If you’ve ever thought planning a trip to the Maldives sounds like a daunting task, we get it. In addition to its famous combination of white sand and turquoise water, the destination comprises roughly 1,200 islands, hundreds of resorts and hotels, and endless “unique” experiences. We don’t blame you for feeling overwhelmed!
When trying to narrow things down, one approach we find handy is to ask our clients what kind of Maldives trip they visualise themselves having. Generally, there are three main ways to experience the Maldives – island, overwater, and liveaboard.
We suggest closing your eyes and picturing yourself on holiday in the tropical hot spot. Are you sipping champagne on a luxury yacht? Are you reading a book on your own private stretch of beach, toes curled in the whitest sand you’ve ever seen? Are you watching the marine life through the glass floor of your villa?
With this information, we can help you plan the perfect Maldives itinerary for your preferences and budget but before we dive in, here’s a little more information about each travel style.
ISLAND
The Maldives is a chain of thousands of islands and sandbanks, which are grouped in atolls. Some islands are populated; some are just tiny blips of sand in an otherwise uninterrupted stretch of azure water. Some are ‘local’ islands, which means they are inhabited by Maldivians and there are no accommodation offerings in sight; and a huge chunk of them are occupied by resorts.
The Maldives is renowned for its ‘one island, one resort’ concept, where one solitary resort or hotel takes up an entire island. It’s part of the destination’s appeal, as it makes the resorts feel more exclusive!
An “island” experience in the Maldives refers to accommodation that is land based, as opposed to over water (which we’ll get to shortly). There are still plenty of variations within this category to choose from and the offerings differ significantly between different resorts. For example, there are ‘garden’ rooms, ‘beach’ rooms, ‘beachfront’ rooms… the list goes on.
The type of island room you choose will depend on your personal preferences, however, we find that most people opt for beachfront, to really soak up the incomparable setting. Besides, you can stay in a garden room anywhere in the world, right?
One of the main benefits of island rooms is their direct access to the country’s famous beaches. You can roll out of bed onto the white sand and into the water, and usually the stretch of beach out the front of your villa is nice and private.
They’re also closer to the resort’s other facilities, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment precincts, so if your idea of a good holiday is mingling with other guests, soaking up the vibe, and sipping cocktails by the pool, the island options are for you.
OVERWATER
We’ve all seen the Instagram pics of stunning villas suspended over the bluest water imaginable, and we can all agree they look like something out of a dream!
There are heaps of overwater options in the Maldives these days, so if you have your heart set on waking up to the sound of water lapping beneath you, we can help you find one that is budget friendly.
The best thing about rooms in this category is obviously the direct, unparalleled access to the tantalising turquoise water they offer. Feel like snorkelling? No problem, walk down the steps off your deck straight into the lagoon. Want to watch the sun set over the water from your infinity pool? You know what to do.
Some resorts (think Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani) even boast slides that transport you from your sprawling deck into the cool water below – and trust us, there’s no better way to enter the lagoon.
Overwater rooms are usually more secluded from the rest of the island and the main hub than their on-island counterparts. Often, you’ll need bikes or buggies to get around, or be prepared for lots of walking. Then again, most resorts offer incredible in-room dining options, so you never have to leave the comfort of your own room if you don’t want to!
LUXURY YACHT
If a sea safari through the region’s pristine waters and coral reefs sounds like your cup of tea, the Maldives is also home to a handful of impeccable luxury yachts that offer different experiences, accommodation levels and facilities.
Essentially floating resorts, these vessels include customisable staff including personal chefs, dive and surf instructors, sommeliers and private spa therapists.
Renting an entire vessel for your private party is the perfect high-end way to experience the Maldives, especially if you like the idea of holidaying in paradise without any crowds.