The Maldives offer idyllic surroundings for newlyweds who want to savour intimate moments together in a unique and serene environment – just one reason why the Maldives is rated as one of the world's best honeymoon destinations.
Discover a choice of tranquil and pampered settings on any of the more than 80 exclusive resort islands that stretch like a string of pearls across 70,000 square metres of ocean along the equator.
Here you can discover tiny coral islands mainly covered by lush tropical vegetation and encircled by gorgeous palm-fringed, white-sand beaches.
The Maldives offers a range of active pursuits and attractions – the widely spaced islands are widely regarded as having some of the best snorkelling and diving grounds in the world. It is also the ideal place for surfing, windsurfing, fishing and kayaking.
See colourful reef fish, including the remarkable powder-blue surgeonfish, from a private sundeck or through the glass floor of an over-water villa.
Dive pristine offshore reefs that are famous for their wealth of marine life, or go swimming, snorkelling, kayaking (photo – Veligandu Island) and windsurfing in sheltered lagoons.
Cruise to an uninhabited desert island for a seafood and champagne luncheon, enjoy water skiing thrills or go game fishing for tuna.
At sunset, sail on a traditional dhoni fishing boat while dolphins play alongside or settle into moments of pure romance while sipping champagne in the privacy of your stylish villa.
Relax in exotic seclusion overlooking stunning sugar-white beaches and pristine coral reefs. Wake up to the sound of rippling waves, spend a lazy morning on your private sundeck over the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean or take a plunge in your private infinity-edge pool.
More things to do in the Maldives…
The Maldives is legendary for gorgeous beaches and idyllic, unspoilt tropical islands washed by gentle sea breezes…
Relax on a long crescent of soft, powder-white sand that shelves gently into a beautiful turquoise lagoon.
This is one of the Maldives’ best beaches, encircling the tiny palm-fringed Sun Island or Nalaguraidhoo, known locally as the ‘Flower of the Indies'.
Accessible by a short 15-minute plane ride from Malé, Veligandu Island on North Ari Atoll offers an 80m-long pristine white-sand beach that hints of gold before shelving into the clear, warm waters of the lagoon.
Veligandu island offers some of the best diving facilities in the Maldives as well as all the amenities you’d expect from the luxury Veligandu Island Resort, which features both over-water and beachside bungalows.
Located on North Malé Atoll, Ihuru Island is a truly idyllic sun-kissed island paradise, fringed with palm trees fronting an immaculate sugar-white beach that shelves into a deep blue lagoon.
Just a short 15m swim away lie reefs where you can snorkel with green turtles above coral that teems with colourful fish. Relax on the beach, windsurf or paddle the lagoon.
Lodge in one of the chic beachside villas at Angsana Resort, which features holistic spa pleasures and numerous leisure activities, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé.
Read more about islands and beaches in the Maldives…
The Maldives offers a choice of must-see attractions for active couples, including…
Located on the eastern side of North Malé Atoll inside the barrier reef, Banana Reef is a protected marine park around 300m long.
Banana Reef is ideal for scuba divers and snorkellers alike. See colourful coral, sharks, barracuda and groper. Dive deep past plunging cliffs, caves and overhangs or snorkel the reef top to watch jackfish, morays and blue-striped snapper.
Explore one of the world's most famous dive sites, located off Ari Atoll. Plunge down cliffs past ledges, overhangs and caves to the atoll plate at 42m.
The reef is about 100m long, 60m wide and the reef top just 10m from the surface. Discover anemones, sea fans, black corals, grey reef shark, blue-lined snappers, napoleon wrasse and schools of fusiliers and yellow grunts.
The small but busy capital of Maldives, Malé (pronounced MAHL-ee) has a laid-back charm with great shopping in the busy markets.
Stroll along the sea wall into the narrow lanes of the old quarter or head into the shady tree-lined streets of the residential area. In just a few hours you'll cover all the main sites: a good place to start is on the waterfront near the main square known locally as Jumhooree Maiden.
From here its an easy stroll past the fishing harbour – where colourful dhonis unload their catch – to the National Museum, Old Friday Mosque and the shopping boutiques along the northern end of Chaandhanee Magu.
Best buys include local handicrafts like seashell jewelry and carved replicas of the traditional Maldivian sailboats.
Check out Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque) – the country's oldest mosque dates from 1656 and is a masterpiece of coral carved with exquisite filigree designs.
And don't miss the National Museum, where you can admire the former possessions of the sultan, including rich brocades and weapons, as well as pre-Islamic stone carvings collected from sites all over the country.
Hukuru Miskiy – The country's oldest mosque features wooden prayer panels intricately carved with Arabic script.
As the mosque was built on the foundations of an old temple that faced west rather than northwest towards Mecca, worshippers must face the corner of the mosque when they pray – the carpet, laid at an angle, shows the correct direction.
Unlike most mosques in the Maldives, visitors are generally not allow inside. Instead, wander among the elaborately carved coral headstones in the cemetery, nearby.
National Museum – Admire the former possessions of the sultan, including rich brocades and weapons, as well as pre-Islamic stone carvings collected from sites all over the country. The Museum is housed in a small, three-story building set in one corner of the Sultan's Park and is all that remains of the sultan's palace.
The Maldives offers a choice of stylish and luxurious beach villas and over-water suites often situated on idyllic private islands that fringe tranquil lagoons, such as idyllic Coca Island Resort (photo) on Cocoa Island, South Malé Atoll – just perfect for honeymoon couples.
Resorts in the Maldives are spread across slightly more than 200 inhabited islands, with North Ari Atoll, South Ari Atoll, North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll being the most popular, probably as they offer quicker access from the capital Malé, including the following…
W Maldives
Location: Fesdu Island, North Ari Atoll
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD3,154 per villa
Description: Enjoy the inviting blue waters, beautiful reefs and white sands of the Maldives while staying at the W Maldives. Offering a tranquil escape, the hotel features a diving centre, fitness centre and outdoor infinity pool. Chinese breakfast option is available. Spacious villas offer direct beach, reef or ocean access and come with a private plunge pool. Cocktails and assorted beverages are featured at SIP. Situated on a private island within the North Ari Atoll, it is a 1.5 hour speed boat ride or a 25-minute sea plane transfer from Male International Airport. A private W Lounge is available at Malé's Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.
One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives
Location: Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD2,568 per villa
Description: This luxurious tropical getaway overlooks the Indian Ocean and offers an infinity pool, free Wi-Fi and a peaceful private beach. The elegant villas at One & Only Reethi Rah are situated either over the lagoon or by the beach and enjoy beautiful ocean views. Flat-screen cable/satellite TVs, iPod docks and DVD players can be enjoyed in all rooms. Guests may enjoy massage treatments at One&Only Spa or rejuvenate with a game of tennis at the outdoor courts. Reethi offers Mediterranean cuisine. Other dining options include Rah Bar and 24-hour in-villa dining. One & Only Reethi Rah is a 1-hour, 15-minute luxury yacht ride or a 45-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
Location: Emboodhu Finolhu, South Malé Atoll
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,638 per villa
Description: 5-star exclusivity awaits at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, with luxurious villas and a large infinity pool with clear lagoon views. It features 2 restaurants, a bar and a fitness centre. Free WiFi access is available in all rooms. Staff are able to converse in Chinese. Featuring private sundecks and balconies, large villas are decorated with fine wood furnishings and warm colours. First-rate amenities include a Nespresso coffee machine and iPod dock. Premium toiletries and rain showers are provided. Extras in the room include a dental kit and slippers. All-day dining with a wide spread of international dishes is provided at 24 Degrees Restaurant. The Deep End offers fine dining in an elegant environment. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is 8 km from Malé International Airport, which takes 15 minutes by a private speedboat available 24 hours a day.
Find more Maldives resorts…
It’s best to visit the Maldives during the northeast monsoon from December to April when it’s cooler and quite dry. Daytime temperatures average 28°C year round.
The Maldives has a hot tropical climate with cooling daytime sea breezes. The southwest monsoon from May to November brings wind and rain, particularly in June and July.
More information about Maldives weather…
The Maldives – an archipelago of 26 coral atolls consisting of around 1190 low-lying coral islands – lie scattered in the Indian Ocean around 600km (372mi) southwest of the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka.
The most convenient route to the Maldives is by air to Velana International Airport (MLE), also known as Malé International Airport (and previously as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport).
The airport is located 4.6km (2.9mi) from the capital, Malé, on Huhule Island in the North Male Atoll, and includes the International Terminal, Domestic Terminal and the waterdrome Seaplane Terminal.
Although stretching 820km (509mi) from north to south and 130km (80mi) east to west, no island in the Maldives is more than 45 minutes away by air taxi (sea plane) from Malé’s international airport.
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) operates a seaplane transfer service from Velana International Airport (MLE) to a large number of resorts and islands in the Maldives.
More information about getting to the Maldives…
Latest update: The Maldives: 9 September, 2022
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