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The Maldives - Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to visit the Maldives? You’ve come to the right place!

Here at Holidaysplease, we’ve been selling trips to the Indian Ocean since 2002 and we’re just as in love with this destination today as we were over 20 years ago… So, if you’ve got questions, why not ask us?

Below are some commonly-asked questions to help you find the perfect tropical island for your Maldives getaway.

Travelling Tips

Best value airline for Business Class to the Maldives?
Qatar Airways – Our customers love the service and comfort too!

Which UK airports offer direct Maldives flights?
Currently, London Heathrow is the only UK airport that offers direct flights, with a duration of roughly 10 hours. Indirect flights from Birmingham to the Maldives take around 13hrs when travelling via. Dubai with a 2hr connection time. If indirect travel is a bug bear of yours, why not stop off in Dubai for a glamorous escape along the way?

When do we tip and how much?
Many tourists tip at the end of their holiday and the average amount is $50

Top tip for arrival?
Have a swimsuit and some beach clothes in your carry-on as your suitcases may be on the next seaplane. Travel sickness tablets are brilliant for speedboat transfers.

Are there many mosquitos?
Many resorts fog the islands to help keep the population down but mosquitos on a tropical island are inevitable. We recommend anti-histamines, bug spray and plenty of bite relief cream, just in case. We’ve heard brilliant things about ‘Avon’s Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray’ for keeping the bugs away!

Top gadgets for visiting?
A kindle, sun lounger towel pegs, mesh beach bags (to avoid bringing sand back to your room), and a washing line for your wet swimsuits.

Is the Maldives welcoming to LGBT travelers?
Although the Maldives falls under Sharia Law, most LGBT couples who have visited the larger resorts have felt welcomed and catered to. That being said, many emphasized that they kept public displays of affection to a modest level and wouldn’t risk small, individual islands.

Speedboat or Seaplane?
Many resorts may only offer one of these, depending on accessibility with some resorts needing a domestic flight & speedboat combination. Seaplanes only operate between 6am and 3:30pm so if you’re arriving outside of these times, you may need to opt for a speedboat transfer or spend the night in Malé. The view from a seaplane is spectacular but travelling by speedboat has its own charms – If you get seasick, maybe take the plane!

The Maldives as a Destination…

When’s best to visit, weather-wise?

Sunbathers will want to visit the Maldives between the months of December & April, where you’ll see the most sun with infrequent rainfall. However, with this dry season comes less visible marine life and peak-prices so divers and budget-conscious travellers may want to avoid these months.

Will Ramadan coinciding with our visit to the Maldives affect us?

Many tourists report little to no difference, with no restrictions when travelling to the Maldives during Ramadan.

Which species of sea life live in the Maldives?

Lucky snorkellers and divers have the opportunity to see manta rays, whale sharks, starfish, octopi, crabs & lobsters, white & black-tip reef sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks and many more! Fun Fact - The Maldives is home to 14 species of sharks and 23 species of cetaceans (dolphins, whales & porpoises)!

Can I cruise around the Maldives?
If you’re looking for a small boat adventure filled with unique experiences (but perhaps willing to compromise on luxury), G Adventures offer a fantastic cruise aboard a traditional dhoni boat. For more traditional cruising methods, Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania have itineraries combining the Maldives with African and Far Eastern destinations.

Can you get married in the Maldives?

You can have a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Maldives coupled with a romantic suite, villa or water bungalow to begin your married life… But the ceremony won’t be legal. You’ll have to officially register your marriage before or after travel.

How big are the islands?

The Maldives archipelago is made up of 1,190 islands, each averaging at just 1-2km-squared in size. Often entirely surrounded by sand, you shouldn’t find any shortages of sunbathing spots!

Common Hotel Queries…

Our recommendations for 5-star hotels with a house reef?
Lily Beach Resort & SpaKandolhuConstance HalaveliOZEN Life Maadhoo and Milaidhoo Island Maldives.

Our favourites for Beach Villas?
OZEN Life MaadhooKandolhuSoneva JaniHeritance AarahFushifaruPullman Maamuta and Constance Halaveli.

Where can I find picture-perfect water villas?

Here are some of the water villas we’re head-over-heels for; The Six Senses Laamu for its glass-bottom bathtub, the LUX* South Ari Atoll for its hanging nest sun loungers, the Soneva Jani for its private waterslides and the Niyama for having an entire, private pier of water villas hosting up to 14 adults & 8 children! If you’re looking for a glass floor with relaxing views of water lapping against the stilts of your villa below, take a look at the stunning Lily Beach Resort & Spa.

Is all-inclusive board worthwhile?
Yes – Once you’re on an island, you’re limited as to where you can buy from, so the resorts can charge more! We recommend having everything included for your enjoyment and peace of mind. Find all-inclusive holidays to the Maldives HERE!

I love a spa, where can I find the best ones?

The Anantara Dhigu has a private overwater platform – The perfect place for a massage, whilst the Ayada is home to an elegant spa designed in the style of a traditional Turkish bathhouse, with a tranquil open-air courtyard. For glass-bottom massage rooms, take a look at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – A resort famous for its underwater villa!

Which islands have short transfer times?
Bandos Maldives (15 mins), Kurumba (10 mins), Centara Ras Fushi (20 mins), Paradise Island Resort (15 mins), Adaaran Prestige Vadoo (15 mins), Hard Rock Maldives (20 mins), Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru (20 minutes), and more depending on how far you’re willing to go.

Which resorts are great for snorkeling?

If you’re looking for marine life, you are better off on an island with a house reef. Here are some hotels with snorkeling opportunities right on your doorstep; Anantara Kihavah MaldivesAngsana IhuruBandos MaldivesBanyan Tree VabbinfaruCoco Bodu HithiDusit Thani MaldivesFilitheyo MaldivesKandolhuLily Beach Resort & Spa, plus many more – Allow us to find your perfect match!

Maldives hotels for lower budgets…
OBLU Experience AilafushiAdaaran Club RannalhiAdaaran Select Hudhuran FushiOBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli and the Sun Island Resort & Spa are all on the lower-end of the pricing spectrum. Many of our customers love the Adaaran Select Meedhupparu which may be slightly more expensive but the value is definitely worthwhile.

Where can I swim with whale sharks?
Our top resort recommendations for whale sharks include; the LUX* South Ari AtollSun Island Resort & Spa and the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa – You may be advised to take a boat trip into deep waters so check with your agent if the experience is payable locally.

Where’s best for swimming with manta rays?

The Dusit ThaniAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and Amilla Fushi have all been recommended for manta ray sightings.

Where can I stay that’s adults-only?

The Hurawalhi Island ResortVeliganduKomandooBarosAnantara VeliMilaidhooYou & Me by Cocoon and the Adaaran Prestige Water Villas are all great hotels for adults-only options.

What water activities are commonly available in the resorts?

Snorkelling and PADI-certified scuba diving tend to be offered at the larger resorts but depending on your packages, charges may apply. As for other activities, kayaking, banana boats, windsurfing, jet-skis and even catamaran sailing can be found – Ask our team if there’s a specific activity you’re interested in.

What are the restaurants like and what can I expect?

We recommend all-inclusive for keeping costs down, as your isolated location leads to resorts charging higher prices for á la carte options and beverages. Most resorts will have a buffet option available at breakfast, lunch and dinner, alongside 1-3 specialist restaurants which often include beach grills, Japanese, and Italian/Mediterranean. If you’re looking for variety, you won’t get any better than the Siyam World Maldives resort, offering an incredible 8 restaurants & 6 bars!

Where are the best resorts for weddings & vow renewals?

The AyadaCentara Grand Island Resort & SpaFushifaruYou & Me by CocoonSheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & SpaLUX* South Ari AtollCinnamon Hakuraa Huraa MaldivesKomandoo and the Bandos Maldives resorts all offer beautiful ceremonies for your special day. Talk to our agents if there’s something in particular you’re looking for, we’d be happy to help.

Our most romantic room picks?

Take a look at the Six Senses Laamu’s Ocean Water Villa, the Conrad Maldives’ Muraka underwater residence, the Treetop Pool Villa at Amilla and Beach Pool Villas at the Pullman Maamuta for inspiration!

Which hotels are best for a relaxed and informal atmosphere?

The Biyadhoo Island ResortVeligandu Island Resort & SpaKuredu Island Resort & Spa and Meeru Island Resort & SpaSun Siyam OlhuveliBandos and the Adaaran Select Meedhupparu all have casual “vibes”, but the Maldives in general is pretty relaxed so you’ll have no problem finding a laid-back resort.

Which hotels are good for families?

If you have a range of ages travelling with you, the Kurumba and Meeru Island Resort are great choices as they offer both kids' and teens' clubs. We also recommend the Siyam World, Kuramathi, Hard Rock Maldives, the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and many more. If you have a specific set of requirements, let us know and we'll search the market for your perfect match.

Are you looking to visit the Maldives? Place an enquiry or start a Live Chat today and allow us to find you some options!

The Maldives - Frequently Asked Questions

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