Where are the Maldives and is it worth going?

If you’re active on Instagram, you’ve probably seen surreal photos capturing the effervescent electric blue of the Maldives and its famous overwater villas. Perhaps you know someone who went there on their honeymoon. But what may not be as crystal clear as these Maldivian waters is where exactly the Maldives is located.

The mystery is out: the incredibly beautiful island nation, officially called the Republic of Maldives, is part of South Asia and lies in the Indian Ocean. It is almost 450 miles southwest of the tip of mainland India and is the smallest country in all of Asia. Although it is made up of more than 1,100 individual coral islands, only a fraction of them are inhabited. Each of the 26 atolls consists of several islands and lagoons. The Maldives is the lowest and flattest country in the world, with its highest point being less than 8 feet above sea level.

Before you plan your trip to the Maldives, get the 411 on this stunningly beautiful country, learn how to get there, the best time to visit, and the latest resort news.

How to get to the Maldives

To get to this paradise island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, you will have to take at least several flights. From most major US cities, Male Velana International Airport (MLE) takes about 24 hours to travel, so flying business class is an excellent and worthwhile use of your points and miles.

From Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco on the West Coast and from Atlanta, Boston and New York on the East Coast, there are one-stop options on Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines, with slightly longer connections on Qatar Airways.

Remember that many resorts are also a short plane or boat ride from Male, so be sure to factor in that time as well.

Best time to visit Maldives

Travelers can expect warmth all year round as the Maldives is an equatorial country located just a few degrees in the northern hemisphere. However, every month is not the same. In terms of weather, the best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. High temperatures average in the mid-80s (about the same ocean temperature), with less humidity and wind. Peak water clarity and visibility generally occurs around March (though it is quite exceptional year-round). So if you are a diving and snorkelling person, the end of the dry season is the best place for you.

Traveling during the monsoon season, which runs from May to October, still has its benefits. Between July and October, manta rays congregate in Hanifaru Bay on Baa Atoll. Whale sharks may also gather there at this time to feast on plankton. Surfers should look for the months between February and November to see the biggest waves. Other than that, there can be some decent rain, but it tends to come in spurts and not last all day. There are also fewer tourists and lower prices at this time of year.

Basic information to know before traveling

The official language in the Maldives is Dhivehi or Maldivian, a cousin of the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka. However, English is widely and well spoken in all resorts and tourist areas, so you can easily communicate with Maldivians.

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The local currency is the rufiyaa: 100 rufiyaa is currently equal to 6.50 US dollars. At resorts, menus and excursions are usually priced in dollars, so no complicated math is required. Citizens of all nationalities receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival free of charge.

Some more useful facts: The Maldives is a malaria-free country. It’s predominantly Muslim, something you might not even notice when you’re at a luxury private island resort. However, due to religion, public nudity is strictly prohibited and visitors should avoid topless sunbathing out of respect.

It is also worth noting that although alcohol is prohibited for local residents, hotels are an exception, and alcoholic beverages are legally available for purchase and consumption at all resorts in the archipelago.

Resorts in the Maldives are as epic and gorgeous as they appear on social media.

You can confidently expect that your arrival – by small plane or speedboat – at a resort in the Maldives will feel like something out of a postcard. The colors are so vibrant, the seascapes are stunning, the welcome is so warm. While there is plenty to do, one of the reasons people travel to the Maldives is to experience an elevated, extremely luxurious hotel experience that will make you feel like a VIP.

There already seem to be endless resorts dotted across the Powdered Sugar Islands, including favorites like Joali Maldives, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Soneva Jani, Six Senses Kanuhura and InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. There are also some very interesting objects on the horizon.

Hyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives in North Male Atoll is expected to open in 2027 and will feature 130 villas with pools and treetop designs. During the same timeframe, plans are underway to build the Rosewood Ranfaru Resort on South Male Atoll, which will feature approximately 120 one- to five-bedroom villas, some of which will be located on their own private islands. Baccarat Hotels & Residences Maldives also plans to open in 2027 in South Male Atoll and will offer over 50 villa hotels and 53 private residences for sale.

While the recently announced opening of Aman Maldives is still up in the air (likely 2027), IHG’s Noku Maldives, part of the Vignette collection, can be booked much earlier. The resort is scheduled to open this December and will feature 30 overwater villas and 20 beach villas.

Related: These are the best all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, from overwater bungalows to family-friendly getaways.

Bottom line: is it worth going?

There is no way around this. Getting to the Maldives is a journey, a long journey. But if the shining sun, white sand, the bluest and clearest salt water imaginable, swaying palm trees, magnificent megafauna, biodiverse coral reefs, snorkeling and sandals, beach cruisers, lots and lots of fresh lobster and tuna, tropical libations and decadent resorts with generous service is your vibe, then yes, the trip is worth it.

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