How to choose the Best Maldivian Resort Island– For YOU

Are you thinking of booking a dream vacation, to the best Maldivian Resort Island? With white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Coral reefs and marine life that will leave you in constant awe. In other words a holiday to paradise?

BUT how do you choose the best Maldivian Resort Island from all the many islands, and which one is the best resort for you? Which Maldivian Island suits your needs? Are you travelling with the family, with young children or with teenagers?

Let’s face it, a holiday to the Maldives costs some money and making the right choice is important. To find the perfect place for your next vacation carry on reading and get to know and understand where the best Maldives resorts are.

In this blog article, you will find some points you should consider and what you really need to check before booking your holiday to the Maldives. Then some of the best luxury resorts with white sandy beaches and blue water may not necessarily be the perfect fit for you.

So, which is the best Maldivian resort island to visit?

Let’s get to know the Maldives a bit better. Before we head straight to the Maldives Resort Islands, there are a few important aspects to know about this country.

Also read Reethi Faru Island – Why we loved it. For a virtual feel head over to our Instagram

And the 10 Unmissbale family activities on The residence Maldives at Dhigurah and Fulidhoo – Vaavu Atoll – One of the Best local Maldivian Island.

The Maldives in a nutshell

Located off the coast of Sri Lanka, this unique destination is perfect for water sports enthusiasts or a romantic beach vacation. But the Maldives is also the ideal holiday destination for active families.

The Republic of Maldives counts 1190 islands scattered over 90’000 square kilometres in 26 atolls.

You may think the Maldives are small but it is actually quite a big place. However, 99% of the Maldives is covered by the Indian Ocean which makes this place so unique.

The Maldivian Islands stretch for about 820 km from north to south and 130 km at its widest point. The highest point is less than 2 metres, above sea level.

A holiday on any of these islands means you will stay in one of the 935 operational tourist facilities (207 are still not operating after the pandemic but are still registered).

This means a room on any of the 162 resorts, or one in the 629 hotels and guesthouses on local islands, Malé main island or the Hulule airport island. And last but not least you could also be on one of the 144 diving safari boats.

In 2022 the Maldives is set to open up a further 12 Resort islands.

Without these NEW resorts, your bed is one of 53’836 tourist beds available. (2022)

The Maldives counts about 200 local islands, where now more and more Maldivians offer tourists the chance of an authentic experience at a more affordable price. This will make the hunt for the best Maldivian Island even more difficult.

Malé the Capital of the Maldives

The centre of the Maldives is Malé, the capital city and seat of government. It is also the centre of all trading, health and education. About 1/3, (150’000) of the Maldivian population lives on this tiny urban island.

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. It is a unique mixture of Arabic, English, Hindi, Sinhalese and Urdu. The religion in the Maldives is 100% Sunni Muslim. This is an important factor to acknowledge when you visit local islands and even stay on some. Appropriate clothing is necessary such as covering the shoulders and no topless sunbathing.

Maldives Atolls

What is an atoll – precisely a Maldivian atoll? These most beautiful ring-like features within the deep blue Indian Ocean are unique and pretty. An atoll is a group of islands with a reef that nearly or entirely encloses a lagoon.

In total, the Maldives has 26 Atolls which are divided into 20 administrative areas.

You may find different names for atolls depending on where the map is. Same with the islands as they have Maldivian names and tourist resort names.

1. Haa Alifu Atoll – (Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi)
2. Haa Dhaalu Atoll – (Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi)
3. Shaviyani Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi)
4. Noonu Atoll – (Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi)
5. Raa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi) Reethi Faru Resort
6. Baa Atoll – (Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi)
7. Lhaviyani Atoll – (Faadhippolhu)
8. Kaafu Atoll – (Malé Atholhu)
9. Alif Alif Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi)
10. Alif Dhaalu Atoll – (Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi)
11. Vaavu Atoll – (Felidhe Atholhu) Fulidhoo Island 
12. Meemu Atoll – (Mulaku Atholhu)
13. Faafu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi)
14. Dhaalu Atoll – (Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi)
15. Thaa Atoll – (Kolhumadulu Atholhu)
16. Laamu Atoll – (Hadhdhummathi Atholhu)
17. Gaafu Alif Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi) The Residence Resort
18. Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll – (Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi)
19. Gnaviyani Atoll – (Foahmulah)
20. Seenu Atoll – (Addu Atholhu)

When is peak season in the Maldives?

November through April is the official peak season in the Maldives. I would take November away. When we lived there, November was always a pretty grey and wet month.

During these peak months, you will experience the Maldives at its best, with flat sea, sunshine and the most beautiful sunsets imaginable.

But these are also the months when prices are rising and a holiday to the Maldives can be very expensive. Despite this most resort islands and safari boats fill quickly, therefore if you are planning on visiting the Maldives for Christmas for example, you need to book well in advance.

You should not dismiss a visit to the Maldives during the low season. Luck may still be on your side with no or little rain. Also, the costs of accommodation from May to October are comparatively lower than in peak season.

Low season also brings great underwater creatures. Manta rays and whale sharks are often spotted during the low-season months.

We stayed during October at The Residence Maldives way down south and had great weather. You just never know.

Maldivian Food

Local island food will be traditional and often involves fish, seafood and vegetables cooked with spices and herbs.

However, during a stay on a Maldivian resort island, most restaurants have daily themed buffets offering local foods but also European options.

But there is always one dish regularly on the buffet, and this is fish. Being a country with more sea than land, it is only normal that fish is served daily.

Most resort islands have different restaurant options for their guests. The main restaurant is normally a buffet, with the additional restaurants offering à la carte service.

If you are visiting Malé the capital or even a local island, try the Maldivian finger food, known locally as Hedhika. Unique to the Maldives are these sweet, savoury and spicy amuse bouches.

Cost of a Holiday to the Maldives

Holidaying in the Maldives can be quite affordable but you can also completely explode the budget.

Since 2009 many of the local islands (where the locals live) offer now guesthouses and Airbnb’s. This has helped to widen up who can afford the Maldives. As before the only way to holidaying in the Maldives was on a rather expensive resort Island.

The choice in finding the best Maldivian Resort Island is really up to you. Whether it is the best luxury Maldive Resort Island or a simple yet beautiful Guesthouse on a local Island. The expensive part of a holiday to the Maldives is actually the trip to get there and the journey to your island.

Check out the Accommodation map in The Maldives below, maybe you find your perfect place on there.

Seaplanes are epic and an unforgettable experience, but they come at a cost. You can always change to a speed boat transport but this may take you forever and on a stormy day, you wish to have upgraded and paid the extra cash.

Accommodation Maldives, you can find anything from Euro 50.- to over Euro 1000.- per night

Flight & Transport prices within The Maldives, if your island is close by the International Airport it will be very likely that your transfer will be by Speedboat. Count anything from Euro 25.- to Euro 500.- for further destinations.

For seaplane, you need to count a minimum of Euro 500.- per adult return flight. The cheapest will be the Ferry crossing from the Airport to Male city at a well affordable Euro 1.- to Euro 5.- per person. But before booking your dream holiday,  don’t forget to check whether you need a visa for the Maldives.

Which Maldivian Island is Best – for You?

Now, that you understand the Republic of Maldives a bit better, let’s focus on which is the best Maldivian Resort Island for you.

Although, this is a question that only you can answer and it can be quite a difficult one to get right. But with the help below you should be able to narrow it down, and after that it is all a matter of instinct and which one appeals the most. Oh, and quite probably the price.

White sandy pristine beaches, palm trees and most of the time crystal clear water is pretty much standard throughout. Most islands nowadays have overwater villas or deluxe beach villas and bungalows. All are normally spacious villas, some even with their own private pool.

But some even go the extra mile, where an entire villa is set away from the main island, with a dedicated captain and boat included. You can choose to go to the main island or stay tucked away from it all on your private villas over the water, where nothing will be missing for sure.

Yes, this is the Maldives. You can pretty much have it all. If you want to go full out, and have the best experience there are even some own private islands to choose from. A special feature more seen on some of the best islands, are luxury hotels with an undersea restaurant.

If you are wondering which are some popular resorts in the Maldives, here are a few names you can check out. I like to see what they offer and keep on dreaming ….

• Soneva Fushi
• Ritz-Carlton Maldives
• Gili Lankanfushi
• Soneva Jani
• 4 Seasons Resort Maldives

Good to know!

• If you do stay on a local island, you will not find any alcoholic drinks nor will your host serve you pork meat. Remember the Maldives is a Muslim country.
• The Maldives have island time. Many islands change the time so it fits nicely with the daily schedule of the guests, it is mostly put one to two hours forward of the official Male time.
• The reason for this is to give you an earlier sunset and sundowner time.
• If you stay in a Maldivian tourist resort island, most showers are outside.
• You can find bats on pretty much any Maldivian island. It is great to observe them flying around collecting fruits even during the day.

Q and A-  choosing the best Maldivian Island

What is better small or bigger Maldivian Island?

From all the 162 resorts Islands you will find some with only 100 beds whilst others have nearly 1000. Some islands can be walked around in minutes, others give you bicycles as to walk it all would be too far.

Which is the best Maldivian Atoll?

This is probably more of a question if you are a scuba diver or a water sports enthusiast. Some say the best dive atoll is the Ari Atoll, but if you visit during the low season, the divers would probably try to find an island more north such as the Baa or Raa atoll. It is there where the big creatures are hanging out, like manta rays or whale sharks.

For windsurfing and surfing enthusiasts maybe the north Male Atoll is the best place.

But, the atoll location is also important to find out how to get to the island. Because some of the best resorts are only a few minute’s speed boat ride away from the Malé International Airport. Others are best reached by a seaplane transfer or even a domestic inland flight.

Are there any adult-only islands in the Maldives?

Yep, you can find islands where our fun young family members are not allowed.

What kind of activities to find on a Maldivian Resort?

If you want to have many activities such as a fitness center, a large water sports centre, and other sports facilities, such as tennis, squash and badminton, you probably need a bigger Maldivian Resort Island.

I would say the last few mentioned sports you can find on many of the islands. Same for sunset cruises and dolphin trips. These activities are pretty standard and some are even included in an inclusive package.

Mostly all Italian islands (meaning where a large % of the island’s guests are coming from an Italian tour operator) you will find plenty of animation and organised activities throughout the day.

If this is not what you want, make sure the island you are booking is not an Italian island. I love Italy, but I dislike all their animation from early morning to late in the evening.

Are there kids’ clubs on Maldivian Resort Islands?

There are a few large tour operators like ClubMed which have their hub on different Maldivian islands. And it is here where you will find all the extras you would hope for when booking a club holiday including a kids club.

Other resorts for example The Residence Maldives, have their Kids club, and our kids loved it. It was their meeting point with their new friends.

How to travel between Maldivian islands

Most resorts will organise the travel to and from the airport for you, and it is mostly included in your package. There is however the possibility to organise your transfer by yourself. Especially if you are staying on a local island. In the following blog post, you can find out how best to travel between Maldivian islands

Maldivian House Reef for Snorkeling

I guess everyone who visits the Maldives will go snorkeling at least once. If this is a main activity for you, make sure that the island you are choosing has a good house reef with direct access to it.

In other words, one you can access without a boat.

There are some islands where the house reefs are too far away from the beach as the sandy lagoon is simply too large. On these islands, they offer boat trips at given times to snorkel points.

We like the freedom and just go whenever we want and not be restricted to a time.

Also, read some forums and ask questions about which islands have great house reefs to snorkel at. I am normally not a forum seeker, but we found them a great help in how to choose your best Maldivian Resort Island. 

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So, I hope we can help you to find the Best Maldivian Resort Island that works for you and that your holiday to the Maldives will soon happen.

If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience, so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well

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