Where is the Maldives

Maldives, also known as the Republic of Maldives is an island nation situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean, about 750 kilometres west of the coastline of both India and Sri Lanka.

Stretching over roughly 800 kilometres from North to South, the Maldives is made up of 26 atolls, which in turn consist of 1196 distinct islands, making it one of the world’s most dispersed countries geographically.

Where to stay in the Maldives

Famous for its extraordinary private islands home to all-inclusive resorts, the most lavish overwater villas, and ultra-luxurious beach bungalows, it is often assumed that the Maldives solely offers options way beyond the average travel budget.

But nothing is further from the truth, as budget-friendly options are still very much found here

Whether you’re looking to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, wish to have the beauty of the Maldives at a more affordable price tag, or something in between, I’m pretty confident that you’ll find an excellent option that caters to both your travel budget and likings.

Those travelling on a tighter budget could find a comfortable beach villa with a full-board plan for as cheap as €240,- per person, per night, while those keen to splurge have tons of all-inclusive options within the €300,- to €5.000,- per night range.

As for my recent trip to the Maldives, I was lucky to stay in an overwater villa at Villa Nautica and a spacious beach villa with a private pool right at the palm-fringed beach of Villa Park.

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1. Unwind and enjoy the idyllic island life

Let’s get straight to the point, the laidback vibe and slower pace of living found on an island is truly phenomenal, and for many, the main reason to jump aboard a plane to the Maldives.

As one of the most idyllic island destinations in the world, the Maldives offers an unrivalled sense of tranquillity and remoteness, which makes it incredibly popular among those desiring to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and disconnect from the civilized world.

Imagine yourself waking up to the sound of the waves, you make yourself a delightful morning espresso, before taking in the first light of the day from the sundeck of your Ocean Suite.

That’s exactly how my morning routine looked like in the Maldives, and to date, I haven’t found a better way to start my day – Maldives mornings like these are truly something special.

But the charm of island life comes in many forms.

Chilling away the days in a hammock under the palm trees, early morning walks along the pristine beaches, leisurely dips in the warm crystal clear waters, and calming bike rides around the island are just a few of the persuasive ways the island life will win you over.

2. The Maldives underwater world is absolutely amazing

Since the Maldives is defined by crystal clear waters, dreamy atolls, the most stunning reefs and an abundance of spectacular marine life, it is no surprise that the country is referred to as one of the world’s best destinations to explore the underwater world.

Whether you’re a new diver looking to acquire a PADI certificate, an advanced diver keen to catch new sightings, or something in between, the Maldives, and its incredible diving opportunities will easily fulfil those desires.

During my time in the water with Sidney and the DiveOceanus team, I’ve had plenty of incredible sightings, including mantas, Sting rays, Nurse sharks, turtles, and dolphins, as well as heaps of bright-coloured fish.

Unfortunately, the Whale Sharks didn’t show up at the party, but for someone who’s completely new to the underwater world, seeing the above-mentioned marine life up close and personal was already something out of this world.

3. It’s the ideal destination to visit with friends

For many, the Maldives is directly linked to honeymoons, which at first, was also the case for me.

It was also the main reason why I put off a trip to the Maldives for way too long.

Yes, the Maldives is indeed popular for romantic escapes, but it’s not just that.

As for my recent Maldives trip, I visited with my buddies Andre, Max and Stefan, and after 10 days, I now realise that it’s an excellent place to have some quality time with friends, as there were a bunch of dope activities I would typically plan to do with the boys.

Think pickup Basketball in the middle of the jungle, exploring the exceptional underwater world, cruising along the pristine coastlines on a jet ski, or simply hanging out under the palms, chitchatting all things life with a sundowner in hand.

Whether you’re planning a self-organised retreat focused on fitness and wellness, have to celebrate an important milestone, or simply wish to catch up on some quality time with friends, the Maldives is the ideal pick for an outstanding friend group getaway.

4. Maldives is home to some of the world’s best accommodation

Luxury and Maldives are somewhat like synonyms (budget-friendly options are still found here), and I wouldn’t be surprised if those words are spoken in the same breath 99% of the time.  

You see, when it comes to accommodation in the Maldives, the options are second to none.

Think overwater villas complete with private plunge pools and a sundeck overlooking the Indian Ocean, super spacious beachfront villas directly at sea, and from what I’ve recently read, floating villas will soon also be an option here, which confirms that nothing is too crazy for the Maldives.

During my time in the Maldives, I was fortunate enough to experience an overwater villa at Villa Nautica and a spacious beach villa right at the palm-fringed beach of Villa Park.

5. You can try all the Watersports

If you’re naturally an adventurous spirit, going to the Maldives solely to spend time lounging on the pearl-white beaches is not going to cut it.

Luckily, the Maldives is much more than whiling away the days on idyllic beaches.

It is, as a matter of fact, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, with heaps of thrilling water activities to keep your adrenaline pumping.

Add to that calm lagoons and warm waters, and you have yourself a true watersport playground.

From thrilling wakeboard sessions to parasailing high above the lagoon, to calming afternoons on a stand-up paddle board to cruising around the coastline on a jet ski, those who crave to be active and in the water have options aplenty.

If you’re not familiar with watersports, I would highly encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and try some, as it’s super entertaining – even though I made a serious faceplant while wakeboarding at first.

6. Maldives beaches are paradisiac

If you’re not completely convinced by now, I will state it again: the Maldives are home to some of the most captivating beaches in the world.

Here, pristine white sand beaches stretch as far as the eyes can see, with the clearest turquoise waters on one hand, and low-hanging palm trees on the other.

While beautiful beaches are one thing, having the luxury to share them with only a handful of people means you will have your own slice of paradise at merely a few minutes walk from your villa, which to me, is something truly superb.

Though I’ve been to quite some countries praised for their beaches; the picturesque shorelines of Mexico, the idyllic coves of Croatia, and the palm-fringed beaches of Sri Lanka, to name but a few, the beaches in the Maldives are, so far, the most paradisiac ones I’ve ever set foot on.

7. World-class hospitality is the norm here

Known for their friendly nature, the Maldivian people are among the most kind in the world, and combining that with the level of luxury and hospitality Maldives is known for is a lethal combination.

When staying in a high-end resort in the Maldives, you will be treated as if you’re a member of a royal family 24/7 (I am not exhilarating here), something I slightly struggled with initially.

As the kind of person who doesn’t typically enjoy the all-inclusive vibe, and someone who likes to treat people as equals, it was somewhat of a challenge to accept all the provided service.

After the initial discomfort, and carefully carrying out that I prefer to have a little less service than commonly offered in the Maldives, the way things work here started to settle in and I embraced the fact that it’s okay to be treated like a king from time to time, as long as you stay humble and kind at all times.

8. Luxury Spa experiences and the Maldives go hand in hand

I wish I had made time to treat myself to a luxurious spa treatment in the Araama Spa at Villa Nautica, but alas, I did not.

You see, the Maldives is a haven for those after wellness and relaxation, with endless luxurious spa and wellness treatments on offer, awaiting for you to experience.

Whether you’re keen to have a classic body massage, a rejuvenating face treatment, an ancient Ayurvedic healing session, a deep tissue massage, or something more specific, the options are unlimited, catering to your needs effortlessly.  

Surrounded by lush jungle and the stunning Indian Ocean, with the calming sounds of the waves & tropical birds in the background, and exotic aromas lingering in the air, the Maldives provides the perfect ambience to take your relaxation to a completely new level.

As I haven’t personally experienced a Maldivian spa (I missed my appointment), I have to rely on the words of my buddy Stefan, who was found at the spa just about every day, which should already indicate that these treatments are something exceptional.

9. It’s easy to combine with other amazing countries in the region

To me, one of the best things about the Maldives is that you can easily combine it with one of the other amazing countries in the South Asia region.

When I planned my trip here, I decided to make the Maldives part of a longer trip through South Asia, where I also dedicated a few weeks to exploring India and Nepal – which was fantastic.

Combining the laidback island vibe with explorations in the unique, yet chaotic cities of India and Nepal was something I truly enjoyed, given the big contrast and differences between the two.

Yet, if I had to change one thing, I would say that ending the trip on the tranquil beaches of the Maldives would be a better option, instead of the other way around.

I also had the chance to visit the Maldives in 2019, when I spent a month in Sri Lanka, but decided to spend a little longer there – luckily, a new opportunity to visit the Maldives appeared this year.

10. It’s more affordable than you think

It’s somewhat of a misperception that those who desire to experience the Maldives should drag a big bag of their hard-earned money around the pristine shores to cover their expenses.

While visiting the Maldives will most likely cost you more than other trips, it is actually more affordable than travellers generally have in mind.

When I was doing my research, I noticed that great options are found here at roughly €240,- per person per night with a full-board package – make sure you check out this beach villa to get a better understanding of what you receive for that price.

The above translates to about €3.400,- for a full week in the Maldives for two people  – which to me, is not bad given your breakfast, lunch and dinner are already taken care of.

Also, since Maldives is serviced by the majority of European and international airlines, you could find relatively cheap flights too. For flights to Maldives, I’d recommend the use of Skyscanner.

Best time to visit the Maldives | When to visit the Maldives

While the Maldives enjoys warm tropical weather year-round, the best time to visit is during the dry season that runs from November to April.

During those peak months, you can expect days filled with sunshine, clear skies, minimal rainfall, and an average temperature that rarely drops below the 29 degrees Celsius mark.

I’ve been told that those looking to explore the underwater world, should aim for a visit between August and November, as this is considered the best time to spot Manta rays and Whale sharks.

My most recent visit to the Maldives was in March, and was nothing short of great, as I had wonderful weather throughout my entire stay, as well as astonishing sightings in the water – despite the absence of Whale sharks.

How to get to the Maldives

While the Maldives is remotely located smack bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean, it’s well-connected to the rest of the world, with the Velana International Airport in Male as the leading entry point to the country.

While relatively small, the airport is well-kept and hosts a broad range of international flights, including those from the major hubs in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.  

For flights to Maldives, I’d recommend using Skyscanner; a super convenient platform that lets you compare an extensive range of airlines and travel companies. By doing so, you can find the best possible rates, as well as favourable departure times and connecting flights.

Depending on the resort, you will have to take a private speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight to get to your final destination, something you should sort out in advance with your resort.