USD 
Crystal clear lagoons, powdery white beaches and overwater villas – the Maldives has long been an island paradise for loved-up honeymooners, family reunions and friends searching for the ultimate luxury escape. This remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean is made up of 26 atolls and 1,200 islands, with only 200 occupied. Despite this, getting to and around the Maldives is easier than you’d think.
With decadent, world-renowned cuisine, breathtaking snorkelling moments from your resort, plus unbeatable luxury accommodation – what are you waiting for? Read on to discover how to get to the Maldives.
How to get to the Maldives
Travelling to the Maldives from Australia or the US is surprisingly easy, often with just one stopover required. You could even add a quick trip to Singapore or Dubai onto your holiday to make the most of your journey. Travelling from India? This island paradise can be reached by direct flight in just a few hours. Bon voyage!
How to get to the Maldives: from Australia
Singapore Airlines and Emirates are the most popular airlines flying between Australian cities and Malé in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Singapore Airport (if travelling with Singapore Airlines), Dubai (if travelling Emirates), or Qatar (if travelling Qatar Airways). Flights are between 17 – 22 hours in duration, depending on your departing city.
How to get to the Maldives: from the US
Qatar Airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines are the most popular carriers that fly between US cities and Malé in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Dubai (if travelling Emirates), Qatar (if travelling Qatar Airways) or Istanbul (with Turkish Airlines). Flights are between 18 – 21 hours in duration, depending on your departing city.
How to get to the Maldives: from India
IndiGo Airlines and Go First are the most popular airlines flying between New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and Malé in the Maldives. There are direct flights available, taking two to four hours, depending on your departing city.
How to get to the Maldives: from the UK
British Airways, Gulf Air, SriLankan Airlines and Emirates are the most popular airline carriers that fly between UK cities and Malé in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Dubai (if travelling Emirates), Bahrain (if travelling Gulf Air) or Colombo (if travelling SriLankan Airlines). If travelling British Airways, direct flights are available, taking approximately 10 hours.
Connecting to the islands from Malé
Before you arrive in Malé, be sure to arrange airport transfers. Maldives resorts are often located on their own private island, so airport transfers are so much more than a simple taxi-style pick-up and drop-off.
Guaranteed to become a holiday highlight, transfers can take the form of an exhilarating seaplane ride over the sparkling lagoon or a speedboat cruise past palm-fringed islands and overwater bungalows.
Internal connecting flights between Malé and 16 other atolls are also available. Popular connections include Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport (DRV) on Baa Atoll, Maamigili or Villa International Airport (VAM) on Alif Dhaal Atoll and Maafaru International Airport (NMF) on Noonu Atoll. On average, these flights take 50 minutes or less from Malé.
Where to stay
It’s the perfect chance to pack up and escape the rest of the world, with an island to suit every traveller.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa offers convenient proximity to Malé (it’s reachable in just 25 minutes by seaplane), yet feels blissfully remote. It’s won multiple awards for its all-inclusive offering; the ‘Platinum Plan’ is generous with all-day premium drinks, activities and excursions in addition to dining. There’s plentiful choice, too, with Thai and Indian-inspired dining at Tamarind, teppanyaki, buffet-style world cuisine at Lily Maa and more. When it comes to accommodation, you can pick from jacuzzi suites, beach villas secluded in greenery and interconnecting villas that are perfect for families.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Also a short skip from Malé is Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives. This new resort offers sleek, modern villas, some with jacuzzis and private pools. SPA Cenvaree is a standout, offering Thai-inspired treatments using locally blended oils and herbs in combination with age-old practices. Dining takes you from the flavours of Asia at The Gallery to Mediterranean at the Bluefin beach club, with a swim-up bar and overwater sunset restaurant providing memorable moments.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is located in one of the best diving areas of the South Maldives, making it perfect for snorkelling and underwater adventures. Amid 18 hectares of tropical greenery, thatched villas are dotted along the beach, over the ocean and even under it (it was the first luxury resort to offer underwater bedrooms in its Aqua Villa category). It’s also renowned as one of the most generous all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, with all-day dining, more than 130 tipples to choose from and a daily replenished minibar, amongst other perks.
The Standard
Embrace the glamour of The Standard, where quintessential Maldives features – overwater villas, a tranquil spa and adults-only pool – are given a unique spin, with disco balls in bathrooms and an overwater dancefloor. Rejuvenate by your private plunge pool, or dance the day away with the weekly pool parties and live music events.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
Surrounded by 14 dive sites and a 220-metre house reef, Avani+ Fares is a picture-perfect paradise perched on the western edge of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. When not in the water, wander between the seven bars and restaurants, or surrender to serenity at Avani Spa, offering therapeutic remedies from across the globe.
Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
Castaway to this private island for an all-inclusive, adults-only escape surrounded by an exotic reef teeming with marine life. At Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, no stone (or shell) is left unturned to provide guests with a once-in-a-lifetime stay – plus a butler service means you won’t have to lift a finger from your spacious overwater private pool villa, but should you wish to leave, three gourmet restaurants, two bars, a dive centre and relaxing spa await.
JA Manafaru
Escape to a secluded private island in the Maldives’ northernmost point to experience the five-star luxury of JA Manafaru. Stunning views of the Indian Ocean greet you at every turn, along with porcelain-white sands, crystalline lagoons and a colourful house reef begging to be explored. When not exploring the natural wonderland, swan between the seven distinct dining venues, making sure to stop by The Cellar, the Maldives’ first and deepest subterranean wine cave.
Feature image: Lily Beach Resort & Spa. Source: supplied.
