A beginner’s guide to the Maldives

Hong Kong Airlines has recently confirmed that it is set to reintroduce direct flights to the stunning Maldives early in the new year. This is welcome news indeed given the island nation’s white sand beaches, turquoise waters and balmy year-round temperatures make it one of the most desirable holiday destinations on the planet. 

The country comprises many, many resorts dotted around it 26 atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands, which makes choosing the perfect destination something of a challenge. 

Questions to ask yourself include how complicated or straightforward do you want to make your trip; while some atolls are mere speedboat distance from the international airport, others require domestic flights plus a speedboat ride, or a (more expensive) seaplane journey.

Traditionally the Maldives was perceived as a romantic ‘couples’ or honeymoon destination, but these days a raft of new resorts mean there is something for everyone – including dedicated family resorts with plenty of action for kids, secluded wellness resorts and diving hot spots.

Weatherwise, this is the best time of year to head to the Maldives, as November, December, January, February, March and April fall outside of monsoon season.

Best for easy access

International flights land at Male, the capital of the Maldives. The most accessible resorts to the airport lie in the North and South Male atolls and can be reached by speedboat, often in as little as 15 minutes; ideal if you’re travelling with small children or are looking for an uncomplicated ‘fly ‘n’ flop’ break.

Being so close to the main island, the area has undergone much development over the past few years. However, it is still possible to holiday here on a picture perfect resort island with the requisite icing sugar beaches and turquoise waters.

Luxury hospitality group Anantara boasts a three-resort destination including adults-only Anantara Veli, family-friendly Anantara Dhigu and the private island of Naladhu Maldives. Anantara Veli reopened earlier this year following an extensive nine-month renovation programme with brand new beach pool villas and overwater pool villas and a new villa host service.

The three tiny islands are ringed by quiet beaches with great house-reef snorkelling and beachside or overwater accommodation. And all just a 35-minute speedboat ride from the airport.

Best for underwater adventures

Thanks to its plankton-abundant waters, the South Ari atoll is the only place in the Maldives where you can guarantee bumping into a whale shark at any time of the year. 

Known as a ‘hot spot’ for the world’s largest fish, the little-developed area is also renowned for its pristine reefs, pods of dolphins and manta rays. 

The nearby Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort makes the most of its location by offering one of the world’s only underwater suites, The Muraka, which lies five metres down on seabed. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the master bedroom and bathroom mean you can enjoy the marine world from the comfort of your bed (or the ultimate ‘loo with a view’).

The resort also boasts an underwater restaurant, a perfect spot for enjoying a glass of bubbles while you watch the underwater bubbles if diving or snorkelling isn’t your thing. 

Best for kids

Soneva Jani in Noonu atoll has taken the kids’ club concept to the next level with The Den, a two-storey entertainment space with dedicated areas from toddler to teen.

The Den seeks to nurture adventure, play and a little bit of learning with an imaginative field of resources, including its own swimming pool with cascading waterfalls, waterslide, shallow areas for littlies and catamaran nets. The pool is also crossed by a zipline that plunges through one of the waterfalls.

And hidden behind another waterfall is a grotto that transforms into an evening hangout for teens, with a DJ booth, dancefloor and pool bar serving mocktails. 

Soneva Jani is located within a five-kilometre lagoon with crystal waters, sandy beaches and swaying palms. The barefoot resort offers overwater and island villas, multiple dining spaces and plenty of water sports.

Best for ecology

Six Senses Laamu is the only luxury resort located in the Laamu atoll, one of the Maldives’ least developed atolls, lying in the more isolated south of the country.

More than a decade of conservation work and research by Six Senses Laamu means the area has been designated as one of the world’s ‘Hope Spots’ by non-profit organisation Mission Blue. Hope Spot designation aims to highlight ecosystems critical to the health of the ocean with the ‘hope’ of reversing negative damage from human impacts.

Laamu atoll is home to significant seagrass meadows, mangroves and rich reef systems. The seagrass meadows are vital for generating oxygen, capturing carbon and providing security for marine life. 

Earlier this year, the resort opened a Sea Hub for Environmental Learning on the beach. It houses the Maldives Underwater Initiative, a marine conservation collaboration between Six Senses Laamu marine biologists and a number of marine-focused non-governmental organisations, as well as gallery exhibition space, a marine laboratory, cinema and kids’ zone. 

Best for romance

Vakkaru Maldives has recently been named the World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort 2023 at the annual World Travel Awards. This is the fourth time it has received the accolade.

So what sets it apart from other idyllic Maldives destinations? 

The secluded resort is located in the Baa atoll and is adept at creating bespoke experiences for couples. Choose from beach or overwater villas, with endless ocean views from their private infinity pools, and breathtaking sunsets. And there’s no need to lift a finger, as a butler is on-hand to ensure your holiday runs without a hitch. 

There are six al fresco restaurants in which to dine, two bars and even a wine cellar. Or enjoy a customised dining experience by the beach, on a secluded sandbank, aboard a luxury yacht or in the jungle. 

And if the desire takes you, you can always have the resort’s expert wedding team organise a vow renewal ceremony.

Best for wellness

Joali Being is the first wellbeing island of its kind in the Maldives. 

Before arriving, you will receive a wellness consultation by phone and on arrival, undergo a health assessment. The wellness team then curates a programme based on the results, as well as a dining plan. The programme includes a little pampering along with the wellness schedule, including relaxing massages with essential oils.

Educational workshops and experiential classes with wellbeing experts, culinary specialists and herbalists are offered at the resort’s Learning Centre, run alongside the programme.

The resort is located in the stunning Raa atoll, a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male. Raa is one of the few places in the Maldives where you can experience bioluminescence, alongside manta rays and abundant corals.

Joali Being offers pool villas, beach villas and water villas, in one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations. 

Hong Kong Airlines’ direct flights from Hong Kong to Male will resume in January, 2024, and will operate every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.