I never went to Male', and instead went straight to one of the islands. Yes, it was expensive - but worth it. Thus far on this earth I haven't found a warm place I liked more than the Maldives (rating it above Aussieland, Tahiti, Thailand, Carib, Hawaii).

I guess it's a matter of preference... If you dive I think you'll find you enjoy the Maldives even more. To me it was all about relaxing - quite simply - doing as little or as much as I wanted to every day.