Above-water villas and white-sand beaches – holidays to the Maldives are all about living out your desert-island dream…
One for water babies
With over a thousand coral reef islands, the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean officially has more beaches than inhabitants… so there’s no better place to feel away from it all. The Maldives is made for laidback breaks of a lifetime, whether you’re looking for a luxury resort with lots going on or a peaceful and private bungalow on the beachfront. Wherever you end up, it’s the best kind of cliché – the clear waters are bath temp, the sand is powdery and white, and the vibe’s chilled out. It’s easy to see why it’s a go-to for honeymoons – name somewhere more perfect to start your happily ever after… we’ll wait.
The Maldives mode
The mantra of the Maldives is ‘no news, no shoes’, and it makes sense. Once you arrive here, the outside world melts away and you’ll be ready to embrace the beach-bum lifestyle. Don’t worry, you’ll still have Wi-Fi in most of the hotels. The sand is so soft that you’ll only ever want to be barefoot, plus you can go for the dreamiest dips in the sea and soak up the year-long sun. For the full Maldives experience, stay in an iconic above-water villa for instant sea access and the most insane morning view.
Islands for days
There are 26 atolls – ring-shaped islands – to stay on in the Maldives, each with their own selling point. Think everything from aquarium-style diving conditions to the peak of gourmet dining. The Maldivian capital, Malé, is where you’ll fly into, before a boat or seaplane transfers you to your hotel. The North and South Ari Atolls are the easiest to get to, so they’re a good pick for families, and further south are the glitziest hotels, usually on their own islands. Wherever you stay, there’s loads to explore around the archipelago, and getting around by boat is pretty easy. We’re talking days spent diving and snorkelling, dolphin-watching, and island hopping to secluded sand bars. Bliss.
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Maldives FAQs
Direct flights from London to Male Airport take around 11 hours.
The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa but it’s important to know that this is a closed currency, which means you can only buy it in the Maldives – you can’t take it in or out of the country. We recommend you bring euros, which are widely accepted in tourist areas and some places do only accept cash. You can withdraw Rufiyaa with your travel money card when you get there, too. Tick travel money off your packing list with our foreign exchange service.
You can enter the Maldives as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa. Your passport’s expiry date must be at least one month after the date you arrive, and you’ll need to fill in a Traveller Declaration Form within 96 days of arriving and leaving the Maldives. For more info, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives/entry-requirements.
If you’re looking to switch up your holiday together, the Maldives is the ultimate family adventure. There are loads of family-friendly resorts with spacious family rooms or villas, kids’ clubs, pools with slides and fun activities and entertainment. Wherever you’re staying, you’ll be steps away from the beach, plus you’ll be making memories on daytrips like island hopping, snorkelling, kayaking or wildlife spotting.
Most places in the Maldives use type D or type G power sockets – type G is the same as in the UK, and type D looks similar but the socket holes are round. We’d suggest checking with your hotel to find out if you need to bring a type D adapter.
November to April is the dry season, so you’ll get the best weather. May to October is technically monsoon season, but the rain comes in short bursts, and it’ll be cheaper with fewer crowds. Plus, this is the best time for diving and seeing marine life, like manta rays.
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Maldives travel advice
Passports and Visas
British passport holders need a visa to enter the Maldives If entering as a tourist, you will be granted a 30-day visa upon arrival. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives/entry-requirements.
To save time at immigration control, don’t forget to register your arrival with the authorities
https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/traveller.
Health and safety
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. If you’re planning on scuba diving, check that your policy covers you for this. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives/health
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