Our insider’s guide to the Maldives

How to plan a Maldives vacation

We’ve been there, we’ve done it, and now we’re sharing our insider secrets.

Privacy, seclusion. A taste of the sublime. A proper beach getaway should feel like you’ve stumbled across a deeply buried secret in the sand. Located in the Indian Ocean, the islands, atolls and archipelagos of the Maldives remain one of our favourite luxury travel destinations in the world. Given shape by volcanoes, dazzlingly biodiverse, and achingly dramatic. But there’s also much more to a Maldives vacation than meets the eye.

And as one of the world’s most exclusive and talked-about island retreats, wanted to give the low-down on what you can experience when you go there on a luxury, tailor-made trip with us – cutting through the noise and crafting a journey you can look truly forward to. We’ll curate your escape around your needs, desires and dreams. From sailing sessions to diving lessons. Private chefs and water-plane transfers. It’s all at our fingertips.

So, if you’re into diving, indulgence, fresh food, coral reefs, extinct volcanoes, water-sports and romantic moonlight strolls, then look no further. To save you time googling, we asked our luxury travel experts the most common questions they encounter when planning trips to the Maldives. Browse through their answers or use the navigation below for quick answers to your most burning questions.

Where are the Maldives?
When is the best time to go?
What kind of vacations can you have?
Can you visit with kids?
Where are the best beaches in the Maldives?
What is the service like?
What is the food like?
What are the best things to do?
Where combines well with the Maldives?
Can you go island hopping?
Can you dine at other islands?
Can you surf?
What are the best Maldives islands?
Overwater villas or beach bungalows?
What are the best hotels in the Maldives?

Maldives luxury honeymoons
Maldives aerial view

Where are the Maldives?

Located in the Indian ocean, the Maldives is home to over 1,000 islands clustered into 26 dense and diverse atolls – fractured remnants of ancient volcanoes whose intense fertility has given rise to astounding biomes and staggering ecosystems. And it is here that your Black Tomato adventure will be set: an atoll-hopping expedition customized to satisfy your Maldives bucket list – regardless of whether you stay within the balmy confines of the North Malé atoll or jump on a seaplane (highly recommended) and travel to its more remote and outer fringes.

When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

It won’t surprise you that the Maldives is a year-round destination. It gets warm, and it stays warm. However, there are what we would consider ‘better’ times to visit – depending on what you want to see and do. The period between October and April is the best time to go, as you’ll experience minimal rainfall and lower humidity. The waters will also be clearer, making it the optimal time to swim, snorkel and dive. The period between May and September becomes a little more tropical, with more rainfall and greater humidity. Of course, the value that we can get for you for hotels during this period is better. It’s really up to you.

What kind of vacations can you have in the Maldives?

Remote, super private, and achingly ethereal, the Maldives appeal because here, it feels like you’re literally on another world. It has major kudos among couples and honeymooners (it’s romantic, intimate, and relaxing). But it’s also great for families who want to balance rest with activities and adrenaline. Surfing, diving, snorkelling, and sailing will keep younger and more active travellers happy for days on end. It’s also great as a final, indulgent pitstop after a more exhaustive journey or experience.

Of course, it’s definitely worthy as a destination in its own right. It all comes down to who you are – and what you’re searching for.

Can you visit the Maldives with kids?

Absolutely. Many islands have dedicated kids’ clubs (but there are also many adult-only islands, too). The waters around the islands and atolls are super calm, making it perfect for small and less experienced swimmers. You’ll also find that many islands have a permanent doctor on site.

property in the maldives
boat in the maldives

Where are the best beaches in the Maldives?

During your research about the Maldives, you’re going to encounter a lot of articles that claim to know the “ten best beaches in the Maldives.” And these beaches might indeed be very lovely. But when we plan your own trip, we’re not going to take such a reductive and one-size-fits-all approach. After all, it depends entirely what you’re searching for. On Gili Lankanfushi, the beaches are wide and gently sloping – crazed with the bent heads of palm trees. This is somewhere private to be served dinner, as the sun sinks into the sea. Or perhaps you want to explore the tumbling, secluded lagoon of Huvafen Fushi – a place perfect for snorkeling and diving. When you enquire, we’ll pair you with the beaches that best suit what you want. After all, our luxury travel experts are here to help you find the paradise you’ve been searching for. It’s really that simple.

What is the service like?

In the Maldives, service is taken seriously – though with a gentle touch. After all, this is a country that prides itself on its hospitality and warmth. Many villas and hotels will assign personal butlers and assistants for the duration of your stay. Hotel staff are also incredibly informed and informative about where you can go to best experience what the Maldives has to offer – whether that’s a coral diving expedition or a finding an authentic local eatery. Wherever you go, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

What is the food like in the Maldives?

The Maldives are a chain of islands and atolls, meaning that the emphasis is on fresh, exotic ingredients, bringing together influences from India, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, and all with access to some of the freshest fish anywhere in the world. Whether you’re on an island for two or 20 days, we can be incredibly creative with planning where you eat – from organizing private island picnics to beach-side BBQs and floating breakfasts. Anything is possible.

What are the best things to do in the Maldives?

You could spend your entire vacation doing nothing – and doing it well. Nobody would judge you. But if you want to set out and explore, there’s much that you can do – from snorkelling and coral diving to watersports and island hikes. You might want to search for manta rays and whale sharks in Hanifaru Bay or surf the waves of Laamu atoll. The spas are spectacular with all manner of fitness equipment and classes, and of course a huge range of treatments. Your stay can be as active or as indulgent as you like.

turtle in the maldives
fish in the maldives
diving in the maldives

Where combines well with the Maldives?

It depends entirely on what you’re looking for. We believe that Sri Lanka (cultured, historical, scintillatingly exciting) makes a perfect match. As does the gravitas of the UAE, the desert calm of Oman, and the spiritual drama of Bhutan. You might also consider pairing your trip to India (like this) with the Maldives for a bout of R’n’R on these incomparable islands.

Can you go island hopping in the Maldives?

It can be a great way to combine multiple islands, getting a taste of their subtle (and sometimes remarkable) differences. You could stretch your budget further by starting somewhere moderately priced before finishing off with somewhere truly opulent.

Can I stay on one island but go out for dinner on another?

Almost never. The resorts are completely isolated on their own islands and there are very few close enough to do this. This is the price of total remoteness, after all.

Can you surf in the Maldives?

Of course. We like ruffled and long Laamu atoll and the private islands of Niyama.

cocoa island in the maldives

What are the best Maldives islands?

Stepping onto the soft sands of the Maldives is like stepping into another world. But each island has its own feeling, atmosphere and identity. On Gili Lankanfushi – only a speedboat ride away from the country’s main airport, Malé – you’ll find peaceful waters and dream-like villas. On Huvafen Fushi – still within the North Malé atoll – you’ll find a balmy and serene lagoon, perfect for swimming and indulgence. The overwater bungalows of this resort are truly sensational. Cocoa Island, which remains one of our favourites, excels at the chic and luxurious, with Dhoni boat-style villas straddling the warm and lapping waters below. Meanwhile, the islands of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll are accessed by seaplane, and home to a cluster of impeccable and intimate hotels and villas including the stylish Nautilus and family-friendly Four Seasons Landaa Giravaaru.

As ever, share your preferences with us and our luxury travel experts will do the work of finding a small handful of perfectly suited islands from the 1,000 at your fingertips.

maldives villa pool
maldives aerial of property

Overwater villa or beach bungalow?

This is an important question. Head to our Maldives hotel page to see exactly why. The typical image of the Maldives is, after all, one of an overwater villa. These are very much a bucket-list experience, and perfect for a romantic getaway, anniversary or honeymoon. They offer direct access to the lagoon and are perfect for swimmers and snorkelers. At the same time, they’re often smaller than beach villas, and their orientation will often mean making the choice between sunrise and sunset (hard, we know). They’re also less well suited for families with smaller children. Some properties will even have age limits for their overwater villas.

In contrast, beach villas tend to offer more privacy – seeing as they’re surrounded by dense, lush foliage and shady palms. It’ll feel like your own patch of beach. They’re more spacious, safer for families, more private, and tend to be closer to the main hub of the island (so, breakfast and dinner). Of course, they have less of that “wow” factor, and the snorkelling may not be as good.

Whatever your preference, our luxury travel experts will only suggest properties that match exactly what you want to do and how you want to feel when you get there.

Six Senses Laamu maldives

What are the best hotels in the Maldives?

With nothing but the sun, sea and sand, the Maldives epitomises natural beauty at its best. Escapism is the ‘it’ word here and as you revel in the shoeless sophistication adopted by many a hotel and met by a warm Maldivian welcome and impeccable service that will mean you could want for nothing more.

But so far as our favourite hotels go, we’d always settle for these:

Six Senses Laamu in the maldives
six senses in the maldives

Six Senses Laamu

Floating magically in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a luxury travel hotspot – and our top pick for this island getaway? The sun-blushed Six Senses Laamu on the island of Olhuveli. Here, 97 weathered beachfront and water villas scatter the island, so you can hole up over the idyllic lagoon or nestled into the sands and peek through the foliage at those tempting waters. With its world-famous luxury spa and personal butler service that makes fine dining a real breeze, we can’t get enough of Six Senses Laamu; it’s simply paradise. And with an extensive children’s programme, resident marine biologist and accessible surf break, there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained – but also enough space and sophistication for couples.

Maalfushi maldives

COMO Maalifushi

This private island is nestled on one of the most southerly and least populated Atolls in the country – so the surrounding white sandy beaches and lagoons are yours to explore. If you crave total relaxation look no further than COMO Maalifushi. Designed by Japanese architect Koichiro Ikebuchi, this gorgeous resort certainly lives up to the COMO mantra of wellness. The suites all offer incredible space, and the service and cuisine are so exceptional you’ll leave revived, looked after, rested and refreshed (assuming you want to leave, that is).

With 33 minimalist residences on water and 32 on land, this is the perfect holiday spot for couples and families who want to switch off and chill out. Parents can unwind on the beach whilst children are kept busy at the outstanding Kids Club, and we love the outdoor cinema where families can reconvene under the stars in the evenings.

Gili Lankanfushi hotel maldives
Gilli Lankfushi boat in the maldives

Gili Lankanfushi

Coral-reefs. Fragrant, warming winds. The ebb and gentle rush of sparkling waves. The newly refurbished Gili Lankanfushi is a jewel of a place, and when you come with us, we’ll design every last piece of your escape – from transfers to scuba-diving expeditions. At this glittering retreat in the Maldives, jetties thread across the water to exclusive overwater luxury villas and reach the world-class Meera Spa; complete with glass floor panels beneath each massage table for guests to appreciate the unreal marine life. There is also a brilliant beachside restaurant with underground wine cellar, overwater bar, a sunset pool, organic garden and jungle cinema for guests to enjoy. One thing’s for sure, you will never be bored at Gili Lankanfushi.

joali resort maldives
maafushi hotel maldives

JOALI

JOALI: the true essence of island bliss. A jungle-framed paradise of coral reefs and gentle waves. JOALI’s string of private villas hover over some of the most eye-poppingly vivid waters in the world. Twin this with some of the best food in the Maldives. It’s simply captivating.

Take a deep breath and unwind by the silky white sands and emerald waters of Muravandhoo island in the Maldives. Step out of the 73 luxury beachfront and overwater villas and discover a laidback attitude complemented by experiential dining and hair-tingling watersports. The perfect stay and the perfect day begins bright and early here with a private sailboat cruise to a sunrise breakfast picnic and ends with soothing live music at sunset whilst snuggled within a cosy beachfront cabana. It’s the days like these that’ll have you never wanting to leave.

Finally, how much does a Maldives vacation cost?

As a luxury travel company, we pride ourselves on creating bespoke, tailor-made trips to the Maldives – we don’t do  cookie-cutter itineraries or one-size-fits-all pricing. Instead, our Travel Experts will work with you to create a completely unique trip based entirely on your needs.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To find out more about how we ‘do’ these islands, and the variety of itineraries, hotels and experiences available, then head to our dedicated page on all things Maldives.

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