Ready to plan your ultimate getaway to the Maldives? In this Maldives travel guide I’m sharing the best places to eat, stay and visit on the luxurious Maldives islands! Whether you’re headed solo, on a girl’s trip or with your partner, I’m sure the Maldives will blow you away.

Did you know the Maldives is currently open and accepting visitors? There are requirements to enter the Maldives but as long as you’re getting tested and following local protocol, this tropical oasis can be added to your bucket list even early this year.

The Maldives is staying on top of updating visitors on the requirements to visit. If you’re ready to start planning your trip, all you need to do is visit https://visitmaldives.com/en/covid19-updates. 

In this Maldives travel guide I’m going to be helping you plan the best trip to one of my favorite travel destinations in the world. We’ll cover getting there, where to stay, various islands to visit, day trips, overwater bungalows, food, and so much more.  The Maldives have actually turned the term ‘The Sunny Side of Life’ into their country wide slogan and it could not be more true. 

Your go to Maldives travel guide

If I even hear the word Maldives I immediately get the travel bug. It might just be one of the most popular destinations in the world right now, which makes sense since you are still able to travel there. Oh and maybe that also has something to do with the fact that it’s a paradise made up of 99% water and just 1% land! If you are itching to travel and want to make sure you do it safely, check out my recent blog post with all of my tips for traveling safely during COVID.

There are roughly 1,200 islands in the Maldives, with only about 200 of them actually inhabited by people. It’s home to many thriving coral reefs, making it one of the best places to go exploring the ocean as well. 

One of the big misconceptions about the Maldives is that you have to be ready to spend a lot of money on your trip. Well let’s face it, you’ll spend upwards of $2,000-$9,000 a night on resorts with luxurious over (and under!!) water bungalows, but with the right planning, you can also visit the Maldives on a reasonable budget. 

Please keep in mind that this is not going to be the same budget with which you can travel to most of Southeast Asia. The Maldives is still a more expensive destination. By budget I simply mean you don’t have to be Kim K. to make your dream trip a reality. 

Ready to explore heaven on earth with me? 

While planning a trip to the Maldives can be overwhelming, this Maldives travel guide is designed to break it down for you and make it as easy and effortless as your trip will be when you arrive.  

Fast facts about the Maldives

• The capital of the Maldives is Male. That is where you will be flying in and out of. 
• The best time to visit is going to be between December and March, but keep in mind that the Maldives are a tropical destination year round. As with most islands though, they have a monsoon season between May and October. 
• The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa
• While you’ll find the English is widely spoken in the Maldives, the local language is Dhivehi

Top Dhivehi phrases

This is just a little fun fact about me or tip if you will. Before traveling anywhere I like to at least know a few basic phrases. I find that the more effort you make to really learn about a country and its people, the more authentic and fun your trip will be. All that to say, there was never a time when we required speaking anything but English while visiting the Maldives. Here are some of the top Dhivehi phrases you can practice before your trip to the Maldives! 

• Hello – Assalaamu alaikum
• Yes – Aan
• No – Noon
• Please – Adhes kohfa
• Thank you – Shukuriyaa
• You’re welcome – Maruhabaa
• Excuse me – Ma-aaf kurey
• I’m sorry – Ma-aafu kurey

How do I get to the Maldives from the US?

With a lot of patience and a trusty list of ways to survive a long haul flight!  There are typically no direct flights from the US to the Maldives. You are looking at 20-30 hours of travel time depending on where you are departing from.  But please trust me when I say, it’s totally worth it! Luckily for us, we tacked our visit to the Maldives onto our two week adventure in South Africa so the initial travel there was a bit shorter. 

Where is the Maldives located?

The Maldives is an independent nation located in the Indian Ocean. You will fly into the capital city of Male. From there to get to any resort you will have to either take a speed boat or seaplane transfer.  It’s important to know which mode of transportation you will take because some of the seaplanes have specific weight requirements when it comes to your luggage. It’s also good to keep this in mind when choosing your resort as the seaplane transfers can add on a couple hundred dollars to your trip easily. 

How long should I spend in the Maldives?

In other words…will I get bored in the Maldives? 

Well, in my opinion, you will not have a chance to get bored in the Maldives! There are so many things to do. From reading by your own private pool to snorkeling, diving, floating in the ocean right outside your villa, renting a SUP or kayak and so much more. There is plenty to do to keep you busy in the Maldives. I hope if nothing else, you are assured of this after reading this Maldives travel guide. Here’s what I suggest…put your phone away and enjoy everything that your island resort has to offer!  I think you will find that 5-6 days is the minimum amount of time to spend at one resort in the Maldives. My personal opinion is that a 10 day trip would be the ideal amount of time, especially if you plan to split your time between a few different resorts. 

When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

Truthfully, I do not believe there is a bad time to visit the Maldives. The weather in the Maldives sits just above 80 degrees year round.  Like anywhere they do have their monsoon season that runs from May to October but to be honest don’t let that scare you away from booking during this time. The dry season is considered to run from November to April.  In my opinion, there are pros and cons to visiting during either season. Being that this is such a big trip from the US, I recommend booking when the timing works best for you. It’s been known to rain during the dry season and have stretches of 12-14 days of pure sunshine during monsoon season. 

How do I get around the Maldives? 

It’s important to remember that every resort is on its own private island. For this reason, I definitely recommend island hopping between at least one or two different resorts if your trip length permits. There are also a few resorts, like Anantara Veli, that are located very close to their sister properties. Anantara offers boat shuttles back and forth between three different islands providing endless experiences and opportunities without really feeling like you’re leaving or going far.  

What to pack for a week in the Maldives?

• Reef safe sunscreen and lots of it!
• Swimsuits! (you will basically live in swimsuits)
• Go Pro or another type of underwater camera
• A regular camera
• Sun hats
• Power converter (if you’re from the US you’re going to need this)
• Cover ups
• Beach dresses 
• A good book 

What not to pack: Unfortunately, alcohol is not allowed in the Maldives so you cannot bring any alcohol into the country. I would strongly suggest not even trying to sneak it in your bag. They will find it and I don’t think it’s worth it at all to ruin your vacation. Fret not, you will still be able to enjoy your champagne oceanside. The resort islands have been given an exception and are permitted to sell you alcohol during your stay. 

What activities can you do in the Maldives?

No Maldives travel guide would be complete without a list of the top activities. I mentioned a few above, but I think this deserves its own section. A lot of people underestimate the Maldives. I’ve heard from multiple people that they feel like they’ll just get bored there…oh my that is not true! So, here are some of my favorite activities to do in the Maldives! 

Snorkeling and diving

Almost every resort in the Maldives has a diving center. That should tell you one thing… the Maldives is just as amazing beneath the surface as it is above!! You HAVE to get in the water (and spend as much time in the water as possible) when you are in the Maldives. Our favorite activity was jumping right off our deck each day to explore the sea below.  Make sure that you plan at least a couple diving or snorkeling days while you are there. I promise this will blow you away! 

Take a dolphin cruise

Sunny day on a boat surrounded by dolphins? I think YES! Add a sunset to that?! Easily one of the most magical experiences. 

Stay in an overwater (or underwater) bungalow

Staying in an overwater bungalow is an experience every single day all on its own. As I mentioned above, if your budget prohibits you from staying 5-7 nights at an exclusive luxury resort, instead just pick a night or two and splurge on an overwater bungalow. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that I promise you won’t regret. There is nothing like waking up and being able to jump right off your deck into the warm Indian Ocean to explore the sea below and enjoy a swim. And do I even need to say anything further on this gorgeous bathtub.  Talk about views!

A day on a private island

Many resorts have smaller, even more private islands that you can explore for a day.  It’s basically your own private paradise for a day.  Most resorts will arrange for private beachside meals at your request.  I highly recommend booking this experience in advance.  

Take a class at your resort

These days most of the resorts in the Maldives are offering bespoke wellness, cooking and sport classes. You can do yoga, try your hand at cooking local favorites, master your tennis serve and so much more. Ask your resort what activities they offer and sign yourself up! 

Kayaking or paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboards and glass bottom kayaks offer an alternative way to get up close with the sea life while also venturing a little further out from your resort. These are also great workouts that don’t necessarily feel like a work out. 

What are some of the best Maldives hotels? 

Fairmont Maldives – Sirru Fen Fushi

For those with a high budget, look no further than staying at the Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi resort. It’s located on the Shaviyani Atoll, which has one of the country’s largest resort lagoons. It’s no wonder they call it their own secret island. 

They have 120 villas ranging from beautiful to ‘OMG I can’t believe this place exists!’. 

Book your stay at Sirru Fen Fushi today.

Anantara Veli Maldives

For those on a more moderate luxurious budget, look no further than the Anantara Veli Maldives. Relax at this hidden oasis in one of their 67 overwater bungalows (one of the best prices you’ll find for an overwater bungalow! A can’t miss experience in the Maldives, trust me!) This resort is also only about a 35 minute speedboat ride from Male which is a huge plus. 

Ready for a magical experience? Book your stay today.

The Conrad Maldives

Known for being the first resort to offer overwater accommodations on stilts in the Maldives, I couldn’t leave this one off the travel guide.  The Conrad Maldives was also the first to open an underwater restaurant.  This resort, situated in the South Ari Atoll, is known for its award winning dining and cooking classes.   

Book your stay now!

Airbnb

For those on a tighter budget, head over to Airbnb. There are hundreds of rooms available to rent, most of which mean you’d be staying with locals, getting their inside tips to the best snorkeling, affordable eats and exciting excursions. 

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling to the Maldives on a budget, but you still want to get the full experience of staying in an overwater bungalow, simply plan on staying 1 or 2 nights in a luxury resort and spend the rest of your trip staying in Airbnb’s. You’ll still have an amazing trip, while being able to afford a bit of luxury along the way! 

What is the Maldives food like?

Once again, since each resort is on it’s own private island, you have no choice but to eat at the resort. Trust me, this is a good thing! If you’re staying at any of the luxury resorts, they have a variety of award winning restaurants and none will disappoint. Our resort had the most amazing Thai restaurant – we ate there multiple times during our stay!

I also recommend exploring the variety of options and rates that are included in your particular resort. Most resorts offer half or full board rates. If you’re looking for ways to cut the spending you can go half board instead of full. Meaning breakfast and dinner are included daily and lunch is not.  Which in my experience works out well. The magnificent breakfasts typically fill you up for the day. 

Add the Maldives to your bucket list

Have I convinced you to explore the Maldives this year? If this post has gotten you excited about this island paradise just wait until you see it in person! You are going to be blown away, I can promise you that! 

Questions about the Maldives? Drop them in the comments below and we can chat about your trip. 

Make sure to share this Maldives travel guide with others either on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. It’s a great (and free) way to support me and my blog.