Maldives 101

The Republic of the Maldives is made up of 1,192 islands scattered north to south across 35,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean. While its beauty has been extolled since the 13th century by sailors and explorers, it was not until the 1970s that the first tourist hotel was constructed. In more recent years, as international airlines have opened routes to the region, there has been an explosion of luxury resorts with nearly 150 four- and five-star properties at last count. Malé is the main island, where the capital and international airport are located. The Islamic country is divided into twenty-six atolls, or island clusters, and hotels are reached from Malé by boat or seaplane.

Maldives Factoids

• The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of population and land area.
• Full moon parties are a local ritual.
• By law only Maldivians are allowed to drive boats after dark.

Basics

• Language: Dhivehi (Mahi)
• Visas: A no-cost visitor visa valid for 30 days is issued upon arrival.
• Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
• Time Zone: (UTC + 5)

When to Go

The weather in the Maldives is warm and tropical year round as the islands sit only a few degrees north of the equator. The seasons are divided into the north monsoon (December to April) and the southwest monsoon (May to November). During the north monsoon, the air is dry and there is little rain, and the seas can be utterly still. In the southwest monsoon, the air is more humid, and there can be sudden thunderstorms and more wind, but it is also when the best waves are for surfing and many days experience only an evening shower if any. The most popular time of year to visit is between December and April.

Getting There

From the East Coast, the easiest options are through the Middle Eastern hubs of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. (Dubai to Malé is a four-hour flight.) From Europe there are daily flights from London and Paris to Malé. The charter airlines Eurofly and LTU International Airways depart from cities in Italy and Germany. From the West Coast, Singapore Airlines flies to Malé through Singapore.

Note that seaplanes only fly during the daylight hours, so if you are staying at one of the outer islands, be sure to book international flights that arrive and depart during the day. Those coming via Europe or the Middle East tend to land in daytime; and those from Asia after dark.

What to Pack

Pack light and casual: sarongs, bikinis, thin sweaters for nighttime and sun hats. Leave shoes at home but bring all those books you’ve been meaning to read.

Know Before You Book

At last count the Maldives had close to 150 four and five-star hotels, offering a dizzying assortment of overwater bungalows and beachfront villas. Every luxury brand in the world is here—or coming. There are overwater villas and spas and underwater bars, spas and restaurants. Since most hotels occupy their own islands, you generally stay where you book and don’t move around so picking the right spot is essential.

Each property has its own personality and draws various crowds. Some are more geared to families or couples; some offer only overwater bungalow or only beach villas, and people tend to have their preference. Island insiders have remarked that Germans, British and Russian generally prefer beach villas; while Americans, Asians, Italians and honeymooners love overwater bungalows. Whatever your nationality or preference, of course, overwater bungalows are not a good idea for families traveling with young children, which is why many resorts offer both options if catering to couples and families. All hotels are reached either by boat or seaplane, depending upon how far they are from Malé.

For help making the right match, Indagare members can contact our Bookings Team.