Maldives HOLIDAYS

Warm all year round, the Maldives delivers on the postcard promise: white sand, turquoise lagoons and a setting made for slowing down. Romantic, restful and quietly restorative, it's a destination that rarely disappoints.

A trip here means serene beaches, swaying palms and coral reefs full of colour. Head to the middle of the Indian Ocean, where a towel on the right stretch of sand and impossibly clear water is all you need.

Known around the world for its diving, the Maldives is a draw for scuba divers, snorkellers and anyone who loves the ocean. Clear lagoons and rich marine life make for an underwater experience that's hard to match, from colourful fish to sea turtles.

For a real chance to unwind, the spas scattered across the islands are set against some beautiful backdrops.

The Maldives can outdo even the most vivid daydream: powdery sand, coconut palms and coral reefs that look almost too perfect. It's a country made for your next unforgettable trip.

Overwater bungalows and postcard beaches are usually the first things that come to mind, but the Maldives has more range than most people expect, which makes it a great fit for almost any kind of traveller.

Experience Island Life

The Maldives isn't only about beaches and open water. There's local culture here too. Visit a local island such as Huraa, Maafushi or Himmafushi for a look at everyday Maldivian life. On Huraa, guesthouses run evening fishing trips with local fishermen, and some will cook your catch. Pack modest clothing: on local islands, shoulders and knees should be covered.

Banana Reef

Located in North Malé Atoll, Banana Reef is a classic Maldives dive site. True to its name, the reef is a long, curved, banana-shaped formation, with overhangs and a scattering of caves worth exploring. Currents vary with the season, so ask your dive guide before you go in.

Scuba Diving

As one of the world's best-known diving destinations, the Maldives offers unforgettable underwater encounters. Depending on the site and the season, expect rays, whale sharks, reef sharks and sea turtles along the way.

Surfing in the Maldives

The Maldives has built a reputation as a reef-surfing destination, with breaks that draw surfers from well beyond the region. The Malé atolls get their most consistent swell from March to October. There are challenging breaks for experienced surfers and gentler waves for beginners, and some resorts offer lessons. Check availability directly with your hotel.

Water flying

For something fun and a little different, try water flying (flyboarding). The board is connected by a hose to a jet ski, and the water jets out beneath it to lift you above the surface. Staying upright is harder than it looks, but the attempts, and the laughs along the way, make it a great way to spend an afternoon.

Stunning beaches, understated luxury and a vibrant underwater world make the Maldives worth every moment spent here. This island nation is a natural wonder through and through. In recent years, many once-quiet inhabited islands have become far more visitor-friendly, thanks to a growing number of guesthouses.

Maldivian (Dhivehi) cuisine draws on influences from neighbouring Sri Lanka and India. Built largely around seafood, especially tuna, it leans heavily on coconut, which turns up in many dishes across the islands.

Swimsuits and flip-flops are the obvious call for a Maldives trip, but a few extras will make the whole experience smoother, whatever you've got planned once you're there.

Entry requirements vary by nationality, so check the latest rules well ahead of your trip, including any online forms required before arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least one month after your arrival date. Confirm all conditions before you book.

The Maldives lies in the Indian Ocean, south-west of India, and is made up of about 1,190 islands grouped into 26 atolls, fewer than 200 of them inhabited. Each atoll is home to vibrant lagoons, colourful reefs and beautiful beaches. Coral reefs ring the atolls, forming the natural basins that make this destination so distinctive. Coconut palms grow on every island.

This is a destination built for relaxation, first and foremost. Some travellers like to add a dose of adventure through water sports, but a Maldives holiday remains a top choice for anyone looking to unwind under the tropical sun. Most hotels come with their own spas, whether nestled in nature or perched on stilts above an emerald lagoon, offering treatments, massages, steam rooms and natural beauty products geared toward wellbeing.

Couples in search of romance, particularly honeymooners, tend to gravitate toward the Maldives, drawn by the complete disconnection and quiet it offers.

For something more indulgent, a stay on COMO Cocoa Island is hard to top. This intimate spot in South Malé Atoll has 33 overwater suites and villas, a stunning lagoon and easy access to both the spa and the beach.

Explore the Maldives, a scattering of turquoise, white and green gems set in the heart of the Indian Ocean. With its lagoons, crystal-clear water and fine sand, your Maldives trip promises something out of the ordinary. Combine your stay with another destination to round out the journey, and let our specialists help tailor the trip to what you're after.

The Maldives spans a wide range of options, from luxury hotels to multi-activity resorts, catamaran cruises and island-hopping combinations. Whether relaxation or adventure is the goal, we're confident we can find a Maldives package that goes beyond what you expected.

For the more active among us, water sports like surfing, jet-skiing and kayaking are all readily available. The Maldives is postcard-perfect, in every shade of blue imaginable.

Today, well over 100 resorts give travellers access to this stretch of ocean, and accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to elite resorts. Whether you're after romance, a family-friendly setting or a serious snorkelling trip, there's a Maldives package built around it, many with all-inclusive options, so meals and drinks are one less thing to plan.

Planning a honeymoon? We've put together a selection of Maldives hotels geared specifically toward newlyweds, with intimate villas and suites offering direct beach access. Many feature saunas, pools and hammams, ideal for a romantic stay. Quintrip's Maldives honeymoon packages come with personal service and a few extra touches to make the trip memorable.

The Maldives makes an idyllic setting for a relaxed beach holiday, so book your flight and set off on a dream trip through the Indian Ocean. Fine sand, turquoise lagoons and reefs full of life: this really is a beach lover's paradise.

Heading to Malé? Small as it is, the capital has plenty going on, and it's worth exploring to get a feel for local Maldivian culture. Visit the fish market, where fishing boats unload the day's catch, and don't skip Muleeage, the presidential palace, or the National Museum in Sultan Park, home to royal thrones, artefacts and a marine collection.

The Maldives is one of the world's best-known diving destinations, with colourful reefs, a wide range of fish species and encounters with marine life like barracuda, manta rays and turtles. Hammerhead sharks are a rare sighting, usually around atolls such as Rasdhoo.

Popular dive sites include Fushifaru Thila, Banana Reef and Gangehi Kandu (for advanced divers), each offering its own kind of underwater adventure.

For anyone serious about water sports, the Maldives offers diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding, surfing and fishing.

Colourful coral reefs and clear water make the Maldives a rewarding place to dive or snorkel. The lagoons put on a fine show for snorkellers too.

Families are well catered for, with a wide range of activities across age groups, including kids' and teens' clubs at many hotels. It's a memorable trip for every member of the group.