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Male, Maldives • Asia

Maldives

A scatter of 1,000 coral islands in the Indian Ocean - overwater villas, glassy turquoise lagoons and some of the best reefs on earth.

#Beaches#Overwater Villas#Snorkelling#Diving#LuxuryCouplesHoneymoonLuxuryBeachFamily
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

The dry season (northeast monsoon) from December to April brings the sunniest skies, calmest seas and best underwater visibility - and the highest prices. The wet season (May to November) is hotter and more humid with short tropical downpours, but quieter, cheaper, and the best time to see manta rays and whale sharks.

Daily budget
$420
Time zone
GMT+5 (MVT)
Language
Dhivehi (English widely spoken)
Currency
MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), USD widely used)
Emergency
119 / 102
Power
Type D & G · 230V

About Maldives

The Maldives is the desert-island daydream made real: nearly 1,200 low-lying coral islands strung across the Indian Ocean in 26 ring-shaped atolls, fringed by powder-white sand, glassy turquoise lagoons and a riot of marine life just below the surface. Each resort typically has its own private island, where overwater villas perch above the lagoon and the horizon is an unbroken line of blue. It is rightly famous as a honeymoon and luxury escape, but there is more here than barefoot indulgence. The snorkelling and diving are world-class, with vivid coral gardens, sea turtles, reef sharks and seasonal giants like manta rays and whale sharks. And thanks to guesthouses on local islands such as Maafushi, the Maldives is now far more affordable too, offering an authentic island culture of fishing villages, mosques and home-cooked curries alongside the same dazzling water. The dry northeast monsoon (December to April) brings the sunniest, calmest weather, while the wetter months are quieter and cheaper. Whether you splurge on a resort or island-hop on a budget, the Maldives delivers a slice of paradise that is hard to top.

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Things to Do in Maldives

7
House Reef SnorkellingNature

House Reef Snorkelling

Many Maldives islands are ringed by their own coral house reef, where you can step off the beach into a world of fish, turtles and reef sharks.

1-2 hours Often free at resorts4.8(90,000)
Scuba DivingAdventure

Scuba Diving

World-class diving among vivid coral, channels and pinnacles, with reef sharks, turtles and seasonal manta rays and whale sharks.

Half day Dives from USD 604.8(60,000)
Overwater Villa & LagoonBeach

Overwater Villa & Lagoon

The signature Maldives experience - a thatched villa on stilts above a glassy turquoise lagoon, with steps straight down into the warm sea.

Stay Resort stay4.9(120,000)
Sandbank PicnicBeach

Sandbank Picnic

A boat trip to a tiny, uninhabited spit of pure white sand in the middle of the ocean, for swimming, snorkelling and a castaway picnic.

Half day Excursion from USD 504.8(40,000)
Maafushi Local IslandCulture

Maafushi Local Island

A friendly inhabited island that pioneered budget Maldives tourism, with guesthouses, a bikini beach, water sports and excursions.

Half to full day Free4.5(35,000)
Male & Fish MarketCulture

Male & Fish Market

The compact, colourful capital, with its golden-domed Grand Friday Mosque, bustling fish and produce markets and a glimpse of everyday Maldivian life.

2-3 hours Free4.2(30,000)
Sunset Dolphin CruiseNature

Sunset Dolphin Cruise

An evening boat trip across calm waters to watch pods of spinner dolphins play in the wake as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean.

1.5-2 hours Excursion from USD 404.7(28,000)

Where to Eat in Maldives

5
Resort Overwater Dining

Resort Overwater Dining

International / Fusion $$$4.7(12,000)

Most resorts offer romantic overwater and beachside restaurants with global menus, fresh seafood and unforgettable ocean-view settings.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Fine Dining / Seafood $$$$4.6(9,000)

The world-famous glass-walled restaurant five metres below the lagoon surface, serving fine dining surrounded by gliding fish and reef.

Seagull Cafe House

Seagull Cafe House

Cafe / Maldivian $$4.4(6,000)

A long-running garden cafe in Male loved for its fresh juices, ice cream and relaxed mix of local and western dishes.

Symphony Restaurant

Symphony Restaurant

International $$4.3(7,000)

A reliable, popular Male rooftop restaurant serving Maldivian, Indian and international dishes, handy before or after island transfers.

Maafushi Local Cafes

Maafushi Local Cafes

Maldivian / Street Food $4.3(5,000)

Simple, great-value local cafes (hotaa) on Maafushi serving Maldivian curries, mas huni and roshi, plus fresh tuna and short eats.

Where to Stay in Maldives

5
Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi

Luxury $$$$4.9(3,000)

A pioneering barefoot-luxury resort on a lush private island, with vast villas, an observatory, an outdoor cinema and an eco ethos.

Gili Lankanfushi

Gili Lankanfushi

Luxury $$$$4.9(2,500)

An exquisite, sustainability-focused resort of expansive overwater villas reached by boat, the epitome of romantic Maldivian luxury.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa

Resort $$$4.6(4,500)

An adults-only all-inclusive resort close to Male, with overwater villas, a fine house reef and a relaxed, good-value island vibe.

Kaani Grand Seaview

Kaani Grand Seaview

Mid-Range $$4.4(3,500)

A comfortable local-island hotel on Maafushi with a rooftop pool and easy access to bikini beach, snorkelling and excursions.

Arena Beach Hotel

Arena Beach Hotel

Guesthouse $4.4(4,000)

A friendly, well-run beachfront guesthouse on Maafushi, a top budget base with a dive centre and a full range of water sports.

Maldives Itineraries

1
5-day trip

Classic 5 Days in the Maldives

easy USD 1,000 - 3,000

A relaxed island escape balancing overwater downtime with the best of the water - snorkelling, diving, a sandbank picnic and a local-island day.

View day-by-day plan

Maldives Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$600 - $1,500$600 - $1,500$600 - $1,500
Accommodation$80/night$300/night$900/night
Food$30/day$70/day-
Activities$80/day$80/day$80/day
Local Transport$25/day$25/day$25/day
Daily Average$150$420$1,200

Local currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), USD widely used

Maldives Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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