Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprise a series of 26 Atolls, encompassing around 1200 islands circled by coral reefs of amazing natural beauty. The Maldives is all about year-round sunshine, swaying palm trees, soft white sand fringing warm turquoise waters and crystal clear lagoons - not forgetting of course a stunning underwater world just waiting to be explored. The Maldives certainly deserves its reputation of being one of the world's leading luxury travel destinations.
So where do you start in planning your holiday? Landing in the islands capital of Male your journey will then continue by speedboat or seaplane to your chosen resort. The atolls vary considerably in their size and level of development as do the properties.
In the larger resorts you'll enjoy a really good choice of restaurants, bars and activities. Sun Island Resort and Spa is the largest in the Maldives with 426 rooms, other larger properties include Kurdeu Island with 383 rooms and Meeru Island Resort with 286 rooms. By contrast there are also outstanding boutique resorts such as the adult-only Komandhoo Island Resort with just 60 villas and Constance Halaveli Resort with 86 villas, all with private pools. Smaller still Mirihi Island Resort offers 36 rooms just 6 on land and the remainder built on stilts over the blue lagoon. Makunudu Island Resort also has just 36 beachfront bungalows designed in simple traditional Maldivian style.
Now if you're looking to combine the best of both then the new Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa offers just that. An outstanding range of dining and recreational facilities; six kms of picturesque coastline with nearly two kms of white-sand beaches and home to just 142 serene villas. There really is a resort to suit everyone in The Maldives!
The Maldives is ideally suited to a two centre holiday and combines well with a stay in Maldives or Singapore. Alternatively why not combine The Maldives with Sri Lanka? Ask one of our sales consultants for a quotation.
Some Atolls have seen significant development such as Male Atoll where the majority of the country's resorts are now located - in all around 45 resorts. Male Atoll actually comprises two separate atolls, North Male Atoll and South Male Atoll collectively known as Kaafu Atoll. Resorts on Male Atoll range from good 3* all inclusive properties to the sublime luxury of magnificent private villas at world-famous properties such as Anantara, Taj Exotica and One & Only Maldives . Ease of access is the main reason so much development has taken place here as Male Atoll is in close proximity of Male International Airport, which is located on the neighboring island of Hulhule. Other recommended resorts include Bandos Island Resort & Spa, Chaaya Island Dhonveli, Paradise Island Resort & Spa and Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi.
To the west of Male Atoll you'll find Alifu Alifu & Alifu Dhaalu Atoll more commonly known as North and South Ari Atoll which stretches 50 miles from north to south. Currently there are 13 resorts on North Ari and 17 on South Ari although this is changing all the time. Some of the best known properties on North Ari include the magnificent 86 villa resort of Constance Halaveli and also W Retreat & Spa on the pristine island of Fesdu. 25 minutes by seaplane or around 1h:15mins by speedboat
The resorts of Island Hideway and Cinnamon Island are located on Haa Alifu one of the most northern atolls - a distance 280 kms from Male. This atoll is much less developed, accessible by a 45-minute domestic flight from Male to Hanimaadhoo followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer.
Southwest of Haa Alifu lies Raa Atoll. Adaaran Prestige Water Villas and Adaaran Select Meedhupparu Resort are two of just three resorts situated on the island of Meedhupparu within the northern Raa Atoll. Access to these resorts is by seaplane.
Surrounded by over 52 acres of soft white beach and lush vegetation, the outstanding Hilton Maldives/Iru Fushi Resort & Spa is set on the unspoilt Noonu Atoll and is accessed by a scenic 45 minute seaplane ride from Male. Another recommended resort on Noonu is Zitahli Resorts and Spa Kuda-Funafaru which boasts a total of 50 contemporary chic villas 30 of which are overwater.
South of Noonu lies Lhaviyani Atoll, 120 kms by seaplane from Male. Kuredu Island Resort & Spa is located on the northern reef of Lhaviyani Atoll with 3 km of white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons. Also on Lhaviyani are two idyllic boutique retreat resorts. Komandoo Island Resort sits on a stunning island just 100m wide and 500m long, surrounded by a stunning turquoise lagoon offering exceptional snorkelling and diving opportunities. Kanuhura, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, is again is located on its own private island just 1000m long and 200m wide
Other atolls include Baa, Meemu, North Gaafu, North Huvadhoo, North Nilande (Faafu), and South Nilandhe Atoll
The Maldives benefits from a tropical climate with average daytime temperatures of 280C and above throughout the year. Despite a close proximity to the equator, humidity is low due to cooling sea breezes. The weather is largely determined by the monsoons. The southwest monsoon from May-Nov generally brings rain, strong winds and cloudy skies and the northeast monsoon from Dec-Apr brings the driest time with calm seas and clear blue skies
- Official Name:
- Republic of Maldives (Independent since 1965)
- Islands:
- 1,190 islands - Resort islands: 97
- Area:
- 90,000 sq kms
- Population:
- 360,000
- Flying Time:
- 11 hours approx.
- International Airport:
- Male International on Hulhule Island
- Capital:
- Male
- Currency:
- Maldivian Rufiyaa.
- Time Zone
- GMT + 5 hours
- Language:
- Dhivehi is the national language although English is widely spoken
Note: Effective 1 January 2011, the Government of Maldives has introduced a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 3.5%, to be levied on all services including accommodation, air transfers, food and beverage, activities and other services.
