16 Really Useful Things to Know Before Booking a Maldives Holiday

Frequently asked questions about the Maldives

1) Where are the Maldives?

They are in Asia, in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and India.

2) How many Maldivian islands are there in total?

At the last count, there were approximately 1200, comprised of island resorts, local inhabited and deserted islands. There will only ever be one resort on one island, it's all about exclusivity in the Maldives.

3) How do you get to the Maldives?

International flights all land in the country's capital, Male. You will then need to arrange onward transport to your island by boat or plane.

4) How long does it take to fly to the Maldives from the UK?

Direct flights from London to Male take 10 to 11 hours. Transiting in Dubai will increase the flight time to the Maldives to between 12 and 13 hours.

5) When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

January to April has minimal rain, hot temperatures and clear blue skies, making this one of the best times to visit the Maldives. I travelled in February and did encounter one afternoon of rain; however, it came and went very quickly.

Remember to pack plenty of sunscreen. You will be in the water often, so you will need to reapply frequently.

May to September is the "wet" season when rain and humidity increase. These months have lower prices and fewer travellers, so they may suit your budget.

October to December is hot, and dry weather returns, so expect long days of brilliant sunshine and temperatures in the high 20°Cs —low 30°Cs.

6) How do you get from Male Airport to a Maldives resort?

There are two atolls in the Maldives - North and South.

The North Atoll is the nearest to the airport, so resorts use speedboats to pick you up and transfer you to your dream island resort.

The South Atoll is further away, so these Maldivian resorts will use small aeroplanes to transfer you to your island.

Bear this in mind when choosing a resort. If you have already had a long journey, you may not want to take another flight once you are in Male.

Prices for speedboats and planes are usually in addition to the cost of your accommodation and can be expensive. Make sure you factor them into your budget. They can be arranged through your resort.

Resort planes fly to specific schedules each day, so you must coordinate your international flight landing times with the resort to ensure you aren't arriving too late.

Factor in the possibility that your international flight might be delayed on departure, leading to a late arrival and the risk of missing your transfer to the islands.

Make sure you give yourself enough time once you arrive in Male.

If you have booked an international flight that lands in the Late afternoon/evening, you may need to spend a night in the capital, Male and catch your boat or plane the next day.

7) What kind of activities can you do in the Maldives?

All resorts vary, but generally, you can scuba, snorkel, fish, dive, enjoy boat trips and indulge in the spa. Remember, the islands are all about barefoot luxury and relaxation!

You will want to bring a waterproof camera, as the tropical fish on the house reefs are incredible. A GoPro is one of the best pieces of equipment on the market for capturing great underwater images.

8) Where is the best place to scuba dive in the Maldives?

Divers can enjoy a vast array of aquatic life on both atolls; however, for those divers wanting to see the larger species, the south atoll resorts are the place to stay.

June to September (the wet season) is the best time to see manta rays and whale sharks.

9) What to wear in the Maldives

The islands are tropical, and though they can be wet at times, they are always warm and humid. Bring cotton dresses, shorts and kaftans. Depending on which resort you stay at, you will go for the island life look or full-on tropical glamour.

A pashmina shawl is enough to put around your shoulders in the evening if it cools down too much.

Don't bring high heels; the island ethos is all about barefoot luxury, so do just that or wear flat sandals.

10) How long should you stay in the Maldives?

I stayed in the Maldives for six nights because I thought I would get a bit stir-crazy doing nothing but eating, swimming, and relaxing for much longer!

Honestly, I could have spent a few more days or done some island hopping (yes, it's not only done in Greece), but I still felt I had experienced the Maldives I had dreamed of and hadn't missed out on anything.

I recommend staying at least seven nights in the Maldives, but many guests stay for up to two weeks. If this is your plan, be prepared to have a healthy bank balance to pay for that kind of stay, especially if you want to stay in an over-water pool villa at one of the luxury resorts.

11) Can you drink alcohol in the Maldives?

You can only consume alcohol that is bought in your resort.

The Maldives is a Muslim country, so bringing alcohol into the country is strictly banned. Do not purchase it at your airport duty-free shop, as the authorities will withhold it until your departure. I am speaking from experience!

12) Which are the best resorts and islands in the Maldives?

Deciding where to stay in the Maldives is a million-dollar question because it depends on your budget and requirements.

Do you want an overwater villa or a basic beach bungalow? Do you want all-inclusive buffet dining or pay-as-you-go fine dining? The choices vary considerably.

Budget Stays

Did you know it was possible to stay in the Maldives on a budget? Many islands have local families opening their homes as B&Bs or hotels offering the basics.

Of course, you won't get the luxurious stay you would find at one of the Maldives resorts, but you will still swim in the same sea and see the same sunsets.

Middle of the Road Stays

Many 3-star resorts in the Maldives offer all-inclusive options at reasonable prices to allow you to experience the Maldives in a more manageable way.

They don't offer the fine details that the luxury resorts in the Maldives can provide, but they offer a way to holiday in the Maldives on a manageable budget.

Splash the Cash

When we think of the Maldives, we think of luxury resorts, overwater villas, and turquoise waters. And, let's face it, if you are travelling to the Maldives, it is probably to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, babymoon, or something equally as special, so you will want the best.

Nevertheless, you will need deep pockets to cover a stay at a luxurious resort in the Maldives, as they can run into the tens of thousands. Speaking from experience after my stay at Baros, they are so worth the money and like nowhere else on the planet!

13) Beach bungalows or overwater villas

There is no comparison between the two. To have the real Maldivian experience, you have to book at least one night in an overwater villa; they are out of this world!

That said, the beach bungalows are beautiful, and you will have the added advantage that the beach is literally at your doorstep. Wake up in the morning and walk out onto the softest sand before a pre- or post-breakfast dip in the sea (or your private plunge pool).

14) All-inclusive vs pay-as-you-dine holiday packages

Which kind of package to book is one of the most important things to decide before you book your dream holiday, and it all boils down to what your budget will cover.

Pros of booking all-inclusive

By booking an all-inclusive resort, you have covered all your costs before you arrive and know that you can eat and drink without limitations. You may also find that certain activities are included within the all-inclusive package.

Take time to carefully read what the all-inclusive rate includes so you aren't surprised by hidden costs.

Cons of booking all-inclusive

If you don't intend to drink large amounts of alcohol and won't be using some of the facilities included, then it may not be value for money. You may also be someone who skips breakfast, in which case you are paying for one meal each day you won't have.

Pros of booking pay-as-you-dine

Some resorts in the Maldives are classed as so exclusive that they don't offer an all-inclusive rate. This means that you only pay for what you consume and don't feel you have wasted money on stuff you haven't had or used.

Cons of booking pay-as-you-dine

Budgeting for your beach holiday is tricky, as the prices of alcohol and dining may not be apparent until you arrive. You may find yourself not ordering everything you want out of fear of the bill at the end of your stay. Speaking from experience, I can confirm that the price of a bottle of wine in the Maldives can be excruciatingly high!

15) Where else can I go on a two-centred holiday?

Two-centred holidays to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, as well as Dubai Maldives holidays, are very popular choices.

16) Are the Maldives only good for couples?

The Maldives caters to all holidaymakers, from honeymooners to families, adventure seekers, and solo travellers. Each resort will be geared towards a certain market, as is evident when researching holidays in the Maldives.

Please Pin for Future Travel to the Maldives

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