Totally Chill Out in the Maldives
Quick guide for first-time visitors to The Maldives
- Our best selling island is Kuramathi (www.kuramathi.com) - there is plenty to do including lots of places to relax on the beach, water sports, excellent snorkelling and diving, boat trips to nearby islands and spa facilities. You have a wide range of accommodation to choose from such as garden villas, beach villas, water villas and stunning over-water villas with private pools. Meals are on a Full Board basis, but upgrades to All Inclusive and Select All Inclusive are available, the latter allowing you to make the most of the 9 a-la-carte restaurants!
- There are over 150 tourist islands
- Generally, there is one hotel on each tourist island
- Water villas are more expensive types of accommodation but very popular - they are built on stilts over the ocean with steps leading down into the sea
- Hotels are reached by flying into Male, and then either a speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight to reach your chosen island. Seaplanes are a wonderful experience giving you thrilling views, and are available to reach islands further away than about 60-90 minutes by boat.
- Peak season is January to April when the weather tends to be slightly drier and prices are higher
- Prices range from around £2,000 to £8,000 per person for a week on all inclusive in the low season, and from around £2,700 to £13,000 in high season, based on the lowest priced rooms
- You can easily twin the Maldives with Sri Lanka or Dubai, but Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Istanbul are also possible. Sri Lanka is a great option because you may be touring around, and the Maldives is a perfect finish to the holiday.
- If you can't decide which island to stay on, why not do 2 islands! This is quite nice if you want to mix a lively island with a quiet island, or a cheaper island with a more expensive island.
Guide Prices
The best islands: here's a round up of our suggestions... the '££' signs underneath give a very rough idea of relative costs, taking into account that some islands may have a headline price based on bed & breakfast, but others could be all inclusive. So we've tried to estimate full costs over the week, and hopefully it helps to some sort of comparison between the islands.
££ - low season from £1,800pp, high season from £2,800pp
£££ - low season from £2,600pp, high season from £3,400pp
££££ - low season from £3,000pp, high season from £4,000pp
£££££ - low season from £3,700pp, high season from £5,000pp
££££££ - low season from £4,500pp, high season from £6,000pp
Best all round Maldives island - Kuramathi
www.kuramathi.com
This has been our best selling island for many years, and it's not hard to see why. There's a fantastic choice of restaurants including Thai, Indian, seafood fine dining, and more, and these are all included on the 'select all inclusive package'. You'll also be spoilt for choice on the accommodations with a mixure of garden villas, beach villas, and water villas. And with a spa, great snorkelling and diving, there's also plenty to do.
(££)
Best all inclusive package - Dhigali
www.dhigali.com
One of the best all inclusive packages in the Maldives is here on Dhigali, and the package starts as soon as you arrive in Male with a personal meet and greet service and complimentary lounge access. Once on the island, which is best reached by seaplane, a selection of premium wines, spirits and the minibar are also included. There is a themed buffet restaurant plus 3 a-la-carte restaurants, again all included. And best of all, everything starts from the moment you arrive until the moment you sadly leave.
(££££)
Best for a fun and lively holiday - Kuredu
www.kuredu.com
There's a lively vibe at Kuredu Island and it's particularly good for diving with one of the largest populations of sea turtles in the Maldives. There's even a golf club with a driving range and putting green.
(££)
Best budget island - Sandies Bathala
bathalamaldives.sandies-resorts.com
This is a smallish island with just 70 beach bungalows and water villas, and is a simple, chill out paradise where there's just one (excellent) restaurant and a laid back beach bar for coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. The snorkelling is also particularly good here.
(££)
Best for families - Meeru Island
www.meeru.com
As this is one of the larger islands, there's quite a lot going on from a pitch and putt course to live bands and movie nights. Families are particularly well catered for, but there's also an adult only section, and despite being bigger than some, it can feel quite tranquil.
(££)
Best for romance - Komandoo
www.komandoo.com
This is a small, peaceful, adult only resort with a choice of villas on the beach or over the water. For something extra special, guests can dine at it's sister resort’s all-glass undersea restaurant, just a few minutes away by boat. Snorkelling is very good just off the beach on one side of the island, with the possibility to see turtles, while for divers there's plenty of nearby dive sites.
(£££)
Best for a chic and contemporary style - Velassaru
www.velassaru.com
This is quite a stylish island with a modern, luxurious vibe and a dazzling white sand beach. The Chill bar has comfy loungers with day beds by the waters edge, while some of the rooms have open garden bathrooms (still private though!). An ice cream cart comes around daily, while after dark there may be cinema nights on the beach with popcorn.
(££££)
Best for snorkelling - Various
Although you'll be able to snorkel from most island, there are some that are renowned for having particularly good spots right from the beach. Here's a quick list, although in no particular order.
Sandies Bathala (££) - bathalamaldives.sandies-resorts.com
Kuredu (££) - www.kuredu.com
Kuramathi (££) - www.kuramathi.com
Vilamendoo (££) - www.vilamendhoo.com
Athuruga (£££) - athurugabeach.diamondsresorts.com
Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru (£££££) - www.outrigger.com/maldives/maldives-maafushivaru-resort
Kandolhu (£££££) - www.kandolhu.com
Baros (£££££) - www.baros.com
Best for Pool Villas - Coco Bodu Hithi
www.cococollection.com/en/bodu-hithi
At Coco Bodu Hithi all villas come with a private pool. The Island villas all have a private courtyard with a huge circular bathtub, and you can choose to dine on your deck if you wish.
(£££££)
Best for peace and tranquillity - Baros
www.baros.com
Baros Island is one of the few Maldives islands that doesn't offer an all inclusive option, however whether you choose to go bed & breakfast or half board, the food is quite wonderful. Snorkelling is excellent too, and there's a lovely infinity pool and even a resident yogi for meditation and yoga classes.
(£££££)
Best luxury resorts - various
There's really too many top quality resorts that might qualify as the best luxury resort, but here's a few of our favourites:
Constance Moofushi (£££££) - www.constancehotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/maldives/moofushi
Kandolhu (£££££) - www.kandolhu.com
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa (£££££) - www.emerald-faarufushi.com
** For more information, advice and up to date package prices,
please contact Tom on 01462 677 111 or
email holidays@onyourtravels.co.uk
What's Included?
- Flights from the UK
- Transfers - either boat or seaplane
- 7 nights accommodation
- Meals as specified
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are water villas worth the extra premium?
A. This is very much personal taste - I've stayed in both beach villas and water villas, and both in their own way are idyllic. Water villas usually have steps leading directly to the ocean.
Q. When is the best time to go?
A. The driest months are from January to April, with other months having an increased chance of showers and storms. However the good news is that rain showers don't last for very long, so you should still get lots of sunshine. Temperatures change little throughout the year, hovering around the 30c average maximum.
Q. So I should definitely avoid May to December then?
A. No - because prices can be significantly lower, especially during the low months of May & June, and you'll often find added benefits such as room upgrades. Also, weather patterns are a little more unpredictable than they were.
Q. Should I book all-inclusive?
A. The majority of resorts are now either all-inclusive or have an all-inclusive option. It's popular because food and especially alcohol is expensive so your room bill can easily mount up. However, if you tend not to have lunch and drink no or very little alcohol, then B&B or Half Board might be better value for money if it's available. As with any all-inclusive package, you need to know what is included such as premium brand drinks, access to speciality restaurants etc.
Q. Are transfers always included?
A. Yes - when we book your holiday. These can be either speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight. Normally it would be a boat if the transfer time is around 1-1.5 hours or less, or seaplane if more than this.
Q. What is there to do?
A. Most of the islands are very small so there aren't any of the 'excursions' that you might find in Mauritius for example. There will be boat trips, diving, snorkelling, fishing, perhaps a trip to a neighbouring island. But the main reason for coming is to relax!
Q. How do I choose which resort to stay at?
A. Things to think about are... Whether you want a very peaceful holiday or something a bit more lively in the evenings? Do you like a big choice of restaurants? Do you like the idea of a very small island that you can walk around in a few minutes, or something much bigger which will have more facilities? And of course, how much are you comfortable spending? As part of our service we'll ask these sort of questions to come up with a few suggestions.
Q. How do we get there?
A. There are a few direct flights with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in the winter months, although not daily. However, you still might prefer to travel with a Middle East carrier such as Emirates via Dubai or Qatar via Doha. Flight time is around 10.5 hours if flying direct. Another very popular choice if Sr Lanka Airlines which allows for a stopover in Sri Lanka (see below...)
Q. Can we do a stopover somewhere?
A. If you would like a little adventure before your Maldives escape then Sri Lanka is perfect with its temples, wildlife and dramatic scenery. Dubai is also popular and now also Oman where you can visit the souks of Muscat or take a trip into the desert.
Q. Can we do two islands?
A. Yes you can - just remember that there are very few direct transfers between islands so you will have to come back to Male, and this could involve long delays especially if one of the islands requires a seaplane transfer.
Our Service
Whichever island you may choose to book with us, you'll get a highly competitive price! But first, here's some of the main things to consider when picking the right place to stay...
• Size vs facilities - do you like the idea of a tiny island that you can walk around in a few minutes, or one that has more going on and more facilities?
• Quiet and peaceful vs lively - some are very quiet and low key, others have much more going on
• Transfer options - boat vs seaplane (most islands are one or the other, some you get a choice)
• Meal plans (B&B vs All Inclusive) - and a few dine around all inclusive plans which give you a wider choice of restaurants included
• Snorkelling opportunities (if this is important to you then some islands are much better than others)
• Types of accommodation available (standard rooms vs beach villas vs water villas)
• Cheap and cheerful vs premium and luxury
Ongoing Help & Advice
• Explain passport and visa requirements
• Advise of any changes to your holiday, for example flight times
• Offer discounted airport lounges
• Pre-book flight seats, if possible
• Complete your Advanced Passenger Information if required by the airline
• Request any dietary requirements and/or special requests
• Send final documents in good time before your trip, and answer any last minute queries
• And finally, when you are on holiday there will be a 24/7 emergency contact number
One point of contact from your first phone call to arriving home!
Sri Lanka Extension
If you would like to combine the Maldives with another destination, there are several possibilities. One popular option is Dubai because your flight might be going via Dubai anyway. But if you'd like to do some touring then Sri Lanka is a fantastic stopover destination. You can see wild elephants on safari, visit the temples of Kandy, and the cooler tea plantations before ending up in the UNESCO city of Galle. So you could easily have a week or so touring around, and using the Maldives as your beach time at the end.
Here is a typical Sri Lanka and Maldives itinerary, and most of the trips we organise for clients are a variation on this, with hotels depending on budget. The touring part is done with your own private car and driver.
FLY to Sri Lanka overnight
1 night in Negombo
TO DO: After the overnight flight it's nice to relax for the rest of the day by the seaside as it's a fairly long journey to your next stop.
3 nights in Habarana
TO DO: Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Caves, Elephant safaris, Minneriya National Park, Activities on the lake, jungle treks, mountain bike hire, Puranagama Ancient Village, Polonnaruwa
2 nights in Kandy
TO DO: Royal Botanical Gardens, Temple of the Tooth, Cultural Show, Udawattakele Sanctuary Kandy (small jungle with lots of monkeys)
1 night in Nuwara Eliya
TO DO: Visit the tea plantation, dinner in the old train carriage, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, bike rides, waterfalls, walks
2 nights at Uda Walawe (optional)
TO DO: Visit the elephant transit home, see some of the 400 wild elephants, plus possible sightings of crocodiles, golden jackals, water buffalo, grey languor
1 night back at Negombo
FLY to the Maldives
6 nights in the Maldives (flexible)
FLY home
For more information, please see our Sri Lanka page.
Other Multi Centre Ideas
The Maldives is a bucket-list destination for some travellers, for others, it is where they return to year after year for that true paradisical holiday.
You can turn every Maldives trip into an adventure by adding a stopover in the many different destinations that have direct flights to Malé airport. Some of these stopovers may seem obvious, some you may be surprised by.
We have seen details for a Sri Lanka extension above, but here are some other ideas.
DUBAI - Probably the best-known stopover on the way to The Maldives, Dubai is an Arabian city of superlatives where extravagance is the norm. There are few places where you could be drinking tea in a desert tent, eating in gold-filled Michelin-starred restaurants and picking up trendsetting pieces at a futuristic shopping centre all in the same day.
ISTANBUL - With Turkish Airlines' daily services to The Maldives, a city break in the city where east meets west is a great option. From religious sites and bustling bazaars to world-class restaurants and bustling nightlife, it is a great city to explore. Why not make the trip extra special with a couple of nights at Cappadocia where you can ride a hot air balloon over some of the most unique landscapes on the planet.
BANGKOK - There is a direct service between Thailand's capital 4 days a week to The Maldives. If you wanted, you could just explore Bangkok itself, but a trip north to the cultural city of Chiang Mai is a great contrast to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. Even more special would be living under canvas at the Elephant Hills Bush Camp, learning all about Thailand's gentle giants.
SINGAPORE - Just under a 5-hour flight from The Maldives is Singapore. A fascinating city which has a rich heritage, but embraces the present - and the future - with open arms. From drinking a Singapore Sling at Raffles, to high-end shopping on Orchard Road or the famed Gardens by the Bay, there is plenty to do. For thrill seekers, head to Sentosa Island for amazing activities and this is where you will also find Universal Studios Singapore. Ride a rollercoaster before you relax in The Maldives!
KUALA LUMPUR - Why not pair Malaysia on your next trip? Vibrant Kuala Lumpur has plenty to offer, especially if you are a foodie. For a touch of culture and some of the nation's most breathtaking scenery, a couple of days in the Cameron Highlands is sure to amaze you.
DELHI - A direct flight from Delhi makes an exploration of India before arriving in The Maldives an obvious choice. The most popular itinerary is the classic Golden Triangle tour, taking in Jaipur and Agra, you will get to visit the Taj Mahal, in itself, a bucket-list experience.
DOHA - If you have never visited, Doha is definitely worth a stop next time you are passing through. Lesser-visited than some of its Middle Eastern neighbours, you will find hotels of unparalleled luxury, world class dining and shopping as well as activities and entertainment.
ABU DHABI - From bedouin desert sands to gilded, white-washed mosques, Abu Dhabi has an alluring charm. Of course, you have world-class hotels, fantastic dining and great beaches, but if you want to be more adventurous you can go on a sand dune safari, check out the world-famous Formula 1 track or visit the Ferrari World theme park.
Please note that some flight routes only operate seasonally.
