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Maldives·Indian Ocean, South Asia
Maldives
The world’s ultimate overwater escape
LuxuryDivingHoneymoon
OverviewAt a glance
Scattered across the Indian Ocean as 26 ring-shaped atolls, the Maldives is the planet’s postcard of overwater bungalows, glass-clear lagoons and reefs teeming with manta rays and whale sharks. One island, one resort — barefoot luxury at its purest.
- Best season
- November – April (dry season)
- Getting there
- Velana Int’l Airport (MLE), Malé — then seaplane or speedboat to your atoll
- Known for
- Overwater villas & coral atolls
Signature beachesShores
Bikini Beach, Maafushi
One of the few public beaches on this conservative island where swimwear is allowed
Fulhadhoo
An almost empty stretch of raw white sand
Vaadhoo Sea of Stars
A shore where plankton lights up blue at night
Things to doTo do
Overwater villa stay
Sleep in a glass-floor overwater villa you can dive from
Manta & whale shark dive
Meet manta rays and whale sharks up close on atoll dives
Sandbank picnic
A speedboat drops you on an empty sandbar for a private beach
Good to knowTips
- 1Respect Islamic custom on local islands; swimwear only on bikini beaches
- 2Resort islands are expensive; water sports and transfers cost extra
- 3Rainy season (May–Oct) is cheaper but wetter, with bigger surf
Next island
Bali