MALDIVES
Indian Ocean
QUICK TAKE
The Maldives is a one-resort destination — you'll fly to Malé, transfer to your island, and likely not leave until you fly home. That's the point. The decision that matters is which resort, and they vary wildly: party islands vs. barefoot luxury, snorkeling house reefs vs. diving expeditions, all-inclusive vs. à la carte. Choose based on what you actually want to do.
WHERE TO STAY
FOR THE HONEYMOON COUPLE
STAY IN
North Malé Atoll or South Ari Atoll
WHY
The classic honeymoon resorts — overwater villas, private butler service, couples' spa — are concentrated here. Short transfers from Malé (30-60 min by speedboat or seaplane) mean less travel time, more pool time. The iconic Maldives experience delivered efficiently.
OUR PICK
One&Only Reethi Rah or Soneva Fushi
~$800-2,000/night
FOR THE DIVING/SNORKELING ENTHUSIAST
STAY IN
South Ari Atoll or Baa Atoll
WHY
South Ari has the whale shark encounters — nearly guaranteed sightings year-round. Baa Atoll is a UNESCO biosphere reserve with manta ray aggregations and exceptional house reefs. If marine life matters more than the villa, prioritize these atolls.
OUR PICK
Six Senses Laamu or Angsana Velavaru
~$600-1,500/night
FOR THE ULTIMATE LUXURY SEEKER
STAY IN
Remote atolls (Lhaviyani, Noonu, or Gaafu)
WHY
The most exclusive resorts are deliberately remote — 45-min seaplane flights to reach private islands with 20 villas. Soneva, Cheval Blanc, Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi set the standard. The isolation is the point. You're paying for space, privacy, and staff ratios that feel absurd.
OUR PICK
Cheval Blanc Randheli or Soneva Jani
~$2,500-8,000/night
SKIP THESE
- × Resorts too close to Malé
Some budget resorts are 10 minutes from the airport. You'll see cargo ships and construction, not pristine blue. The transfer time is worth it for the setting.
- × Choosing on price alone
Maldives budget resorts often disappoint — dated rooms, weak food, no house reef. Either commit to the experience or consider alternatives like Seychelles or the Maldives for a future trip.
- × Island-hopping between resorts
Unlike Greece or Thailand, you can't easily visit other islands. Transfers are expensive and eat into your time. Pick one resort and stay put.
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WANT A PERSONALIZED PICK?
Text us "MALDIVES" and your dates. We'll curate options based on your preferences.
TEXT US YOUR DATESLast updated: January 2025 · Prices are approximate