Male, Maldives on a sunny day

Holidays to Maldives

Iconic overwater bungalows, ice-white sand lapped by azure sea and idyllic scenes that look like they’ve been photoshopped (but haven’t!). A Maldives holiday is exactly as perfect as it looks.

Barefoot luxury

What do you get when you pair extravagant experiences with laidback vibes? Barefoot luxury (yeah, it’s a thing). And that’s exactly what a Maldives holiday promises in abundance, whether it’s arriving at your hotel in seaplane style or giving your feet the kind of freedom they’ve longed for.

Fancy leaping off your overwater balcony straight into the warm Indian Ocean? Go for it. Like the idea of having your own private stretch of sand? It’s yours. Want to wake up every morning with the sun rising over the ocean? Done.

Marine adventures

Being an archipelago and all, you’ll find that a lot of what makes the Maldives so special is what lies beneath its waves. Mosey into the water from the shore with a snorkel, or head out to one of the Maldives’ famous dive sites, to spot manta rays swooping through the ocean, tropical fish darting around the coral reef and turtles being their turtley self.

Continue the aquatic theme with a glass-bottomed boat ride, a meal in an underwater restaurant (should you go for the fish, or is that too weird?) or a stand-up paddleboarding session to get salty in the best possible way.

Honeymoon heaven

The Maldives is a no-brainer for loved-up, head-over-heels couples. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate honeymoon destination or fancy celebrating an anniversary in far-flung paradise, a holiday to the Maldives will leave you well and truly smitten.

Here you can sip cocktails as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, wake up in a luxury villa perched above the water and enjoy candle-lit dinners under a sea of stars. If you want romantic, and if you want unique, the Maldives has it by the boatload.

Sneak Peek

Best for... Sheer romance and plenty of marine magic 💞

Go... In winter for perfect snorkelling conditions 🤿

You have to... Take us with you! 🙏🏻

Details

Currency

Maldivian Rufiyaa

Language

Dhivehi

Time difference

GMT +5

Cost of a beer

45 Rf

3-course meal

200 Rf

Flight time

10 hours

Paradise is a place on earth

Clear turquoise waters, lusher-than-lush palm trees and sand as bright as the pearly whites on TOWIE… the Maldives’ private beaches are as world-class as it gets. If riding waves is your thing, Thulusdhoo in the Kaafu Atoll has the swell to lift your spirits. Finolhu in the Baa Atoll is the pick for a scuba diving adventure, and if you want to simply lather yourself in sunscreen and totally chill out, Vabbinfaru in the North Malé Atoll is a great choice.

Family fun for everyone

There’s doing things together on holiday and then there’s doing things together on a Maldives holiday. Think snorkelling trips on the reef trying to spot Nemo, planting your own little piece of coral at a nursery and shell-collecting along white sands – you get the picture. If you want a little more me time (the kids may share the sentiment!), a lot of the resorts have some pretty epic kids’ clubs to keep them entertained, leaving you free to relax.

Amazing underwater wonders

With coral reefs bursting with colour and the kind of sparkly marine life that makes Christmas decorations look dull, the Maldives is one of the best places in the world to go snorkelling. You don’t even need to get a boat – just walk straight in from your personal beach. Keen to go deeper? Sign up for a scuba diving experience or take a submarine tour (yes, they do come with windows). Some resorts even have underwater restaurants so you can dine with the fishes!

When to go to the Maldives

Warm, dry weather and perfect water visibility make December to April the best times to go to the Maldives. While the rest of the year is just as balmy, definitely expect a higher chance of rain.

Here for the wildlife? Whale sharks can be seen year round, so if you want even more up-close animal experiences, visit in October and November when hundreds of manta rays gather for food in Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll.

Summer showers make June to August best for picking up a cheap Maldives holiday. It’s not as ideal for snorkelling or diving, but you’ll still enjoy 30C-plus seas and lots going on in the resorts. December is usually the most expensive time to visit.

More holiday destinations in Maldives