Direct to the Maldives
Hurry - Limited Availability
Book for 2022-23
Call us now:
0333 7000 747
Open 9 until 9 daily
Start your perfect holiday
contact us today!
- Best Beaches
- Spa and Wellbeing
- Hideaways
- Pure Luxury
- Family Holidays
- Undiscovered
- Boutique Hotels
- Value Escapes
The Maldives - Travel Essentials
The Maldives Islands are grouped into Atoll’s, chains of coral islands surrounding shallow lagoons.
The Maldives therefore has some of the best beaches in the world, with beautiful white sand and clear turquoise waters in the lagoons - the iconic Indian Ocean beach holiday.
Most Maldives resorts are found in the North and South Male Atolls, the Alifu Atoll to the West and the Baa Atoll to the North West.
In contrast to a holiday in the Seychelles or Mauritius, Maldives resorts are usually the only resort on the island. It's this feature that gives the Maldives it's wonderful sense of remoteness and unspoilt natural beauty.
Most visitors leave the Maldives completely charmed by the pure white sandy beaches and turquoise seas.
Choosing a resort in the Maldives can be quite a challenge however, as a quick glance through a brochure reveals a dozen Maldvies resorts which all look very similar indeed.
Deciding on which Maldives resort to opt for normally comes down to a few factors.
Budget is one, but the location of the resort is another. Some Maldives resorts aren't quite as remote as one might think, and the passing container ships in the distance don't normally add much to the ambience of your Maldives holiday.
Resorts in the Maldives come in all different sizes, from genuine Indian Ocean Hideaways, to far larger resorts. Boutique hotels in the Maldives are popular for couples and honeymooners looking for a romantic Maldives honeymoon.
The Maldives is a destination which really can offer that island hideaway feel and that's what we try to look for in our choice of resorts in the Maldives.
For those looking for a larger resort in the Maldives we can offer those too, but boutique resorts in the Maldives certainly offer that special ambience and sense of freedom that many people are looking for when considering a Maldives holiday or honeymoon.
When selecting your Maldives resort, it is important to note the meal basis which is included.
Half Board, Full Board and All Inclusive Maldives options are all popular.
Most resorts in the Maldives are on remote island locations with no other dining options other than in resort. This makes meal inclusive options popular on holidays to the Maldives.
The majority of all produce has to be imported to the Maldives. As a result, food and drink is relatively expensive in comparison to other island holiday destinations.
All Inclusive holidays to the Maldives are becoming more and more popular and the benefit of knowing costs up front are obvious, expecially on a Maldives family holiday.
It's important to bear in mind that most All Inclusive Maldives holidays will have restrictions on dining venues, e.g. all meals can only be eaten in one restaurant only and alcoholic drinks will be house branded drinks only.
Getting to the Maldives
The flying time to Male, in the Maldives is between 10 and 11 hours on direct non-stop services.
When a change of plane is required, this will add travelling time.
We work with all airlines flying to the Maldives.
British Airways operate a winter service currently, from late October until late March which is high season for Maldives holidays.
Sri Lankan Airlines is a very popular option, meaning a Maldvies holiday can be combined with a more cultural experience in Sri Lanka (therefore satisfying beach lovers and culture vultures!).
Emirates as 3 departures daily from London, which also offers the chance to combine a Maldives holiday with a stopover in Dubai.
Qatar Airways also offer indirect flights and more venturesome travellers are now beginning to discover Doha as as interesting stopover destination in it's own right.
Regional departures from Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow are also possible
On arrival in Male, transfers to the island resorts are either by speedboat or sea plane.
A holiday to the Maldives is all about relaxation, idyllic beaches and that real away from it all feeling of freedom. It's why so many people get hooked on Maldives holidays.
Maldives Diving
The Maldives also offers some of the best diving and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean. When conditions are good, the visibility can be in excess of 50 metres and with the warm Indian Ocean, the sea temperatures make it a year round destination.
The marine life is diverse and rich including large pelagics such as whale sharks and manta rays.
Many of the resorts have their own professionally accredited dive centres which offer Learn to Dive courses as well as catering to qualified divers.
Maldives Family Holidays
Often overlooked in favour of Mauritius, the Maldives caters well for families, with some of the bigger resorts having dedicated children clubs and with heaps of land and water sports activities and the safest beaches, all can relax in island paradise.
Some of the hotels will also have dedicated family accommodation and are closer to the main Male airport, allowing for quicker and easy access for those tired after the long journey.
Flying time
Male from 10 ½ hrs
Time difference
+5hrs GMT
Visa
Not required on UK passport for stays of less than 30 days.
Currency
There are no cash machines on the islands.
Credit cards are widely accepted.
Local currency for tourists is US$ in cash which can be exchanged at the airport, hotels and banks on Male.
Safety and security
Crime levels in the Maldives are low, but petty crime including the theft of goods left unattended on the beach or in hotel rooms does sometimes occur so common sense should prevail.
Personal valuables should be stored in a secure safe.
Health
Travellers should be up to date with routine recommended vaccinations.
For those travelling to the Maldives having visited a country recognised as having endemic to Yellow Fever, it will be necessary to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Sunburn as well as dehydration are two things which can ruin a holiday, so using a high factor sun cream and drinking plenty of water are recommended.
