Maldives holidays

Holiday highlights

In essence, this is the place for relaxation. Expect to lose all sense of time, what day it is and what’s going on elsewhere. This is the home of ‘no shoes, no news’ after all.

Savour gourmet dining, spectacular diving and the most enchanting ocean sunsets. And if the stunning views aren’t enough, the activities and experiences on offer range from cultural homestays to desert island trips and a plethora of watersports.

The underwater world here has been the subject of countless documentaries – the highlight perhaps being the chance to drift alongside manta rays (best seen between June and October).

Many of the islands are surrounded by wonderful coral reefs, often with fantastic marine life just moments from the shore. So if an all day diving trip isn’t for you, look out for hotels which have a house reef accessible directly from the beach.

And if it’s man-made and underwater, then chances are that it’s a ‘world first’: there’s an underwater spa, underwater music club and underwater restaurant, all found on different islands.

The choice of accommodation is impressively varied, from rustic retreats to ultra exclusive islands; cool and contemporary rooms to authentic Maldivian villas; and boutique hotels to larger, livelier resorts. Sand floor bars, overwater restaurants, open-air bathrooms and – for the more luxurious rooms – private Jacuzzis or plunge pools are archetypical of a Maldivian resort. Aside from on the capital, Malé, there are no high-rise buildings to blot the landscape here. And boarding a speedboat or seaplane to transfer to your hotel is far more exciting than the everyday taxi ride.