The Maldives in 30 pictures

Close your eyes and dream of the Maldives ... white sand, sun, blue sky, turquoise waters and abundant sea life. The Maldive islands, of which there are 1 192, are clustered around a group of 26 atolls, located off the south-west coast of India in the warm Indian Ocean (i.e. in the middle of nowhere).

Heaven. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

There are very few people in the Maldives – fewer than 400 000 – and most of the Maldivian islands are unpopulated, not least because they are submerged at high tide. The Republic of the Maldives is officially the lowest country on Earth, with the highest point less than 3m high. There are concerns about the country being lost to global warming, with the rising of sea levels.

The Maldives is remote and beautiful beyond description. Get there if you can, even if you have to save for years. Your trip will surely be one of the highlights of your life.

Nature's swimming pool. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

View from the Constance Moofushi resort in the Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Getting ready for the evening dive aboard a typical wooden Maldivian boat. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

The multiple blues of the Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Purple jellyfish. There is so much sea life in the Maldives, you don't even need to get in the water to see it. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Off for a last dive before nightfall. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Sunset over the sea. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Local Maldivian fisherman. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Typical 'beach villa' accommodation in the Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

View from a private plunge pool, Constance Halaveli resort. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Umbrella on a sandbar, Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Morning in the Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Evening on the longest jetty in the Maldives, at the Constance Halaveli resort (it's 850m long). (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Sand, sea, sun and sky. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Spa, Constance Moofushi. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

If the Maldives had a national colour, it would be turquoise. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Evening and time for a chilled chardonnay. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Sunset over Constance Halaveli, Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Go down your stairs and into the sea. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Young hawksbill turtle, Maldives. Photo courtesy of Lee In Seung. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Island bliss. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Two typical sights in the Maldives: seaplane and divers. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Whiptail stingray, Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Constance Halaveli island and resort from the air, Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

The water in the Maldives is irresistible. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Flying over the Maldives islands, they look like a necklace of turquoise coral rings set in deep blue velvet. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

View from a catamaran, Maldives. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

The airport in Male, the capital of the Maldives. Trans Maldivian Airways is the world's largest seaplane operator. (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

After two hours in the Maldives, you'll feel like you've been there two weeks. But all good things must come to an end ... (Image: Tara Turkington/flowcomm)

Note: Tara Turkington was a guest of the Constance group in the Maldives. Visit its website, www.constancehotels.com, to find out more or enquire about Constance packages to the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar at any good travel agent.

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