About the Maldives

The Maldives offer idyllic surroundings for couples who want to savour intimate moments together in a unique, serene environment – just one reason why it is rated as one of the best beach holiday destinations in the world.

Discover a choice of tranquil and pampered settings on any of the more than 80 exclusive resort islands, which are mostly covered by lush tropical vegetation and encircled by gorgeous palm-fringed and sugar-white beaches.

Things to do and see

See colourful reef fish, including the remarkable powder-blue surgeonfish, from a private sundeck or through the glass floor of an over-water villa.

Cruise to an uninhabited desert island for a seafood and champagne luncheon, enjoy water skiing thrills or go game fishing for tuna. Dive pristine offshore reefs that are famous for their wealth of marine life, or go swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing in sheltered lagoons.

At sunset, sail on a traditional dhoni fishing boat while dolphins play alongside or settle into moments of pure romance while sipping champagne in the privacy of your stylish villa.

Accommodation
The Maldives offers a choice of stylish and luxurious beach villas and over-water suites often situated on idyllic private islands that fringe tranquil lagoons.

Maldives resorts are spread across the 250 inhabited islands of the Maldives, with the atolls of Lhaviyani, Alifu (North and South Ari Atoll) and Kaafu Atoll – site of the capital Malé, the airport and most resorts – being the most popular.

Best time to visit?
It’s best to visit the Maldives during the northeast monsoon from December to April when it’s cooler and quite dry. Daytime temperatures average 28°C year round.

The Maldives has a hot tropical climate with cooling daytime sea breezes. The southwest monsoon from May to November brings wind and rain, particularly in June and July.

For more climate info: Maldives Weather Guide

Location – The Maldives (pronounced MAHL-deeves) is an archipelago of 26 coral atolls, which are fragmented into about 1190 low-lying coral islands that lie scattered in the Indian Ocean around 500km southwest of the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka.

Although stretching 820km from north to south and 130km east to west, no island in the Maldives is more than 45 minutes away by air taxi (sea plane) from Malé’s international airport.

Getting there – Qantas and Singapore Airlines offer convenient flights via Singapore, with connections from all major Australian airports. How to get to the Maldives . . .