Maldives : The Republic Of Maldives.

Why Go To Maldives.

MALDIVES, OFFICIALLY THE REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES, IS AN ARCHIPELAGIC STATE LOCATED IN SOUTHERN ASIA, SITUATED IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. IT LIES SOUTHWEST OF SRI LANKA AND INDIA, ABOUT 750 KILOMETRES FROM THE ASIAN CONTINENT'S MAINLAND.

You've seen photos of the Maldives before: picture-perfect private villas suspended over striking blue waters, alabaster white sand beaches and spectacular sunsets dipping into the horizon. The scenic beauty of the Maldives is something to behold, something you can't quite understand until you're there in person.

The island nation of the Maldives is popular with honeymooners looking for seclusion and adventurers looking to explore the depths of the sea on a scuba diving and snorkeling excursion. Travelers seeking relaxation can unwind at one of the island spas and all visitors should certainly spend a day exploring the Maldivian capital of Malé. The hotels in this region are also spectacular, ranging from underwater hotels to overwater bungalows to incredibly beautiful resorts. However, getting to and staying in this tropical paradise requires patience (there are no direct flights from the United States) and plentiful cash.

Far stretched white sandy beaches flanking the turquoise blue Indian Ocean, stilted waterside villas, a romantic candlelit dinner with a glass of champagne at the gazebo on water – Maldives is all about luxury and tryst with nature. Often called as the Manhattan of the Indian Ocean, the metropolis charm of the Hulhule Island is blended perfectly with the tropical charm and that is one of the prevalent reasons to visit Maldives.

Top 10 Reasons To Travel To Maldives.

With more than a thousand splendid islands and the 26 coral atolls brimming with marine life, a dive into the unfathomable sea or sprawling across the sun-lounger on the powdery sand, the reasons to visit Maldives are unending; let’s check out the ten below:

• Relax on the Beaches
• Swim with the Sharks
• Dive into the Coral Reef
• Enjoy Water Sports
• Cherish Maldivian Culture
• Relish the Cuisine
• Get Spa Therapy
• Watch Bioluminescent Water under the Stars
• Visit the Architectural Heritages
• Explore Male and Suburbs

 Rankings.

The World Report travel rankings are based on analysis of expert and user opinions. 

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Asia
• #3 in
  Best Honeymoon Destinations
• #4 in Best Christmas Vacations
• #4 in
  Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations
• #5 in
  Best Beaches in the World
• #6 in
  Best Places to Visit in November
• #10 in
  World's Best Places to Visit
• #11 in
  Best Spring Vacations
• #20 in
  Best Island Vacations

• Best Hotels in Maldives.

• From slick showstoppers and secluded barefoot hideaways, we've explored all the atolls and hotels in the Maldives so you can get it right first time.

• 1) KUDADOO MALDIVES.

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• KUDADOO MALDIVES PRIVATE ISLAND OFFERS A FULLY-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES EVERYTHING UNDER THE MOON AVAILABLE TO YOU AT ANY TIME AND ANYWHERE. BOUND TO IMPRESS EVEN THE MOST DISCERNING TRAVELLER, THIS PRIVATE ISLAND HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR ESCAPES FROM THE CONFINES OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

  MOMENTS OF MAGNIFICENCE TAKE THE FORM OF DELIGHTFUL CULINARY CREATIONS, UNLIMITED LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND WELLNESS. SEIZE YOUR DAYS ON THIS PETITE TROPICAL ISLAND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF YOUR PERSONAL BUTLER WHO CAN HELP YOU CURATE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY ITINERARY.

  TOGETHER WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL MASTERMIND, YUJI YAMAZAKI, KUDADOO SETS A NEW STANDARD IN SUSTAINABLE LUXURY HOSPITALITY; WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE FOLLOWING ACCOLADES: THE WORLD’S BEST NEW LUXURY HOTEL FOR 2018 BY LUXURY TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE; ROBB REPORT’S BEST ISLAND RESORT 2019 AND WINNER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2019 HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARD IN THE ‘SUSTAINABLE RESORT’ CATEGORY.

  REVEL IN LUXURY THAT TREADS LIGHTLY, ON THE MALDIVES’ ONLY FULLY SOLAR-POWERED PRIVATE ISLAND.

• 2) GILI LANKANFUSHI MALDIVES.

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• A warm ocean breeze, the feeling of sand between your toes, the vivid blues of the sky and the sea. At Gili Lankanfushi, guests live in perfect harmony with the natural world, achieving a sense of peace and tranquility as constant as the ocean tides.

• This private island sanctuary offers serenity by design, with sustainably built villas hovering above turquoise waters that stretch as far as the eye can see. Spend your days doing exactly what you please—snorkeling, unwinding at the spa, sailing on a catamaran—and don’t hesitate to lean on the help and advice of our friendly staff.  Nourish your body with locally sourced ingredients and global flavors, watch the sunset from your rustic-luxe villa, and fall asleep listening to the lapping of calm waters, with the moon shining brightly in the sky.

• 3) Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.

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REMOTE AND UNSPOILT WITH AN AIR OF TRANQUIL SECLUSION, THE PICTURESQUE RAA ATOLL IS ONE OF THE DEEPER ATOLLS IN THE MALDIVES ARCHIPELAGO, OFFERING ABUNDANT SNORKELING AND DIVING OPTIONS TO EXPLORE ITS INCREDIBLY RICH AND DIVERSE UNDERWATER WORLD.


BEYOND SWIMMING IN OUR STUNNING HOUSE REEF, ENJOY EXCURSIONS TO THE FAMOUS HANIFARU BAY UNESCO WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE. THIS PROTECTED MARINE SANCTUARY IS THE LARGEST FEEDING AND BREEDING HOTSPOT IN THE WORLD FOR MANTA RAYS AND WHALE SHARKS, WHICH AT TIMES CONGREGATE HERE IN THEIR HUNDREDS. SNORKELING AMONGST THESE MAGNIFICENT CREATURES IS AN EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE MISSED.


ALILA KOTHAIFARU MALDIVES IS ALSO CLOSE TO VAADHOO ISLAND, ONE OF THE BEST SPOTS TO WITNESS THE SPECTACULAR “SEA OF STARS” PHENOMENON, AN EXTRAORDINARY SIGHT TO BEHOLD.


WHETHER RELAXING ON A SUN-DRENCHED BEACH, EXPLORING THE NATURAL FLORA THAT THRIVES ON OUR LUSH GREEN ISLAND, OR INDULGING YOUR ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT, LET NATURE BE YOUR HOST.

4) JUMEIRAH MALDIVES.




 A THRILLING SPEEDBOAT RIDE FROM THE AIRPORT, ON THE EDGES OF THE TRANQUIL NORTH MALÉ ATOLL, IS WHERE JUMEIRAH HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE THEIR RETURN TO THE MALDIVES (HAVING PULLED OUT OF THE COUNTRY IN LATE 2020). THE ISLAND OF OLHUHALI WAS FORMERLY INHABITED BY LUX* NORTH MALÉ AND THE DUBAI-BASED HOSPITALITY GROUP HAS STUCK WITH THE ORIGINAL'S SLEEK SOUTH BEACH MIAMI DESIGN WHILE ADDING THEIR OWN DISTINCTLY GLITZY TOUCH, FROM MONOGRAMMED BATHROBES TO NEW RESTAURANTS AND LIVE BANDS YOU REALLY WANT TO LISTEN TO. THE 67 VILLAS ARE SOME OF THE LARGEST ENTRY-LEVEL VILLAS IN THE MALDIVES AND COME IN OVERWATER AND BEACH FLAVOUR. THE FORMER HAVE KNEE-TREMBLING SUNSET VIEWS; THE LATTER ARE MORE PRIVATE; ALL HAVE MASSES OF OUTDOOR SPACE, BIG PRIVATE POOLS AND SPLENDID ROOFTOP DECKS FOR STARGAZING AND OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS. BATHROOMS ARE DECIDEDLY MODERN AND CONCRETE, AND HAVE TUBS THAT SINK DOWN DEEP IN THAT WAY ONLY HOTEL BATHTUBS EVER DO. 


THE SAPPHIRE-BLUE POOL HAS POPS OF RED AND AN ICE-CREAM CART STRAIGHT OUT OF SOUTH BEACH, WHILE THE BARIUM PRIVATE DINING ROOM HAS AQUARIUMS FOR WALLS. AND THEN, WELL, THERE IS INTI RESTAURANT WHERE THE EYE-ROLL-INDUCINGLY FRESH CEVICHE BLOWS THE TYPICAL MENU OF GRILLED FISH OUT OF THESE TURQUOISE WATERS. THE SURROUNDING CORALS AREN'T IN GREAT SHAPE DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE (SOMETHING THAT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM ACROSS THE MALDIVES) BUT YOU CAN HIRE A JET SKI IN THE MORNING AND HANG OUT WITH 100-STRONG PODS OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS CATCHING BREAKFAST JUST OUTSIDE OF THE LAGOON. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THE CHILDREN OF FAMILIES WHO USED TO COME TO THE MALDIVES EVERY YEAR ARE NOW CHOOSING TO RETURN TO THEMSELVES AS GROWN-UPS. 

5) JW MARRIOTT MALDIVES RESORT AND SPA.

















CREATE UNIQUE AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES AT JW MARRIOTT MALDIVES RESORT & SPA, A TROPICAL ISLAND PARADISE SITUATED ON A PRIVATE ISLAND IN SHAVIYANI ATOLL. STYLISH VILLAS, LOCATED BOTH ON THE BEACH AND ON THE WATER, OFFER GUESTS THEIR OWN PRIVATE POOLS AND DECKS WITH STUNNING VIEWS ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN. SAMPLE THE FLAVORS OF THE MALDIVES AS WELL AS GLOBAL SPECIALTIES AT OUR RESORT'S INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS, WHICH FEATURE TREETOP DINING, PLENTIFUL BREAKFASTS, JAPANESE AND AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE. DISCOVER A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM SNORKELING, SCUBA DIVING, JET-SKIING AND SAILING TO OUR LITTLE GRIFFINS KID'S CLUB. SPOIL YOURSELF AT THE REJUVENATING SPA OR STAY FIT WITH OUR RESORT'S STATE-OF-THE-ART GYM AND FITNESS CLASSES.

6) RAFFLES MALDIVES MERADHOO.




WHAT COULD BE MORE LOVELY THAN A STAY AT RAFFLES? HOW ABOUT A STAY AT RAFFLES BY THE BEACH? SO FAR SOUTH ITS SKIMMING THE EQUATOR – THE DELICIOUS REMOTENESS IS WELL WORTH THE LONGER TRANSFER TIME – THIS TINY ISLAND RESORT TAKES ALL THE CHARM OF ITS OLDER SINGAPORE SIBLING AND FUSES IT WITH CLOTTED-CREAM SANDS, RASPBERRY SUNSETS AND A COCONUT VERSION OF ITS FAMOUS SLING. COMPLIMENTARY NECK MASSAGES ARE DOLED OUT WHILE YOU WAIT FOR BREAKFAST (FRENCH BOULANGERIE, SRI LANKAN EGG HOPPERS, DETOX JUICES) WITH YOUR FEET IN THE SAND. LUNCH COULD BE CATCH OF THE DAY – SMOKED TUNA, SAY, GRILLED WITH LEMON OIL. AT THE SMART OVERWATER SPA, BALINESE THERAPISTS PERFORM SIGNATURE MASSAGES THAT START WITH THE HUM OF A TIBETAN SINGING BOWL AND END WITH WARM COCONUT OIL BEING POURED ONTO YOUR THIRD EYE. AND THE MARINE LIFE IS SO PROFUSE YOU CAN SPOT AN AQUA-MENAGERIE WITHOUT EVEN GETTING YOUR FEET WET (20 HAWKSBILL TURTLES HAVE BEEN RECORDED AS LIVING AROUND THE ISLAND). 

THINGS TO DO IN MALDIVES.

1. SCUBA DIVING AT MAAYA THILA.
2. ENJOY SUNSET CRUISE.
3. MALDIVES ISLAND HOPPING TOUR.
4. VISIT GLOWING BEACH ON VAADHOO ISLAND.
5. SURFING IN THE MALDIVES.
6. INDULGE IN SPA TREATMENT AT ADAARAN PRESTIGE VADOO.
7. STAY IN A OVERWATER BUNGALOW LIKE SIX SENSES LAAMU.
8. STROLL AT HULHUMALE BEACH.
9. EXPLORE THE CAPITAL ISLAND MALE.
10. WATER SKIING AT MEERU ISLAND RESORT & SPA.
11. TAKE A HELICOPTER TOUR OF MALDIVES.
12. PARTY AT SUBSIX.
13. SNORKELING AT MAAFUSHI ISLAND.
14. SKYDIVING IN MALDIVES.
15. DOLPHIN WATCHING TOUR IN MALDIVES.
16. GO FOR JET SKI AT MALE ATOLL.
17. FLY BOARDING IN MALDIVES.
18. PARASAILING.
19. BANANA BOAT RIDE IN MALDIVES.
20. KITESURFING OR KITEBOARDING.
21. STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING.
22. EXPERIENCE KAYAKING.
23. JUNGLE CINEMA AT GILI LANKANFUSHI.
24. ROMANTIC DINNER AT 5.8 UNDERSEA RESTAURANT.
25. REVISIT HISTORY AT MALDIVES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
26. EXPLORE FRIDAY MOSQUE OF MALDIVES.
27. VISIT LOCAL VILLAGES.  

 HOW TO REACH MALDIVES.

BY AIR. 

• MALE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MLE) IS THE MAIN AIRPORT, WHICH CONNECTS MALDIVES TO ALL MAJOR COUNTRIES IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA INCLUDING INDIA, CHINA AND SRI LANKA. THERE ARE ALSO DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM DUBAI, AND CHARTERED FLIGHTS COMING IN FROM EUROPE, CHINA AND SINGAPORE.
• YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE A SEA PLANE OR A SPEED BOAT TO REACH YOUR RESORT FROM MALE AIRPORT. THE TRIP CAN RANGE FROM 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AND A HALF, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF YOUR RESORT.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED FOR MALDIVES?

• 4 TO 5 DAYS ARE USUALLY ENOUGH TO SPEND IN THE ISLANDS OF MALDIVES. YOU CAN EASILY EXPLORE THE MAJOR PLACES IN 5 DAYS. 

WHICH MONTH IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT THE MALDIVES?

• NOVEMBER AND APRIL ARE THE SUMMER MONTHS IN MALDIVES, CONSIDERED THE BEST TIME TO VISIT.

HOW COSTLY IS MALDIVES?

• ON AN AVERAGE THE DAILY EXPENDITURE IN MALDIVES COMES OUT TO BE AROUND USD 60 (4,411 INR). TRAVELLERS SPEND ABOUT 950 INR ON FOOD AND APPROXIMATELY 500 INR ON LOCAL TRAVELLING. 

DO INDIANS NEED VISA FOR MALDIVES?

• TOURIST VISA IS GRANTED FOR ALL NATIONALITIES ON ARRIVAL TO MALDIVES. AS SUCH, A FOREIGNER TRAVELLING TO MALDIVES AS A TOURIST DOES NOT REQUIRE PRE-APPROVAL FOR THE VISA. HOWEVER, THE PERSON MUST SATISFY THE BASIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO GET IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE UPON ARRIVAL.