With dreamy powder-white beaches and coral-ringed atolls, The Maldives is a stunning paradise on earth. Located off the tip of Sri Lanka, is an archipelago of 1,200 islands and has just under 200 resorts dotted across 26 natural atolls and it is no wonder it is one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations.
Some 1,200 islands, no more than a mile or so wide, bubble out of the Indian Ocean, like dollops of ice cream. These lands rose from volcanoes and are characterised by their dazzling white sandy beaches and verdant jungle interiors. From above they are stunning and are geographically strewn just like a giant string of pearls from north and south of the equator. Honeymooners will be familiar with the overwater bungalows which are synonymous with this five-star location. Most travellers land at the airport before being whisked away on gleaming seaplanes to their fancy five-star resort, but for the adventurous traveller local life can be discovered on the inhabited islands. Many islands are unexplored and uninhabited – Robinson Crusoe, eat your heart out. On every occasion I have visited I have not ceased to be amazed by their sheer beauty.
Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, early Arab traders used to stop over in the money islands and collect cowry shells used as an early form of currency. In the 1340s the great Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta put it on the map and from 1887 the Maldives became a British protectorate. The Maldives gained independence from the British on July 26, 1965, after 77 years. The Maldives hosted a British airbase on the island of Gan in Addu in the south of the archipelago between 1957 and 1967.
Tourism in the Maldives is based on a one island one resort model. This year, 2022 marks 50 years since tourism began and it all began with one resort in 1972 – Kurumba. George Corbin, an Italian travel agent was visiting Sri Lanka when he met Ahmed Naseem, a junior with the Maldives Embassy who later became Foreign Minister. Together they visited Malé by a cargo ship in 1971 and the following February Corbin brought journalists and photographers to stay in modest lodgings in three houses in Malé. These first visitors were spellbound by the Maldives’ swimming, sunbathing and fishing and so he vowed to bring more tourists, but he needed a place to base them. Vihamanaafushi island, an uninhabited coconut plantation, close to the airstrip and the capital was the perfect place to build the first resort. Named Kurumba, the resort had 30 rooms built of coral stone, coconut timber and palm that opened on 3rd October 1972. Today it has 180 rooms, suites, and villas and is a world class resort.
Today, The Maldives is the most sought-after honeymoon destination on the planet. Discover five-star boutique resorts catering for couples, families and adventure travellers. It is always best to book ahead with Mindful Escapes.
All the big players are here in this island archipelago, from Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru in Baa Atoll, Fairmont Maldives at Sirru Fen Fushi, the Hilton with Conrad in the South Ari Atoll area, Waldorf Astoria at Ithaafushi and SAAi Lagoon, Curio Collection at Crossroads – and soon to open Hilton Amingiri in Male’. Marriott International has seven resorts in the Maldives. Meanwhile, local Atmosphere hotels and resorts are set to open two new hotels this year to add to its impressive portfolio of five resorts, making it seven with Oblu Select Lobigii and Oblu Xperience Aliafushi. The recently opened Fari Islands, near Male comprising three luxury resorts, Patina Maldives, Ritz Carlton Maldives, and Capella Maldives.
Each resort has its own identity and despite the worldwide pandemic, more are being built. Male’ atoll is home to the capital, the international airport and a wider transport hub to the resorts and various atolls.
As a travel journalist, once based in the Maldives, I have visited many of Male’ atoll’s island resorts and reached them via speedboat but the seaplane network connects you farther afield. There is so much to explore in Male’ atoll, which has a growing number of five-star resorts. Lux in North Male’ atoll is a modern resort characterised by its Miami-style accommodation – a departure from the usual Maldivian thatched roof. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon and Spa is sublime and Ozen Reserve Bolifushi is a haven for couples. However, one resort stands out above all the rest, and that is Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
South of the Equator, Equator Village Maldives on Gan in Addu atoll is the former air force base which was once the officers’ mess. As I discovered for myself when on a safari boat cruise to Addu, it is a quintessentially English paradise, with free-range chickens roaming the resort and afternoon tea served daily from 4 pm until 6 pm. Addu Atoll is also home to Shangri La Villingili. I found Addu to have an excellent transport network.
North Ari atoll is home to W Maldives which is not only a leader in luxury but has its own music curator. Other five-star options include Constance Halaveli, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and LUX South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas.
Baa Atoll is home to Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, Soneva Fushi and Anantara Kihavah Maldives villas.
In Dhaalu Atoll, St Regis Vommuli and Niyama Private Islands Maldives are top picks, while in Noonu Atoll, the stunning Soneva Jani is simply stunning with an overwater observatory and Michelin star dining.
For those wanting to discover life outside the resorts, the capital is a great place to begin. This crowded and chaotic city is crammed with tall skyscrapers and vibrant buildings and is the exact opposite of what you would imagine the Maldives to be. The lively Male’ Fish Market is a must see, a place where each day fisherman haul in their finest catch of the day. They hand them over to muscle men who gut the tuna and slice it into manageable portions to sell to customers. There’s also a fruit and vegetable market where you can buy mangoes, papaya and bananas some grown locally and other fruits that are exported to the capital. This bazaar winds through the streets and extends into Chandaree Magu where a plethora of tourist shops sell coral trinkets and lacquer ornaments. While in Male’ check out the 17th-century coral stone Old Friday Mosque, the 12th-century Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu Miskiiy, the old National Museum building, and the Medhu Ziyaarai (central tomb) – part of the Muleeaage (the official residence of the President) and The National Museum.
There is a rich tapestry of culture to be found in the inhabited islands. Visit places like Thulusdhoo and Meedhoo to see traditional coral cottages and discover local customs like ancient lacquer works. There are so many islands to discover. As you meet the locals, you can find out more about the Maldivian traditional dance and drums known as bodu beru. Sample the local cuisine, and try the local delicacy of Mashuni Roshi, a delicious breakfast of tuna flakes, flavoured with chilli, coconut and lime.
Also discover the uninhabited islands away from the bright lights, the stars light up the night sky while a ‘sea of stars’ visits the shore known as bioluminescence. It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth in my experience.
Be aware that sunbathing on the beach in bikinis is prohibited outside the resorts as locals can be offended, so cover up and no alcohol can be consumed on local islands, except the hotel bar Hulhule’ Island hotel.
There’s also a friendly surf culture in the islands, and the best way to catch the swells is to book a safari boat. There are plenty of surf breaks to discover in these coral islands. Diving is also a major lure for travellers. Discover a range of UNESCO dive spots in Baa Atoll and Ari Atoll where you can explore shipwrecks and snorkel with manta rays, whale sharks and dolphins, as I discovered for myself when travelling independently via safari boat.
The Maldives is the ideal place to take a honeymoon, discover as a family or enjoy as an adventure traveller. Talk to us about your perfect Maldives holiday and let us create something unique just for you.
