Surreal beaches

Two lounge chairs, a beach umbrella and the vast blue ocean. This is the clichéd picture for Maldives that one would have seen numerous times in travel magazines and online portals. These breathtaking pictures (photo shopped or not!), look exactly the same to the naked eye and therein lies the ethereal beauty of this amazing island nation. With crystal clear water, powdery white sandy beaches dotted with swaying coconut palms, mesmerizing shades of blue and elegant herons flocking at the shore, no other beach place in the world can claim to offer anything better than the Maldivian ones. With some luck (and in off season), you might have long beach stretches just to yourself. Maldives has the beaches that can get you some of the most gorgeous sunsets and stunning sunrises in the world; do not miss.