Maldives Holidays

Maldives Holidays transport you to another world - a glittering archipelago, peppering the turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean, there is a beauty to this part of the world that truly has to be seen to be believed. There are so many atolls - over a thousand - that a lifetime would hardly be enough time to truly discover this coral phenomenon, but you can make some headway with the breathtaking diving, snorkelling and sailing opportunities holidays in the Maldives can afford you.

The Maldives are a picture-perfect example of the quintessential island paradise, with some of the world's finest hotels and white sand beaches. Huge coral reefs contain clear lagoons, themselves surrounded by exotic marine life of every colour and description. Maldives holidays require an 11 hour flight, but they're well worth the flying time!

You're almost on the equator here, so expect heat on your Maldives holiday! Average temperatures in the Maldives range from 28°C to 30°C with very little variation, and the sun shines uninterrupted all year round. The months of December to May are the driest, with a bit more rain in the rest of the year, but it's still hot; lightweight clothes and sun cream are the order of the day no matter what time of year you take a holiday in the Maldives. Summer peaks early, April seeing the highest temperatures, and December the coolest. 

Jan - 30ºC

Feb - 31ºC

Mar - 31ºC

Apr - 32ºC

May - 31ºC

Jun - 31ºC

Jul - 30ºC

Aug - 30ºC

Sep - 30ºC

Oct - 30ºC

Nov - 30ºC

Dec - 30ºC

Basically a string of gorgeous coral reefs and islands southwest of Sri Lanka, there are world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities on a Maldives holiday. The capital, Male, is ideally situated in the middle of this island group, affording you the perfect base from which to discover the Maldives - verdant, palm-strewn beaches, 200 uninhabited islands, and fabulous lagoon resorts which redefine the word 'luxury'.

On Male itself, you can visit the white Friday Mosque, built in the 17th Century, take the kids on a trip to the new artificial beach for some watersports, or laze around the many parks that smatter this small capital.

Come on holidays to Maldives in July and September for the Independence and Republic Day parades - features of both include parades and marches by soldiers and kids alike, and all the paraphernalia of a public holiday, including an eclectic mix of music that gives the lie to the myriad cultures that make up Maldivian life.

The archipelago has seen it's fair share of seafaring visitors, from Portuguese would-be conquerors to Arabian traders, and artefacts from millennia of Maldivian history can be viewed at the splendid National History Museum on Male. A Muslim country since the 12th Century, there are a panoply of events celebrating Islam here, from the traditional Eid celebrations to the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, all replete with music and feasting.

Rather unsurprisingly for an island nation, seafood is the traditional bill of fare here, and succulent tuna can be bought and sampled at the bustling market on Male. For a quieter time, be sure to check out the local market a few minutes away, where you can buy every kind of local produce from homemade fish soup to yams, pickle and fruit, or check out the main shopping area, the Majeedhee Magu, for, well, anything you could think of!

There are lots of great restaurants on Male, with perfect opportunities for romantic candlelit dinners or friendly gatherings, and the nightlife is typically situated in the resorts with discos and jazz bars. Some of the bars in the resorts areas do not sell alcohol, in keeping with the islands' Muslim religion, but don't worry, holidays in the Maldives are far from tee total, and there are plenty of opportunities for sipping a cocktail overlooking paradise.

To ensure that you have access to the best deals available on holidays in the Maldives, we have developed an online booking system that lets you easily create the best cheap Maldives holidays complete with accommodation and flights. Book with On The Beach today for the best deals online!