Maldives Holidays

Floating in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are the cream of the crop when it comes to beach holidays. The waters are their own brand of blue, the sands are blindingly white, and rows of palm trees stand to attention along the shoreline. What’s more, if you count each island individually, you’ve got almost 2,000 reasons to visit.

Each of the 26 atolls in the Maldives has its own unique selling point. Some of these ring-shaped reefs are known for their aquarium-like diving conditions, while others focus on luxury hotel digs. The North and South Ari Atolls offer easy access to the Maldivian capital, Malé, and the islands in the Ari Atoll have a reputation for their world-class scuba sites. The more northern atolls, like Lhaviyani and Raa, are known as the least-chartered, and the atolls in the south are becoming the focus of cutting-edge hotel designers.

For honeymooners, nothing compares to the Maldives’ just-married credentials. The archipelago’s trademark accommodation is stilted water villas, which come with four-poster beds and infinity views of the sea. The islands’ restaurants, meanwhile, have turned tables for two into an art form.