Like a precious necklace draped across the aqua waters of its gigantic lagoon, the Maldives offers more than a thousand reasons to visit. Welcome to our Maldives travel guide.
The Maldives is made up of 26 coral atolls and almost 1200 remote islands speckled across the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. About 200 of these islands are inhabited, with 90 developed as tourist resorts, each surrounded by waters filled with abundant sea life and fringed by white powdery beaches.
Things to see in the Maldives
One of the most unique island destinations in the world, the Maldives defies comparison in the luxury stakes, with all the major hospitality brands represented across its scattered island resorts. Popular with scuba divers, surfers and honeymooners alike, this idyllic paradise sits upon tranquil lagoons with year-round tropical weather. Crystal-clear turquoise water is the main drawcard, and most activities focus either on or under the ocean’s surface – though if watersports aren’t your thing, each resort has luxury facilities to keep you active and relaxed on land too.
Best places to visit in the Maldives
The hardest part of a Maldives trip is choosing where to stay, with enticing accommodation options scattered across the archipelago like loose gemstones. Expect islands with underwater restaurants, flagship spas and swanky nightclubs; resorts with bungalows only accessible by boat for the ultimate private getaway; and pools that stretch to infinity and beyond.
Where to stay in the Maldives
While a trip here can seem like it will break the bank, there are genuinely great accommodation options at every budget level.
Seaside Finolhu, on Baa Atoll, is known for its iconic beach bubble tents – a transparent inflatable bubble that lets guests enjoy a closer-to-nature experience, completely secluded from other guests but totally on show to the world at the same time. Don’t let that put you off comfort: the bubble comes with bespoke furnishings and a separate adjoining bathroom and shower. Note this is a distinct property from Club Med Finolhu Villas, on nearby Gasfinolhu Island in North Malé Atoll, which offers its own collection of overwater and beach villas, each with a personal butler on hand for in-villa dining, private spa treatments and more – the similar names cause some confusion, so it’s worth double-checking which one you’re booking.
Soneva Jani, from the same group behind Soneva Fushi, a few atolls across, supersizes the luxe factor further still. It’s more of a solitary than a social experience here, and – as everywhere in the Maldives – it’s all about the villa, since that’s where you’ll spend most of your time.
Veligandu Island Resort is one of the more affordable options, with a mix of overwater and beach villas.
Velaa Private Island has been designed with incredible architecture and absolute privacy in mind. Choose a typical overwater villa, or go all in on the “honeymoon suite" – a Romantic Pool Residence accessible only by boat, complete with a sundeck, sunken bath, personal gym, butler and private chef.
