Discover Maldives - a Jewel in the Indian Ocean. Your Guide to the 10 Best Places to Visit in Maldives, One of the World's Most Romantic Destinations (2020)

Located in north-central Indian Ocean, the Republic of Maldives is a country that is very unique because it is an independent island. What makes it even more famous is its composition - it is made up of over one thousand islands some of which are inhabited while others are not. The population that makes up the Maldives islands comprises of people of different origins who have settled there over time. The many islands and reefs are some of the characteristics that make the country a good travel destination.

Since Maldives is made up of many islands, most of the people who visit the country aim to enjoy the beaches, and the various water sports activities. Therefore, it is important to plan your visit according to the weather condition. Besides, it is essential to understand that most people prefer to visit the country from November all the way to April. Why? Because this is the time when the weather is sunny and best to go to the beach. However, for those who want to visit on a budget, the best time to visit is between the high and the low season. This is because you will get to enjoy similar weather conditions, however it won’t be crowded.

Maldives can be very very expensive. There is no need to overspend while visiting Maldives, for the country offers different hotels at different costs and for different classes. Therefore, seek to settle for an affordable accommodation since you get good enough services and at very reasonable cost. For example, Central Boutique Inn and Picnic Inn in Male, and/or Venturo in Maldives. These hotels provide beautiful views and the cost is not exaggerated.

This is basically the best way to travel to Maldives, for you get to enjoy the things Maldives has to offer with your friends or you family. More so, some of the activities in Maldives tend to be cheaper when paid for as a group as compared to paying for just one person. A good example is transport, when you travel to Maldives and in the country as well, the transport costs greatly reduce. Also, you might find a better deal in accommodation whereby some villas may be quite affordable when hosting a group. Furthermore, the experience becomes even more memorable when travelling as a group.

Every region or country has some basic rules and regulations that have been put in place to be accepted by both the locals and the foreigners. These rules tend to harmonise the way people live in the country and also promote order. Basically, these rules and regulations differ from one place to another and should be followed, irrespective of where you come from, so long as you are visiting the place. A good example of these basic rules may include restrictions on taking pictures at certain locations, despite the fact that taking pictures is one of the most common activity for tourists.

To completely feel and experience Maldives, you ought to go local including eating local. This means that you enjoy the common food in the country and not go ordering what you are used to having. Besides, it is always cheaper when you eat like a local for most of the food is available and prepared locally. Moreover, a few years back tourists were not allowed to visit inhabited islands which is not the case right now. This gives you the chance to enjoy local food such as the tasty Hedhikaa and visit the different local villages as well.

For those of you visiting Maldives for the first time, it is always advisable to be aware of the different places and what they have to offer. This is to gain a direction of where you are going and it may help with the planning and the budgeting as well. More so, since there are so many places to visit in Maldives. To make this task easier, we have curated some of the best places to visit in Maldives, and they include:

Considered to be one of the most famous places in Maldives, Banana Reef is located in north Male, the capital of Maldives. The name of this place fully describes its physical look, for it has the shape of a banana. Banana Reef is well known to the locals and the tourists alike because this place is one of the best diving sites globally. Most of the visitors recommend it for couples, individuals travelling solo, for group travellers, but not for kids.

There are many things that you will get to enjoy when you visit this place. The first one is of course diving which entails diving to depths ranging from 5-30 meters. Another thing that makes this reef noteworthy is its coral formations which have, over time, drawn a large variety of fishes. It is however important to note that you should go diving when the waves are not too strong, and, in case you happen to be around when the waves are strong, then you are advised to use a surface balloon.

This is one of the 1,200 islands in Maldives; however, Alimatha Island is one of the most visited islands in the country and it is located in the Vaavu Atoll. There are many reasons as to why it is most visited by tourists and why you should put it in the list of the must-visit places in Maldives. Alimatha is blessed with beautiful and surreal views, you are assured of seeing white sands and golden sunsets with the land covered with green plants.

Alimatha Island is known for its serene environment which enables tourists to relax and enjoy, far away from their otherwise busy and technology-driven hectic lives. A good example is Alimatha Resort which is famous for providing rooms without TVs or even mobile phone facilities. This is because they fully understand what people need and that is peace. However, there are many other ways to have fun including diving in places like Myaru Kavu.

Known for its uniqueness it exists on its own atoll unlike all the other islands in Maldives, Fuvahmulah Island is located between Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Addu Atoll, and has many characteristics that make it one of the best places to visit in Maldives. One of the most noteworthy features that makes it unique is the presence of fish and bird species that are only found on this island and nowhere else. For example, Kttelhi fish species and Valikuthu bird species.

This will ensure that once you visit this place, you are bound to experience views of creatures unique to this island. Another feature of this island is the view created when strong waves hit the beach leading to the formation of foam and making the beach to appear whiter. Lastly, the vegetation on the island also makes it one of the best places for you get to enjoy fresh fruits such as guavas, mangoes and pomegranates.

Male is the capital city of Maldives meaning that all the government offices and other important offices of the country are located here. This city is globally known as one of the most densely populated locations in the world.

In Male boats are one of the most common form of access. In addition, if you want to experience luxury in Maldives, then this is the place to be. This is because Male has both luxury and budget hotels and you do not need to move away from the capital for accommodation.

There are also a number of tourist attractions in Male including historical buildings such as the Friday Mosque built in the late 1600s. Another attraction are the national parks such as the Sultan Park which has many beautiful flowers and trees. Lastly, there are museums, and also architectural buildings such as the Islamic Centre.

Located in Male, Artificial Beach serves as an escape for people in the city since it provides a place for them to relax. Generally, Maldives is famous for all the beautiful beaches it has, however, the capital city is not fortunate enough to be blessed with one. Therefore, as a way to compensate for this aspect, they built an artificial beach. Another reason for this beach to have become extremely popular is that a lot of cultural and sports activities such as carnivals and water sports are held on this beach regularly.

One of the best times of the day to visit this beach is during the afternoon, for that is when it is the hottest in Maldives, and what better way to spend an afternoon than swimming? It is also one of the best places for children to go swimming and have fun. You can get to this beach by various means including walking, riding a bus or even taking a taxi.

This is one of the most famous resorts in Maldives that offers a variety of services that you cannot afford to miss. Another reason for to visit this place is that it is considered to be the biggest resort in the country. Although you can seek accommodation in other resorts, this is one place you should visit and you will be definitely satisfied with the outcome. This resort boasts of the longest uninterrupted beach in the whole of Maldives. You can enjoy long walks along the beach while taking in the spectacular views.

Located in Nalaguraidhoo Island, South Ari Atoll, Sun Island Resort offers services that will get you complete value for your money since you get to enjoy a variety of dishes that range from local dishes to foreign dishes, and take a stroll in the resort's breathtaking gardens in the midst of tropical flowers. The resort is extremely environment conscious for all its activities are completely eco-friendly.

Located in the North Male Atolls deep down in the Indian Ocean, Maldive Victory is a ship-wreck that resulted from a ship that was transporting goods and treasures belonging to tourists when it went underwater. Over time many divers sought to access the treasure, however, this wreck quickly turned into a habitat holding a variety of under sea creatures.

This is one of the best places to visit in Maldives, especially for divers since you have to go underwater to view the whole ship. However, many people also dive at this spot to see the many different underwater organisms present here.

Located in the Baa Atoll Maldives, Fulhadhoo is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in that atoll. One of the main reasons is its shape - it is long and not that wide, therefore, it experiences a sea breeze like no other. In addition, this Island is perfect for family vacations since there is a gentler environment for children. For example, due to the actively blowing sea breeze, there are no mosquitoes, and there is also a location in the island where the lagoons present a show pool that normally maintains its temperature similar to the environment. Therefore, children can enjoy both the environment and the water too without any problem.

The local communities present also make the place one of the best places to visit because a wide range of the local delicacies are available here. Besides, there is no harm in trying out new meals made with new ingredients since there is a possibility, you’d love them. You can get to this island via a speedboat from Male which would take about two hours to arrive.

Travelling on a budget is what most people yearn to achieve, however, what is present especially in Maldives are luxury and expensive villas. This should not be a problem because here is some information about the best place to visit especially if you are travelling on a budget. Maafushi is one of those places where you will find local and affordable facilities for both the locals and also the visitors.

The experience presented by this island will ensure that you have great fun without spending a lot of your money. When it comes to getting to the island, there are three main modes. Using a speedboat is one of the major modes, however, you can either use a public or a private one. The other option is by the use of a public ferry which works on a schedule. Most people prefer the use of a public ferry because it is the cheapest.

Located in the Maldivian waters, the Kuramathi Island is one of the many islands in Maldives that is worth a visit. This is because of the vast vegetation present on the island with breathtaking beaches surrounding it. In addition, there are a variety of activities that you can participate including water sports such as diving. One thing to note is that the island has many hotels to choose from, you just have to identify one hotel that best suits your budget. To add up to the many features of this island, the main attraction is the present sandbank which is clearly seen during low tides.

When you decide on the best places to visit while in Maldives, it is also important to know the exact things to engage in. However, that should not be an issue for we also provide some examples of what you could try doing while in Maldives. Some of these fun things include:

Diving is one of the best activities to engage in when you are Maldives. Since it is an Island, it is surrounded by water, thus offering a conducive environment for diving. More so, depending on the level of your experience in diving, there are various locations to choose from depending on your competence. Therefore, for beginners you ought to spot specific areas with all the features, but with gently sloping areas under water. Some of the best places to go diving include Vaadhoo Thila, Mathi Faru, Heaven and Hell and Filladhoo Wreck.

Maldives offers a variety of over one thousand islands to enjoy their unique views and natural beauty. Therefore, it would be a loss not to go island hopping and enjoy the various landscapes each island has to offer, since all of these islands are not the same. It would be even more fun when you go collecting souvenirs from each island you visit and end up with a collection. However, you should note that taking seashells with you is unacceptable in Maldives because these shells are habitats to various animals.

Listed among the best places with beautiful sunsets, Maldives is a tropical Island with many sites for sunset viewing. The white sandy beaches and the crystal-clear water available in Maldives, aids in the beautiful sunsets present. These views are picture perfect; therefore, this is one thing you should definitely experience. Aside from viewing the sunsets from the beaches, you could also board a seaplane to enjoy the sunsets from above.

In addition to the scenic beauty that Maldives offers, it also provides some of the best waves conducive for surfing. However, it is important to know the best time for you to go surfing in Maldives, which is from March to October. This is because, the winds that bring the waves are the strongest during this period. Some of the best places to go surfing include the Northern Atolls, the Central Atolls and the Southern Atolls.