Needless to say, the archipelago is a true paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Composed of almost 1200 islands and 26 atolls, the place is one of the main destinations for couples on their honeymoon.
A good stop for a cruise trip, don’t you think?
The archipelago has one of the best infrastructures in terms of hotels and mobility.
The scenery there is perfect on all the islands and atolls: blue sea, white sand beaches with huge coconut trees and crystal clear waters.
And as if so much beauty wasn’t enough, the archipelago has hotels that offer bungalows right in the middle of the sea, making the traveler’s experience even more impressive.
Water activities make the destination even more attractive. There, diving, surfing, kitesurfing , boat and canoe trips are among the main attractions.
Get ready to discover one of the most beautiful places in the world. See our tips to make sure you’re prepared!
Where are the Maldives Islands?
The Maldives Islands are located in the Indian Ocean , southwest of the country of Sri Lanka and also of India .
This archipelago of the Asian continent is part of the country known officially as the Republic of Maldives.
How to go to the Maldives Islands?
After knowing the location of the Maldives Islands, a big question is how to get to the archipelago.
To travel to the destination, the most appropriate way is to take a flight to Dubai , in the United Arab Emirates.
Upon landing in the country, you must travel to Malé, which is the capital of Maldives. After that, just take a seaplane or boat to the island, where you will be staying.
Well, you already know when to travel to the country, so now it’s important to take care of the bureaucratic part.
Upon arrival at the country’s airport, you must present a passport valid for six months, as well as proof of accommodation and return ticket.
Another very important item for any international trip is the travel chip. With it, you will be able to access the Internet anywhere in the world!
Maldives Islands : must-see places
The Maldives are famous for providing a luxurious and ostentatious tour, but don’t think that this is only related to spending.
Getting to know the islands will be an unforgettable experience, as it offers the most incredible and unique natural beauties on the planet, in addition to fun water activities .
When setting up your itinerary, get to know the most unmissable places in the archipelago, such as the islands Gulhi, Hulhulé, Thulusdhoo, Hulhumale, Gan, Himmafushi and Fulidhoo.
And in all of them, the paradisiacal setting is the rule: blue sky and sea, crystalline waters and white sand.
1. Gulhi Island
One of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago, Gulhi Island belongs to the Kaafu Atoll. There, you will find white sand beaches , crystal clear waters and a clear blue sea, a true paradise.
To access it, it is possible to use public transport, called a ferry , which leaves from Malé.
When traveling to the island, be sure to take the traditional photo on a swing installed in the middle of the sea, but very close to the beach.
2. Hulhulé Island
It is very close to the capital Malé and is equally spectacular.
On Hulhulé Island, one of the main attractions is diving and snorkeling , in addition to the beautiful beaches full of coconut trees, white sand and crystal clear waters.
The hotels with bungalows are also attractions apart from this place. They are a good option to consider when choosing where to stay.
3. Thulusdhoo Island
If you like surfing, Thulusdhoo Island is the place to be. In addition to the most beautiful landscapes, you can enjoy delicious diving and surfing at spots that guarantee a great experience, such as Chickens & Cokes.
You will find luxurious resorts , beautiful beaches and lots of vegetation in the small atolls.
4. Hulhumale Island
Hulhumalé Island was rebuilt and completely remodeled to meet the need for future new housing on the island and also to stimulate the commercial and economic development of the place.
The crystalline waters, blue sea and luxury resorts make this island one of the most beautiful and spectacular in the archipelago. They are breathtaking beauties!
5. Isle of Gan
Beautiful coconut trees, sky and blue sea, this is the scenario of Gan Island, one of the largest in the archipelago. The local resorts are extremely luxurious and offer unique experiences to their visitors.
Bungalows in the middle of the sea make up the scenery beautifully. Between one hut and another, it is possible to walk along a walkway, which gives access to the huts. Can you imagine?
6. Himmafushi Island
Here the natural beauties are no exception to the rule. Himmafushi Island is about a kilometer wide and long, but it’s a sight to behold.
The place offers surfing, diving and a beautiful restaurant with a fun atmosphere.
Himmafushi Island is considered perfect for those on a tight budget, as prices are lower there.
7. Fulidhoo Island
For those who like to enjoy local cultures, Fulidhoo Island is a perfect place. In addition to having paradisiacal places , you can check out cultural events with typical dances.
The island is very deserted and its beaches have white sand and warm water, where it is possible to go snorkeling.
The place is also known for having a huge lake inside with beautiful vegetation around. A show!
What is the best island to stay in the Maldives?
When choosing the island to stay on, Hulhulé Island is at the top of the list, as it has great hotels and also because it is close to the capital Malé, which facilitates arrival and departure from the archipelago.
Of course, here the landscapes also leave nothing to be desired and enchant visitors.
Other attractions in Maldives
In addition to so many natural beauties, there are many amazing activities that you can look for on your trip to the Maldives!
There, it is possible to enjoy other attractions that are a little more radical, such as parasailing , which is a type of water sport that looks like a parachute.
In addition, in the Maldives Islands, it is possible to take trips to fish in the high seas. Another very interesting tour is to take a submarine tour.
Water sports
Water sports are the highlight of the archipelago. When traveling to this paradise, a tip is to take boat trips throughout the region to discover every corner of the islands.
It is possible to swim with different aquatic species, such as rays, fish, whale sharks or, if you prefer, you can dive deeper.
Water activities such as surfing, kayaking and liquid water sports are the most successful there.
walks and trails
With so many beautiful places to visit, be sure to wear comfortable shoes to trek through the islands , which are full of beautiful vegetation.
On site, there are many companies that offer trail itineraries in very deserted and paradisiacal places. These companies also offer boat trips to visit small villages in the region.
What to do in Maldives at night?
The beach and the Maldives islands are stunning, but the night in the archipelago also leaves nothing to be desired in terms of excitement and natural beauty .
Speaking of beautiful landscapes, the island of Vaadhoo should be part of your night itinerary.
On site, it is possible to follow one of the most beautiful natural events in the region, a phenomenon of bioluminescence , which makes the sea glow even after sunset.
You will observe the waves in brilliant blue tones, right next to the beach. It’s a surreal setting. As incredible as the island of Vaadhoo, is the nightlife of the archipelago.
The nights at the resorts are filled with lots of partying and excitement. Outside the resorts, there are the famous boat bars.
They are boats that are anchored very close to the beaches selling drinks and also offering free transfers between one point and another with lots of music.
Ah, a tip is to go with the boat bars during sunset. It’s amazing!
10 fun facts about the Maldives
1 – Dog-free island: In every archipelago, you will not see dogs there, as they are prohibited.
2 – Typical food : of course, such an eccentric country would have a very exotic cuisine. At breakfast, for example, you can find a kind of Mexican tortillas with onion, coconut, shredded fish and tomato.
3 – Lowest altitude in the world: the archipelago is at an average altitude of 1.5 meters, with the highest point being 2.3 meters above sea level.
4 – Underwater Restaurant: have the experience of having a meal under the sea at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, which is 5 meters deep. It’s amazing!
5 – Safest destination in the world: due to its isolation, the archipelago is considered the safest country for travelers. So go easy!
6 – Own language: even though English is the official language, residents have their own dialect, which is Dhivehi. But calm down, they speak very good English.
7 – Country is Muslim: the official religion is Islam since 1997. All islands have a mosque for prayers.
8 – 99% of the country is made up of water: the islands have the same dimensions but almost 100% of its territory is water.
9 – Largest number of seaplanes in the world: due to so much water, the country has a huge fleet of seaplanes. Trans Maldivian Airways, for example, has 45 aircraft, making it the largest company in the world.
10 – Garbage Island: even though it is a beautiful paradise, it does not properly dispose of garbage. All waste from the archipelago is sent to Thilafushi Island. It increases by 1 square meter per day depending on the amount of garbage sent there.
Tips Maldives Islands
To arrive in the country, you will need to go by boat or plane , there is no other means of transport. By plane, you need to invest something around 150 to 500 dollars for the trip.
By boat, it is possible to use the public ferry or the speed boat , in which case the price is much cheaper, ranging from 20 to 70 dollars.
To tour the islands, you won’t need a car, as the paths can be done on foot or by boat.
To stay connected there, all resorts have Wi-Fi, but outside these places, a tip is to buy a chip to stay online.
Know that there are cheaper options for accommodation, such as guesthouses , which are very modest pensions, but which offer food and a lot of comfort.