kuredu where turtles rest. There is also a large rich reef, on which, from the side of the open sea, you can meet big game and see all the reef animals. And on the corner of the reef Kuredu Express in the channel, where there is a very strong current, even sharks come across.
Not far from Lavianti is Nunu Atoll, near which there is a reef under the water, resembling a Christmas tree shape. Because of this, and also because of the colorful colors of soft corals, divers call it Christmas Rock. “Under the Christmas tree” there is a big game (even sharks are found), and there are no strong currents, so even not the most experienced divers can dive.
