Maldives 🇲🇻

pure isolation, water, and silence

Video from the country

✔️ Pros

  • world-class beaches
  • exceptional snorkeling and marine life
  • ideal destination for deep relaxation
  • unmatched tranquility

⛔ Cons

  • extremely expensive
  • limited activities beyond water sports
📷 Photo albums
instagram Islands instagram Seaplane transfer instagram Flying fox

☑️ What to do

🤿 snorkeling and diving
🛶 kayaking
🎣 fishing
🚢 cruises

📊 Country Rating

Nature
10
one of the best reef and snorkeling destinations on Earth
Infrastructure
8
excellent resort infrastructure; very limited options on local islands
Affordability
1
one of the most expensive destinations
Safety
10+
extremely safe and highly predictable resort environment
Friendliness
10
very welcoming, hospitality-focused culture
Tranquility
10+
among the most peaceful places in the world
Culture
2
limited cultural attractions; mostly available only on local islands
Unique experiences
10
isolated atolls, and a rare sense of complete tranquility
Weather
9
warm and sunny year-round; seas can be rough during the rainy season
Long stay
2
excellent for short vacations; long stays become repetitive and extremely expensive

📝 Notes

🏝️ Local Islands vs Resort Islands

Local (inhabited) islands can be surprisingly affordable compared to resort islands. They often offer:

  • good snorkeling
  • local guesthouses
  • lower food and transport costs

However, they lack the privacy, exclusivity, and tranquility that resorts are known for. Resorts typically provide:

  • private beaches
  • pristine lagoons
  • better marine protection
  • significantly higher comfort

For a classic Maldives experience, resorts remain unmatched.

✈️ Getting to Your Island (Transfers)

Reaching your island usually requires one of the following modes of transportation:

  • Boat transfer – the cheapest option; works mainly for islands close to Malé. Seas can be rough during the rainy season.
  • Domestic flight + short boat ride – used for islands near regional airports. More expensive but faster and more reliable than speedboats, with beautiful aerial views of the atolls.
  • Seaplane transfer – the most scenic and iconic option, but also the most costly. Can be delayed or cancelled during bad weather, especially in monsoon season.

Transfers make up a significant part of the total trip cost—often $150–$500+ per person one way.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

  • High season: December–April
    • best weather, calm seas, ideal snorkeling
    • the most expensive months
  • Shoulder season: May–June and October–November
    • good value, occasional rain
    • fewer tourists; better chances to see manta rays in some regions
  • Monsoon season: July–September
    • unpredictable weather, rougher seas
    • lower prices but reduced water visibility

💡 Additional Tips

  • Alcohol is available only on resort islands or liveaboards.
  • Marine life is exceptional; many islands have house reefs accessible directly from the beach.