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There are beach holidays… and then there’s the Maldives - the ultimate luxury destination and a bucket-list must. With 26 breathtaking atolls, each with its own unique charm, nothing compares to Maldives for honeymooners, sun-seekers, and anyone craving pure escapism. Think silky white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and private overwater villas made for romance and relaxation. Whether you’re sipping cocktails on a sun-warmed pier, diving into vibrant coral reefs, or unwinding with a beachfront massage, the Maldives is paradise, no filter needed.

We fly direct to the Maldives daily

Fly to Male International Airport in the Maldivess from London Heathrow. Between 1st May - 27th October 2025 you can fly daily with our partner airline, Emirates.

10-11 hour flight time.

Popular hotels in the Maldives

Essential information for the Maldives

  1. Time zone

    UK +5 hours

  2. Language

    English widely spoken

  3. Currency

    Maldivian Rufiya

  4. Flight time

    10-11 hours, direct flight

  1. When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

    The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate that is consistently hot and often humid. The driest months are between December-April, so that's when you'll see the longest hours of sun and the warmest, dreamiest days.

  2. Island transfers

    Your hotel’s got you - whether it’s a seaplane or boat transfer, they’ll get you where you need to be. Remember to pack light for the seaplane transfer: 20kg checked and 5kg hand luggage.

  3. Visa and entry requirements

    Complete your traveller declaration form online via IMUGA within 72 hours before departure and return. Everyone, including kids, needs one. Don’t forget to snap a photo or screenshot of the QR code when you're done.

Things to do and see in the Maldives

The beaches in the Maldives are the stuff of daydreams - think powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees. Whether you're diving into epic water sports, sipping cocktails at a beachfront bar, or soaking up a romantic sunset, every moment feels straight out of a postcard.

Popular holidays

Need more travel tips or holiday help?

The Maldives is a little slice of paradise in the Indian Ocean, just southwest of Sri Lanka and India. With 1,200 islands to choose from, it’s basically the ultimate island-hopping dream, where crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches are just the beginning.

The Maldives is made up of about 1,200 islands, scattered across 26 beautiful coral atolls. While not all of these islands are inhabited, many are home to dreamy resorts, perfect for escaping to your own slice of paradise. Whether you're exploring secluded beaches, diving into crystal-clear waters, or soaking up the luxury, there's no shortage of stunning spots to discover in this tropical wonderland.

The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate all year round, meaning warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and a touch of humidity. If you’re after the best weather, plan your trip between December and April - this is the driest season, with clear blue skies, long sunny days, and the perfect conditions for beach lounging, snorkelling, and sunset cocktails. 

A direct flight from London to the Maldives takes around 10 to 11 hours. But trust us, those white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters are more than worth the journey.

Good news... you don’t need a visa to visit the Maldives. When you arrive in this island paradise, you’ll get a free 30-day visa on arrival. You will need to complete and submit your Traveller declaration form (within 72 hours) electronically via IMUGA, both pre-departure and pre-return. Each member of your party including children must complete the form and you must take a photo or screenshot of the QR code on completion of the form. 

The Maldives is 4 or 5 hours ahead of the UK, depending on the time of year:

  • During UK winter (GMT) – The Maldives is +5 hours ahead
  • During UK summer (BST) – The Maldives is +4 hours ahead

Some resorts even have their own ‘island time’ (usually an hour ahead of Malé time) to give guests extra daylight for beach lounging and sunset cocktails. Because why not?

Create the ultimate getaway in paradise

What's better than visiting one new place? Visiting two, or even three - all in one trip! If you're thinking of taking a trip to the Maldives, why not combine it with some other dreamy destinations over in the East, and create a holiday of a lifetime. Here's a couple of suggestions for you:

Let us help you plan your holiday to perfection. Call our experts today on 0344 209 8706.

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Terms and conditions

Virgin Atlantic Holidays Sale runs from 00:01am Thursday 01st May 2025 to 23:59pm Tuesday 03rd June 2025 for travel 1st May 2025 to 31st March 2026. Bookings are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions apply. Virgin Atlantic Holidays reserves the right to (i) withdraw the promoted price (ii) cancel or change the advertised price, (iii) amend these terms and conditions at any time if circumstances make this necessary and without further notice. For full Virgin Atlantic Standard Terms and Conditions please visit https://www.virginatlantic.com/holidays/customer-support/terms-and-conditions