Coming in to land in the Maldives is one of the most iconic arrivals you could experience anywhere in the world. Make sure you've snaffled yourself a window seat to truly appreciate the pearl string of tiny islands surrounded by azure water that lies below you. You may well get a second bite of this beautiful cherry as many of the finest island idylls are a short onward seaplane flight away. When there you can expect soft powder-white sand, sheltered emerald lagoons and threads of bungalows suspended between the sky and pale-blue water below, and from that moment on, Maldives holidays tend to feel like you’ve left the real world behind to embrace complete escapism, be that swinging in a hammock, being pampered at the spa or snorkelling with tropical fish without another person in sight. There’s no denying that this will be a holiday unlike any other. In fact, this idyllic location is the perfect sun trap and its home to all things natural beauty. It’s a nation of over a thousand coral islands that have redefined the meaning of the word ‘paradise’. Now lucky travellers to this haven on Earth can experience everything from world-class diving to surfing and so much more, as you uncover the treasure trove of marine life and hospitable locals coexisting here. For guaranteed serenity, seclusion and relaxation, a trip to the Maldives is a must.

Maldives holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit Maldives with Original Travel ?

In the last few years alone, our team of experts (one of whom used to live there) has visited over 22 of the Maldives’ islands, giving us first-hand intel on the best hotels and resorts. So, pick our brains for the perfect place for you, whether you’re a family, a couple, a solo traveller or simply seeking the best villa to access house reefs for diving and snorkelling. Our team over at Original Diving can advise on the underwater side of things, from the best time to dive in the Northern, Southern and Central Atolls to getting involved in coral restoration projects.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Maldives

  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

Our Maldives holiday collections

Discover different ways to explore Maldives

Maldives Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Maldives Testimonials

4 reviews
4.5 / 5
"We were lucky enough to meet Amy whilst in Belize and so were able to describe what we were looking for in a Maldives holiday. She matched it perfectly. Every aspect of the resort was exactly what we were looking for."
Anne - Birmingham
Published on 30th September 2019
"We just wanted to thank you for helping to plan every detail. Both our honeymoon and mini moon last year were created to showcase the places we visited to perfection! Luxury at its finest! Thank you so much! "
Scarlet - Chelmsford
Published on 11th January 2019
"Thanks so much you have really taken the pressure of booking a holiday! Can’t think why anyone wouldn’t book through you? Thank you for understanding our crazy lives (both parents are recovering from cancer, one of them living with us, running two businesses, manic GP hours and demands and having a teenage son)! Not to mention all the normal family things! Thanks India for booking a holiday that would normally be another stress with hours of research, but not with you! You did it all for me! Thank you so much "
Mick - Brighton
Published on 27th January 2018

Our Maldives
specialists

Working with our team over at Original Diving, we’re equipped with the expertise to curate your perfect Maldives escape. With close connections at some of the best hotels in the Maldives, our consultants can narrow down your search and pick the best property for you. Whether you're planning a family holiday, a couples retreat or a solo diving adventure, we’ll tailor your experience, selecting the ideal rooms with sunset views and easy reef access. With accommodation sorted, our underwater experts will ensure you visit at the perfect time to make the most of the Maldives’ house reefs and shark dives.

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.

Best places to go in Maldives



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