Pristine white sandy beaches, luxurious over-the-water villas, thriving coral reefs with teeming marine life, world-class dining, and unparalleled hospitality. Could there be a more dreamy vacation spot than the Maldives? Because of all that it offers, the Maldives makes for a perfect destination for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or an anniversary. This ultimate guide will walk you through everything to know before visiting the Maldives.
What you need to know
Where are the Maldives located?
The Maldives is a South Asian island country in the Indian Ocean. It is located south of India and southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives is an archipelago that comprises about 1200 islands and only some of them are occupied.
The Maldivian islands are made up of a series of atolls that were leftover from an ancient volcanic mountain range. When the volcanoes erupted, these mountains collapsed within themselves leaving behind a ring of low-lying islands. These islands are generally less than 6 feet above sea level (hence, water villas on stilts could be constructed). The atolls boast beautiful sandy beaches, lagoons, coconut palms, thriving coral reefs, and marine life.
The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world with an average elevation of 6 feet!
How to get to the Maldives?
To reach the Maldives you will need to take a flight to the capital city of Male first. After that, you will need to take a seaplane or a speedboat to the island your hotel is located in. And might I add that the seaplane experience is one of the coolest ever?! If only it were not that expensive… sigh.
If you are flying to the Maldives from the US or South America, a travel tip is to combine it with another Asia travel destination. For example, there are direct flights from India and Sri Lanka. Thus, adding the Maldives to such a trip is a great way to have a beach getaway and adventure/culture trip combined! So, I would highly recommend you optimize your flights as you plan your trip.
Which part of the Maldives is the best to stay in?
As you know, the Maldives is a group of 1200 islands. Most of these inhabited islands are quite small and contain a single hotel or a small group of hotels. Now, this is great for a visitor because chances are, you will have to share the beach and common areas with very few people. Because of this, it never feels crowded, even during peak season. Talk about a luxury experience!
Regarding where to stay, honestly, any atoll is great! All of them contain beautiful world-class hotels with coral reefs to explore. These are some of the atolls I recommend.
Ari Atoll
Comprising 70 islands, this is a big atoll in North Maldives. This is often considered the most beautiful of all the atolls. Most islands here have their own coral reefs.
Alifu Atoll
Technically under North Ari Atoll, the Alifu Alifu Atoll is as a great spot to watch out for hammerhead sharks and dolphins. We stayed in this atoll at Constance Halaveli and had an absolutely fantastic time! Here, the house reef was just a few meters from the villas!
Baa Atoll
The Baa atoll is super important and contains the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Here, you can find Hanifaru Huraa, a bay full of plankton feeding whale sharks, manta rays, and other forms of marine life from July to November.
Noonu Atoll
There are few resorts in this atoll making it an idyllic destination for luxury travelers. Noonu Atoll has the highest density of fusiliers and snappers fishes which can be found in the Maldives. It also has a huge spinner dolphin population.
Rasdhoo Atoll
Popular with budget travelers, Rashdoo Atoll is a smaller atoll surrounded by a circular lagoon. An interesting fact about the main island here is the preservation of its Buddhist past before the advent of Islam.
How to plan your trip to the Maldives?
Now that you’ve zeroed in on your atoll, here comes the fun part! How do you have a perfect trip to the Maldives? Well, think about what you want to do there. There are tons of activities that can keep you engaged for days! Heck, I could even do absolutely nothing for days on end and still be happy in the Maldives. Despite being the type of traveler who generally likes to have a fully packed schedule!
However, in the Maldives, know that you are going to relax and have a blast lazing in the sun and pampering yourself. So, keep your schedule more open with no more than two activities per day. Also, the activities and events you opt for will depend on who you are traveling with. This section is broken down into three types of trips that you may take.
Research research research
And a little more research. The Maldives has so many beautiful hotels on many different atolls. They cater to a wide variety of visitors as well, those looking for a luxury experience and those on a budget. Many hotels also offer specific activities such as snorkeling. Do your research about what you want.
Know when to go and avoid holiday seasons
Depending on your budget, decide when you would like to go and to which part of the Maldives (more information below). The holiday season brings a lot of visitors to the islands. You may want to avoid them if you are looking for a more relaxing and secluded trip.
Book well in advance
Once you know when and where you want to visit the Maldives, book your hotel well in advance. Often, some of the best deals that hotels offer are set months in the future.
Notify hotel of special occasion
Another very important tip is to make sure that you notify the hotel right at booking if you are celebrating a special occasion. For example, if you are celebrating a honeymoon, most hotels will offer you villas or rooms with more privacy. Similarly, if you are traveling with kids, you may request a villa with easy access to the beach.
Consider weight limitations
Most international flights will let you carry one to two 23kg (or 50 lbs) check-in bags with a carry-on and a personal item. However, in a seaplane, you can carry only 20kg for checked-in luggage and 5kg for carry-on luggage. So, plan your luggage accordingly. Get a handy digital luggage scale; you won’t regret it.
Carry your own gear
Now, if weight limits allow, and you know what water activities you will want to do, carry your gear. In most resorts, they will charge you to rent their equipment. So, make sure to read the fine print and come prepared. For example, in Constance Halaveli, the snorkeling fins were provided for free to the hotel guests, but not the snorkel masks.
How to book the perfect hotel in the Maldives?
Alright, this part is where it gets the most interesting and challenging, in my opinion. The Maldives has so, so many hotels, catering to all budget types, that it can be quite overwhelming to pick one. Because everyone has different needs and requirements.
Therefore, I would recommend honing down on your list of requirements for what you must have. Once you know about what you absolutely need to have, everything else becomes nice to have items.
So, for example, when I was booking our hotel, I knew I wanted to experience a water villa. We were celebrating a big occasion, and we felt it was the right time to indulge ourselves. We also knew that we wanted to snorkel in the lagoons. So, when searching for the hotel, we looked at guest reviews talking about the reefs around the island.
Thus, as a general rule, use these points to plan out your perfect Maldives hotel.
Pick and stick to your budget
Know what activities you want to try
Pick a type of villa
Sunrise or sunset villa (for water villas only)
Keep in mind the seaplane costs
Pay attention to dietary restrictions
All-inclusive or otherwise
Need some inspiration? Check out the hotels for every budget below!
What to do in the Maldives
There are a host of things you can do in the Maldives. Check out my post on the most incredible moments you will get to experience in the Maldives! In addition, here are some activities worth trying out in the Maldives.
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Indulge in the cuisine
- Learn about the ecosystem and marine life
- Learn about Maldivian culture
- Sunbathe
- Spa and wellness treatments
- Run a bath
- Dip into your plunge pool
- Head to the beach
- Try out a new water activity
- Try reef fish and Maldivian lobster
- Dinner under the stars
- Yoga on the beach
- Take epic photos and videos
- Make it a point to watch each sunset – lasts a short while but it’s divine
- Go for a digital detox
How much does a trip to the Maldives cost?
A trip to the Maldives does not necessarily need to be expensive. Budget travel to the Maldives has picked up quite a bit in the last few years. And with that, you will definitely find accommodation and activities that suit your budget.
On the other hand, the Maldives has been long known for catering to the ultra-rich. There are resorts that cost upwards of $5000 a night, should that be your budget!
Here is an approximate cost breakdown for your trip for a mid-level budget (all prices are in USD).
Accommodation (during peak or shoulder season)
- Luxury – A luxury hotel villa will cost you a cool $1000 + per night. There are luxury hotels all over the Maldives, and they are well known for their stellar service.
- Mid-level – A mid-level hotel should cost you between $300 to $500 per night. If you opt for a water villa, expect to pay upwards of $700-$1000 for a mid-level hotel. And if you want a private plunge pool, the costs get higher.
- Budget – You may be surprised to know that you can easily find accommodation under $70 per night in the Maldives even during peak season.
Food
Breakfast is usually included in the room rate, so for the purpose of this section, we will skip it. Lunch for two is about $100 on average without drinks and about $150 with drinks. For dinner, expect to pay upwards of $200 for dinner for two with drinks.
For budget hotels, you will charge less than the amount projected above.
Airfare with seaplane/speedboat
This will vary greatly depending on our type of accommodation. In general, the cost can range from $150 to $800+ for a round trip. Make sure to read the fine print, as we found this to be one of the most expensive legs of our trip.
If your hotel island is close to Male, and if you have the option to take a speedboat, the cost will likely be on the lower end. Also, note that children above 2 years of age will also need a ticket (priced slightly lower than adults).
Activities
Snorkeling group tours cost about $100 per person for a 2-3 hour guided trip with a guide. For special snorkel events like manta ray or whale shark sightings, it is around $130+ per person.
Spa treatments
Spa treatments in the Maldives were more expensive than those you can get in Thailand, but the experience was fantastic. Expect to pay upwards of $200 for an hour with a masseur for a mid-level hotel spa. Luckily, the hotel gave us a 50% coupon since we were on our honeymoon and that was super nice!
Shopping
Shopping in the Maldives is quite expensive. My recommendation is to carry all essentials with you, including things like sunglasses and sunscreen. Save your pretty penny to buy a souvenir like a magnet.
I am currently working on a post outlining the travel expenses from my self-paid trip to the Maldives. So, stay tuned!
Maldives travel and visa requirements
The Maldives government has made it super convenient to travel there, thanks to granting tourist visas on arrival for all countries. Thus, you do not need a pre-approval for the visa as long as you have an adequate passport. An officer may ask to see your prepaid accommodation and a return ticket.
You will receive a visa for a maximum of 30 days. There is no visa fee.
Cell phone data and coverage
Depending on your accommodation, you may or may not want to get a local sim card and data coverage. If not having data coverage during all times of the trip is a deal-breaker for you, look at e-sim options. There were plenty of options to pick from at the Male airport. You can also order them online. Also, assuming you will be using data sparingly (you’re in the Maldives after all, give your phone a rest ;)), around $30 will get you enough data. Make sure to check if your cell phone is e-sim compatible (new generation phones usually are). If not, you can always go for a physical sim card.
However, prior to booking, check if your hotel offers free wi-fi in all parts of the island. This was the case for us, so we did not feel the need for a local sim card. We stayed connected during all times of our stay on the island. The only time we felt like it would be nice to have data coverage was during our transport from the Male airport to the hotel. However, the airport had a hotel lounge where we could rest up, connect to the wifi (plus have a coffee and snacks!). And we had the option to open our US data plans to international roaming, in case of an emergency. So, we felt comfortable without a local sim.
Based on this, weigh the options and see what works best for you.
What type of power outlet or travel adapter to use in the Maldives?
The Maldives uses a type G plug adapter and the standard voltage is 230V. Be sure to carry a power and voltage converter, if you are traveling from a country with 110 V standard voltage (eg. the US). Or you can purchase one at the Male airport. Note that it will be much more expensive to purchase on your hotel island.We carried a combined power converter but were happily surprised to see that our villa at Constance Halaveli had universal plug sockets.
Tipping in the Maldives
There is no requirement to tip in the Maldives. Generally, resorts will charge a 10% service charge on all expenses, including those at restaurants, bars, spa treatments, etc. However, if you receive stellar service, and want to show your appreciation, add a 5% tip on the top. The service staff would certainly be happy. But note that the quality of your service will not be determined by your willingness to tip. Read more about tipping in the Maldives here.
Currency in the Maldives
The currency of Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa. However, note that US dollars is more prevalent and expected in the resorts, particularly for tipping. Even in the Male and other local areas, US dollars are readily accepted. But, in most resorts, your credit card will be charged for everything that you spend on (except tipping for non-restaurant staff).
Language of the Maldives
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. Dhivehi is a mix of Sinhalese, Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu languages, speaking to Maldives’ rich history of being a melting pot of multiple cultures. However, in Male, and your resort island, you can expect to easily converse in English. Often times, resorts will have staff members speaking other popular international languages as well.
Maldives travel restrictions
A very important consideration for traveling to the Maldives is to ensure you know about the restricted items in the country. Now, keep in mind that in the Maldives, things are quite different in islands that contain hotels exclusively in comparison to other parts of the country. In the hotel islands, you can dress however you want. The on-site restaurants at these hotels serve all types of food including pork and alcohol.
However, in mainland Male, and other local areas, alcohol, and pork consumption are restricted. Also, if you are traveling out of the Male airport around Male city, make sure to dress conservatively. It is important to respect the culture and traditions of the places we travel to.
Remember to not carry any of these items with you on your flight: pork and pork products, alcohol, drugs, idols for worship, and other religious artifacts.
Traveling to the Maldives from the US
Traveling to the Maldives from the US is quite long. The flights are more than 20 hours with at least one layover. However, one travel hack is to add another country to your itinerary. Preferably one that you’d have a layover anyway.
Most flights will have a layover in Singapore, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, or Dubai. All of these places make for a wonderful stopover. Break your journey and spend a couple of days in one of these places. My personal recommendation would be Singapore or Hong Kong. They are perfect for 2-3 days of travel and a US passport holder does not require a visa. In addition, if you are already planning a trip to Asia, you can add the Maldives to your itinerary. Its proximity to popular travel countries in South East Asia, India, and Sri Lanka make it a perfect add-on. In particular, India and Sri Lanka are geographically very close to the Maldives. So, if you catch a flight from these countries it will only take about 2-4 hours.
Traveling to the Maldives from Europe
Flying to the Maldives from Europe is slightly faster. Most places from Europe will have flights with a layover in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, or somewhere in Europe. This leads to a total travel time of about 14 hours each way. Similar to my recommendation above, consider a stopover in one of these wonderful cities. Another option is to combine your trip to SouthEast Asia, India, or Sri Lanka with a Maldivian vacation in the end.
However, if you fly from cities like Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, you can get direct flights to Male!
Some Do’s and Don'ts for the Maldives
Now that you’re all armed with information to plan and book your Maldives vacation, here are some important do’s and don’ts.
- Plan your trip and book well in advance. The earlier the better. From my experience, you don’t need to wait for great deals because the hotels continuously offer good deals. Just keep an eye on booking sites like booking.com, Expedia, and hotel.com. I recommend booking earlier so that you can notify your hotel of specific requests.
- If you opt for a water villa, pick one further in the lagoon for more privacy. If such an option is not presented while selecting your room, add this request in your notes when you book.
- Notify the hotel of your flight arrival time in advance so that they have adequate advance notice to prepare for speedboat or seaplane schedules.
- In these hotel islands, you can dress however you like. Therefore, packing a bathing suit is a must!
- Be prepared for thunderstorms. They can happen anytime, even during the “dry” season. Luckily, they usually last only an hour or so.
- Respect other people’s privacy particularly if you are in a water villa and go down to the waters. Snorkeling or swimming in the lagoons is a lot of fun, but be mindful that you don’t approach other villas. It will also be against the hotel rules.
- Don’t pick up any form of shell, sand, or coral. While you may be tempted to bring back a natural souvenir, it is actually illegal to take them back with you.
- Fridays are considered holy days for Muslims. Be mindful that there may be changes in schedules for restaurants and housekeeping.
Packing List for the Maldives
Packing for the Maldives can be tricky. While you want to be comfortable and sun-ready with your summer clothes, you also need IG-worthy clothing and water gear. Here is a shortlist of what you should pack for the Maldives.
Clothing
- Swimsuit – Obviously 😉
- Flowy dresses – Preferably in breathable materials like cotton and linen
- Shorts (for women and men) – It is hot in the Maldives. However, if you are going out of the airport in Male, make sure to dress conservatively.
Beach vacation essentials
- Reef safe sunscreen – Always wear reef-safe sunscreen at places where you go snorkeling or diving. This is to protect marine life. Regular sunscreen contains harmful chemicals that kill coral reefs. This leads to a reduction in fish and other animals that live and sustain on these reefs.
- Gear for water activities, such as flippers and snorkeling masks – The snorkeling mask is a nice-to-have for a good fit for your face. I would highly recommend bringing it with you, especially if you are a newbie snorkeler.
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat – For protection against the sun and super awesome photos!
- Flip flops – A must for any beach vacay
- Go Pro – For those super awesome underwater shots.
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturizer – Some hotels may provide it, but carry some with you nonetheless. Note that your skin will be parched from the salty waters and strong sun.
Check out my complete Maldives packing list along with a free printable checklist you can use for your travel planning here.
Entertainment and other knickknacks
- Hair tie – Super important for people with long hair. Few annoyances equal that of having your hair curls float to your face as you snorkel. You are then stuck constantly pushing them out of your sight range coz you can’t see a dang thing. Ugh.
- Makeup items – Use this checklist for all the items you should have in your carry on bag
- Motion sickness medicine – Many hotels have a speedboat transfer from the Male airport. Our hotel had a seaplane transfer followed by a boat transfer in a traditional Maldivian boat! In between these transfers you can definitely feel the rough ocean waves. I felt better knowing that I had motion sickness meds if things went sideways.
- A good book – Always on my travel lists!
You might be tempted to take your drone but bear in mind that most places do not allow a drone on the island. This is to protect the privacy of their guests.
When to visit the Maldives
The best time for visiting the Maldives is from November to early March. If possible, avoid the Christmas to New Years’ season. That time is very busy and there are high chances of the on-site hotel restaurants being fully booked. The beach at your hotel will also be busier. And not to mention it’ll be more expensive.
How long should you stay in the Maldives?
About 5-7 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the Maldives. That way, you will get plenty of time to settle down, get your bearings and start your ultimate relaxing vacation. Take your time to enjoy your room or villa. Soak in the pool or go check out the reefs (if your lagoon has any). Then, around days 3-5, you can explore the island, plan some activities and still have some downtime.
Also, I would recommend against changing villas during your stay as it can be a waste of time. When I am on vacation, I like to maximize my time chilling or experiencing something new. Changing hotel rooms in between can be time-consuming. With the difference between check-out and check-in timings of your hotel, you may need to plan the entire day around this. So, best to avoid it and pick a room that best works for your needs.
If you are hopping islands, I would add a day for travel, and at least a couple of days at each island to get the best experience.
Where to stay in the Maldives
If you are visiting the Maldives for a special occasion and it fits your budget, I would recommend staying in a water villa. Even if it’s for a few days. The Maldives offers world-class hotels and if you’ve been waiting to splurge with loved ones for a dream vacation, this is it.
If you are on a budget though, fret not. There are still plenty of hotel options for you to choose from. My biggest tip would be to get a hotel close to the island of male. The further out it is, the more expensive it will get for you to reach the island, after factoring in the seaplane or boat transfer.
Luxury hotel: Soneva Jani, Noonu
Mid-range: Sun Island Resort and Spa, Maamigili
What other destinations should you add to your Maldives vacation?
The best way to travel to the Maldives is to combine it with other places where you could have a layover on your itinerary. As mentioned above, depending on where you fly from, you may want to add the following places:
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Doha
- Sri Lanka
- South India
So, are the Maldives worth it?
Overall, is a Maldives vacation worth it? 100% yes! Especially if you are celebrating a special occasion and want to indulge. The Maldives is the right place to pull all the stops.
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