The Maldives lies around 470 miles south-west of India and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. It’s an Island Nation comprised of approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped in 26 atolls, although only around 200 are inhabited. Most of those 200 are now Island resorts known for their white sands and turquoise waters. None of them are more than 6 feet above sea-level!

The only major international airport is Male (IATA Code: MLE), located in the central atoll.

In short, to relax and unwind. The Maldives is renowned for its pristine waters, luxurious villas and exclusivity. If you have the budget, you could have an entire resort to yourself! In my opinion, if you’re going to travel to the Maldives, make it worthwhile. Get the best accommodation you can such as a single, sole bungalow with direct access to the sea with your own sun beds, rather than be accommodated in a block of 2 or 4 rooms. It’s not the same experience. Things to remember when choosing your resort/accommodation.

Most Island resorts have a central social hub offering snacks and drinks in addition to the restaurants where the meals are served.

Our bungalow was well appointed with air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, an excellent spacious bathroom with a shower, and jucuzi bath (more than enough towels). It had tea coffee making facilities including a Nescafe machine (pods were replaced every day, if not twice sometimes). There was a security safe and reliable wifi. The private outside space contained 2 x sun beds with cushions, 2 whicker chairs + a table. The space (lined on either side with bushes offering some privacy) led straight to the sea a mere 20 metres away. The room was serviced twice a day!

I have always travelled to the Maldives on my way back from somewhere else if the air routing works. In this case I was returning from Sri Lanka (exploring the Pekoe Trail) but it would work equally well from India or Nepal (an Annapurna Circuit trek for example). A return ticket to those destinations can be around the same price as a multi-city ticket to Delhi or Kathmandu and return from Male. You then just need that single ticket to Male from Delhi.

3 or 4 nights is enough for me to chill out, and enjoy the downtime. I would not go to the Maldives for mush longer than that unless I was into diving or something similar but there are equally good diving destinations (much cheaper) around the globe.

It’s certainly not cheap but you can still find some decent offers:

• Try the shoulder seasons (see below). Weather patterns are not as reliable as they used to be so you can get some decent weather off-peak. Even if it rains, it soon dries up.
• Be wary of the very cheap deals. Do your homework on where the Resort is in relation to Male. This will affect the additional cost of the transfer and how long it takes.
• What’s included? Depending on your eating and drinking habits, choosing half board or full board (with or without alcohol) is a personal choice. A simple draft beer (500ml) will cost around US$8 and a cocktail US$15. Any additional food you may purchase will be equally pricey. Everything is in US$.

Try booking.com, Voyage Prive (last minute offers), Luxury Escapes and British Airways. Or search for ‘Maldives Deals’.

It is a well known fact that without private investors, the Maldives would not be the destination it is today. They have taken the risks, built resorts, paid their taxes, which has ultimately buoyed the Maldives Govt. As if to emphasise it, many Govt funded resort projects have failed. The Govt has learned not to over-burden the private sector with taxes and fees, for it is they that are providing a significant and sizeable slice of the Govt’s annual revenue. 

In 2025, the Govt raised the Green Tax (a daily tax paid by every tourist) by 100% in both categories. They also raised the Airport Departure Tax by between 66% (economy) and 400% (private jet passengers). They estimate those changes will raise ~£145 million per year.

Hotels (multi-storey) and Guesthouses. Some islands do have them, but not many. On the one hand, it is seen as a sign of inclusivity, it can attract more visitors with affordable accommodation. It provides employment, and more revenue. Conversely, it appears the Govt are struggling to regulate urban planning, over-development, the environmental degradation that comes with lots of people in the same place and also waste management.

• Speed boat transfers – This is the standard transport method to get to your final destination. The speed boats dock a matter of meters from the airport terminal exit (and vice versa on return). There is a comfortable air conditioned ‘waiting terminal’ complete with snack bar, Costa and restroom facilities. These speed boat transfers are additional costs but given the distance they have to travel, its easy to understand why.
  Even a transfer within North Male’s atoll can take 45 mins and these speed boats do not hang around. Buckle up and hang on!
  Cost – it varies but expect US$100 per person (the cost should be shown in the detail). These fees are usually payable on arrival at the resort.
• Sea Plane transfer – This is the more expensive alternative, and is more prone to the weather. That said, you may consider it necessary (or worthwhile) if the transfer time by speed boat is long.
• Accommodation on solid ground or over the water – if you like the sand between your toes, you may be better opting for accommodation on solid ground rather than those that sit above the water.
• Check the geography of the Resort – the long snaking board walks over the shallow turquoise waters leading to accommodation on stilts is beautiful. But it can be a double edged sword. If you’re at the far end, the long walk can either become tiresome if you’re tromping up and down there several times a day (especially in the rain!), or you can enjoy the strolls.
• Taxes – As at Jan 2025, there is a Maldives Govt Green Tax charge of US$12 per person per night. This is payable on arrival at your Resort.
• The Weather – I’m not sure I trust weather patterns any longer! We were forecast thunderstorms on one day and it could not have been any sunnier if it tried! Our stay was for 3 full days between 8 – 12 May 2025 and had 1 x minor shower. Even in the rainy season, the heavy downpours are often followed by sunny periods.
• Other charges like alcohol and water sports, are chargable and payable at the end of your stay.

Rainy season Mid May – November
Wettest months Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
Monsoon transition Dec – Apr when the winds change direction, leading to unsettled weather.