One of The Many Islands In Maldives. This Was Our Resort.
Dreaming of the Maldives? Here’s the ultimate travel guide packed with tips, must-dos, and insider insights to make your trip unforgettable.
The Maldives is truly one-of-its-kind: a tiny island nation in the Indian Ocean with beautiful beaches, the clearest blue waters, overwater bungalows and so much more. In fact, when I searched up travel photos yeaaaars ago, the Maldives was one of the first I pinned.
When Joseph and I visited this destination, we fell in love. So much that we decided we’ll try and visit it every few years. I’m so excited to put our experience in words for you to take inspiration from for your next trip.
That said, if you’ve been scrolling through images of the Maldives as well, don’t stop at just pinning them. It’s about time you check this stunning destination off your bucket list whether it’s for a honeymoon, family vacay, special occasion… or just something you’ve been wanting to experience.
Keep reading for my all-in-one travel guide to the Maldives 🏖
Joseph Enjoying Our Overwater Bungalow
A Little Background
The Maldives is located on the Indian Ocean. It is made up of 1,192 islands (spread across 26 atolls). Sounds too much? Don’t worry only 187 of these are inhabited, and you’ll probably be exploring only one or two during your visit.
Here’s a quick fun fact: the Maldives is the lowest country in the world; it has an average ground level of just 1.5 meters above sea level. No wonder it feels like the ocean is everywhere 🌊
How Do You Get to the Maldives?
The capital of Maldives is Male, and this is where most international flights land (specifically, the Velana International Airport). From here, you can take a speedboat or seaplane transfer to your resort. Trust me the seaplane ride is here is other-worldly. Especially with aerial views of scattered islands!
However, if your flight lands too late in the evening/night, taking a domestic flight may be your only option. This is cheaper than a seaplane, but it can be more time-consuming. Plus, you’ll miss the super cool experience of the seaplane landing on the water.
We stayed at the Grand Park Kodhipparu (more on that in a minute), and they arranged our transfers. You can check with your resort if they offer the same.
How good was our room?
What is the Best Time to Visit the Maldives?
Somewhere between November and April. This is the dry season, and you are guaranteed that dreamy Maldives weather you’ve always dreamed about. However, this is also the peak season, so prices can be higher. If you’re hoping to save some $$, book your trip during the shoulder season (just before the start and after the end of high season). That will be sometime in late October or early May.
If there’s one time you want to avoid, that will be the rainy season: mid May to September. (Not so if you don’t mind a few showers, though 😉).
Best Things to Do in the Maldives
Most of the activities you do in the Maldives will be related to arranged by your resort so picking the best resort will make all the difference. I’ll talk about some good accommodation options in the next section, but before that, here’s an idea of what to expect from the activities on your trip.
Paragliding in the Maldives what a view.
Snorkeling and Diving
Those stunning waters mean there are going to be watersports, and lots of them. Coral reefs in the region teem with colorful fish, turtles, and even reef sharks await just beneath the waves. I snorkelled right off our overwater bungalow and seen so many fish and reef life.
Jet Skiing and Paragliding
Zipping across the lagoon and seeing the dolphins and sea life was one of Joseph’s favorite things to do. Definitely recommend it for that rush of adrenaline.
Paragliding was another highlight of our trip. We will never forget how dolphins were gracefully leaping below as we soared through the sky. A nature documentary in real life is what I’d like to call it 🐬
Flyboarding
This had Joseph feeling like Iron Man! Flyboarding is an absolute thrill: you stand on a board connected to a personal watercraft (via a long hose). Water will be forced under pressure to the board and you’ll be propelled into the air.
Balancing the board initially was a challenge for him, but when he mastered the controls… what a rush! You want to pay close attention to the instructions by your instructor, though; this makes sure you have a safe experience.
Golfing with a View
Now, all those watersports every day had us stimulated. So, we opted for a change in experience with some afternoons spent golfing by the ocean. We practiced the sport trying to get the shot surrounded by ocean views. A relaxing + luxurious experience it was!
Flying boarding what an experience.
Where to Stay in Maldives
Choosing your resort is the deal-breaker! There are hundreds of options to choose from, with an option being for every type of traveler: families, honeymooners, couples, friends, etc. Below, I will list our favorite resorts in the Maldives, including the one we chose to stay at.
Staying in an overwater bungalow was our number 1 bucket list item and there was no better way to tick it off than with a stay in this resort! Our villa gave us direct access to the lagoon. That meant lots of watersports.
The Edge was the main restaurant in the resort, where we enjoyed open-air dining with ocean views. What we especially loved were the live cooking stations; we got to watch our food being prepared right in front of us.
A special mention for our own private pool. And the relaxation at the overwater spa, where the sounds of the ocean made the experience all the more relaxing! Finally, the evenings were fantastic—spent sipping cocktails at the Breeze Poolside Dining and Bar.
This is another luxury resort we would love to try during our next stay. They have an all-inclusive Platinum Plan that covers everything you’ll need for your stay (dining, beverages, activities, etc.). They also offer a spa with some super relaxing experiences.
In this resort, you can find luxurious overwater villas and private pools. Its restaurant, Koto, has a really romantic ambiance (where you at, my honeymooners?). There are five types of villas with stunning Maldivian architecture. And, of course, all those cool water-sports!
Bucket list No.1 ticked off.
Food Options in Maldives
You’ll mostly be eating from your resort which is likely going to have A LOT of options, including all-inclusive, half board, BB, etc. Luxury resorts have multiple restaurants. And most will accommodate any diet restrictions you have.
If you love seafood, you’re in for a treat here. Here’s what you deffo want to try:
- Mas Huni: A traditional breakfast dish made of tuna, coconut, and onion; you’ll be eating it with flatbread
- Garudhiya: A fish soup served with rice, lime, chili, etc.
- Fihunu Mas: Grilled fish
- Bondibaiy: A sweet dish made with rice and coconut milk + flavored with cardamom
Private sunrise breakfast. What a view.
