Remember those mermaid tales featuring talking seas and coral castles that you used to read as a child, or things like Treasure Island or Crusoe? A Maldives holiday is special because, not compromising on providing you utmost comfort, it evokes all those tales right back with embellishments that you can witness yourself. With beautiful sandy beaches, lush tropical trees and flowers, cerulean waters and plentiful fishes, the Country of a Thousand Islands gives you picture-perfect scenery mixed with light-hearted, sun-kissed charm and quiet exclusivity. Voted as one of the best beach destinations in the world, Maldives is the best place to go to if you are wishful of a silent repose in a healing ambience.

The beautiful Maldivian climate, atmosphere and environment provide it its wonderful tropical warmth that makes for golden days and velvety nights. Deep waters, dazzlingly clean sands, wonderfully pure air and light sunny breezes ruffling the gorgeous vegetation together make the place perfect for any kind of recreational activities, most notably fishing. The seas replete with a veritable garden of wildlife form a major part of the livelihood of the natives and the country’s economy as well. Blessed as the island nation is with all kinds of aquatic species, some of them new to science, the fish like tuna, grouper, dolphin, barracuda, emperor, rainbow runner etc., pose as very attractive catch to tourists from all over the world.

Night fishing upon the vibrant horde of fish in the Indian Ocean is the most famous kind of fishing in Maldives. To be sure, it is a huge incentive for people from all over the world who flock to the little country with an inordinate amount of nature’s blessings. Snappers, emperors, barracuda, squirrelfish and other reef fish and jacks – these are your usual nocturnal companions. Jump aboard the traditional Dhoni boat just as darkness begins to set in. Under the gorgeous twilit sky soon to be dotted with pinpricks of brilliant light, you can excitedly fish for exotic fish just waiting for you to put your fishing rod in the water. Or you can lie back on the Dhoni deck and turn your face up for the stars’ kisses.

Tradition dictates, for night fishing, the use of a feathered barb-less hook on a line attached to a fifteen-foot long bamboo pole. With the right tools, and just a little bit of help from the native fishermen, your trip is sure to end rich with the bounty of your own catch in your hands. And why not! The fish here is plentiful and catching a huge load is really very easy. Pretty enough to be excited by the prospect of catching them, easy enough to catch to keep your interest and elusive enough to provide a fair game to the aficionados, the marine life at Maldives will enchant and engross.

The bountiful trip ends with another treat: after you reach the sands, your fish is taken off your hands to either be grilled on the beach barbeque under the stars, or to be given to the local restaurant to undergo gourmet preparations. Trust the chef’s hands; with an experience like theirs in an area of intensive game fishing, your food is sure to be cooked to perfection when it arrives on your table the following noon!

In a thoughtful expression of love towards the wonderful marine life, the Maldives Government has strictly prohibited the hunting of whales and dolphins as well as the use of harpoon guns. This ensures the well-being of the wildlife along with taking care of the guests’ entertainment, since the wildlife is, after all, a part which drags these guests to Maldives from far-flung corners of the world. That, and the charm of being one with the night winds and stars and moon!