Maldives Holidays

Private islands, overwater villas, and lagoons so clear the fish look like they're floating on air – the Maldives is the ultimate escape.

Holidays to the Maldives 2026 highlights

• Crystal-clear waters with visibility up to 50 metres – perfect for snorkelling and diving

• Iconic overwater villas with glass floors and direct lagoon access

• Swim alongside sea turtles, manta rays and even whale sharks

• World-class dining from underwater restaurants to private beach dinners

• Spa treatments overlooking the Indian Ocean – relaxation doesn't get better than this

3 Fun Facts About the Maldives

• It’s got more islands than you’ve had hot dinners – the Maldives boasts over 1,190 islands! Yep, it’s basically the ultimate island-hopping paradise.

• The Maldives is flatter than a pancake – with the highest point being a whopping 2.4 meters above sea level, you won’t find any hills to hike here.

• A pint of beer typically costs between $6 to $10 USD (about £5 to £8), depending on where you are, but you won't get these views or this weather back home.

Local Lingo - Talk Like a Maldivian

Dhivehi is the national language of the Maldives and has been shaped by various languages, including Arabic, French, Portuguese, Persian and English. The good news? English is widely spoken in tourist areas, so you'll never be stuck, but knowing a few words of Dhivehi goes a long way. Locals absolutely love it when visitors make the effort, and the smiles you get back are worth every stumbled pronunciation.

• Assalaamu Alaikum - the go-to greeting, meaning "peace be upon you." The Maldives is a Muslim nation, and this is how locals say hello. The response is "Wa Alaikum Assalaam." Use it when you arrive at a local island, and you'll immediately earn serious respect.

• Baajjaveri hendhuneh - good morning. Hard to pronounce, brilliant to try. Even a half-decent attempt will get you a big smile from the resort staff.

• Shukuriyaa - thank you. Simple, easy to remember, and one of the most useful words you'll use all holiday. Bodu Shukuriyaa means "thank you very much", save that one for when the floating breakfast arrives.

• Salaamai kurey - help! Hopefully you'll never need it, but worth knowing just in case.

• Maruhabaa - welcome. You'll hear this constantly from resort staff from the moment you step off the seaplane. Now you can say it back.

Quick Tip - The Maldives is a Muslim country, and the population follows Islamic customs. Handshakes are common, but if you're a man meeting a woman, let her offer her hand first; if she doesn't, a nod or a smile is a perfectly respectful greeting.

Where to Stay on your holidays to the Maldives

The Maldives works differently from most destinations – each resort has its own private island, so choosing your hotel means choosing your entire experience. From intimate boutique hideaways to sprawling family-friendly resorts, here's how to find your perfect pillow.

For Honeymoons & Couples

If it's just the two of you, North Malé Atoll and the outer atolls are where the magic happens. Private resort islands in these areas offer the iconic overwater villas, secluded beaches, and candlelit dinners on the sand that make the Maldives the world's go-to honeymoon destination. For something extra special, COMO Cocoa Island and JOALI Maldives are consistently rated among the most romantic stays in the entire archipelago, intimate, stunning, and genuinely unforgettable.

The Maldives is made for romance. Overwater villas with private pools, sunset cruises, candlelit dinners on the sand – it's the ultimate "just married and just loving life" destination.

• Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa – adults-only with overwater villas, infinity pools, and dining designed for date nights. Just 25 minutes by speedboat from the airport.

• Saii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton – overwater living with stunning sunsets and dolphin spotting. Part of the CROSSROADS complex with multiple dining options.

• Baros Maldives – intimate and elegant, Baros has been welcoming honeymooners for over 50 years. World-class house reef and a Lighthouse restaurant with panoramic ocean views.

For Families

Families are best suited to South Malé Atoll or the larger resort islands with easy speedboat access from the airport, keeping transfers short and stress levels lower. Look for areas with shallow, calm lagoons and resorts offering kids' clubs and multiple dining options. Anantara Dhigu in South Malé Atoll and Kuramathi Maldives in Rasdhoo Atoll are brilliant area picks, with spacious, diverse facilities and reef-safe shallow waters that little ones absolutely love.

• Meeru Island Resort & Spa – one of the larger islands with kids' pools, six restaurants, and activities from football to snorkelling. Great value all-inclusive option.

• Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma – spacious villas, a kids' club, and a fantastic house reef. Six restaurants mean no mealtime battles.

• Kuredu Island Resort – a huge island with a golf course, diving centre, and a separate adults-only section if you need a breather. Brilliant for families with older kids.

For Luxury 🌟

For pure, uncompromising luxury, head to the outer atolls, Baa Atoll, Ari Atoll, and Noonu Atoll, where the most spectacular private resort islands sit. Further from the airport means more remote, more exclusive, and more extraordinary. Think seaplane arrivals, glass-floor villas, and house reefs teeming with marine life. Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll and One&Only Reethi Rah in North Malé Atoll set the standard for what Maldivian luxury can look like.

When only the very best will do. Private pools, butler service, and the kind of details you'll remember forever.

• The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – fourteen restaurants, an award-winning spa, and villas with private pools. All-inclusive here means genuinely all-inclusive.

• Adaaran Prestige Vadoo – all-overwater resort with villas featuring glass floors and direct ocean access. Just 15 minutes from the airport.

• Constance Moofushi – barefoot luxury on a pristine island with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. Adults-only and all-inclusive.

For All-Inclusive Peace of Mind 🍹

All-inclusive resorts are spread across the atolls, but South Ari Atoll is a brilliant spot to base yourself, with great value resorts, easy seaplane or speedboat access, and you're right in whale shark territory as a bonus. Private resort islands anywhere in the Maldives make all-inclusive the smart choice, when there's nowhere else to go, having everything sorted means you can properly switch off from the moment you arrive.

• Adaaran Club Rannalhi – great value all-inclusive with overwater villas, spa, and excellent snorkelling. Just 35 minutes from the airport.

• Fihalhohi Island Resort – classic Maldivian charm with water villas, a diving centre, and a relaxed atmosphere. Strong all-inclusive package.

• Diamonds Thudufushi – Italian-run resort with superb food, a beautiful beach, and easy access to whale shark territory in South Ari Atoll.

Best Value Options 💰

The Maldives on a budget is absolutely possible; you just need to know where to look. Local inhabited islands like Maafushi and Dhiffushi offer guesthouses, local restaurants, and a genuine glimpse into everyday Maldivian life at a fraction of the private island price. Staying close to Malé and the surrounding islands,  like Bandos Maldives, just 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport, also cuts transfer costs significantly and keeps things affordable without sacrificing that stunning Maldivian scenery.

The Maldives doesn't have to break the bank. These resorts deliver the dream without the premium price tag.

• Embudu Village – authentic Maldivian atmosphere, excellent house reef, and no pretension. Just 25 minutes from the airport.

• Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi – a larger island with both beach and water villas. Good all-inclusive value and a surf break nearby.

🏝️ Overwater vs Beach Villas

It's the big decision. Both have their charms, and they're both giving luxury vibes no matter which way you swing it... So, we guess it depends on what you're fancying when you jet off... Have you got the kids in tow? Or is it a romantic retreat for you and the better half?

Overwater Villas:

• Direct lagoon access - roll straight out of bed and into the sea

• Glass-floor panels - watch the fish below from your living room

• More private - uninterrupted ocean views and no beach traffic past your deck

• Premium price - but it's the iconic Maldives experience

Beach Villas:

• Step straight onto the sand - from your door to the shoreline in seconds

• Often more space - sometimes with private gardens and more indoor square footage

• Better for young families - no drop into open water straight off the deck

• More affordable - generally a big step down in price from the overwater equivalent

Maldives holidays for honeymooners

There's a reason the Maldives tops every honeymoon list. Private islands mean genuine seclusion. Overwater villas mean waking up to turquoise lagoons, and the resorts have turned romance into an art form.

What to expect:

• Floating breakfasts delivered to your villa

• Private sandbank dinners with personal chefs

• Couples' spa treatments overlooking the ocean

• Sunset dolphin cruises with champagne

• Stargazing from your private deck

What are the best beaches to visit in the Maldives?

The Maldives isn’t just serving beaches – it’s serving the beaches. We’re talking silky sands, crystal-clear waters, and vibes that range from romantic hideaways to snorkellers’ playgrounds. Here are some of the best beach spots to dip your toes in:

• Bikini Beach, Rasdhoo Island - soft sand and turquoise water, and the rare Maldivian local island where bikini-wearing is permitted (most inhabited islands require modest dress)

• Veligandu Island beaches - secluded stretches built for honeymoon strolls and selfies, the "never leaving" energy taken to its logical extreme

• Reethi Beach, Fonimagoodhoo Island - prime snorkelling with easy reef access straight from the beach

• Nalaguraidhoo Beach, Sun Island - bright blue water and lush resort backdrop, one of the more photographed stretches in South Ari Atoll

• Cocoa Island beaches - the luxury-and-yoga-retreat version of a Maldives beach day, barefoot spa territory

• Fulhadhoo Beach, Baa Atoll - quiet, unspoiled, and the antidote to resort-island bustle for days when you want tranquillity

• Dhigurah Beach, South Ari Atoll - one of the longest beaches in the Maldives at 3km, and the launch point for whale shark snorkelling

Your Maldives holidays 2026 travel guide

Things to do for families in the Maldives

• Snorkelling and dolphin cruises - the Maldives’ warm, shallow lagoons are basically nature’s paddling pools. Perfect for the little ones to splash about in, while the local dolphin pods love putting on a show for the resort boats.

• Whale submarine ride - want to show the kids the coral reefs without dealing with wet towels and soggy goggles? Hop on this semi-submarine from Malé. All the marine magic, zero dampness. The kids will absolutely lose their minds.

• Resort kids' clubs - need some actual "adult time"? Most of the larger resorts have you covered with full-day kids' clubs. We’re talking mini clubs, professional babysitting, and enough daily activities to tire them out by bedtime. You're welcome.

• Kayaks and paddleboards - because the lagoon waters are as flat as a pancake, learning to paddleboard is an absolute breeze. Plus, most resorts throw the equipment into your All-Inclusive package for free.

• Reef fish feeding at the jetty - a nightly ritual at loads of resorts. Grab a spot by the torchlight and watch the local fish (and the odd baby shark) turn up for their evening tea.

Things to do for couples in the Maldives

• Sunset cruises - picture this: a traditional dhoni boat, a glass of bubbly, and the sky doing that ridiculous pastel-pink thing. It’s the ultimate, cliché-but-we-love-it Maldives evening.

• Private sandbank dinners - just you, your favourite person, a personal chef, and a table pitched on your own private patch of sand. Oh, and the Indian Ocean acting as your background music. Fancy.

• Couples' spa sessions - if you haven't booked a side-by-side massage, are you even on holiday? Most resorts offer full couples' spa menus, complete with facials and hot tubs big enough for two.

• Stargazing on the beach - with zero light pollution, the night skies out here are unreal. Some resorts even bring out the big guns (telescopes) for guided stargazing sessions.

• Floating breakfast in your villa pool - a massive breakfast spread delivered on a tray that floats right in your private pool. Is it a bit extra? Yes. Is it an instant Instagram winner? Absolutely.

Things to do for adventure seekers in the Maldives

• Diving with whale sharks - head to the South Ari Atoll, the ultimate year-round hotspot for these gentle giants. You can book a half-day boat excursion from about £80 - worth every single penny.

• Manta ray snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay - located in the Baa Atoll, this is hands-down one of the best manta sites on the planet. Plan your trip between May and November (monsoon season) to see them in their hundreds.

• Night snorkelling - swap the sun cream for a torch. Torch-lit reef dives reveal the Maldives' nightlife - and by that, we mean octopuses, lobsters, and predatory fish out on the hunt.

• Surfing (May to October) - think the Maldives is just for lounging? Think again. The monsoon swell brings world-class waves, especially around the North Malé Atoll. Time to wax the board.

• Scenic seaplane tour - your airport transfer will probably double up as a sightseeing flight anyway, but you can also book dedicated photo flights to get those jaw-dropping, postcard-perfect aerial views of the atolls.

Things to do for foodies in the Maldives

• Floating breakfast - look, we mentioned it for the couples, but foodies need to know too. It’s technically breakfast, but it’s mostly an elite-tier holiday experience.

• Mas huni for breakfast - skip the standard cereal and go local. This traditional Maldivian breakfast is a delicious mix of shredded smoked tuna, coconut, chilli, and onion, served with warm flatbread. It’s an absolute game-changer.

• Underwater restaurants - want to dine with the fishes? Iconic spots like Hurawalhi and Conrad Rangali have actual glass-walled dining rooms inside the reef. Just make sure to book weeks in advance, as tables fly.

• Sunset fishing then dinner - go old-school with resort-organised line fishing from a traditional dhoni boat. The best bit? The crew will cook your fresh catch right on the beach for you afterwards.

• Maldivian cooking class - most of the bigger resorts run half-day masterclasses focusing on tuna-centric local classics. Trust us, learning to cook like a local makes for a way better souvenir than a fridge magnet.

🤿 Diving & Snorkelling

The Maldives is one of the world's top diving destinations. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres, water temperatures stay warm year-round, and the marine life is extraordinary.

What you might see:

• Manta rays (especially in Baa Atoll and Ari Atoll)

• Whale sharks (South Ari Atoll is a hotspot)

• Sea turtles (common at most resort house reefs)

• Reef sharks (white-tip and black-tip varieties)

• Over 2,000 species of fish

Don't dive? No problem. Many resorts have house reefs you can snorkel from the beach – no boat required. Some of the best marine life is in water shallow enough to stand in.

Best times for diving

• Dry Season (November–April) - calm seas, exceptional visibility up to 50 metres, and perfect conditions for beginners and experienced divers alike.

• Wet Season (May–October) - don't let the name put you off. This is actually prime time for manta rays and whale sharks, with plankton-rich waters bringing them closer to the surface. Surfers love this season too.

Quick Tip - even if you've never dived before, most resorts offer beginner discover dives with certified instructors in the lagoon. You could go from never diving to swimming with turtles on the same day. The Maldives makes it that easy.

More long haul holiday destinations to catch your eye

If you aren't sold on the Maldives (weird flex, but okay), then you might wanna check out some of these other places for a long-haul jaunt away from the UK:

• 🇹🇭 Thailand, similarly incredible beaches at half the Maldives price, plus proper food, temples and island nightlife. Phuket is the main resort area

• 🏝️ Caribbean, private-island escapes with all-inclusive resorts that genuinely deliver, an 8-9 hour flight compared to the Maldives' 13, and a rum culture the Maldives can't match

• 🇲🇽 Mexico, Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins and boutique Tulum resorts. Cancun is the mega-resort gateway, offering all-inclusive quality at a lower price point

• 🇦🇪 Dubai, the long-haul luxury beach break with beaches, seven-star hotels, desert excursions and a full city offering. Seven-hour flight

• 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, temples, tea plantations, elephant safaris, and coastal beaches at Galle. A cultural-and-coastal alternative to the pure beach-resort stay

Just a heads up, the departure process for those travelling to the Maldives has changed. Please see the FAQs below for more info.

The Maldives has implemented a comprehensive ban on vaping products. Therefore, you're prohibited from bringing e-cigarettes, vapes and vaping devices into the Maldives; these items will be confiscated at the airport and disposed of.