Located to the south west of India and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives consists of 1,190 coral islands, divided among 26 natural atolls and spread over 90,000 square kilometres. Only 200 of such islands are inhabited, and each island is no more than 2m above sea level.
You can choose between either the North, South or Central Atolls. These islands are the archetypal lush tropical island paradise - white sand beaches blend into translucent turquoise waters while palm trees gently sway in the breeze. A diver’s and snorkeler’s paradise, most islands are surrounded by coral reefs and a wonderful selection of marine life, with 300 species of fish including the rare and majestic whale shark and colourful Oriental Sweetlips.
For a summary of the Best places to stay in Central Atolls, please follow this link, or alternatively, for a summary of the Best places to stay in South Atolls, follow this link.
For a summary of the Best places to stay in Central Atolls, please follow this link, or alternatively, for a summary of the Best places to stay in South Atolls, follow this link.
Each hotel occupies its own private island, accessible via speedboat or seaplane. Guests can choose a villa set on the beach such as Soneva Fushi, or a water villa set on stilts over the ocean like Cocoa Island. Resorts tend to be luxurious, and vary in style from rustic barefoot chic, to all-singing all-dancing resorts with every imaginable facility. Their privacy and intimacy make Maldives holidays perfect for a honeymoon, whether you are tying the knot, or not, you can be guaranteed to have a very special stay.
The Atolls
With the dry season from January to March and the wet season from mid-May to November, the weather in the Maldives is usually sunny and warm. It is no wonder that this is a popular destination for honeymooners, divers, and anyone simply seeking some rest and relaxation in a spectacular natural setting.
Should you want to explore more of the beach destinations within the Indian Ocean, then Mauritius, the Seychelles and Mozambique are also certainly worth considering.
Should you want to explore more of the beach destinations within the Indian Ocean, then Mauritius, the Seychelles and Mozambique are also certainly worth considering.
