Maldives
"Float over crystal waters in overwater paradise"
Maldives at a glance
- Best time to go
- Roughly November to April is the dry, calmer northeast monsoon season, generally considered the best window for sunshine and clear water, and it's also the busiest and priciest, especially around the December and New Year holidays. May to October brings the wetter southwest monsoon, with more wind and rain but also lower prices and, at certain sites such as Hanifaru Bay, some of the best manta ray and whale shark encounters of the year.
- How long to stay
- We'd suggest seven days at one resort or a mix of a resort and a local island, since transfers between the airport and outer atolls (often by seaplane, which only flies in daylight) can eat into a very short trip.
- Who it's for
- Honeymooners, divers and anyone who wants an overwater-bungalow, slow-paced beach escape built around a single resort.
- Might not be for you if
- You want to island-hop cheaply and casually. Most resorts occupy their own private island, and getting between areas usually means a paid seaplane or speedboat transfer arranged through your resort.
The Maldives is a tropical paradise of 1,200 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Famous for overwater bungalows, pristine beaches, and some of the world's best diving, it's the ultimate escape for those seeking luxury and natural beauty.
Best Time to Visit
November to April (dry season)
Nov – Apr (Dry Season)
Best weather with calm seas, excellent visibility for diving, and sunny skies. Peak tourist season.
May – Oct (Wet Season)
More rain and rougher seas, but better rates, fewer crowds, and great surfing conditions.
Jan – Mar
Driest months with the best underwater visibility — ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Aug – Oct
Manta ray season on the western atolls — huge gatherings at cleaning stations.
Getting Around
Getting around the Maldives is an adventure in itself — seaplanes and speedboats are the main modes of inter-island travel.
🛩️ Seaplane
The iconic way to reach remote resorts. Stunning aerial views of atolls. Usually arranged by your resort.
🚤 Speedboat
For resorts closer to Malé. Faster and cheaper than seaplanes.
⛴️ Public Ferry
Budget-friendly ferries connect inhabited islands. Slower but authentic.
🚕 Malé Taxis
Flat-rate taxis within Malé. The island is small and walkable too.
💡 Confirm your resort transfer method before booking — seaplane transfers only operate during daylight hours.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrival & Overwater Villa
Seaplane transfer, welcome dinner, first swim off your deck.
House Reef & Snorkel
Morning snorkel with the marine biologist, afternoon at leisure.
Dive or Sandbank Trip
Two-tank dive or catamaran to a private sandbank.
Local Island Visit
Half-day at an inhabited island — culture, mosque, small cafés.
Manta / Whale-Shark Excursion
Boat trip to nearby cleaning stations (seasonal) or a night snorkel.
Spa & Sunset Cruise
Full spa morning, sunset dolphin cruise, beach dinner.
Farewell Sunrise
Sunrise from the villa deck, breakfast, transfer to Malé.
🎈 If it starts feeling like homework, delete a day. Wander a market. Eat a second pastry. That's the itinerary now.
Highlights
Must See
- Underwater restaurants
- Bioluminescent beaches
- Coral gardens
- Whale shark spots
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Choose your island based on what you want - some are party destinations, others ultra-secluded.
Maldives travel questions, answered
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
Roughly November to April is the dry season and generally the most popular, with calmer seas and better visibility, though it's also the most expensive, especially over the December and New Year holidays. May to October is wetter and windier but cheaper, and it's the better window for spotting manta rays and whale sharks at sites like Hanifaru Bay, since the increased plankton draws them in.
Do you need a visa for the Maldives?
No advance visa is required for most nationalities: a free 30-day tourist visa is issued on arrival, provided you have a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and enough funds for your stay. Check current requirements for your specific passport before travelling, since rules can be adjusted.
How do you get from the airport to a Maldives resort?
Depending on how far the resort is from Velana International Airport, you'll transfer by speedboat (for closer atolls) or seaplane (for more distant ones), both arranged through the resort. Seaplanes only operate in daylight, so a late-arriving flight can mean an overnight stay near the airport before continuing to the resort the next morning; check this with your resort when booking.
Can you visit the Maldives on a budget?
Yes, increasingly. Staying on a local, inhabited island rather than a private resort island is a well-established budget approach, offering guesthouses and public beaches at a fraction of resort prices, though with a more limited version of the classic postcard experience and some local customs (such as no alcohol) to be aware of.
Details last checked 22 September 2026.