Maldives holidays

What can you find in the Maldives that you won’t find elsewhere?

Made up of 26 atolls dotted in the Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives are some of the world’s most remote and remarkable. This sublime destination couldn’t be more deserving of the hype, with sand that melts into a shimmering turquoise ocean, secluded over-water villas (on-land villas are also available for families, more often than not) and a kaleidoscope of coral reefs as standard. The waters here give the illusion that the bobbing boats are calmly levitating, with every island offering differing experiences ready to be seen and enjoyed. Maldives holidays are what island dreams are made of, but potentially they are fleeting ones. Sadly, due to global warming, the country’s low-lying beaches may just disappear. All the more reason to visit now and appreciated this stunning array of natural beauty while it’s still possible.

Who is the Maldives best for?

Honeymooners and escapists are best placed to make the most of a Maldives holiday. This picture-perfect paradise is ideal for those wanting to get away from the stresses of their daily lives with all the ingredients to help you relax. You can expect to lose all sense of time in this oceanic slice of heaven. Experience the romance of the islands, with an away-from-it-all luxury you’d be hard pushed to find elsewhere. Avid divers can channel their inner Jacques Cousteau, exploring the abundance of dive sites on offer, teeming with exotic marine life such as groupers, eagle rays and even whale sharks. Others may want to play out their Robinson Crusoe dreams basking on sun-baked beaches and enjoying long lazy lunches on their own private stretch of sand. And, of course, the Maldives remains one of the great destinations for families, too, if you choose the right resort. We’re here to help on that front because the team at Original Travel have visited well over 30 of the best resorts, and so come armed with the power of comparison. We can help you to find the best reefs to swim between and the must visit all-inclusive stays to rest your head after a long day spent properly relaxing and unwinding. Lap up the luxury and experience a trip unlike any other here, there really is no better place better suited to enjoy doing nothing!

What are the best ways to discover the Maldives?

Take a week to ten days to travel, explore and unwind in a private island resort, whether you want to focus on wellbeing, pamper yourself in the spa or experience unparalleled marine adventure. Choose from stilted lagoon-facing villas surrounded by coral, beach bungalows with open air showers or perhaps a palm-thatched treehouse for a return-to-nature vibe. With direct flights available, the Maldives can be combined perfectly with a trip to India or Sri Lanka. Ensuring you make the most of being in this paradise spot but don’t limit yourself to just the one island here, a twin centre Maldivian holiday can provide the variety needed (not that you’re likely to get bored of that spectacular view!).

Best time to visit the Maldives

Sandwiched between either side of the equator, the Maldives has been truly blessed by the warmth of a tropical climate, with toasty temperatures fluctuating between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius throughout most of the year. The rainfall, humidity and sunny hours alternate between the months, with many considering the best time to visit to be between November and April. However, we know that when it comes to visiting this tropical haven you want to be sure that you’re able to enjoy all that this exquisite spot has to offer, without the weather halting this, which is why sun seekers will find that March and April might just offer the optimal holidaying experience most are searching for. This time of year brings with it the promise of hot, dry weather and equally quiet resorts, making this perfect for some much-needed rest and recuperation without the crowds. Plus, it’s likely to feel as though you have one of the many islands all to yourself! Visit our page on the best time to visit the Maldives for more detail.

Special things to do in the Maldives

Surfing and liveaboard diving in the Maldives

Sunning yourself on the beach is certainly a strong contender for the best thing to do in the Maldives, but we can also recommend from the resorts that have superb surf breaks for beginners or pros alike, and we work with the best liveaboard dive boats, so you can explore the unspoilt dive sites of the remoter atolls. Come evening, pad barefoot along the shore to watch the crashing waves (which are perfect for catching!).

Take part in a Buddhist ceremony and unwind in a castaway paradise

For a Sri Lanka and Maldives honeymoon to remember, we can create a personally tailored itinerary to help you make the most of this landmark event. We recommend flying to Sri Lanka to attend a Buddhist blessing held in an exquisite temple. Mark the celebration with a jungle dinner a deux before flying to the private island of Velassaru in the Maldives where you can lap up crystalline sea views and top-notch sunsets on a romantic sojourn.

Indian romance and chocolate-box islands

Start in Kerala, strolling the scented streets of Cochin and floating down the sleepy backwaters of Alleppey on a converted traditional rice barge. Head to Periyar National Park for intense wildlife viewing, stopping to soak up the vibrant hills coated in rippled tea plantations and forests fragrant with spice. From one visual marvel to another, fly to the cerulean lagoons of the Maldives where you can then relax and reboot.