Maldives Holidays 2024/2025
Our Maldives Holiday Guide 2024/2025
With idyllic white sand beaches, crystal clear water and luxury resorts, Maldives holidays are on most people's bucketlists, and it's east to see why. Made up of over 1,000 stunning islands across 26 atolls, the Maldives offer a once in a lifetime experience for many, with hotels and resorts ranging from 3 star budget friendly, to 5-star luxury resorts with overwater suites. Unsure where to start? Let us help you find the ideal holiday to the Maldives.
Hotels In The Maldives You Don't Want To Miss
Maldives Destination Guide
Getting There
Direct flights from London with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic mean you can get to the Maldives much quicker now, however, it can sometimes come at a higher expense. There's also the option to stopover in destinations like Istanbul, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Which could help you save money, but the journey will take a bit longer. You can also stopover for a few days and extend your holiday too. If you're travelling from other areas of the UK like Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham, you'll either need to connect in London onto a flight, or go via the Middle East.
Getting From Male Airport To Your Resort
The country spans around 90,000 sq km, so depending on where your resort is will depend on how you get there. Once you've arrived in Male, speed boats can take you to islands within the vicinity and these can be cheaper, although the resorts might be more expensive. On the flip side, the further away you stay, sometimes the cheaper accommodation can be, but then you'll need to add on the sea plane transfer which can be quite expensive.
Tour Operators
Most of the big long haul tour operators like TUI, British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays, Emirates Holidays and Trailfinders offer package holidays to the Maldives. With packages usually including flights, accommodation and your transfers (whether speedboat or seaplane). Make sure your travel agent or holiday company is ABTA and ATOL protected and check with the FCDO before you book and go for the latest travel advice.
Where To Stay
With so many islands to choose from, it can feel like an absolute minefield. Should you stay close to Male, or further away? Should you have a hotel with nothing going on for a bit of rest and relaxation or loads going on so you don't get bored? Should you get a boat transfer or plane transfer to your island? So many questions, so here's our guide of where to stay.
North Male Atoll
One of the most popular areas to stay in the Maldives is North Male Atoll, primarily for being within much easier reach of Male airport, and therefore shorter (and cheaper) transfers. Popular resorts here include Bandos Maldives, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Meeru Maldives Resort Island and The Ritz Carlton Maldives. There's a mix of budget friendly and more luxury hotels here, which can cost extra, but what you save on speedboat transfers, you can spend on the hotel, right?
South Male Atoll
South Male Atoll is another popular region to stay, again because it's a bit easier to get to from Male International Airport. The journey from the airport is around 45 minutes depending on which part of the Atoll you are staying. Popular hotel options here are the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance, Anantara Dhigu Resort andthe Rihiveli Maldives Resort.
Ari Atoll
Ari Atoll is one of the largest Atolls in the Maldives and is popular for both its wide choice of accommodation and its vicinity to Male Atoll. Seaplane is possible and quicker, however, if you're on a budget, speedboat here will be cheaper. Hotels within the Ari Atoll include the LUX* South Ari Atoll, Diamonds Thudufushi Maldives Resort & Spa, and the Conrad by Hilton Maldives Rangali Island.
Twin Centre Holidays
A holiday to the Maldives is one of the most incredible experiences, but many people worry that they might get bored. And yes, you can literally head to a resort and do nothing. But you can also stay in a hotel with lots going on. And did you know you can combine the two?
A twin centre holiday in the Maldives is the perfect way to combine a few days or even a week of doing nothing. The chance to reset, switch off and enjoy a good book. And then you can travel to another resort that has everything from watersports to kids' clubs and open air cinemas.
They are a little more difficult to book so you might want to speak to your local travel agent or a tour operator like Kuoni, Travel Counsellors or Flight Centre. If it's just a week or two in the same resort, though, they are must easier to book online.
When To Go
Being a tropical destination in the middle of the Indian Ocean, you'll want to make sure you visit the Maldives at the right time of year.
One of the best (and driest) times to visit the Maldives is during our winter, between November and March when you can escape the cold weather in the UK and enjoy lots of sunshine and fewer clouds. However, because of this, you should expect to pay a premium. Maldives holiday prices can be much higher in winter, and even more around the Christmas holidays.
If the rain doesn't bother you, and you want to save money, you can look at going during our summer, between April and September. You can still expect some sunshine, however, also be sure to expect some clouds and a downpour or two (how else do you think they get their palm trees so lush and green!) Because of the weather, going during these months can mean cheaper holidays.
Holiday Types
All Inclusive Holidays
When you're travelling to an island and you don't plan on going outside of the resort, you'll be eating and drinking there, so it's worth considering going all inclusive. Restaurant and bar prices can really vary, so if you want the peace of mind that everything is already paid for and you don't need to spend any more, then take a look. All inclusive resorts in the Maldives include Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Riu Atoll and the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance.
Family Friendly Maldives
You might not automatically think of the Maldives being family friendly. If you're worried about being bored, then you'll certainly worry that the kids might. But if the budget allows, then there are some great family friendly resorts in the Maldives including the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, Villa Nautica and Meeru Resort Island. Why not stopover for a few days in Dubai on the way back and have some fun at the waterparks or exploring a new destination.
Adults Only Maldives
Of course, being so idyllic, the Maldives is the ideal place for a wedding, honeymoon, or simply a relaxing escape without any children. There are plenty of adults only resorts in the Maldives, with popular ones including the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa.
More Great Hotels In The Maldives
Frequently Asked Questions
Sustainable Tourism
With such picturesque and low lying islands, the Maldives are at risk of being swallowed up due to global warming, and it's important that we protect the atolls as much as we can. Almost all of the resorts and hotels within the island chain have sustainable initiatives to protect the country and its citizens. With TUI, you can check if the hotel is Green & Fair certified.
We are privileged to support the Family Holiday Charity, an incredible organisation which helps families get away together.
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