Maldives holidays
Soft white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a heady dose of seclusion: welcome to the Maldives, an Indian Ocean paradise unlike anywhere else on Earth for beach, island and romance holidays. Here at Secret Escapes, find a curated collection of hotels, resorts and package holidays, to help you experience the best that this exclusive destination has to offer at discounted prices.
Also known as the Republic of Maldives, this country may be the smallest in South Asia, yet it is made up of 26 natural atolls and a whopping 1,192 islands - of which dozens have been transformed into beautiful resort destinations. The archipelago stretches across more than 90,000 square kilometres, and is popular amongst nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts, thanks to its unspoilt beaches, rich marine life, and abundance of live coral reefs.
Enjoy a true escape from the everyday: despite the relatively small time difference between the Maldives and the UK (it’s just five hours ahead of us), you’ll feel a world away from home once you’ve reached your chosen resort island. A selection of our offers come complete with speedboat or seaplane transfers, alongside a handful of extra inclusions, so you can enjoy an even more immersive and relaxing time away.
If you’re planning your next great escape, whether for some last-minute winter sun or an early bird getaway, find out why you should add the Maldives to your bucket list with our selection of top tips and attractions to discover:
- Luxury hotels: it’s no secret that the Maldives is home to some of the world’s finest five-star hotels. Whether you’re looking for unspoilt beaches, an overwater villa with sunset views, a pampering spa treatment amidst tropical surroundings, all-inclusive gourmet experiences or the perfect honeymoon getaway for newlyweds, you’ll be spoilt for choice with our selection of hotels. These might feature modern design or embrace a more traditional style, yet all come with fantastic facilities, unmatched hospitality and a fine-tuned attention to detail, placing your comfort at the heart of each stay.
- Natural treasures: the Maldives is perhaps best known for its magical underwater scenes. Here you’ll find around 200 species of coral lighting up extensive reefs with colour and charm, alongside more than 700 species of aquatic organisms and fish. In late summer, the Sea of Stars draws in the crowds, as bioluminescent phytoplankton sparkle and shine beneath the water’s surface to resemble a starry night sky (the best place to marvel at this magnetic phenomenon is Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll).
- Wonderful water sports: uncover the mysteries of the Indian Ocean with a flurry of water sports activities, many of which are often available at your resort. Snorkelling and scuba diving are classic favourites (look out for PADI-certified dive centres for the best and most educational experience), but why not also try your hand at wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, glass-bottom boating, catamaran sailing or even underwater walking? From laid-back fun to high-adrenaline thrills, there’s a little something for everyone both above and beneath the water’s surface.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The Maldives makes a great destination for winter sun getaways and escaping the bitter cold back home. Outside of its monsoon season, the Maldives weather is at its best between November and April, with peak season between early December and March. For those looking to make the most of its warm, dry tropical climate, visit in March or April, during which temperatures reach just over 30 degrees Celsius during the day and remain balmy at night.
What currency is used in the Maldives?
The official currency in the Maldives is the Rufiyaa (Rf). Paper notes come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa. Be aware that the rufiyaa is non-convertible, meaning you won't be able to purchase it before your travels; a Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange counter is available at the local airport.
Which languages are spoken in the Maldives?
The national language is Dhivehi, though you'll find English is also widely used locally. At your chosen resort, multilingual staff are often on hand for other international languages, including German and French.
What are the entry requirements for the Maldives?
If you're travelling to the Maldives from the UK as a visitor, you'll be expected to fill out a Traveller Declaration Form within 96 hours of arrival or departure. Your passport must be valid for at least one month at the time of travel, although a minimum of six months is usually best. You aren't required to arrange for a pre-arrival visa, as you'll receive a 30-day visa upon arrival.
What should I know before travelling to the Maldives?
During your time in the Maldives, keep in mind a few essential dos and don'ts: the country's official religion is Islam, so alcohol cannot be imported into the country and visitors should expect to dress modestly, avoiding showing too much skin on local beaches and in public spaces (you will be free to dress as you wish and consume alcoholic beverages on resort grounds, of course). It goes without saying that you should also be respectful of your surroundings and keep the beaches and waters litter-free; though an important, lesser-known fact is that there are strict policies in place against collecting seashells, sand, corals and tortoise shells.
What plug types are used in the Maldives?
The power plugs and sockets in the Maldives are of type D and G, with a standard voltage of 230 V and a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
Also known as the Republic of Maldives, this country may be the smallest in South Asia, yet it is made up of 26 natural atolls and a whopping 1,192 islands - of which dozens have been transformed into beautiful resort destinations. The archipelago stretches across more than 90,000 square kilometres, and is popular amongst nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts, thanks to its unspoilt beaches, rich marine life, and abundance of live coral reefs.
Enjoy a true escape from the everyday: despite the relatively small time difference between the Maldives and the UK (it’s just five hours ahead of us), you’ll feel a world away from home once you’ve reached your chosen resort island. A selection of our offers come complete with speedboat or seaplane transfers, alongside a handful of extra inclusions, so you can enjoy an even more immersive and relaxing time away.
If you’re planning your next great escape, whether for some last-minute winter sun or an early bird getaway, find out why you should add the Maldives to your bucket list with our selection of top tips and attractions to discover:
- Luxury hotels: it’s no secret that the Maldives is home to some of the world’s finest five-star hotels. Whether you’re looking for unspoilt beaches, an overwater villa with sunset views, a pampering spa treatment amidst tropical surroundings, all-inclusive gourmet experiences or the perfect honeymoon getaway for newlyweds, you’ll be spoilt for choice with our selection of hotels. These might feature modern design or embrace a more traditional style, yet all come with fantastic facilities, unmatched hospitality and a fine-tuned attention to detail, placing your comfort at the heart of each stay.
- Natural treasures: the Maldives is perhaps best known for its magical underwater scenes. Here you’ll find around 200 species of coral lighting up extensive reefs with colour and charm, alongside more than 700 species of aquatic organisms and fish. In late summer, the Sea of Stars draws in the crowds, as bioluminescent phytoplankton sparkle and shine beneath the water’s surface to resemble a starry night sky (the best place to marvel at this magnetic phenomenon is Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll).
- Wonderful water sports: uncover the mysteries of the Indian Ocean with a flurry of water sports activities, many of which are often available at your resort. Snorkelling and scuba diving are classic favourites (look out for PADI-certified dive centres for the best and most educational experience), but why not also try your hand at wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, glass-bottom boating, catamaran sailing or even underwater walking? From laid-back fun to high-adrenaline thrills, there’s a little something for everyone both above and beneath the water’s surface.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The Maldives makes a great destination for winter sun getaways and escaping the bitter cold back home. Outside of its monsoon season, the Maldives weather is at its best between November and April, with peak season between early December and March. For those looking to make the most of its warm, dry tropical climate, visit in March or April, during which temperatures reach just over 30 degrees Celsius during the day and remain balmy at night.
What currency is used in the Maldives?
The official currency in the Maldives is the Rufiyaa (Rf). Paper notes come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa. Be aware that the rufiyaa is non-convertible, meaning you won't be able to purchase it before your travels; a Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange counter is available at the local airport.
Which languages are spoken in the Maldives?
The national language is Dhivehi, though you'll find English is also widely used locally. At your chosen resort, multilingual staff are often on hand for other international languages, including German and French.
What are the entry requirements for the Maldives?
If you're travelling to the Maldives from the UK as a visitor, you'll be expected to fill out a Traveller Declaration Form within 96 hours of arrival or departure. Your passport must be valid for at least one month at the time of travel, although a minimum of six months is usually best. You aren't required to arrange for a pre-arrival visa, as you'll receive a 30-day visa upon arrival.
What should I know before travelling to the Maldives?
During your time in the Maldives, keep in mind a few essential dos and don'ts: the country's official religion is Islam, so alcohol cannot be imported into the country and visitors should expect to dress modestly, avoiding showing too much skin on local beaches and in public spaces (you will be free to dress as you wish and consume alcoholic beverages on resort grounds, of course). It goes without saying that you should also be respectful of your surroundings and keep the beaches and waters litter-free; though an important, lesser-known fact is that there are strict policies in place against collecting seashells, sand, corals and tortoise shells.
What plug types are used in the Maldives?
The power plugs and sockets in the Maldives are of type D and G, with a standard voltage of 230 V and a standard frequency of 50 Hz.