15 Best Places to Show Up in the Maldives 2022
The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic country in the Indian subcontinent of Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometers from the Asian continent’s mainland.
- Capital: Malé
- Continent: Asia
- Population: 540,542 (2020) World Bank
- President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
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Left to the mercy of the gentle, lapping Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives have been sculpted and transformed into arguably one of the most quintessentially beautiful tropical locations in the world.
From the dusty beaches of the northern atolls to the earthy sea shacks and fishing villages of the southern islands, the entire nation can be found scattered across the turquoise waters some distance from the Indian subcontinent.
Most visitors will land in Male’s buzzing, throbbing city, packed into its island and complete with spice-scented markets and grand mosques.
Most also don’t take long before crashing into seaplanes or boats and heading to the shimmering private bays of their chosen resort, where infinity pools and overwater cabanas are the norm.
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More recently, new local guesthouses and the discovery of rolling waves have begun to transform the Maldives from a honeymoon hotspot to a surfing, adventure, and backpacking destination – paradise is now open to all it seems.
Let us explore the best places to visit in the Maldives :
1. Man
Islamic Center
Vibrant with scooters and cars and Indian bazaars filled with coconuts and spices, the city of Malé, the capital of the Maldivian atolls, has the hectic feel of a place packed into a slot that’s too small for it.
And that’s because it is.
Though rarely visited (most travelers bypass the town on seaplanes heading straight to your resort), the city is crammed on a pint-sized islet off North Male Atoll.
However, it manages to fit some fascinating sights between its streets, such as the 17th-century Friday Mosque and the gold-tipped Islamic Center.
Male Market is another must; be sure to brush up on your haggling skills.
2. Hulhumale Island
Situated just across the crystal clear waters from the capital of Male, the island of Hulhumale is steadily growing and growing as more and more land is reclaimed to house the sprawling urban tendrils of the city.
It is also home to the Velana International Airport, the main gateway to these paradise islands for most.
However, don’t be intimidated by how it sounds: Hulhumale is a lovely place.
It has a beautiful, if artificial, beach on its eastern side, a cluster of leafy neighborhoods, a glass-roofed mosque, and planned walkways over the Indian Ocean.
3. Maafushi
Maafushi may not have the sprawling luxury resorts and opulent 5-star hotels that many of its nearby siblings do, but it has plenty of charm.
Sadly devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the site has been busy rebuilding its salt-soaked fishing piers and laborious sailors’ huts for the past decade.
One thing that has helped is the opening of local guesthouse rights, transforming Maafushi into one of the best off-the-beaten-path island getaways for budget travelers.
Of course, you can expect gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, rolling waves, and a handful of little homey cafes on the shore.
4. Utheemu
Located on the northern tip of Haa Alif Atoll, the northernmost of all the Maldivian island chains, the beautiful site of Utheemu holds a special place in the history of this archipelago nation.
That’s because it was once home to the revered Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, the leader credited with driving the Portuguese invaders off the islands in the late 16th century.
Of course, there are the usual bright white sands and waves of the Indian Ocean. Still, these are punctuated by heritage sites like the Utheemu Ganduvaru, the beautiful wooden-built palace where the respected leader grew up.
5. Feydhoo
Feydhoo’s story is curious.
In the 19th century, the people who now lived among the tree-lined streets and close-knit blocks of flats were the inhabitants of nearby Gan Island (more on that later). When the British arrived in the run-up to World War II, Gan was transformed into an airbase, and the locals were sent to live on the next island in Seenu Atoll.
That was Feydhoo, a beautiful image of life lived in the Maldives.
Wander the winding roads and try the seafood curry with the locals; the welcome is always warm.
6. Marathon
Linked at the hip to the Feydhoo above a seaside causeway that runs just above the coral-fringed shores of Seenu Atoll, Marathon is an essential link in the chain of islands that begins with Gan to the east.
Long and thin, it juts out into the Indian Ocean like a finger lined with narrow beachfront and undulating groves of coconut palms.
As in Feydhoo, the locals are easygoing and charming, and the cuisine is spicy and rich in seafood.
Be sure to take a stroll down Link Road and flit past the coffee shops and sandwich vendors dotted among the palm trees there.
7. Veligandu Island
Romantic sunsets shimmer red and yellow over the waters of the Indian Ocean; cocktails clink in the luxurious resort bar; sea kayaks bob on the turquoise shoreline, and crystal clear waves roll in gently from the inland lagoon.
Welcome to the super beautiful Veligandu Island, which has long been touted as one of the best destinations in the Maldives for couples.
Honeymooners and honeymooners are a common sight on this long, skinny finger of land on the western edge of the North Ari Atoll, and there are plenty of opulent seaside villas and suites to match.
8. Banana Reef
Many travelers heading to the islands of the Maldives will come for one thing and one thing only: diving.
And there’s hardly a better place to don your scuba gear and wetsuits in the country than at Banana Reef.
This sprinkling of multi-colored, fruit-shaped corals and algae-covered sandbanks is found underwater between the islands of North Male Atoll.
It is served by countless outfitters who lead tours to discover the striped snappers and bulbous sponges, reef sharks, and barracuda that flock here.
9. Thulusdhoo Island
The spirit of the salt-drenched Caribbean seems to drive Thulusdhoo Island.
Largely undiscovered, this patch of male atolls is surrounded by vast stretches of sand from which bulbous coconut trunks sprout by the hundreds.
The beaches are naturally splendid, and the locals love to draw in their vanishing fishing boats for an excellent sizzling seafood barbecue every once in a while.
All of this dovetails nicely with the other traveler hobby in Thulusdhoo: surfing.
Look for the fun left rollers that turn into barrels near Villingilimathi Huraa.
10. Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah promises something a little different than the rest of the Maldivian atolls.
For starters, this speck on the Indian Ocean map doesn’t have any close neighbors and occupies an atoll of its own.
It’s also dotted with the occasional inland lake, which is a rare sight to see in this flat country.
Meanwhile, the sandbars surrounding the famous Banging Beach bring in some crashing rollers and cooling salt spray (a break from the usual relaxing lagoons), and proximity to Earth’s equator means humid weather all year round. Year.
11. Alimatha Island
Located on the eastern edge of the Maldives, on the famous Felidhe Atoll, Alimatha is a large resort island offering luxury cabins, pristine stretches of pristine sandy beach, and most importantly,,, some of the most famous diving spots in the world. Surroundings.
The complex that covers the island can often be seen teeming with eager divers, who come in search of the beautiful coral forests and walls that surround the shorelines.
These are teeming with catfish, moray eels, and eels and are known for their high visibility and popular night dive packages.
12. Hithadhoo
Large (at least for a Maldivian island) and highly populated (again, at least for a Maldivian peninsula), this subsection of Addu town on the former Seenu atoll can be reached by the same causeways that connect Win with Marathon.
The place is graced by mangroves, mudflats, and bushland at its southern end, while the north side of the island is packed with cafes and bakeries and the occasional set of minarets that loom over the local mosques.
More than anything, Hithadhoo exudes a charming inhabited environment that is hard to discover in other parts of the country packed with resorts.
13. Kuredu
Kuredu is the self-proclaimed jewel of the Lhaviyani Atoll, making its home in the north-central Maldives archipelago.
A boomerang-shaped island, it’s entirely covered by a single resort, offering rustic bamboo huts and rows of those ubiquitous overwater bungalows with verandas over the waves.
The entire site is surrounded by its private stretch of fine sand and is considered one of the country’s most advanced diving and snorkeling destinations; Strong currents and high waves often make it challenging to see manta rays and tropical schools.
Unusually, Kuredu is also home to an entire 9-hole golf course.
14. Win
Gan is mainly known for its airport, the second-largest airport in all of the Maldives, and a famous former British Royal Air Force airbase during World War II. Today, the island has lost its former military importance in favor of tourism and is slowly becoming one of the most popular places in Addu Atoll.
It’s not just the accessibility (thanks to the airport) that draws the crowds because Gan has small land-based fishing restaurants and small stretches of gleaming sand usually empty of visitors. Beautiful.
15. Kunfunadhoo Island
Suppose it’s legendary Maldivian luxury and romance you’re after. In that case, chances are the opulent island resort of Kunfunadhoo won’t let you down: it’s consistently hailed as the most indulgent place to stay in the country.
Visitors enter through a large thatched-roof wooden hall hidden among groves of coconut palms.
From there, move on to cocktail platforms that rise on stilts above the jungle or onto beaches where sails flicker in the stifling sea breeze.
Add in a couple of infinity pools, swim-up bars, and the opportunity to dine on a small private sandbar with only the waves of the Indian Ocean as your backing track, and it’s easy to see why this one is so popular!
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Is it safe to go to Maldives?
Do not travel to the Maldives due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in the Maldives due to terrorism. … The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Maldives due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.
Can foreigners go to Maldives?
Who can go? At present, the Maldives is open to visitors from all countries, aside from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Eswatini, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than four days prior to their arrival.
How expensive is Maldives? How Much Does It Cost to go to the Maldives?
| Estimated cost | |
|---|---|
| Attractions | $300 |
| Food and drink | $200 |
| Random spending | $200 |
| Total | $5,950 USD |
Is Bali or Maldives cheaper?
Thus, in terms of the cost of Bali vs the Maldives, the former easily wins in terms of cost efficiency and budget. While you may get a good deal during the off-season in the Maldives, Bali is still cheaper. With a minimum budget of USD 40 per person per day, Bali is the more economical option.
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