When it comes to planning your first dream getaway in the Maldives, there are so many decisions you need to make, from how to choose the right atoll (and your preferred mode of transport) to deciding the right villa type and meal package. With so much information out there, it can be overwhelming for first timers. Read on to discover the answers and to your most pressing Maldives questions – plus a few handy tips for first-timers visiting the archipelago.
What makes a Maldives escape different from a beach holiday?
From exploring the shores of Thailand to cramming your itinerary with every beach worth visiting in Bali, stays in the tropics usually involve moving between places or hopping between jaw-dropping islands. Not the Maldives.
When you pick your resort, that’s where you’ll be for your entire trip – and that’s what makes it so appealing. Gone are the days of constantly packing and repacking your bags or rushing to see everything in a few days, this trip is all about staying put.
How do you choose the right Maldives resort?
There are four important things to consider when picking your perfect Maldives resort: atoll, transfers, accommodation and dining.
How do you choose the right atoll?
Every Maldives resort sits on an atoll, a circular island or coral reef that’s bursting with marine life. The Maldives has 26 natural atolls, and which one you choose will determine how you’ll get to your resort. Atolls closer to the capital city of Malé (North Malé, South Malé and Ari Atoll) are easily reached by a quick speedboat ride across the big blue, while the furthest atolls (like Baa and Lhaviyani Atoll) mean catching a seaplane or domestic flight. Choosing the right atoll means weighing up your options – would you rather be close to civilisation, or out in the middle of nowhere in complete seclusion?
What’s the best way to get to your resort?
There are three main ways to travel to your resort: by seaplane, speedboat or domestic flight from Malé. Speedboats will get you to closer resorts and atolls, ranging anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes. This service runs round the clock, so you can get to your resort no matter how late your flight lands. But be warned: they can be on the bumpier side.
Seaplanes are a scenic way to transfer to more distant atolls, and with around 15 seats onboard as well as complimentary snacks and wi-fi, it’s the most stylish way to travel. Flying at a low altitude means you can take in the Indian Ocean glittering beneath you across a 10-to-70-minute flight before landing directly onto the azure waters of the lagoon. One major drawback is that seaplanes don’t fly in the dark, so if your flight arrives too late in the day, you may be looking at an overnight stay in Malé.
For resorts in the far southern or northern atolls beyond seaplane range, you’ll need to jump on a domestic flight before hopping onto a speedboat to reach your destination. Domestic flights land at one of 13 domestic airports scattered across the Maldives, day and night, with flight times ranging anywhere from 20 to 95 minutes.
What’s the difference between beach and overwater villas?
The two main types of villas at Maldives resorts are both knockouts for very different reasons. Overwater villas fulfil your Instagrammable fantasy of 360-degree ocean views with direct access to the glittering lagoon. If you want to spend all day swimming in the ocean and snorkelling with schools of fish, this is the villa type for you. Plus, perched out on the water, ultimate privacy is yours for the taking.
Beach villas offer a different type of luxury. You’ve got space to stretch out on the warm shores of your own secluded stretch of beach before walking into the lagoon – it really feels like you’re on your own private island. This is the spot for those who want to do as little as possible on their escape: just sit out on your sun lounger in a shady spot and savour the serenity in style.
Should you book an all-inclusive package?
Let’s cut to the chase: dining in the Maldives doesn’t come cheap. With three meals a day plus drinks and snacks, you’re looking at a hefty bill when you check out.
That’s where all-inclusive packages come in. With your meals and snacks sorted and your drinks flowing freely, you can sip on cocktails all day, then settle in for a long, unhurried dinner without once checking the bill. Final bill begone.
When’s the best time to go?
It’s a common misconception that the only time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season (November to April). While you can count on the dry season delivering sunshine most days, you can also count on prices being at their highest. The wet season, from May to October, isn’t all doom, gloom and thunderstorms. Rain showers in the Maldives are mostly brief, so even in the wet season there are still plenty of chances to snorkel and swim your heart out. Quick maths: fewer travellers plus lower prices equals one very happy holiday in paradise.
What should you expect when you arrive?
You’ve landed at Velana International Airport – what happens next?
Before you even leave home, you’ll need to complete the Traveller Declaration through the Maldives Immigration IMUGA portal – this must be submitted within 96 hours of your flight, so it’s worth doing before you pack your bags. Once you land, you’ll head to immigration to collect your free 30-day visa. One thing to know: you can drink alcohol at your resort but not in public, so kiss your dreams of an airport beer goodbye. You also can’t bring any alcohol into the country, so skip the duty-free on your way through.
After immigration, you’ll collect your bags and make your way to your resort’s transfer desk. Speedboat transfers depart from in front of the airport, while seaplane transfers leave from a separate terminal just outside.
How long should you spend in the Maldives?
While it might be tempting to book the longest package possible, there’s a sweet spot when it comes to length of stay. Spend too long at a resort that’s out of budget or not your vibe and it can spell disaster – the days start to feel repetitive, your budget gets stretched thin, and you’ll spend the back half of your trip wishing you were home.
But too little time? You’ll hardly have a chance to settle in. Whether you’re staying in an adults-only or family-friendly resort, everyone needs a little extra time to explore their tropical haven.
That’s why we reckon five to seven days is the sweet spot for a Maldives itinerary: you’ll have days to explore at your own pace, plenty of rest time in between, and time to wine and dine your way across every restaurant menu at the resort. If you’re not taking one of our direct charter flights to the Maldives, it might be worth tacking on a stopover in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai for a few days. Two holidays in one – what could be better?
What do first-timers typically get wrong?
We’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to. Here are three common ones first-time visitors make in the Maldives.
1. Underestimating transfer times and costs
When they’re not included in your stay, transfers can be mighty expensive. With costs paid per person, you could be looking at adding hundreds to your final bill – not to mention if you need a last-minute hotel stay in Malé after missing the last seaplane of the night.
2. Staying too long on a budget that’s stretched thin
No matter how hard you try, no one can fully relax and destress when they’re constantly thinking about their wallet. Booking an escape for too long without an all-inclusive package could spell disaster for your dream getaway.
3. Not researching the reef quality
When you’re flying halfway across the world to snorkel, swim and dive, staying at a resort with a high-quality reef is essential. Reefs closer to North Malé have been more exposed to storm damage and coral bleaching than some of the more remote atolls, so it’s worth researching a resort’s reef condition before you book – a quick search could save you heartache later.
Expert tips – Nathaniel Robinson, Destination Editor – Maldives, Luxury Escapes
Pack your own sunscreen
Australian sunscreen is the best in the world and many resorts don’t stock it – or if they do, it’s at a lower SPF. Make sure it’s reef-friendly too: some resorts enforce this and chemical sunscreens can damage coral.
Your arrival time matters more than you think
Domestic flights and seaplanes don’t operate at night, so a late international arrival means an overnight in Malé. If that happens, it’s worth paying a little more for a hotel that includes airport transfer – taxis from Velana International Airport are unreliable.
Try the local food
Every Maldives resort has a locally focused menu, even if just for breakfast. The cuisine draws on the islands’ geography: fresh fish (especially tuna, often smoked), coconut and starches like rice and sweet potato. It’s a good way to add some authenticity to your stay – and if you ask the kitchen nicely, they might print you the recipe.
If you want something, ask – and ask early
Most special requests – a desert island picnic, dolphin watching, big game fishing, a celebration dinner on the beach – can and will be arranged. But things take time in the Maldives, especially around Friday (prayer day). Tell your butler or guest services on the first day of arrival, not the last.
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Feature image: Mercure Maldives
