Best Of The Maldives

Often called paradise on earth, the Maldives is a chain of 1,192 tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. With white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, it’s a dream destination for nature lovers.

The islands offer rich cultural experiences, with music, dance, and crafts influencing local tourism. But the biggest attraction is the ocean—ideal for world-class diving and snorkelling among turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and whale sharks.

Adventurers can swim with whale sharks, explore shipwrecks and underwater caves, or surf reef breaks and barrel waves. Food lovers will enjoy the Maldives’ diverse cuisine, especially a traditional “Keyn" tasting experience.

🏝️ Best of Maldives

The Maldives, a collection of 26 natural atolls comprising over 1,000 coral islands, offers a diverse array of luxury experiences. Each atoll possesses unique characteristics, catering to various preferences, from marine biodiversity to accessibility.

1. North Malé Atoll & South Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)

  • Highlights: The most accessible luxury atoll in the Maldives — just a 20–45 minute speedboat ride from Malé. Ideal for shorter stays, families, and travelers who want less time in transit and more time in paradise.
    North Male has some of the best surf breaks, especially from May to October.
  • Top Resorts:
    • One&Only Reethi Rah: Known for its expansive villas and exceptional service.
    • Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa: Offers a blend of traditional Maldivian architecture and modern luxury.
    • Patina Maldives: Features contemporary design and a focus on art and wellness.
    • Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Ultra-luxury resort spread across three islands, with over a dozen restaurants and a private-island option.
    • Gili Lankanfushi – A pioneer in barefoot eco-luxury, with famously spacious water villas and no news/no shoes ethos.
    • Naladhu Private Island Maldives: Offers an intimate and exclusive experience for discerning travelers.


2. Baa Atoll (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)

  • Highlights: Renowned for its rich marine life, including manta ray gatherings at Hanifaru Bay (during the summer season). Known for high quality reefs and natural islands.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Soneva Fushi: Pioneers of barefoot luxury with a strong emphasis on sustainability, and water reteats with slides!
    • The Nautilus: Offers a highly personalized experience with no set schedules.
    • Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru: Combines luxury with conservation efforts.
    • Amilla Maldives: Provides spacious accommodations and a variety of wellness programs.
    • Anantara Kihavah: Features underwater dining and a private observatory.
    • Vakkaru Maldives: Elegant beach and overwater villas, including family residences, close to Hanifaru Bay for seasonal manta & whale shark sightings

3. Lhaviyani Atoll

  • Highlights: Large, pristine beaches and exceptional diving.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Kudadoo Maldives Private Island: An all-inclusive resort focusing on personalized luxury.
    • Huvafen Fushi: Features the world’s first underwater spa.

4. Noonu Atoll

  • Highlights: Home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives. Noonu Atoll is home to a large population of spinner dolphins, and is known for its high density of swarming fish.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Cheval Blanc Randheli: Epitomizes elegance with its design and service.
    • Soneva Jani: Known for its overwater villas with retractable roofs.
    • Velaa Private Island: Provides an ultra-exclusive experience with tailored services.

5. Raa Atoll

  • Highlights: also renowned for its rich underwater ecosystem, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and diving.
  • Top Resorts:
    • JOALI Maldives: Blends art and luxury in a tropical setting.
    • JOALI BEING: Focuses on immersive wellness experiences.

6. Haa Dhaalu Atoll (South Thiladhunmathi Atoll)

  • Highlights: Located in the far north of the Maldives, it is one of the most remote and least developed atolls offering seclusion, pristine nature, and untouched marine life.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Soneva Secret 2024: Redefines exclusivity in the Maldives and is the only resort currently operating in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, giving guests the ultimate private island experience. Many of the villas are equiped with water slides.

7. North Ari Atoll (Alifu Alifu Atoll) & South Ari Atoll (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll)

  • Highlights: Manta rays and whale sharks year round. Known for excellent reefs and top-notch diving.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Constance Halaveli: Known for its elegant villas and exceptional dining experiences.
    • Constance Moofushi: Combines luxury with a laid-back atmosphere, ideal for diving enthusiasts.
    • Kandolhu Maldives: An intimate resort with a stunning house reef and gourmet restaurants.
    • Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: Home to the world’s first underwater restaurant.

8. Vaavu Atoll

  • Highlights: Great for diving and fishing, this area boasts some of the Maldives’ top dive sites and is famous for its year-round presence of nurse sharks.
  • Top Resort:
    • Aman Maldives: An upcoming luxury resort by Aman, set to offer minimalist design and natural elegance.

9. Dhaalu Atoll

  • Highlights: Known for Surf break at Niyama. One of the best spots for catching waves, particularly from May to October.
  • Top Resorts:
    • Niyama Private Islands: Offers twin islands with distinct vibes—one for relaxation and one for adventure.

10. Thaa Atoll

  • Highlights: Less developed, offering a sense of discovery and adventure.
  • Top Resorts:
    • COMO Maalifushi: The only resort in the atoll, providing an exclusive experience.

11. Laamu Atoll

  • Highlights: Remote location with unspoiled natural beauty.
  • Top Resort:
    • Six Senses Laamu: Emphasizes sustainability and offers unique experiences like surfing and dolphin watching.

12. Gaafu Alifu Atoll

  • Highlights: Located in the southern Maldives, this remote atoll is less visited by tourists, resulting in fewer resorts. It’s celebrated for its peaceful, pristine environment and verdant, unspoiled islands.
  • Top Resorts:
    • The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi: Offers a secluded island experience with pristine beaches.
    • Raffles Maldives Meradhoo: Provides a blend of luxury and natural beauty across two islands.

Getting Around the Atolls

Transfers from Malé International Airport

  • North Malé and South Malé Atolls
    Most resorts in these atolls are accessible by speedboat, given their close proximity to Malé. While a few properties (like Jumeirah or One&Only Reethi Rah) may offer seaplane transfers, this is less common in these regions.
  • Resorts Beyond Malé Atolls (but not too far south)
    These are typically serviced by seaplane, or in some cases, by a combination of domestic flight and speedboat if located near a domestic airport. Keep in mind: seaplanes operate only during daylight hours.
  • Southern Atolls: Gaafu Alifu & Gaafu Dhaalu
    Resorts in these more remote southern atolls are generally reached via domestic flight followed by a speedboat. Some exceptions exist—Raffles Maldives, for example, offers a direct seaplane transfer.

Split Stays in the Maldives

Split stays are a fantastic way to experience the Maldives’ diversity—each resort offers its own unique setting, activities, cuisine, and design. They’re ideal for discovering multiple atolls in one trip.

When planning a split stay, keep in mind that inter-atoll transfers usually require a return to Malé’s Velana International Airport, as direct resort-to-resort transfers between different atolls are uncommon. However, if both properties are in the same atoll, a speedboat transfer is often simple and efficient.

To make the most of your time and avoid long transfer delays, consider pairing:

  • Two resorts within the same atoll, or
  • A speedboat-accessible resort (in North or South Malé) with one that requires a seaplane or domestic flight.

This approach helps reduce backtracking and saves precious daylight hours. Our team is always happy to assist with logistics, ensuring your transitions are smooth and your holiday is maximised.

Split Stay Recommendation

Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret offer the perfect split stay, combining three distinct luxury experiences. Travel by Soneva in Aqua yacht or seaplane.

✈️ Travel Tips

  • Transfers: Depending on the atoll, transfers from Malé International Airport can be via speedboat or seaplane.
  • Best Time to Visit: The most popular time to travel to the Maldives is December to April during the dry season for guaranteed warm, sunny beach days. However, traveling during the shoulder season from November to early December or the off season from May until October, offers unbeatable prices and fewer crowds. Weather can be slightly more unsettled during this time due to the monsoon shift, but guests can still expect warm temperatures and ideal conditions for surfing and kite surfing during this time.
    May to October is ideal for diving and surfing.
  • Cultural Etiquette: While resorts are liberal, it’s respectful to dress modestly when visiting local islands.

Maldives Accommodation

 

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Experience unprecedented privacy & transcendent luxury with this all-villa resort in the Maldives, surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

From $17,855*/package of 4 nights

LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

Experience unprecedented privacy & transcendent luxury with this all-villa resort in the Maldives, surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

From $8,056*/package of 5 nights