Where is the Maldives, and is the long journey worth it?
If you're active on Instagram, you've likely seen surreal-looking photos capturing the swirling electric blues of the Maldives and its famous overwater villas. You might know someone who's ventured there on their honeymoon. But what may not be as crystal clear as those Maldivian waters is exactly where the Maldives are located.
Mystery solved: The spectacularly beautiful island nation officially called the Republic of Maldives is part of South Asia and is in the Indian Ocean. It's nearly 450 miles southwest of the tip of mainland India and is the smallest country in all of Asia. Although it's made up of more than 1,100 individual coral islands, only a fraction of them are inhabited. Each of its 26 atolls comprises multiple isles and lagoons. The Maldives is the world's lowest and flattest country, with its highest point less than 8 feet above sea level.
Before you plan a trip to the Maldives, get the 411 on this spectacularly beautiful country, including how to get there, the best time to visit and the latest resort news.
How to get to the Maldives
To reach this island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, you must hop on at least a few flights. From most major U.S. cities, it takes about 24 hours to reach Male's Velana International Airport (MLE), so flying business class is an excellent and advisable use of saved-up points and miles.
From Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco on the West Coast and Atlanta, Boston and New York on the East Coast, there are one-stop options with Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines, with slightly longer layovers on Qatar Airways.
Remember that many resorts are also a short plane or speedboat ride away from Male, so be sure to factor in that time, too.
The best time to visit the Maldives
Travelers can expect heat year-round, as the Maldives is an equatorial country just a few degrees into the Northern Hemisphere. That said, every month isn't the same. Weather-wise, the best time to visit the Maldives is during its dry season, which stretches from November to April. High temperatures are in the mid-80s on average (with the ocean almost the same temperature), with less humidity and wind. Peak water clarity and visibility tend to be around March (though it's pretty exceptional year-round). So, if you dive and snorkel, late in the dry season will be your sweet spot.
There are still benefits to traveling during the monsoon or rainy season, which is from May to October. Between July and October, manta rays congregate in Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll. Whale sharks can also gather there to feast on plankton during this time. Surfers should look at February to November for the biggest swells. Beyond that, there may be a decent volume of rain, but it tends to come in bursts and not last all day. Additionally, there are fewer tourists and lower rates during this time of year.
The basics to know before traveling
The official language in the Maldives is Dhivehi or Maldivian, a cousin to Sri Lanka's Sinhala language. That said, English is widely and well spoken at all resorts and in touristed areas, so you can expect to communicate easily with Maldivian people.
The local currency is rufiyaa: 100 rufiyaa currently equals $6.50. At resorts, menu and excursion prices are typically listed in dollars, so there's no fancy math needed. All nationalities receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, free of charge.
A few other helpful tidbits: Maldives is a malaria-free destination. It's predominantly Muslim, which you may not even notice when ensconced in a luxury private island resort. Because of the religion, however, public nudity is strictly prohibited, and visitors should avoid topless sunbathing out of respect.
Also worth noting is that while alcohol is banned for locals, hotels are an exception, and liquor is legally available for purchase and consumption at all the archipelago's resorts.
The resorts in the Maldives are as epic and gorgeous as they appear on social media
It's safe to expect your arrival — by small airplane or speedboat — at a resort in the Maldives to feel like stepping into a postcard. The colors are that vivid, the seascapes that stunning, the welcome that warm. While there's a lot to do, one of the reasons why people go to the Maldives is to dive into the experience of a sublime, supremely luxurious hotel where you'll feel like a VIP.
There seem to be endless resorts already dotting the powdered sugar islands, including favorites such as Joali Maldives, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Soneva Jani, Six Senses Kanuhura and InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. There are also some very exciting properties on the horizon.
Hyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives on the North Male Atoll is expected to open in 2027, with 130 all-pool villas that include treetop designs. The same timing is projected for Rosewood Ranfaru Resort in the South Male Atoll, which will have about 120 villas from one to five bedrooms, some on their own private islands. Baccarat Hotels & Residences Maldives is also slated to open in 2027 in the South Male Atoll, with more than 50 hotel villas and 53 private residences for sale.
While the recently announced Aman Maldives' opening is still a question mark (likely 2027), IHG's Noku Maldives, part of the Vignette Collection, is bookable far sooner. This resort is slated to open this December with 30 overwater villas and 20 beach villas.
Bottom line: Is it worth the journey?
There's no way around it. Getting to the Maldives is a haul — a long haul. But if radiant sun, white sand, the bluest and cleanest saltwater you can imagine, swaying palms, magnificent megafauna, biodiverse coral reefs, snorkels and sandals, beach cruisers, lots and lots of fresh lobster and tuna, tropical libations and decadent resorts with generous service are your vibe, then yes, the trip is well worth it.
Related reading:
- We tested 5 viral travel products on a long-haul economy flight — were they worth the hype?
- 25 best all-inclusive resorts in the world
- 10 surprising winter sun vacation destinations you may not have thought of
- 8 best all-inclusive resorts and packages in Bora Bora
- Where celebrities travel: 11 under-the-radar or perennially hot places to visit
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.