The Indian Ocean nation of Maldives is a dream holiday destination and a true bucket list choice for world travellers, especially affluent travellers planning a premium escape with luxury resorts, overwater villas and memorable experiences beyond the beach. Of the 1,192 islands, around 200 are inhabited, while a smaller number are home to resorts, guesthouses and other tourism facilities. The islands offer white-sand beaches, coral reefs, diving and snorkelling opportunities, restaurants, spas and a wide range of water-based activities.
There is so much to see and do here, from seaplane journeys and snorkelling and diving to private island resorts, underwater dining, sustainable tourism experiences and even a visit to the Equator - all of which contribute to the Maldives’ strong appeal as a luxury island destination.
The First-Class.com bucket list for Maldives:
Take a Seaplane Journey:
Many travellers arrive in the capital city – Male – from all corners of the globe. There are a host of excellent resorts close to Male - accessible by boat but most are a seaplane journey away. These seaplanes (mainly Twin Otters) depart from Male regularly and criss-cross the Indian Ocean picking up and dropping off tourists. They are safe, crewed by fully accredited pilots and every flight is a memorable journey – you take off and land in water! There are luggage limits (20 kilograms per passenger) and it can get noisy (take ear plugs) but what an experience! A few resorts even have their own seaplane – which are customised - including JOALI and Four Seasons Resorts.
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Read the First-Class.com review and find the best rates for Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru
Equator:
This imaginary line divides the Earth into North and South. It passes through the Huvadhu Atoll and Fuvahmulah Atoll of Maldives. While for some, the Equator is just a line, for travellers, it’s an opportunity to have one foot in the North and one in the South. Also, when crossing the Equator for the first time on a sea, there is a line-crossing ceremony – the Equatorial baptism – one that is genuinely worth experiencing and storing in that travel memory chest!
Park Hyatt Maldives is just 55 kilometres from the Equator and offers trips to the line. It's a must!
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Snorkelling & Scuba Diving:
Maldives is renowned for its amazing underwater ecosystem. Here you will see coral, sharks, mantas, sting rays, turtles, fish, fish, fish, and more fish. Every colour of the rainbow is represented. Some resorts have a house reef, ideal for snorkelling and they all feature dive centres where you can learn how to dive or go out to reefs, islands, or wrecks (aircraft and boats) to see the underwater life in more details. Maldives is one of the greatest destinations for snorkelling and diving in the world.
The Four Seasons Explorer is a luxury yacht that is the most amazing diving/snorkelling base in the Maldives.
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Semi-Submersible Submarine & Marine Life:
Staying on a nautical theme. There are many who are not snorkellers or divers but a few resorts have the answer – a semi-submersible sub. These vessels are truly amazing. The pilot is above the water steering the craft while the rest of the sub is underwater where the walls and floor comprise mostly of thick glass. From the air-conditioned comfort, guests can see the fantastic underwater world of the Maldives – without getting their feet wet!
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Island Resorts: LUX South Ari Atoll:
One of the draws of Maldives is that nearly all the resorts are based on their own island, with over 1,000 coral islands to explore across the archipelago.
That Robinson Crusoe feeling is one that is truly delightful. There is really something for everyone in Maldives – with adults-only resorts, ones that cater for families, all-inclusive, for divers, dedicated spa resorts, intimate islands and those which cater for scores of guests. Some islands are so small that they are mere micro-flecks on a map, while others are much larger and can host numerous villas, and a plethora of facilities. Yet beyond private resort islands, travellers can also visit local communities and discover authentic Maldivian life. The country’s rich culture is shaped by centuries of trade and Islamic heritage, and visitors can learn traditional skills such as coconut cracking. Ohluvehlifushi is especially known for its warm local hospitality. An island for every traveller.
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Private Island:
Yes – you can take things one step further and book an island of your own! Private sandbank excursions are also popular for picnics and relaxation. These are invariably the height of luxury and are enormously expensive. But just you … or you with family … or you with family and friends … can enjoy the holiday of a lifetime in each other’s company without outsiders intruding. Of course, you will have private pools, chefs, villas, beaches … and a private sandbank trip can be an unforgettable castaway-style add-on to these exclusive stays.
Read the First-Class.com review and find the best rates for Four Seasons Private Island at Voavah
Read the First-Class.com review and find the best rates for Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Overwater villas:
Maldivian resorts are famed for their overwater bungalows, and staying in an Overwater Villa is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience. If the idea of living overwater day and night, then Maldives is the place for you! The resorts offer everything and anything in these villas from private swimming pools, kitchens, multiple bedrooms, direct access to the Ocean and now – water slides, while some Overwater Villas even include integrated nets suspended above the water for romantic relaxation, especially appealing to honeymooners seeking privacy. Yes, you can wake up, get out of bed and slide into the ocean! What fun!
The concept was instigated by Soneva Jani and has been perfected by Siyam World.
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Underwater Dining:
If there was a Michelin award for restaurant location, an underwater restaurant anywhere in the world would win three stars every time. The Maldives is home to several renowned underwater restaurants. These restaurants vary in size and cuisine but all share magnificent views of the flora and fauna that lives under the Indian Ocean.
5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi is magnificent! Just eight tables – surrounded by glass … and beyond that, the deep blue ocean. The restaurant is 5.8 metres below the surface of the lagoon – the cuisine is delicious – but in actuality, the food and drinks are secondary to the experience. Watching Parrot Fish “eject” coral time and time again is mesmerising! Of course, lunch and dinner sittings offer different experiences as the light change brings new aquatic animals into the arena..
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Sustainability:
Maldives welcomes hundreds of thousands of international visitors a year. This puts a lot of pressure on all parts of the country and of course the effect on the ecosystem. While the huge proportion of the islands are natural, there are now man-made islands springing up – another burden on the environment.
Visitors can now help. In 1998 and 2016, the Maldives coral reefs suffered from bleaching. In 1998, the El Niño event led to 98% of the shallow water coral being destroyed. As little as a 2 degrees Fahrenheit increase in water temperature leads to the decimation of the coral (read the First-Class.com article on the best coral dive sites in Maldives).
Now, guests can sponsor coral cages that help increase the amount of coral around the resorts. This is sustainable tourism at its best. Most resorts offer this invaluable service.
Reefscapers works with a few resorts Maldivian including Four Seasons and COMO Cocoa - helping to preserve and grow new coral
Sunrises & Sunsets
Maldives boasts big skies! Watching sunrises and sunsets with the sun reflecting off a swimming pool, Ocean, bed, restaurant, or the beach is a daily necessity. A sunset boat tour can contrast with a quiet morning on the water, and you may spot dolphins, often schools of Spinner Dolphins, if you are lucky enough to catch them. Vaadhoo Island is famous for the Sea of Stars, and a nighttime beach walk turns into a glowing-footprints adventure along the shore. While the Indian Ocean boasts every hue of blue, the sky above has the blues … red … and some many more!
Read the First-Class.com review and find the best rates for Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa
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