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Maldives

An idyllic location, tropical sunshine and breathtaking natural beauty – the Maldives has it all. The nation is made up of 1200 coral islands, with each luxurious resort found on its own private isle. Seclusion, serenity and simplicity are the pillars of life in the Maldives.

Dive into the Maldives

Discover your perfect pace in the Maldives. It’s your holiday, and you can make it as slow, or sprightly, as you like. Here’s a little taster, or dive right into our Maldives holiday offers.

The Maldives know-how

Geography

  • The Maldives lies in two rows of atolls in the Indian Ocean, just across the equator
  • The country is comprised of 1192 islands - only 200 of the islands are inhabited
  • The Maldives is home to about five percent of the planet’s reefs

Maldives flights

  • It takes about 10-11 hours to fly direct to Male from the UK with Virgin Atlantic
  • Flights depart three times a week from London Heathrow
  • The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of the UK

Getting around

  • Speedboat transfer is the norm to resorts close to the International Airport (top tip: pack sea sickness tablets)
  • Seaplane transfers only operate during daylight hours
  • Luggage allowance restrictions apply on seaplane transfers, there are no luggage restrictions for speedboats

Weather

  • The weather in the Maldives is warm and tropical, with temperatures between 29°C to 31°C year-round
  • The wet season runs from May to October
  • November to April is the best time to visit for a drier climate

Money and entry visas

  • You don't need a visa to visit the Maldives if you're a British national
  • You can spend either the US dollar or British pounds

WiFi and electricity

  • WiFi is free across the island and in most hotels
  • Electricity is 240 volts, using round and square pin plugs

Health

  • Mosquitoes might make an appearance, so we recommend bringing insect repellent all year round
  • Each Atoll has at least one hospital and most resorts have their own clinics and in-house doctors

Eating out and tipping

  • An abundance of fresh fruits, fish and wines await you in the Maldives
  • Make fish your dish of the day – tuna is the most common fish served here
  • Many of the resorts in Maldives are All Inclusive, but we still recommend bringing U.S. dollars for the odd tip here and there

Good to know

  • When it’s time to start packing bear in mind that a dress code may apply at your resort 
  • Bring your snorkelling gear, this is not always included