Don’t worry if you are wondering what to wear in the Maldives like I was before arriving. The Maldives is a laid-back destination. A pair of flip-flops and sunscreen go a long way. However, just in case you need some guidance, I wanted to write this Maldives packing list to help.

What to Wear in The Maldives – Quick Tidbits

• The best time to travel to the Maldives is from November and April. High season really picks up in December and is pretty crazy until March. Monsoon season runs from May to October.
• The weather in the Maldives is pretty much perfect. Not too humid and not cold. You’ll be comfortable wearing your swimsuit and cover-up around during the day and a dress or beach clothes at night.
• The Maldives is a dream destination, but it does still see rain. Many resorts and hotels will provide you with an umbrella but it never hurts to have a rain jacket.
• A few of the Maldivian islands have great surf. If you’re a surfer remember your surf essentials.
• The Maldives is also one of the best places in the world to go diving. If you have a BCD, regulator, mask, fins and all the other essentials it could be worth bringing it with you. Dive shops will charge you more to rent their equipment.
• Please be conscious of the environment when applying sunscreen. Over-the-counter sunscreens containing harmful chemicals that are harmful to marine life. Respect the environment you are going to enjoy for vacation and only wear reef-safe sunscreen in the ocean.

What Luggage To Bring For Maldives?

Hardshell Suitcase

Travel Backpack

I have two bag recommendations for a trip to the Maldives. You can either opt for a traditional hardshell suitcase that has four wheels or a travel backpack.

Suitcases with four wheels are best as the ability to roll sideways through the airport or a sidewalk makes life a lot easier. We prefer hardshell as it does a better job at protection and security. Our favorite hardshell suitcase is the Delsey Helium Aero 25″.

Travel backpacks are great for young backpackers, digital nomads, or minimalists! They are also great if you want to save on any checked bag fees your air carrier might charge you. Our favorites are the Peak Design Travel Backpack and the NOMATIC Backpack.

Maldives Packing List Essentials

Reef Safe Sunblock

Before we dig into what to wear in Maldives, let’s talk sun protection. Few resorts in the Maldives will provide you with sunscreen, and they will charge a premium to purchase some at their gift shop. It’s best to make sure to bring yours from home to save time and money. No joke – we saw one place charging $60 for a bottle of Sun Bum!

We choose eco-friendly sunscreen when we go into the ocean. Traditional sunscreen contributes to the degradation of coral reefs. We’ve tested several natural sunscreens and love the Sun Bum line. Consider packing a travel-sized bottle if you’re traveling to the Maldives with a carry-on.

Sandals

Sandals or flip-flops are never a bad idea at beach destinations and should every traveler’s Maldives packing list. My favorite brand is Rainbow Sandals, as they last forever and are super comfortable once the leather forms to your foot.

My other favorite, more fashionable sandals for women at the beach are Plaka. Plaka sandals are handwoven women’s sandals with a stiff rubber sole that is good to wear anywhere in the summer. All of these sandals are hand-made and water-resistant, and have a great casual look. I have a pair in almost all of their styles! 

Lastly, I truly love my Sanuk Yoga Sling sandals. The bottom of the shoe is made out of yoga mat material and is super cushy. Walking on these sandals feels like walking on a yoga mat!

Swimsuit

A swimsuit is a staple men’s and women’s travel clothing item, and you’re definitely going to need a bathing suit for your Maldives trip. You’ll likely spend most of your time outside in the sun or underwater, so a few bathing suits are essential. When I travel, I always bring at least two swimsuits to have a dry one.

I may have gone a little over the top and brought eight bathing suits for this trip and went photo crazy in all of them. It was a few too many. If you’re after a new bathing suit, my favorite women’s swimsuit brands are Andie Swimsuits and Londre Bodywear.

For men, it’s easy to get by with two pairs of swim trunks for the whole trip! Cameron has the new Quicksilver’s Amphibian shorts. The material looks like tough fabric, but they’re super lightweight and durable. Best of all, they look great on the beach and around the resort.

Sun Hat

You aren’t going to get Instagram famous in the Maldives without a big floppy sunhat! Seriously, I think every girl I saw had a sunhat, and I was jealous I didn’t have one. Don’t be me and bring one for your trip. Not just for Instagram, but because they are beneficial for keeping the sun out of your face.

Sunglasses

Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun on your Maldives trip! You are close to the equator, and the sun is harsh. I can’t even go outside without sunglasses and always have them in my travel bag.

Smith Optics ChromaPop sunglasses have color-enhancing lenses and are my favorite sunglasses. Polarized glasses enhance vision in bright environments and removef glare from windshields and the water.

Travel Insurance

We never travel without travel insurance. You never know what can happen when you travel, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. You’ll want to be covered, especially if you’re partaking in water-based activities like scuba diving or snorkeling. We recommend Heymondo Insurance.

Travel Adapter

The Maldives uses the British Type G adaptor. A universal adaptor is never a bad idea when traveling, so make sure you find a good one like the one I have to keep you charged.

Maldives Packing List – Clothes to Bring

Yoga Pants

I pack at least two pairs of yoga pants in my suitcase, and the Maldives is no exception. Yoga on the beach, on your back porch, or in your overwater bungalow will improve your days! Some places even have free sunset or sunrise yoga sessions. Packing a travel yoga mat is a good idea, but many resorts have them these days!

Our favorite brand for women’s yoga pants is Handful (*Use code TWP20 for 20% off! ). They offer many features, such as temperature-regulating technology that keeps you cool when hot and warm when cold. They are quick-drying and are tight around the booty to give an extra lift. The top has a “squeeze play” high waist that provides excellent coverage and is comfortable around your curves as you move. (Use code TWP15 for 15% off!) If you’re a guy, check out prAna’s Vaha pants!

Beach Cover-Up

A beach cover-up or sarong is essential when traveling to The Maldives. A cover-up is one of those vacation clothes you should always pack for beach destinations. Not only do they look cute, but they will also protect you from the sun’s harsh rays. It’s great for walking around the resort as you may not want to eat lunch in your bathing suit.

Nice Maldives Outfit

One thing we have to stress about any Maldives outfit ideas is that the Maldives are as casual or formal as you want them to be. No one style fits all, and everyone does something different every night. For those wishing to dress up, you’ll have the opportunity every night at dinner.

Women should consider bringing at least a few light and flowy dresses or rompers, while men should have a casual beach outfit to wear out. I love the company Salty Crush for dresses, an Australian company that creates beautiful bohemian pieces.

T-Shirt or V Neck

A classic tee will never go out of style. We suggest sticking with solid colors like white or grey. There’s also the option of a v neck for a more stylish look, but it all depends on personal preference.

Cameron prefers the grey as it’s super easy to stain the white ones. Bombas, an excellent travel clothing brand, makes some of our favorite basic t-shirts ever!

Relaxed Pants

If you’re wondering what to wear in the Maldives, get a pair of relaxed beach pants. Our favorite pair of pants made by prAna. Their women’s Summit Pants are made out of hemp and recycled polyester and offer 50+ UPF protection. They’re the women’s version of the men’s Vaha Pant we recommended earlier.

They are perfect for beach destinations, especially if you find yourself in more conservative areas. These pants are lightweight and weigh nothing in a carry-on bag. I could live in these pants if it were acceptable to wear them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner out. While in the Maldives, they are a wardrobe staple for nighttime as they are appropriate to wear barefoot to a nice resort restaurant, to a bar, or for a walk along the beach.

Shorts

Pack at least one pair of shorts for your time in the Maldives. I prefer jean shorts, but also really love Lululemon Cinchable Waist High-Rise Woven Shorts and bring them everywhere as they go with everything, or flowy loose black shorts that I can easily pull over a bathing suit for ultimate comfort.

Clothing for Males

Most of this Maldives packing list focuses on items for beach days and resort stays. However if you plan to spend a lot of time on local islands (not resorts) or go into Male, the capital, it’s best to dress conservatively.

When dressing in the Maldives, it’s important to keep in mind the local culture and customs. The Maldives is a conservative country, which is easy to forget when you are lounging at resort all day. However, outside the resorts it’s important to dress respectably and keep shoulders, chest, and legs covered. This goes for men too.

SPF Sun Protection Shirt

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside (which I am assuming you will be in the Maldives) I would highly, highly recommend bringing a sun protection shirt. These shirts have lightweight UPF 50+ Sun Protection and will keep you protected while you spend time in the sun, snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, or doing anything outside your room. The sun in The Maldives is strong. Don’t underestimate it.

Maldives Packing List – Important Extras

Dry Bag

Dry bags are great if you’re going to spend time at the beach or find yourself out on a boat. They will protect your phone and any other electronics from the ocean, or more importantly if it starts to rain. We found them essential when we went out on our diving trips.

Camera Gear

Chances are you’ll want a camera for your trip to The Maldives. Our favorite pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera for quick trips is the Sony RX100V. It takes fantastic photos and videos and is the size of your palm.

We bought this camera specifically for our trip to the beach earlier in the year as we could easily add on underwater housing for an affordable price. It came in handy when snorkeling with sea turtles, black-tipped reef sharks, mantas, and stingrays in the Maldives. Check out our other travel cameras here. We also traveled with the Fujifilm Series, which produced most of the photos in this article.

GoPro

We like to throw a GoPro on our beach packing list since they are waterproof. Just attach it to a wrist strap, so it doesn’t get lost! The Indian Ocean may have swallowed one of our cameras before. You can always consider a floaty case to help with loss prevention.

Beach Bag

No matter what, you will need a beach bag when heading to beach destinations. It is to throw in anything from towels to books to sunscreen. Depending on the size of your beach party, you may only need one medium-sized tube. For family beachgoers, I recommend a large yet durable beach tote like this one. Many resorts will provide you with a beach bag, but we found them relatively small and not stable.

Kindle Paperwhite

Check out some of the best-sellers right now and pick up a copy. I like to read on days when I feel like sunbathing and relaxing, every day in the Maldives. Cameron is pretty impatient so having a book to read on the beach provides some much-needed entertainment. I’ve recently upgraded to the Kindle Paperwhite and love it. It’s small, has touchscreen functions, and a backlight so that I can read at night without a harsh glare.

Fins/Mask/Snorkel

If you are a snorkel lover like us, it might be worth it for you to bring fins to the Maldives. Would you believe we travel around the world with our fins, mask, and snorkel? It’s true!

We were a little surprised that the resorts will still charge you to rent snorkel equipment each day despite already paying an arm and a leg in the Maldives. The cost may be as little as $5 a day, but having our gear saves us the hassle of dealing with rentals, paying, and putting our mouths around used snorkels. I have an Aqualung mask that works excellent and Dive Oceanic fins that fit well in my suitcase.

Tennis Shoes

Just because you’re going to one of the world’s dreamiest beach destinations doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay active. If you don’t want to abandon the workout routine, bring your sneakers so you can still keep up with the beach body. See more of the best women’s travel shoes here and men’s travel shoes here.

Floatables

You’re not anyone on Instagram until you take a photo with a bright pink flamingo floaty in the baby blue water of the Maldives. Nowadays, you get anything from Unicorn floaties to giant parrots to float in the water.

These floaties were all over the Maldives. You can buy them at resort gift shops, but you’ll get a better deal online beforehand and packing it with you. Just make sure to bring it back home with you. The Maldives can’t handle any plastic waste left behind.

Things to Know Before Traveling to the Maldives

• Should You Bring a Drone? Although drone footage in the Maldives looks amazing and flying a drone is legal, I wouldn’t bother bringing a drone to The Maldives. Most resorts have a strict no fly policy nowadays. So unless you have pre-approval to fly your drone at a resort (we did, for just a few minutes), or you are staying on local islands it’s not really worth bringing a drone.
• Should You Bring Snorkle Gear? Most resorts have snorkel gear for free for guests or for a small charge. So you don’t have to bring your own. We like to have our own fins and masks as we are in and out of the water a lot and it beats always having to check in and out rental gear with the hotel/resort.
• Should You Bring Dive Gear? Most dive gear in the Maldives is included in a dive package, so bringing your own is not necessary. However must die-hard divers prefer their own gear.
• Bring Cash: USD is widely accepted around the Maldives, and it never hurts to have any on you.
• Medication: Bring any personal medication you need. There is a small pharmacy in the arrivals section of the Velana International Airport. However it is limited, and most of these drugs come from India and might be much different than what you are used to. Almost all private islands and resorts have a medical doctor on stand-by should any problems arise.
• Seaplane Allowance: If you are taking a seaplane, there will be a weight allowance. The allowance is 25 kg, which includes 20 kg of checked-in luggage and 5 kg of hand luggage per person. The weight of any bag should not exceed 32 kg. The per kg charge for baggage above 25 kg is USD 5.00/- plus applicable taxes.

Things Not to Bring to the Maldives

• Alcohol: Is not allowed to be brought into the Maldives. If you have any from a duty free shop you will have to leave it with customs at the airport and you can pick it up on the way out of the Maldives
• Pork Products: The Maldives is a Muslim country, and no pork products are to be imported.
• Heels: There’s no need in the Maldives. Even at night you’ll be walking to and from dinner in the sand.
• Suits/Super Fancy Clothes: Unless you are attending a destination wedding there’s no need for suits or fancy clothes. Of course, people dress up for dinner, but more “beach chic.” Think lined shirts and loose flowy dresses.

Where to Stay in the Maldives?

Budget: Cinnamon Ellaidhoo is an excellent property for those that want to do the Maldivian resort thing while still staying on budget. We were at Ellaidhoo for three nights and loved our time here. The house reef is fantastic, and every time we went out to snorkel, we discovered some new, bright fish. It’s also very far away from Male and the hustle and bustle of the countries capital.  Check prices here!

Mid Range: We had a fantastic time at Kurumba Maldives. This resort is only a five-minute speedboat ride away from the Male Airport. Meaning you could arrive in the Maldives and be at your resort a few minutes later, saving on additional airfare and time. It’s also the first resort ever in the Maldives, but it’s elegantly maintained, and they have a great dive shop. Check prices here!

Luxury: Velassaru was our favorite resort in the Maldives. They are a 20-minute speedboat ride away from the capital, so it’s a quick transfer in and out. The food here is to die for, and the overwater bungalows are more extensive than my entire old apartment. You won’t regret a stay here! Check prices on Agoda.

The water is home to an abundance of diverse marine life, and snorkelers can rejoice in close encounters with rays, sharks, whales, and a dizzying number of fishes. To make it only better, some of the world’s most luxurious resorts sit on top of these atolls with indulgent water villas and beach bungalows.

After a few weeks of exploring the Maldives, we sat down and shared some of our travel tips and thoughts on visiting the famed Indian Ocean country.

Our Best Maldives Travel Tips!

The Maldives Are Not a Cheap Destination

The first thing I want to get out there, and you probably already know, is that the Maldives are not a budget destination. That doesn’t mean that you can’t travel the Maldives affordably, but to live the life you’ve likely seen on Instagram and in various advertisements is going to cost some $$.

If your goal is an overwater villa, an all-inclusive package with a spa and dive excursions daily for you and your sweetheart, you should budget accordingly. I would say upwards of at least $1000/day, and even double that for the brand name properties like Park Hyatt, The W, and The Four Seasons. You can even shell out $40,000 for your own private island if you are inclined.

There are affordable resorts in the Maldives. We stayed at Cinnamon Ellaidhoo for a few days, which markets itself as an affordable luxury beach resort. Places like the Sheraton Full Moon Bay also offer budget rooms not far from Male. For about $300 a night, you can get a complete board package in a beachfront room.

While the service in these places is great, I would be hesitant to fly from North America or far-flung destinations when there is likely a better place closer to home. People fly from these far-flung destinations for the over-the-top level of luxury and to throw some money in the wind (figuratively).

Besides resorts, you can also stay in local guesthouses. In 2009, the Maldives government began to allow locals to run guesthouses on local islands. This has drawn in tourism and given relief to those on a budget. Some of these guesthouses can accommodate budgets of $60-$70 a day or cheaper! Are you a backpacker? Fear not – you can stay at hostels on Male or Couchsurf!

Getting to The Maldives

Before you travel to Maldives, you should research how to get there. There is only one way to get to The Maldives: via Velana International Airport, located on Hulhulé Island next to the capital island of Male. The airport has opened up many direct flights to the Maldives from around Asia and Europe.

After one week in Sri Lanka, we flew right from Colombo, which worked out well as they are only three hours apart via air. If you have a few extra days before your Maldives trip or after, it may be worth your while to stop and see what Sri Lanka has to offer. The next time we traveled to the Maldives we flew from Kuala Lumpur direct on AirAsia, which worked out well.

If you’re wondering how to get to the Maldives from the USA, you will have to do some playing around with flights. Flexibility is key as there are no direct flights from North America (yet) . Some great layover cities are Istanbul, Colombo, and Hamad International Airport in Qatar.

Room Types Vary

I guess this is when I should take a minute to mention that the Maldives isn’t just made up of Instagram-worthy overwater bungalows. We found all the places we stayed in the Maldives had various room types at different price points. Overwater villas are the creme de la creme of rooms, and those with a pool or a waterslide will fetch an even higher price.

The next step down is traditionally beach villas. We stayed in a few of these and enjoyed the rooms; the only difference was we had to walk thirty seconds from our bed to the beach and share our little slice of sand (the horror!) with other hotel guests.

Some resorts have rooms that don’t have ocean views, and those are typically the lowest-priced rooms, but they still offer guests all the same facilities that the fancy villa guests have. Then there are even high-end luxury resorts that only have beach bungalows, like the famous Sonneva Fushi.

Sunset vs Sunrise Rooms

This is one of my top Maldives travel tips that many people don’t think about. When choosing a room type, make note if you are getting a sunrise view room or sunset view and adjust to your preference. I mention this only because we are late risers, and if you are in a sunrise room, you may lose the sunshine on your back deck by midday.

A sunset room is preferred for us because our loungers were in the sun from about noon onwards, which fit in better with our schedule. However, if you prefer sunrise with a cup of coffee you know which way to face.

Try Not to Hop Around the Maldives

If there is one thing I want to stress in this Maldives travel guide is to hop around as little as possible if you are on a budget or are short on time.

If you have a week in the Maldives, I would suggest picking one resort/guesthouse and staying there rather than resort hopping. We stayed in the Maldives for 15 days at five different resorts on our first trip to The Maldieves. Our next trip to the Maldives we were there for 9 days and visited 3 different resorts.

So even though we got to see different areas and resorts, every three days, we were moving, and it was never a seamless transfer no matter how hard everyone tried to coordinate.

Unless you are in Male, every place that you will stay at in the Maldives will require either a speedboat or seaplane to access it. Some of our speedboat rides took 20 minutes while some took two hours, and that was to and from one resort.

If you are transferring between two resorts, you will always have to go back to the airport in Male and then transfer to your new resort, unless you have boatloads of money for a private executive seaplane. That’s dealing with two transfers every time you want to move resorts, which could take up to four hours or more. It wastes quite a bit of time on your holiday.

Seaplanes are faster; however, the planes are far from luxurious, expensive, and still take time. A seaplane transfer will take some time to get to Male, check your bags, wait for everyone else to board the seaplane, and ride to your resort. Not to mention, there is no AC on the plane, and they are very cramped – though you do get stellar views from above!

Not everyone on your plane will be going or coming from the same resort either, so the seaplane may stop a few times before it’s your turn.

Seaplanes = Expensive

Maldives travel doesn’t have to be expensive, but seaplanes always are. Most of the resorts we traveled to were accessible by speedboat, which is much cheaper than a seaplane and is often included in the room night price. Trans Maldivan Airways has a monopoly over the whole seaplane business in the Maldives. You can’t book them directly. All transfers must be booked through your resort.

With a 50% resort markup, seaplanes cost around $500 per person round trip to any resort, breaking a budget for some unaware. BUT you do at least get the most amazing views, so make sure you have your camera on you and try to get a window seat!

Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, so if your international flight gets in late to the Maldives, you may have to stay overnight in Male before setting out for your resort.

Check if Drones are Allowed

Planning on bringing a drone to the Maldives? The Maldives are incredible, especially from the air, so, understandably, anyone with a drone will want to get it up in the air. However, many resorts have a no-drone policy to protect their guests’ privacy, and they take it seriously.

There are a lot of overwater villas with bright open windows in the Maldivian resorts. Privacy and seclusion are why many people choose to vacation in the Maldives, so, understandably, they don’t want a drone hovering above their room while they are taking a bath or sitting on the toilet.

If you’re unsure about the policy, it’s always a good idea to check first whether or not you can fly your drone in your Maldives travel destination.

Purchase a Sim Card at the Airport

If you want to stay connected while you travel the Maldives, pick up a sim card when you land. We found that the WiFi in many resorts does not work well, but what do you expect on an atoll in the middle of the ocean? 

However, we found that we could pick up a 4G signal everywhere we went! Most of the resorts and local islands have a cell tower, so you have a strong signal everywhere.

To the right, after you exit the luggage carousel, you’ll find Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, the two cell providers in the Maldives. They’ll be able to set you up with a SIM card in five minutes. Prices for data are reasonable. We paid about $30 for 17GB of data for two weeks.

Don’t Bring Any Alcohol into the Country

The Maldives is a predominately Muslim country, and the only place you can consume alcohol is on private resorts. Don’t buy any at customs before you arrive and don’t bring any bottles of wine or champagne with you. You’ll risk them being taken away or even fined by customs if you try to bring alcohol into the Maldives.

The best way to fix this problem? All-inclusive packages or happy hour at your resort! We were surprised that some of the resorts offer pretty good happy hours.

Bring USD

I have to mention this in this Maldives travel guide. The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, but you’ll find that USD is accepted almost everywhere, and most prices are in USD unless you are on the local islands. You can pay with a credit card at any resort, but it doesn’t hurt to have cash on you for tips and other odds and ends.

If you are staying on local islands and in guesthouses, I would highly recommend pulling out all the cash you think you will need before leaving Male. Finding an ATM can be few and far between in The Maldives, and the only reliable place to do so will be in Male. I wouldn’t bank on many local islands accepting credit cards either.

The Maldives Are Open to Everyone

This is one of those important Maldives travel tips everyone should know. No matter the nationality, everyone is granted a no-cost 30-day visa on arrival in The Maldives. Don’t overstay without a valid extension though – it’s a hefty fine!

Though if you do want to stay over 30 days, make sure and tell your resort. Often they have services that will apply for a visa extension for you.

Language in the Maldives

Dhivehi is the official language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. You’ll find that English is prevalent around The Maldives, especially in the resorts!

When is the Best Month For Maldives Travel?

The best time to travel to the Maldives is from November and April. The high season picks up in December and is pretty crazy until about March. The monsoon season runs from May to October. The Maldives’ weather is great for a vacation, with average temperatures of 32° Celsius.

Not too humid and not cold. You’ll be comfortable wearing your swimsuit and cover-up around during the day and a dress or beach clothes at night. The Maldives may be a dream destination, but it still sees rain, usually between May and June and September and October.

That being said we’ve booked in July before, and were able to score better rates since it is the rainy season. We had to battle a bit of rain, but for the most part it was only a little bit of rain every day and not downpours that last all day.

Bring Fins On Your Trip to Maldives

If you are a marine lover like us, it might be worth it to you to bring fins when you travel the Maldives. Would you believe we travel around the world with our fins, mask, and snorkel? It’s true! We were a little surprised that despite already paying an arm and a leg in the Maldives, many resorts will still charge you to rent snorkel equipment each day.

The cost may be as little as $5 a day, but having our own gear saves us the hassle of dealing with rentals, paying, and putting our mouths around used mouthpieces.

If you want to get in the water a lot but don’t want to lug the fins everywhere, check with your resort to see if it is included in the room rate.

Bring Sunscreen!

One of my top Maldives travel tips is to bring the sunscreen – heck bring extra sunscreen – just in case! The cheapest I saw sunscreen going for in the Maldives was $45 a bottle. In one of our rooms, it was even on offer for $60 – for a travel-sized Sunbum set! I’m not joking! Do not forget to throw sunscreen in your luggage.

I promise you will be paying a hefty price for it in the Maldives. If you don forget it, there is a small shop at the airport that sells it for an escalated price (but not as high as the resorts).

Please consider spending a few extra dollars on reef-safe sunscreen. Typical sunscreens like Coppertone, N0 Ad, and Banana Boat have many chemicals that will run off your body while swimming, damaging the precious coral and marine life. We have this reef-safe sunscreen for our ocean adventures.

Get Used to Resort Pricing

If you’re staying at a resort in The Maldives, you may as well prepare for and get used to ridiculous resort pricing. The resorts in the Maldives operate like…well… resorts. Except on a whole other price level I have ever seen before.

Food, alcohol, spa treatments, excursions, kayak rentals, and transfer prices may burn a hole in your eyes. Even water is not free in some of the Maldivian resorts, and tap water is not drinkable.

Taxes and Service Charges

You may be charged for your time in the Maldives. The other things you will inevitably have to look for on your bills are the taxes and service charges. The Maldives charge a whole lot of extra charges for taxes, and you should expect all your extra food and drinks and excursions to have an additional 23% tacked on unless otherwise noted that it is included. That’s 10% for a service charge and 13% for taxes.

Every resort also has a mandatory Green Tax of $6 per guest every night from tourist resorts and $3 per day for tourist guesthouses. Many hotels bill this into their room rate already, but don’t be surprised if it is on your bill at the end. It’s not much to the resort goers, but backpackers on local islands should take note.

Try Some of the Food!

Maldivian food is influenced mainly by Indian cuisine. It involves plenty of flavor from spices, coconuts, and fish.

You’ll find plenty of stables like samosas, Garudhiya (Fish Soup), Mas Huni (Shredded Smoked Tuna), and Masroshi (Tuna Stuffed Chapati). If you are in the capital of Male there is a great fish market to check out.

Bikinis are Not Allowed Everywhere

You’re in a Muslim country, so practice modesty while there. Bikinis and skin-tight clothing should only be worn on resort islands, while conservative clothing should be worn on the local islands. If you are staying on local islands, there are some “bikini beaches” that are meant for tourists.

Avoid Visiting Around Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is typically observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Every year, this takes place for an entire month, and unless you are staying in a resort, you may want to schedule your trip to avoid Ramadan.

Many hotel staff will be out for family meetings, food availability during the daytime may pose a challenge, shops will close, and you won’t be able to buy pork or alcohol. It’s best to look up when Ramadan is the year you visit. If you still visit around this time, contact your accommodation provider to see how it may affect your trip.

How Many Days Should You Spend in the Maldives?

It’s all up to you and your budget! We spent a total of 24 days in the Maldives on two separate trips, and I can say that I would have enjoyed more time there. We love diving, snorkeling, and spending time on white-sand beaches. The Maldives are the perfect place for a mix of adventure and relaxation.

That being said, we would have been happy with a week on the Maldives, but anything less than that is too short, considering the amount of time and effort it takes to get to the Maldives.

Travel to the Maldives Soon!

We’ll end these Maldives travel tips on this note. And by soon, I meant yesterday, or last year, or five years ago. In 2011, less than one million tourists visited the Maldives. In comparison, 2019 saw around 1.5 million tourists; in 2022, there were nearly 1.7 million tourists to the islands, and in 2023, there were 1.8 million. Seeing a trend?

These numbers are expected to keep rising. Years ago, I would see photos of the Maldives and think they must be some secluded destination that is hard to reach.

Reality set in at almost every fully booked resort we visited and a very congested airport. Seriously, the Maldives are hot right now, and everyone wants to go (thanks Instagram). We chatted with several locals who couldn’t believe the growth and could see the construction of numerous new hotels and resorts, in addition to the plenty of man-made islands being built.

Tourism here seems like a ticking time bomb and it may be only a matter of time until it’s too much to handle. Also, the Maldives are sinking, here’s a great article on their future.

Where to Stay in the Maldives?

Budget

Cinnamon Ellaidhoo is a great property for those that want to do the Maldivian resort thing while still staying on budget. We were at Ellaidhoo for three nights and enjoyed our time here. The house reef is amazing and every time we went out to snorkel we discovered some new, bright fish. It’s also very far away from Male and the hustle and bustle of the country’s capital. 

Mid Range

We had a fantastic time at Kurumba Maldives. This resort is only a five-minute speedboat ride away from the Male Airport. Meaning you could arrive in the Maldives and be at your resort a few minutes later it saves on additional airfare and time. Kurumba is the first resort ever in the Maldives, but it’s elegantly maintained and they have a great dive shop.

Luxury

Velassaru was our favorite resort in the Maldives. They have located just a 20-minute speedboat ride away from the capital so it’s a quick transfer in and out. The food here is to die for and the overwater bungalows are bigger than New York City apartment. You won’t regret a stay here!

Here’s a review of all the places we stayed in The Maldives!

• Kuramathi Resort
• Velassaru Resort
• Kurumba Maldives
• Ellaidhoo Maldives
• Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
• Le Meridien Maldives

Celebrities like Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymoon in Seychelles, along with Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, and David and Victoria Beckham. While Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the celebrities, who have enjoyed honeymoons in the Maldives.

That’s not to say that these islands are solely for the rich and famous. While these islands have a reputation for luxury, they are accessible to the average traveler too. But how do you choose which Indian Ocean island group to visit? The Maldives vs Seychelles. Let’s break down the differences between the islands so you can decide which destination is the best one for you.

Seychelles VS Maldives: Geography

Seychelles

So where are the Seychelles? The islands of Seychelles are located off the east coast of Africa, just south of the equator. The main island, Mahé, has the capital of Victoria and the international airport. There are 115 Seychellois islands made of granite or coral, and most are uninhabited. 

Maldives

The Maldives, by contrast, is around 1200 islands stretched south of India. They straddle the equator and are made of sand and coral. Most of the islands in the Maldives are uninhibited.

The capital is Malé, located close to the middle of the island chain. The international airport is next door to Hulhulé.

Transportation in Seychelles VS the Maldives

Seychelles

A few international airports connect directly to Seychelles, such as Istanbul, Gatwick, Doha, and Frankfurt. The airport is located in the center of Mahé, and the island has plenty to see and do. You could get to either end of Mahé island within an hour, and taxis are widely available.

Traveling within Seychelles is easy too. A ferry runs between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, the other two commonly visited islands. The ferry between Praslin and Mahé takes one hour, and from Praslin to La Digue is fifteen minutes. There is also a small airport on Praslin, and the flight time from Mahé to Praslin is fifteen minutes. Car rentals or hired drivers are available on both Mahé and Praslin.

The Maldives

There are more international flights to the Maldives. However, the airport is located in Hulhulé, where you will most certainly not want to stay for a holiday. Most visitors stay in resorts or guesthouses located along one of the atolls. Your accommodation will help arrange your transportation.

If your transportation is via speedboat, it will pick you up from the airport and whisk you away to the island. Boats are a pretty easy option, but the closer islands feel less remote due to their proximity to the ugly capital city, Male.

Going from island to island or getting to remote islands up north is very difficult unless you book a seaplane, which can get expensive quickly. The average return seaplane transfer is around $500 USD. The planes are very cramped, hot, and uncomfortable. So it is always something to consider when booking a trip to the Maldives. Flight times vary from 30 minutes to one hour plus.

Islands are very small in the Maldives, and almost all can be easily walked or biked around.

Hiking In Seychelles VS the Maldives

Seychelles

The islands of Seychelles are mostly granite and have some stunning views and hikes. Topography in Seychelles is far more interesting as the highest point in Seychelles is nearly 3,000 feet high on a very small island.

While many hikes are scattered throughout the Seychelles islands, there are two very popular and rewarding hikes on Mahé. One is called Morne Blanc, which gives you a stunning view west out over the ocean. Alternatively, there is Copolia, which provides a view over the eastern shore with the airport, Eden Island, Victoria, and on a clear day, off in the distance, Praslin, twenty miles away.

Maldives

The highest elevation in the Maldives is about eight feet above sea level. The islands are usually narrow, and trails are limited or nonexistent. If you want to stretch your legs, consider going for a beach walk rather than a “hike.” Or you can visit the resort gym to run on a treadmill. When it comes to land activities, there isn’t much in the Maldives.

Wildlife in Seychelles vs. the Maldives

Seychelles

While visiting Seychelles, you will have the opportunity to learn about many endemic species in the area. While hiking, you may encounter a tiger chameleon, a Seychelles Bulbul flying in the underbrush, or the coco de mer, a large palm tree native to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse.

Another endemic species from Seychelles is the Aldabra giant tortoise. Most people are familiar with the Galapagos tortoise, but giant tortoises were much more common worldwide than they are today.

Most species were hunted to extinction by European sailors as the tortoises are an excellent food source. But the Aldabra giant tortoise is now a protected species and there is a conservation facility on Curieuse Island where you can visit and feed the tortoises.

Maldives

You may encounter unusual wildlife on your trip to the Maldives, but it’s harder to know for sure. While there are endemic species, little effort has been put into land conservation or education for tourism. Visitors to the Maldives are much more focused elsewhere…

Marine Life In Seychelles Vs. The Maldives

Seychelles

The best time to visit Seychelles for water activities is in April, October, or November. These are the months between monsoon seasons when the conditions calm down. With flat seas, it’s easier to travel to some of the smaller islands and enjoy the waters.

In May through September, the water visibility is low because of the influx of plankton, but that brings in whale sharks and other large marine fauna to encounter. Unfortunately, Seychelles experienced massive coral bleaching in 2019. While there are conservation efforts in place, such as coral nurseries and protected marine parks, the underwater attractions in Seychelles are lackluster compared to other regions of the world.

Maldives

January through April is the best time to visit the Maldives for underwater activities. The sea state is calm, and visibility is better. The Maldives also experienced massive coral bleaching in 2016. While the Maldives doesn’t have many protected land-based parks, it has many marine parks to protect the wildlife and encourage safe tourism.

The Baa Atoll is a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve for various marine life supported in calm, protected waters. For large marine fauna, Ari Atoll is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. They are present all year round in this marine park, and there are restrictions for the tour operators to make it a safe experience for the animal and you.

There are many large liveaboard dive boats in the Maldives, which move every day between dive sites. This is a great opportunity to see a variety of islands and underwater life. Diving and snorkeling are phenomenal in the Maldives.

Seychelles VS Maldives: The Weather

Seychelles

Seychelles has two monsoon seasons: the northwest monsoon season from November through March and the southeast monsoon season from April to November. The northwest monsoon season brings warm, dry air from Africa, while the southeast monsoon season brings cooler winds from the arctic. Both seasons are windy and can bring scattered showers.

The months in transition – April, May, October and November – are the best to visit. The winds calm down and travel between the islands, especially if you are traveling via boat, is a lot nicer. Underwater activities are better because the water visibility is better too.

Maldives

The Maldives has two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season is from December to April. May to November is the rainy season, so if you visit during that time, you’ll have to be sure to take advantage of any sun you get. Regardless of which season it is, the Maldives’ temperature will be hot! Around 30 degrees celsius.

Culture And History In The Maldives vs. Seychelles

Seychelles

The islands of Seychelles were uninhabited until the 16th century, when European explorers discovered the islands. Since then, the population has primarily been a mix of French, British and African heritage – including slaves.

It was a British colony for nearly two centuries, but it declared its independence in the 1970s. There are three official languages: English, French, and Seychellois. The nation is one of the richest in Africa, and the primary religion is Christianity.

Maldives

It is estimated that the first settlers in the Maldives were south Asians from as early as 500 BC. The Maldives were also part of the British Empire for about a century, gaining independence in the 1960s. 

Dhivehi and English are the official languages. Islam came to the islands in the 12th century and is still the primary religion today. In the Maldives, there is no freedom of religion, and there are controversial stances on punishment, freedom of speech, and women’s rights, among other things.

The most impact on tourists is the conservative dress policy. Private island resorts are exempt from dress policies, but when visiting populated islands with villages, there are designated “bikini beaches” where foreigners can dress as they wish.

Otherwise, clothing is expected to be covered from knees to shoulders. If you are traveling around the Maldives, this is one of my top Maldives travel tips. Additionally, alcohol is not served outside of the resorts. You come for the beaches and water, not for history or culture.

Accommodation In The Maldives vs Seychelles

Seychelles

There are a wide variety of accommodations available in Seychelles. For budget travelers, there are self-catering apartments available on the main islands. These are usually small places that include a kitchen. There are many hotels and resorts, including private island resorts and over-water bungalows.

Maldives

There is a unique history of tourism in the Maldives. For a very long time, the only tourists allowed to visit stayed on private islands. Each island held a resort and living quarters for staff. There was not a lot of interaction between locals and tourists.

Recently, these rules have been changed to allow villages and non-private islands to open guesthouses. These guesthouses offer a place to stay in the Maldives that is less expensive and more involved in the community.

That being said, the Maldives still excel at the luxury overwater bungalows and resorts. There are many islands where you can stay in a luxurious cabin with all the amenities you could possibly desire. It’s not surprising that some of the best resorts in the world are in the Maldives, but they come with an extraordinary price tag. A few of our favorite overwater resorts in the Maldives are Velassaru and Kuramathi.

Sailing In The Maldives vs Seychelles

Seychelles

If you intend to take a sailing vacation, Seychelles has several charter bases, such as Dream Yacht Charters and Sunsail. They are based in Eden Island, between the airport and the capital of Victoria. It is easy to get from the main island of Mahe to the other popular islands of Praslin and La Digue in a few hours of sailing.

You can read my experience – over 100 days sailing the islands of Seychelles – and the suggested itinerary. 

Maldives

By boat would be a great way to see the islands since it would be much easier to truly island hop. However, there are very few charter boats in the Maldives, and the ones that are there are all near the capital, Male. That limits the destinations you can visit only a small area around Male.

I spent 56 days in the Maldives on my sailboat, and here are my recommendations and experiences.

Seychelles Vs. The Maldives

Hopefully, this helped you choose between Seychelles vs the Maldives for your trip. It’s a tough choice as both island nations have a lot of differences and excel at different things. 

If you are interested in nature and the outdoors, Seychelles is the obvious choice with stunning hiking, a more interesting coastline, and endemic wildlife. It’s easy to travel to and from Seychelles and within the islands. It also feels much more like traveling through Africa than the Maldives, where most things seem to cater to high-end tourism.

However, if you are more interested in a luxury vacation and staying in a dreamy overwater bungalow with crystal clear blue water beneath you, the Maldives is the pinnacle of the industry.

A private island resort may be your perfect vacation. If you enjoy the underwater experience, a liveaboard dive boat in the Maldives would be an amazing experience. You don’t even have to be a diver to see amazing things in the Maldives. Multiple times we saw whale sharks and manta rays just snorkeling!

Both islands have stunning natural beauty – it is honestly hard to go wrong with either.

READ MORE SEYCHELLES AND MALDIVES TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed this guide on visiting Seychelles or the Maldives. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around the island nations.

• What to Wear in the Maldives
• Kurumba Maldives Review
• Maafushivaru Maldives Review
• 21 Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World

About the Author

Amy Alton has spent most of the past seven years living aboard her sailboat. In 2020, she finished her world circumnavigation with her husband. Now, they are spending the season cruising the Bahamas and living a bit more of the slow life. You can follow her adventures at Out Chasing Stars or on Instagram.

That’s a good question you’ll want to know when traveling to the Maldives. There are just two seasons that dominate this scattering of coral atolls – wet and dry. One is super rainy, and the other is super sunny.

Other factors can affect how unpredictable (or predictable) the weather is in the Maldives, but don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with a guide to when to visit these stunning islands.

The Climate of the Maldives

Before we discuss the best time to go to the Maldives, let’s dive into the climate. Located near the equator, all the Maldives islands have a tropical monsoon climate, and there is little variation in minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year. It’s often hot and humid. There are two distinct seasons – wet and dry.

When is the Best Time to Visit Maldives?

Before we dig into the best time to visit Maldives, it’s important to keep in mind your expectations when traveling to the Maldives and ask yourself these questions:

• Are you on a budget?
• Do you care about rain?
• Does humidity bother you?
• Do crowds bother you?
• Would you rather pay less but take a higher gamble on the weather?
• Are you interested in free diving or scuba diving?
• Are you on your honeymoon?

The Maldives have Two distinct seasons

The Maldives has a very distinct wet and dry season and learning about them will help yo determine when the best time visit Maldives is for you. In May, there is a change in the wind direction in May that brings South West monsoon rains. These rains can last through to November. The rain typically doesn’t last all day and mostly occurs in the form of short and intense downpours and thunderstorms.

Although the weather in the Maldives stays relatively consistent, the weather patterns vary slightly depending on the location of the atoll. The central and northern atolls’ dry season may vary from the southern atolls.

When is The Best Time To Visit Maldives?

Weather in the Maldives in January

So you’re wondering when the best time to go to the Maldives is? Try January! The Maldives are not at their hottest in January – in fact, January is frequently the coolest month of the year across the islands – but we’d say it’s still pretty damn hot.

Average daytime temperatures are 30°C, the sea temperature is a balmy 28°C, and it’s pretty dry… So, all in all, January is a good time to visit the Maldives.

There’s not much rain to worry about, being pretty much in the middle of the dry season. It’s also not that humid. It’s sunny, too, with nine hours of sunshine a day – any clouds that might be in the sky get blown away by winds from the northeast.

Best Places to Visit in January (IN THE WORLD)

Weather in the Maldives in February

Like January, the temperatures in February stay pretty constant (during daylight hours at least) at around 30°C. Nights are a little cooler, being 26°C, but the sea is even warmer! How does 29°C sound? That’s practically bathtub level.

February is the driest month of the dry season (November to April) and sees a lot of sunshine. This makes it a popular time of year to visit the Maldives, with many consecutive days of sunshine and practically no clouds or rain. Any rain that does fall during February is likely to be a light scattering over the southeastern atolls.

Ten hours of sunshine a day, warm water to lounge around in, predictably good weather. What’s not to like?

Best Places to Visit in February (IN THE WORLD)

Weather in the Maldives in March

Still, in the dry season, March is the hottest month of the year. Temperatures are in the low 30s, and the sea remains at a very warm 29°C. So not exactly the best time to travel to the Maldives. Bathtime, anyone?

Even temperatures at night time rarely dip below 27°C. There’s barely any rain, either. Again, any rain that does fall will occur in the south; there are only – on average – seven rainy days in March in the Maldives. Though hot, it’s an excellent time to get out and about. Hike around the islands, go diving; it’s all good. Make sure you cover up when the sun’s at its hottest, wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Best Places to Visit in March (IN THE WORLD)

Weather in the Maldives in April

During April, temperatures average 29°C, and nighttime temperatures are about 26°C; you won’t need anything to keep you warm in the evening. But the sea climbs up to the hottest it gets all year – 30°C. That’s hotter than the air temperature! Crazy.

It’s all about chilling on the beaches and watersports and enjoying the great weather. However, as April moves forward, the rain will increase as the dry season begins to break and come to an end. This happens sooner in the north, thanks to southwesterly monsoon winds. Still, only ten days out of April, see rain. And that’s just an average. However, there are few clouds because of those winds, which means a lot of sunshine!

Best Countries to Visit in April

Weather in the Maldives in May

That was the dry season. May heralds the beginning of the wet season. Southwesterly winds increase, so does cloud coverage and the number of rainy days that this month of the year is packing.

It’s still a warm month, but it gets a lot of rain. Humidity skyrockets, making the heat feel just a little bit uncomfortable, so not the best time to go to the Maldives. You should definitely get a place with air conditioning.

The whole of the Maldivian archipelago begins to get affected by the monsoon, which is really what the wet season is. That humidity? It’s about 76% by now, and you’ll be affected by (on average) 15 days of rain with an average temperature of 30°C. Pretty sticky and not the best time to visit Maldives.

Best Places to Visit in May (In the World!)

Weather in the Maldives in June

The temperatures may not change a lot in June, but thanks to the rainy season, this is easily the wettest month of the year. Winds get up to speeds of 30mph, and humidity is at a not-great 77% (average).

There is still, thankfully, quite a bit of sunshine. We visited the Maldives in June and still saw quite a bit of sunshine, though a few hours a day were intermixed with rain. Rain tends to happen in short, albeit massive, downpours in the afternoon. Also, most of the rain falls in the southern portions of the Maldives, meaning that the north stays relatively less wet than those parts.

However, some days may be very grey, with huge monsoon clouds threatening rain all day. Sea temperatures are still high: 29°C.

Best Places to Visit in June (in the WORLD)

Weather in the Maldives in July

The Maldives are still in the middle of the wet season in July. This means stronger winds, high humidity, and – of course – those big downpours. Nevertheless, it’s still hot. Temperatures here are always high. The daily average in July is around 29°C, which (surprise, surprise) is the same temperature as the very-warm sea.

This is not really the best time of year to visit the Maldives, but with that in mind, it is one of the cheapest months to travel to the islands. If you’re more about the budget than perfect weather, you may find July a good option for you. We enjoyed plenty of sunshine the last time we were in the Maldives in July, and when it rained, we enjoyed the sound of rain hitting our bungalow.

Rain falls mainly in the southern and southeastern atolls, though all of the archipelagoes see a downpour at some time or other.

BEST Places to Visit in July (Worldwide)

Weather in the Maldives in August

August still means wet season, but by this point in the year, the winds are starting to ease off – in the north at least. Rain is still concentrated, for the most part, in the south of the island country. Humidity is still high, so it’s sticky, and so are temperatures (around 30°C). Evenings, however, begin to cool down at 25°C. 

It’s a very tropical time of year. Skies get grey with clouds. There’s a massive downpour. Repeat for the next however many days! Weather can be unpredictable in August. It may not be the rainiest month, but torrential downpours can occur. Even if they only last 20 minutes.

BEST Places to Visit in August

Weather in the Maldives in September

The weather doesn’t change that much as the year goes on in the Maldives. It’s either hot and dry or hot and wet, and the latter is exactly in which category September falls. September means there are still southwesterly winds.

There are still unpredictable downpours, it’s wetter in the south than in the north and center of the islands, and there are still big clouds… You know the drill by now. Roughly half of the days in September get rain.

It’s no wonder that tourist numbers experience a decline during September. Even the temperatures only reach around 27°C, making it one of the year’s cooler months.

Best Places to Visit in September (in the WORLD)

Weather in the Maldives in October

The wet season is finally coming to a close when the year trundles on to October in the Maldives. That, however, does not mean that October is without its downpours. There are still many of those to be had; it’s the third-rainiest month of the year.

The southern islands will still get more rain. And it’s still relatively humid, at around 75% on average. You’ll still get around eight hours of sunshine a day, though the rains when they do come can be super heavy. They don’t make things any less hot, either.

Nighttime temperatures are 25°C, and the sea temperatures are about 28°C. Basically, there’s not a lot of change, though it does start to get less rainy by the end of the month.

Best Places to Travel in October

Weather in the Maldives in November

A mixed month, November means that the Maldives is no longer ‘officially’ in their rainy season… but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any rain. During this month, things finally started to turn, with more sunny days than rainy days (yes, finally).

We visited in November and found it one of the best times to visit the Maldives. Tourists begin to visit a little more during November. The weather becomes more predictable, with the occasional tropical storm here and there.

Temperatures? On average, they’re around the high-20s, while the sea is still the warm, briny bath you should expect when you visit the Maldives. Humidity is still pretty high, too. We visited the Maldives in November and only had a few days of rain (but not all day) and, for the most part, a sunny and enjoyable experience.

DREAMWORTHY Places to Travel in November

Weather in the Maldives in December

Tourists start to flock to the Maldives towards the end of December. It’s Christmas, after all, and who doesn’t want to spend the holiday vacation in the Maldives? It’s sunny, it’s beautiful, it’s awesome, and it’s one of the best times to visit the Maldives.

Then again, there is still some heavy rainfall going on in December. Not nearly as much as back in July, though.

Daytime temperatures climb up to about 29°C, while after dark, the temperatures drop to 25°C. The ‘dry monsoon’ – otherwise simply known as the dry season – begins to properly set in by the end of the month. This means lower humidity, fewer clouds, less rain falling, and wether that’s a little more predictable. Perfect beach weather, basically.

 BEST Places to Travel in December

Festivals in the Maldives

December-February

Dry season – or winter, as we know it in most of the northern hemisphere – is something of a joyous time in the Maldives. Rains cease, and the sun is out to play basically every day. What festivals in the Maldives in winter can you look forward to?

Being a Muslim country, Christmas isn’t officially observed, but other international festivals do make an appearance. January 1st, however, is an official day off. The Chinese community will be celebrating Chinese New Year (January 25th in 2020), and many hotels get into the spirit of it.

Depending on the lunar calendar (February 28th in 2020), Huravee Day celebrates the expulsion of the South Indian Malabars almost 900 years ago. National Day (or Qaumee Dhuvas) falls sometime between February and March and is celebrated in Rabee-ul Awwal – the third month of the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the Maldivian victory over the Portuguese invaders in 1573. Expect parades and marches throughout the archipelago.

March-May

Festivals in the Maldives in spring – the end of the dry season – encompass a few celebrations. In April, there’s Martyr’s Day. Calculated by the Islamic (lunar) calendar, it celebrates and pays respects to all martyrs throughout Maldivian history. Ramadan – also known in the Maldives as Ramazan – commences 28 days of daylight-hours fasting, culminating in… 

June-August

Eid ul Fitr! Eid ul Fitr is typically a summery affair in other countries, but in the Maldives, this festival (sometimes in May, sometimes in June) occurs as the wet season sets in. Expect feasting and merrymaking.

Independence Day (July 26-27) celebrates the end of being a British protectorate when an agreement was signed between the two (now) sovereign countries back in 1965. This is a great time to be in the Maldives, with many festivities to see as people take to the streets in colorful garb.

Festivals in August in the Maldives include Bodu Eid. This falls 66 years after the end of Ramadan and marks the beginning of the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca.

September-November

Held at the end of September, after another lengthy session of fasting that is Ramadan, Kuda Eid is made up of three days of people coming together, mosque-visiting, feasting, and dancing. It’s very much based around food!

Towards the end of October/early November (November 10-11 in 2019), the Maldives celebrates the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday! As you may expect, there’s feasting and merriment. Head to the capital of Male to see the full extent of the celebrations.

As the Maldives begin to inch out of the rainy season (only just), November 11 sees the celebration of Republic Day. It’s the day that the current Maldive was founded back in 1968, three years after independence from the United Kingdom. This means brass bands, parades, and marches. 

When is the Best Season to Travel Maldives?

High season (December-March): This is the high season in the Maldives and peaks dry season. You’ll have less chance of rain than in other months and be rewarded with summer days. However, that does come at a price. The Maldives is already an expensive destination any time of year, but traveling during the high season will show you how expensive these islands can really get. Around the holidays, expect high occupancy at the resorts.

Shoulder Season (November and April):  November and April are considered a “shoulder season” in the Maldives. It’s a short period to get some cheaper travel in. Once December hits, prices will rise, but you stand a higher chance of getting rained on if you travel outside of November-April.

Low Season (May-October): This is the Maldivian low season. It’s a wet time with a high chance of rain. However, booking flights and accommodation during this time will save you big bucks. As long as you know, it will probably rain going into it. You’ll still have an enjoyable time! Just remember that diving and snorkeling are good all year round – the marine life doesn’t care that it’s raining!

When is the Best Time to Visit Maldives?

I personally think the best time of the year to visit the Maldives is November. Right before high season hits, but right after the rainy season.

when is the best time to Visit Maldives on a Budget?

The best time to go to the Maldives on a budget is obviously when it’s raining. Between May and October will get you the best deals! Just be prepared for a bit of rain!

Best Time to Visit Maldives for Honeymoon?

The Maldives are among the best honeymoon destinations. The best time to visit Maldives for a honeymoon is between December and March. It’s your honeymoon, after all, and you don’t want to spend it sitting under an umbrella in the rain.

You’ll pay more for sure, but it’s worth it to almost guarantee good weather. All in all, the best month to go to the Maldives is either January or February (after the holidays!)

The Best Time to Visit Maldives for Diving and Snorkeling?

The best time to travel to the Maldives for snorkeling and diving is seriously anytime! So if you want to save some money and are going to the Maldives on a diving holiday, it’s safe to book during the low season.

Quick Travel Tips for the Maldives

• Languages Spoken: Dhivehi is the official language of Maldives and the most widely spoken language. English is commonly understood.
• Capital: Malé
• Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa, but almost everywhere accepts USD.
• Visa: Anyone from any country is granted a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival!
• What to Pack: Beach Clothes, obviously! See our full guide here.

Where to Stay in the Maldives?

Budget

Cinnamon Ellaidhoo is a great property for those that want to do the Maldivian resort thing while still staying on budget. We were at Ellaidhoo for three nights and enjoyed our time here. The house reef is amazing, and every time we went out to snorkel, we discovered some new, bright fish. It’s also very far away from Male and the hustle and bustle of the country’s capital. 

Check Prices Here!

Mid Range

We had a fantastic time at Kurumba Maldives. This resort is only a five-minute speedboat ride away from the Male Airport. This means you could arrive in the Maldives and be at your resort a few minutes later. It saves on additional airfare and time. It’s also the first resort in the Maldives, but it’s elegantly maintained and has a great dive shop.

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Luxury

Velassaru was our favorite resort in the Maldives. They have located just a 20-minute speedboat ride away from the capital, so it’s a quick transfer in and out. The food here is to die for, and the overwater bungalows are bigger than New York City apartments. You won’t regret your stay here!

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Here’s a review of all the places we stayed in The Maldives!

• Kuramathi Resort
• Velassaru Resort
• Kurumba Maldives
• Ellaidhoo Maldives
• Maafushivaru Resort
• Sheraton Full Moon
• Le Meridien Maldives

We spent a heavenly three days here, and although we had already been in the Maldives for a week, it’s safe to say we didn’t want to leave this resort. The resort felt like a wellness retreat with an excellent gym, superb dining, and a full-service spa. The modern resort had every amenity we could want to stay in the Maldives.

We cover the best time to visit the Maldives if you’re looking for that information. See the full review below.

Le Meridien Maldvires

The Island

One of the greatest draws of the Le Meridien is the island itself. Le Meridien Maldives is on Thilamaafushi Island in the Lhavyani Atoll, about 123 kilometers north of Malé. Many resorts in the Maldives build small islands up to house the resorts.

In the process, it destroys much of the local ecology and wildlife. However, Le Meridien sits on a natural island, so much of the island feels wild and untouched. It is particularly true of the beach that rings the entire island.

Many hotel facilities are tucked away on the island, but for visitors, it feels like a wild and untouched place. The one-mile-long island allows for long walks along the beach, or you can rent bikes to cruise around the island. While exploring the island, you’ll likely spot plenty of local birds and bats darting between the island’s thick vegetation.

The cost of the bike rental is not included in the room rate, but the charge goes back to a local charity that that assists with the development of the local school and community near the island. 

There is not much for development around the island, so guests only see white sand, coral reefs, and sparkling water. It’s easy to feel removed from the rest of the world and relax. It’s a true oasis, one of our favorite islands we’ve visited in the Maldives.

Due to the island’s size, the water is very nice for swimming with a sandy bottom, but it does make the reef less accessible. On some islands, the reef drop-off is a short swim away, but at Le Meridien, it’s a lengthy swim in currents, so it’s best to join the dive shop for an excursion.

The Resort

Le Meridien Maldives opened in September 2021, which was still very new on our visit. It’s evident that everything around the resort is modern, and the facilities are new. There are 141 villas on the resort 91 are overwater villas, and 50 are beach villas. In its first six months, it appears they’ve worked out any kinks that come with a new resort as the service was excellent.

We were happy to see the reception team ready to greet new arrivals after the 45-minute seaplane. The landing dock is a large open-air seating area next to the dive center, where guests sort their bags before being escorted to the open-air lobby for check-in.

The Interior in the open-air lobby has a minimalist barefoot chic theme. It features exposed rafters, beach wood, weave lighting fixtures, and sand floors. This theme carries through to many facilities throughout the resort. The lobby check-in process is seamless with a welcome drink and cool towel while you review options with the check-in staff.

The Rooms

All of the rooms at the Le Meridien Maldives are villas. Guests can choose from a range of villas, the most common being a beach, lagoon, or overwater villa. There are some with and without private plunge pools among the beach villas.

The same goes for the overwater villas. You can choose between sunset or sunrise, and several sunset villas feature a plunge pool. There are a handful of two-bedroom villas and the three-bedroom Thilamaafushi Villa. The layout of the lagoon villa and overwater villas are the same throughout the property.

We stayed in both a Lagoon Villa and Sunset Overwater Villa with a pool. Aside from the collection, the villa layouts were the same. The Lagoon Villa is a good choice for those who do not wish to stay overwater but would like to enjoy a similar view. In some ways, we even enjoyed the view of our Lagoon Villa more as it gave a lovely view over the island’s white sand beach and the water.

Guests can choose a Sunrise or Sunset Overwater Villa, with the Sunset the more expensive option. They do not come with more amenities other than a western-facing view, and many of the Sunset Villas have a plunge pool instead of a hanging net. No Lagoon Villas feature a pool option.

Similar to the design elements throughout the resort, you’ll find the rooms minimalist with small pops of flair. The colorful design elements include flamingo walls in the closet, swing doors in Le Meridien blue, and a bathroom with pattern cement tiles.

The room has many amenities, such as intelligent USB charging ports, international outlets, a walk-in closet, a mini-bar, double vanities, a makeup vanity, a couch, LED TV, and a lounge chair.

Bathrooms are a real standout as they feature expansive floor-to-ceiling windows with slate tiles. The Overwater and Lagoon Villas feature a waterfall shower and a large soaker tub. The bathroom opens up to the deck for a seamless ocean-to-shower experience.

Other amenities, such as bedding, robes, towels, and bath products, are standard for the Le Meridien brand. They’re all nice and fall in the middle of Marriott’s luxury brands in terms of quality.

Explore Spa

No resort in the Maldives is complete without a spa. The Le Meridien Maldives has an excellent spa on the island’s south side and lies in several overwater buildings.

Spa services are exceptional, and the rooms are a real stand out. We loved that rooms feature a floor window that looks down on a coral reef while you get your treatment!

The Dining

Six island restaurants and guests can also choose from several destination dining experiences. Guests can choose between three meal plans, Half Board, Full Board Plus, and All Inclusive.

The two main restaurants are Turquoise and Velaa, which lie adjacent. Turquoise is the Le Meridien Maldive’s primary restaurant, where guests have the breakfast buffet. They also offer an international menu for lunch and dinner.

Velaa is open for lunch and dinner and features an extensive bar next to the hotel pool. The restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizzas and grilled seafood or meat. It has a lovely beach bar menu, and we enjoyed lunch here.

On the other side of the island is Riveria and Waves Cafe. Riveria is an adults-only casual bar and restaurant. Below the gym and next to Riveria is the Waves Cafe which serves coffee, cakes, juices, and several health-conscious options. We loved the Waves Cafes, and it was in the perfect location to refuel after a visit to the gym.

Tabemasu is a Japanese restaurant located over the water and is the most excellent restaurant on the resort. We had dinner here one night, and the service, menu, and food were excellent. Along with the Waves Cafe, it was our favorite meal at the Le Meridien Maldives. The last restaurant is Latitude which is attached to the reception, and we never dined at the small cafe.

There are several destination dining experiences guests can book. We enjoyed the floating breakfast and chef’s table in the garden.

The chef’s table is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a romantic setting for a special occasion.

Activities

Gym

We need to start here as the gym is one of the best resort gyms in a hotel. It was excellent with personal trainers to lend a helping hand or book a private appointment. They were super friendly and responsible for the resort’s weekly fitness activities each time we visited. If you’re serious about your fitness, the gym has everything you could want.

Snorkeling

As it is in the Maldives, coral reefs and sparkling blue water surrounds the resort. Snorkeling equipment is available for free to all guests, and one of our top Maldives travel tips is to take advantage of it. You can follow buoys to the coral reef, but currents can be strong around the island. If you’d like to go for a nice snorkel, it’s best to book an excursion through the dive center.

Water Sports

There is a variety of water sports, and rentals guests can use during their stay. The paddleboards are accessible to guests, while all others incur a fee for rental. Guests can choose from wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, and more.

Dive Centre

There is a brand new full-service dive center on the island. So for anyone who would like to go for a dive or take a course there, the Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world. I’ve been experiencing inner ear problems for a while, so my diving days are over, but we have gone diving in the Maldives, which rank as one of the best destinations.

Resort Activities

Le Meridien Maldives also offers weekly activities such as cocktail making, cooking, group fitness, sunrise/sunset yoga, and a movie night. We enjoyed learning how to paint our own Maldivian landscape. Movie night is a standard feature for many resorts in the Maldives, but the Le Meridien has one of the best we’ve seen.

Sustainable Initiatives

There are several sustainable initiatives on the island that we greatly appreciated during our stay at the Le Meridien Maldives. First and foremost, the natural island is something to note in comparison to several of the islands in the Maldives. The vegetation is drastically different than the manufactured island resorts we’ve visited previously.

A water filtration system supplies the resort with water, and guests can choose between still or sparkling without the worry about plastic waste. It is vital as some islands go through mind-boggling amounts of plastic water bottles to supply guests with water. Similarly, bathrooms do not use single-use bottles and instead refill large ceramic containers.

Another notable feature is the massive greenhouse that supplies the resort with fresh greens. At the time of our visit, it grows the beautiful greens for all of the resort’s salads and fresh herbs. The modern structure was imposing.

Marriott Bonvoy

One of the most significant appeals of the property is its excellent redemption or chance to earn points for Marriott Bonvoy members. We’re active Bonvoy members and maintain Titanium Elite Status.

Although we were hosted as media during our visit to Le Meridien Maldives, we trust our status would have earned us a similar treatment to many other properties we visited as members. It typically includes a friendly welcome and room upgrade when available.

Point redemption is one of the most significant appeals of the resort for members sitting on a large bank of Marriott Bonvoy points. We garner much of our Bonvoy points thanks to our branded travel credit card.

What to Pack for Le Meridien Maldives

We have a post on what to wear in the Maldives if you’re looking for some packing advice.

Travel Insurance

We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. 

Sunscreen

Skin cancer is for real! Don’t forget your SPF when traveling around the Philippines. We recommend ordering some online before your trip, as it can be tough to find sunscreen abroad.

Sunglasses

Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun. There are many sunglasses options; everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to ensure they have UV protection for the health of your eyes.

As this is the Maldives, sparkling turquoise water flanks the resort’s white sand beaches and laps at its overwater villa. To make matters better, it’s a short boat ride away from the international airport of Male. If you want to know the best time to visit the Maldives read this article. This classic resort knows a thing about hosting, providing a memorable stay in the Maldives.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Resort Overview

The Sheraton Maldives lies one kilometer north of the Male airport, making arrival seamless. Most resorts around the Maldives require seaplane transfers or long boat rides, which can be a pain. Seaplanes are decidedly not our favorite mode of transportation, so we’ll gladly avoid them if possible.

As the resort is close to the island, it’s easy to land in Male and be in the resort within an hour. It makes it a fabulous option for those who arrive late in the afternoon as many seaplane transfers are slow or do not run late in the evening. It’s more than one a-night airport hotel as the resort is a delight.

The island, Furanafushi, is surrounded by sparking Maldivian water and features several white sand beaches for guests to relax. Grounds are maintained beautifully with a wide range of paths that wind through the island and connect the resort’s facilities and guest rooms.

Although it is close to the Male Airport, relaxing on one of the islands’ beaches is surprisingly easy. Although you can see some of Male, and it does lay within the airport’s flight path. It’s a full-service resort with a wide range of amenities, including an extensive spa, gym, gift shop, tennis court, kids club, dive center, activity center, and seven restaurants and bars.

The facilities make it one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, with 176 guest rooms. Several room categories are available, including guest rooms, overwater villas, island cottages, and ocean-view villas.

We spent three nights in one of their overwater villas with a pool.

Resort Rooms

Our stay was in one of the Sheraton Maldives’ Overwater Villas with a pool. While the Sheraton is far from a new resort, the rooms have gone under refurbishment. The new water villas were comfortable during our stay and offered direct water access.

The contemporary decor in the rooms and luxurious settings make for a relaxing stay. Of course, with the hot weather in the Maldives, it’s easy to take advantage of the plunge pool. With the ocean only steps away from the pool, it’s easy to go for more of a swim. A large patio also holds two sunbeds perfect for sunbathing in private.

The room has many facilities, including a desk, couch, intelligent plugs, TV, and mini bar. It’s all you need for a relaxing beach holiday.

Resort Dining

The resort has seven restaurants, so it’s easy to find a meal to appease most appetites. If you’re staying at a resort, one of our top Maldives travel tips is to get a food and beverage package.

The hub restaurant, Feast, hosts the breakfast buffet and several themed buffet nights. We had their Maldivian BBQ on our first night at the hotel. It featured several staples from the islands, grilled meat, and fresh seafood.

For lunch, we ate at a selection of hotel restaurants. We had two wonderful Mediterranean lunches at the beachside Anchorage Bar. Our other lunch was at the Kakuni Hut, which serves cocktails and tacos on the beach.

Sea Salt is a wonderful alfresco seafood grill for a romantic evening along the water. At the same time, Baan Thai dishes up tasty Thai food from Thai chefs.

Resort Activities

The Maldives are heaven for anyone who loves watersports, so make sure to pack a bathing suit when putting together your Maldives packing list. On the island is Extreme Maldives which has a wide range of activities guests can book wakeboarding, para-sailing, jet skis, sailing catamarans, and even a flyboard. They have an excellent break near the spa if you’re a surfer.

A dive resort is also on the resort for guests who’d like to go a little deeper in the water. Due to inner-ear issues, we did not go for a dive at the resort, but we have been in the Maldives several times. It’s safe to say that the Maldives is one of the best dive destinations in the world.

It’s a wonderful resort with a long history, plenty of charm, and vibrant tropical gardens. After, serving thousands upon thousands of guests the resort knows a thing or two about showing visitors a good time with plenty of activities. All while staying in wonderful bungalows spread around the island with easy access to a white sand beach.

We didn’t know what to expect with its proximity to Male, but after stepping off our speedboat and onto Vihamanaafushi (the island) we were in heaven.

Kurumba Maldives Review

Getting to Kurumba Maldives

We were shocked by how close Kurumba Maldives is to Male. Literally, you can leave the Male Airport and five to ten minutes later arrive via speedboat to Kurumba. You can see the city very clearly from Kurumba. This is both a good and bad thing.

For families and other vacationers who have had enough flying and traveling to reach the Maldives, they can rest assured Kurumba is only a five-minute boat ride away. On the flip side being so close to the city means…well you’re near a city and can see all the things you may be wishing to escape.

If you are arriving late at night to the Maldives, Kurumba is a great option as the speedboat runs 24 hours. This is opposed to taking a seaplane, as those only operate during daylight.

Once you get over the novelty of taking a seaplane they’re quite uncomfortable flights. Seaplanes in the Maldives are operated almost exclusively by TWA who own a massive fleet of Twin Otters. The seaplanes are expensive, loud, hot, and cramped—almost certain to induce nausea if you’re trapped on one for long.

So when we compare the journey required by other resorts in the Maldives, Kurumba is a breath of fresh air.

Kurumba Maldives Property

When we arrived we were surprised and delighted to find out that Kurumba Maldives is the first ever resort to open in the Maldives. In 1972, Kurumba Maldives opened it’s doors to travelers and has been operating ever since.

You may think that because of this the property is dated, but we found it to be the opposite. Facilities at Kurumba Maldives are new, modern, and well maintained. From the pool to the bathrooms, many restaurants, and even the grounds the property is immaculate.

A recent renovation has left the resort in top shape with perfectly manicured grounds around the island. We spent much of our time ambling around the island and walking through the lush gardens before stopping for a drink at a beachside bar.

The Rooms at Kurumba Maldives

Because Kurumba is the first resort in the Maldives there are no overwater bungalows around the property. They may be all the rage now, but Kurumba is too close the city to now build overwater bungalows. Nevertheless, we were given their most common deluxe beach bungalow room and although we were hesitant at first we ended up really loving our little home away from home.

The room was spacious, with a very comfortable king bed, complete with a Nespresso machine and two complimentary large water bottles. However what we really liked was the outdoor open-air bathroom. Two showers and a bathtub with eco-friendly toiletries (no single-use plastics) make us happy campers.

The Food at Kurumba Maldives

With 15 days in the Maldives, we were given a lot of food to try. I am happy to say that Kurumba Maldives had some of the best we experienced in the Maldives. With decades of experience, the food and beverage team clearly knows what they are doing when catering to guests. A wide and varied menu with multiples restaurants ensures everyone stays happy and full.

Most visitors to the resort will have either a half board, full board, all all-inclusive option. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served in the main dining all buffet style. For buffet food, we found the ambiance and food amazing and fresh and the menu actually changed every day while catering to an international audience (many resorts in the Maldives cater to the Asian traveler).

For those that aren’t feeling the buffet, Kurumba has a plethora of a la carte restaurants including the award-winning Thila. We dined one night at Thila and another at their Indian restaurant. Other highlights include an Arabic restaurant, Asian, and international restaurant.

The Staff at Kurumba Maldives

The staff at Kurumba are incredibly kind and helpful. Every excursion we had was met with prompt and courteous staff members from all over the world! We had great interactions with them and the wait staff were quick to meet any need we may have during meals times.

When it came to the rooms the cleaning staff would accommodate our times out of the room and supply us with fresh water or towels whenever we felt the need. It was altogether a phenomenal experience.

The Diving at Kurumba Maldives

We were super fortunate to hook up with Euro Divers Maldives, hands down our favorite dive company in the Maldives. We spent a full day out on the boat with them and took part in three solid dives.

Gabriella, the manager, and awesome dive master took us out and showed us the best around Kurumba. Diving in the Maldives was actually our first fun dive after getting certified in Bali and I was still nervous about being underwater alone. Gabriela made me feel extremely confident in all our dives.

She even guided us through our first drift dive (the current in the Maldives is seriously intense), where we drifted through the sea in search of mantas. Sadly, no mantas but we laid eyes on six sharks, a giant green sea turtle, and two frogfish that were named after us, “Natasha and Cameron.”

You may think that because Kurumba is so close to Male the diving isn’t great, but this is far from true. The Euro Divers team still took us around to some vibrant dive sites where the fish were plentiful. If you’re interested in diving in the Maldives I highly recommend Euro Divers.

The Activities at Kurumba Maldives

Of course, you are in the Maldives so perhaps all you want to do is lounge in the sun and drink pina colodas – and that’s okay! However, there are still many activities for all to enjoy at Kurumba.

For starters, if you want to be off on your own you can rent a mask and some fins and snorkel around the resort. We personally chose to travel the Maldives with our own fins, mask, and snorkel so we didn’t have to keep paying for rentals and it was an amazing decision. If you’re really into snorkeling I can’t recommend your own gear enough.

Other activities include group snorkeling, dolphin watching, kayaking, stand up paddling, sunset fishing, and a Male tour. We went out with the team to go on a dolphin sunset cruise with little expectations. We were about to cancel the trip as we aren’t big on touristy things like dolphin watching, but after the trip, we were happy we didn’t as it was amazing!

Many of the dolphins in the Maldives are called spinner dolphins. When they get excited they will jump high out of the water and spin. The sight of dozens of dolphins jumping out of the water was a spectacular show.

On top of that, they have fun with the boats and will chase them through the water. For about two hours we were surrounded by 150 dolphins which were an unforgettable experience.

Couples with kids will also love Kurumba Maldives as there is a full schedule here every day. Things like yoga, game room time, and coconut painting are fun activities you’ll likely find on the schedule. There is also a big kid center at Kurumba with trained staff to take care of the little ones so you can properly enjoy your vacation.

The Wellness at Kurumba Maldives

This was the only time we had the chance to visit the spa in the Maldives and it was simply superb! I don’t think I’ve felt so relaxed in a spa since I landed in Langkawi after a red-eye flight.

Most of the masseuse I saw at Veli Spa were Thai and used the same excellent techniques I’ve received for massages in Thailand, just with the tranquility of the Maldives Islands. You won’t have any regrets booking a treatment at their wellness center.

Overall Impressions of Kurumba Maldives

If you are looking for an easy and affordable Maldives vacation just minutes away from the airport Kurumba is a great call. All the amenities are spotless and modern, the beaches are completely relaxing, and the food will wow any international traveler away.

We also found Kurumba Maldives to be kid and family friendly, but still good for couples who are looking for some hidden romance. Combine that all with world class diving and fun excursions and you have yourself a fantastic vacation planned ahead of you.

We spent a heavenly three days here, and although we had already been in the Maldives for two weeks, it’s safe to say we didn’t want to leave this resort. Seriously, the Velassaru staff even let us stay in the room until 8 pm the day of checkout because they knew how much we loved it! See the full review below.

Velassaru Maldives Review

Arrival to Velassaru Maldives

Velassaru is great as its location is close to the main airport and capital of Male.  We visited five resorts in the Maldives and really came to dread the transfer days as the seaplanes aren’t luxurious and boats can often be very rocky which cause seasickness. Plus if you’re able to avoid a seaplane that could mean an extra night in the resort for the difference in cost (seaplanes are pricey!)

Velassary is only a 25-minute speedboat ride away from Male Airport. This means transfers in and out of the resort are short and can be done earlier and later in the evening than some of the resorts located further from the main hub of Male. On our last day we were given a late check out of 19:30 because our flight was at 23:00 meaning we had a whole extra day at the resort (can’t guarantee you’ll get that lucky), but we loved that they allowed us to do this.

Property at Velassaru Maldives

Velassaru is a nice sized resort and member of Small Luxury Hotels. We’ve stayed at previous SLH hotels and found that the hotels within the collection are generally exceptional from the moment you can arrive.

The main reception at Velassaru is modern and open air with sand floors setting you in the mood right away to leave your shoes behind. In fact, we spent most of our time in resort barefoot walking between our room, the pool, and restaurants. It’s not a massive island, but they managed to squeeze in five fantastic restaurants and three bars on to the island.

There is a wide selection of modern rooms ranging from double rooms, beach bungalows, water villas, and pool water villas. We spent our time in a luxurious water villa, but even the base rooms looked great and were only a few steps to the beach.

The Rooms at Velassaru Maldives

The water villas at Velassaru are luxurious. Upon entering you can’t help but notice the views as the windows are floor to ceiling. Each morning we made it a habit to pull open the blinds as soon as we woke up and sit with a cup of coffee before heading to breakfast. A real stand out for us was the quality of the bed, from the linen to the down pillows and pillow top we were in absolute heaven. Seriously it may have been the best bed we’ve ever slept in and it made for a perfect night sleep.

The villa was larger than most New York apartments with a king bed, bar, couch, and a large bathroom. Features like an in wine cooler stocked with over bottles of wine made sure we had no need to leave the room – just had to call in order for some room service. A bathtub located in the center of the bathroom provided views out to the Maldivian blue water.

To top it all of we had a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us along with a number of vegetarian canapes. Other standouts for us were in the details. Things such as a new LCD TV, complimentary on-demand movies, a Nespresso machine, and L’occitane toiletries. The bath even came with a bath bomb to get the perfect soak on with a glass of wine.

All of the water villas have a large patio deck with lounge chairs and sun bed to enjoy the ocean breeze in privacy. We spent most of our time on the back deck of our villa taking dips into the water via our staircase into the water.

The Food at Velassaru Maldives

The food varies on your meal plan; however, every booking includes breakfast which is served at the main restaurant. Breakfast and dinner here are large buffets served at Vela it has a wide range of offerings that include a grill station, salad bar, plenty of mains, and healthy options.

We had one meal at their Sands Restaurant, an a la carte restaurant, that specializes in grilled seafood and meats. The jumbo prawns we had were so rich and fresh they could have fooled you for lobster.

All the food was fresh and the menu actually changed every day while catering to an international audience. For buffet food, the options were really on point! It’s safe to say that Velassaru had the best food we had in the Maldives.

You should also take note the eco-friendly straws they had for cocktails and iced coffees. Velassaru was the first time we ever saw an edible straw!

The Staff at Velassaru Maldives

The staff at Velassaru are incredibly kind and helpful. The waitstaff was great and had excellent English skills which is not always the case at every resort. Every excursion we had was met with prompt and courteous staff members from all over the world!

The Activities at Velassaru Maldives

If all you want to do is relax on the patio of your villa — go ahead! However, there are still many activities for all to enjoy at Velassaru. For starters, if you want to be off on your own you can easily rent a mask and some fins and snorkel around the resort. We had a few nice snorkels around here. The reef isn’t the best, but there is still definitely some life around Velassaru.

We like to travel with our own fins, mask, and snorkel so we didn’t have to keep paying for rentals and it was an amazing decision. Plus the gear fits us and no one else has slobbered over the snorkel. If you’re really into snorkeling I can’t recommend your own gear enough. It was a great decision as we’ve been working on our recreational free diving.

Other activities include group snorkeling, dolphin watching, diving, kayaking, stand up paddling, kite surfing, and fishing. After a whirlwind tour of the Maldives, we chose to give our time at Velassaru a break and just enjoyed some wonderful cocktails at the poolside bar, Infinity.

That doesn’t mean we sat in the sun all day. Velassaru offers daily yoga sessions and complimentary ones every few days. So, we took full advantage and enjoyed a sunset yoga one evening.

They also offer some wonderful evening entertainment every night. It’s usually a talented band at the Fen bar, but one evening they had a movie night. We’re big film buffs and love any chance to watch a good movie. The hotel set up a large screen, a bunch of bean bags, and had plenty of popcorn to go around for a night of watching “Life of Pi” on the beach. 

Overall Impressions of Velassaru Maldives

Velassaru had to be one of our favorite resorts in the Maldives and its amazing choice for your holiday. It manages to deliver the same relaxing and luxurious holiday that doesn’t cost as much as some of the big named resorts.

It’s not easy to design a resort that manages to never feel crowded, but that’s exactly what they have done at Velassaru. From the rooms, ambiance, food, and staff the whole experience is top-notch and first-class.

You’ll find luxurious rooms, champagne bars, pools, water activities, abundant marine life, and plenty of spots to hide away from it all. In between dives and snorkeling, we spent our days relaxing on the back deck of our overwater villa at Kuramathi. Check out what Kuramathi Maldives is all about for yourself!

Kuramathi Maldives Review

Arrival to Kuramathi

There are two options for transfers to Kuramathi – via seaplane or boat. The boat transfer is done on a large boat twice a day (depends on season) and is generally cheaper, but it’s done in groups so you could end up waiting until all flights have arrived in Male to depart for Kuramathi.

Boat transfers take a little over an hour on a comfortable speedboat. The second option would be to take a seaplane with TMA, the ride will take about 20 minutes from the airport.

We’re mixed on which is the better option as the planes can at times be hot and between checking in, loading, and unloading the plane can take just as long. To book the transfer you must consult Kuramathi directly as TMA does not offer individual bookings.

The Kuramathi Property

Kuramathi Island is one mile long and shares a name with the resort. It’s in the Rasdhoo atoll in the Northeast section of the Maldives and offers access to some amazing marine life and gorgeous beaches.

A particular highlight of the property is the spectacular sandbank that extends out from the end of the island. Sunsets here are a must.

There is a wide selection of modern rooms spread across the islands ranging from double rooms, beach bungalows, water villas, and pool villas. Altogether it’s a resort that leaves you seeking a golf cart or buggy as walking the whole thing may take close to an hour!

The Rooms at Kuramathi

All of the rooms at Kuramathi are modern and updated, especially the new overwater villas. We stayed in one of their deluxe water villas and had a fantastic time.

The villa was larger than most apartments with a comfortable king bed, bar, couch, and a large bathroom. Features like an in-wine cooler stocked with over 16 bottles of wine made sure we had no need to leave the room – just had to call in order for some room service. A bathtub located in the center of the bathroom provided views out to the Maldivian blue water.

All of the water villas have a large patio deck with lounge chairs to enjoy the sun in privacy. We spent most of our time on the back deck of our villa taking dips into the water via our private staircase. With decently deep water we may have taken a few jumps off the back deck before rinsing off in our outdoor shower.

I don’t know if we’d advise going fully nude on the back deck as you can still see much of the resort and your neighbors have access to the water as well. It’s possible to snorkel right from your villa so you may end up seeing some stray snorkelers every once in a while.

The Food at Kuramathi

The food varies on your meal plan; however, every booking includes breakfast which is served at your correspondent restaurant. Most people will go with a full board meal plan and that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a buffet.

For buffet food, we found the ambiance and views better than your average buffet. The food was fresh and the menu actually changed every day while catering to an international audience. That being said we could have done with more options for vegetarians, a full salad bar, and more fresh fruit.

Two of our nights at Kuramathi we had meals at their ala carte restaurants – The Palm and Island BBQ. The Palm is a contemporary restaurant with seafood dishes with the particular specialty on various ragouts.

The island BBQ is pretty self-explanatory located near the reception where there is an Indian Restaurant, Coffee shop, and bar. They have a wide selection of grilled meats and seafood offering flambéed dishes tableside. I would highly recommend booking at least one dinner at one of Kuramathi’s ala carte restaurants! 

The Staff at Kuramathi

The staff at Kuramathi are incredibly kind and helpful. Every excursion we had was met with prompt and courteous staff members from all over the world!

The Diving at Kuramathi

We had no idea what to expect when we arrived in the morning for our first dive at Kuramathi with Rasdhoo Divers. However, when we met up with an experienced diver who proclaimed we were about to dive on her favorite site in the world it raised an eyebrow or two.

Maadivaru is a small ridge that sits at about 19 meters deep with strong currents and a nice edge that is often populated by sharks. We had no idea what to expect when we reached the ridge until we set anchors. For about a half hour we watched dozens of sharks, a fever of eagle rays, and a few thousand fish swim next to our faces. The experience was nothing short of extraordinary when the rays began doing acrobatics in the water while the sharks circled.

If you are dive certified a dive at this site is an absolute must. In fact, it probably draws in a number of repeat guests to Kuramathi along with their other phenomenal dive sites. The dive center here runs three dive trips a day and Maadivaru is always on the itinerary.

The Activities at Kuramathi

If all you want to do is relax on the patio of your villa — go ahead. That’s likely part of the reason you traveled to the Maldives. However, there are still many activities for all to enjoy at Kuramathi. For starters, if you want to be off on your own you can rent a mask and some fins and snorkel around the resort.

We like to travel with our own fins, mask, and snorkel so we didn’t have to keep paying for rentals and it was an amazing decision. Plus the gear fits us and no one else has slobbered over the snorkel. If you’re really into snorkeling I can’t recommend bringing your own gear enough. It was a great decision as we’ve been working on our recreational free diving. Though it can be hassle while traveling through airports.

Other activities include group snorkeling, dolphin watching, kayaking, stand-up paddling, kite surfing, and fishing.

Overall Impressions of Kuramathi

Kuramathi is an easy choice for the right guest. If you’re keen on diving, water activities, or a wide selection of bars/restaurants Kuramathi is an easy choice. It’s a big resort with a lot to offer everyone.

All aspects of Kuramathi are modern and new, and the sandbar is the most amazing we’ve seen in our 15 days in the Maldives. However, if you’re looking for an intimate barefoot holiday you might want to look at a smaller property like Maafushivaru.

We arrived ready to relax on an intimate island in the Indian Ocean where there is no need for shoes. Here’s what you can expect checking into Maafushivaru Maldives on the Ari Atoll.

Maafushivaru Maldives Reviews

Getting to Maafushivaru Maldives

Maafushivaru Maldives is located at the Southern tip of the Ari Atoll. While technically you could take a boat transfer to the resort from Male, it would take several hours in potentially rough seas. So, most visitors will get to Maafushivaru via seaplane operated by Trans Maldivian Airlines.

You cannot book seaplane flights directly and they must be coordinated through your resort. Seaplanes are $500 round trip to most resorts in the Maldives, so it’s important to factor that price into your overall budget when planning out what Maldivian resort you want to stay in. Please keep in mind this is common for just about every resort in the Maldives that requires a seaplane flight.

Maafushivaru Maldives Property

Maafushivaru has less than 50 rooms making it one of the smaller resorts in the Maldives. You can walk the entire island in just a few minutes. If you are looking for a quiet holiday in the Maldives away from the loud music and mass crowds you will absolutely love the vibe at Maafushivaru. It also has the ability to break away from that resort vibe that you’ll find at some of the larger resorts like Kuramathi.

The resort features an activity center, dive center, three restaurants, two bars, a spa, gym, and a pool. It’s all pretty impressive amenities to have for such a small resort. It leads to an intimate setting where it’s easy to find your own private spot.

The Rooms at Maafushivaru Maldives

There are three room types at Maafushivaru – Beach Villas, Pool Villas, and Water Villas. The most common room type is the beach villa which is where we called home. Rooms are complete with an outdoor bathroom, sun chairs, sun bed, king-sized bed, DVD player, wifi, coffee machine, and we even had a bottle bubbly waiting for us. Honestly, we didn’t spend much time in the room as there was so much to do around us!

However, what we loved the most about it was the direct beach access with two comfortable loungers waiting for us to enjoy. Morning time was relaxing as you could wake up and listen to the ocean with an espresso in hand.

At some resorts when you are on the beach services more guests and it can be hard to get privacy. Due to Maafushivaru being so small you could get an entire morning or afternoon without ever seeing another guest!

The Food at Maafushivaru Maldives

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served buffet-style at Maafushivaru. Honestly, we didn’t love the buffet food and it was one of the main flaws of the resort. With over 300,000 Chinese visitors a year to the Maldives, the resorts definitely have an influx of Chinese guests and we found that most of the buffet food was Asian-inspired. Great for them – but bad for those with an international or vegetarian palate.

That being said they do have one a la carte restaurant on site. 135 degrees east, is a Teppanyaki restaurant that sits on stilts along the calm Indian ocean.  Teppanyaki, similar to a Hibachi-style restaurant where chefs cook in front of you in the US is becoming popular in the Maldives. Maafushivaru was one of the first resorts in the Maldives to dish up this style of food and it is absolutely delicious. They also whip up fresh sushi!

The Staff at Maafushivaru Maldives

We found the service staff incredibly friendly at Maafushivaru. Every encounter we had with them was met with a warm hospitable smile which can make or break the vibe in a Maldives resort.

The Excursions at Maafushivaru Maldives

The journey out to Maafushivaru may be far for most, but there is are good reasons to venture out to the resort. The answer lies in the excursions and location. For starters, Maafushivaru has a nice house reef!

We snorkeled around the entire island and within the first twenty minutes we found an abundance of beautiful parrotfish, turtles, black-tipped reef sharks, and even an octopus. For snorkelers, it’s a great place to come and really see vibrant marine life unlike other spots in the Maldives where the resort has destroyed much of the reef.

Maafushivaru’s location on the South Ari Atoll also means that you are close to whale sharks, manta rays, and giant sea turtles. Maafushivaru runs excursions every morning that takes guests out to go snorkeling with the marine life.

We joined them for a morning of swimming with Manta Rays and saw at least 10! We almost hopped on the whale shark excursions too but opted out because our time doing it in Mozambique could not be topped. Plus we had gotten word that there are often 100+ people in the water for one or two whale sharks.

Maafushivaru also has their own dive school for those that are certified or interested in learning. They operate scuba trips three times a day to many different locations. Tell your dive master your interest so they can take you to an epic spot!

Lonubo Island

For a truly unique experience in the Maldives, guests can book a night on the private Lonubo Island. Lonubo is a stunning empty island just a boat ride away from Maafushivaru and can only be accessed by Maafushivaru guests. Every few days the staff take people over to enjoy the island for a few hours, but if you want seclusion you can book a night of romance all to yourself.

Starting just before sunset the staff will take you over to watch the sun go down. Once evening hits a private three-course dinner on the beach with champagne awaits. If you are looking for a romantic option while at Maafushivaru Lonubo island is a great add-on to your Maldives vacation.

Overall Impressions of Maafushivaru Maldives

We were looking for a quiet Maldivan getaway away from Male and mass tourism and we found it at Maafushivaru. It’s great for all types of travelers to enjoy – but in particular, if you really care about the marine life in the Maldives. The house reef, snorkeling excursions, and diving was top notch in this area of the Maldives. All that are passionate about being underwater will certainly love their time here.

There’s no loud music and no flocks of tourists with hundreds of villas and bungalows. Perhaps this is what the Maldives used to be before Instagram and the overwater bungalow craze hit. Relaxing, quiet, and the best place to find your zen.

What to Pack for Maafushivaru

Travel Insurance

We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. 

Travel Water Bottle

Plastic pollution is a problem so it’s best not to contribute to the problem by buying plastic water bottles everywhere – plus the water from the taps here is perfectly safe to drink. We’ve shifted to using an insulated aluminum water bottle as it handles the hot sun well.

However, we also love filtered water bottles in areas we’re uncertain about the water supply. Read more about our favorite water bottles for travel in our post.

Sunscreen

Skin cancer is for real! Don’t forget your SPF when traveling around the Philippines. We recommend ordering some online before your trip, as it can be tough to find sunscreen abroad.

Sunglasses

Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun. There are a lot of options for sunglasses and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to make sure they do have UV protection for the health of your eyes.

Travel Towel

Most hotels will provide you with a towel, but they often aren’t suitable or allowed on the beaches. I like to travel with a microfiber towel because they are light and fold up small, and they also don’t cling to sand or dirt. Here are a few of our favorite travel towels.

Travel Adapter

Remember that Maldives uses the Type D and G adaptor. Make sure you find a good universal adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land.

Travel In The Maldives

• Best Time to Visit Maldives (2020) • Month By Month Breakdown
• 20 Maldives Travel Tips To Know Before You Go
• Maafushivaru Maldives Review • Finding Peace on the Ari Atoll
• Kurumba Maldives Review • Relax at the First Resort in the Maldives
• Velassaru Maldives Review • Our Favorite Luxury Resort in the Maldives
• Kuramathi Maldives Review • Enjoying One of Best Dives Spots in the World
• What to Wear in the Maldives • The Ultimate Maldives Packing List