Which Part of the Maldives Is Right for You?

The Maldives -- officially the Republic of Maldives -- is an archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean made up of more than 1,000 islands. Of the islands in the archipelago, only about 200 are inhabited, while nearly 1,200 are not. The Maldives islands are known for their white sand beaches, crystal-clear emerald waters, bioluminescent plankton, and ultra-diverse marine life.

Many of the nation’s inhabited islands are home to luxurious resorts, many of which are all-inclusive, and offer a range of accommodations and pampering that can make a long trip involving a sea plane and a speedboat seem well worth it. It’s typically one resort per island, with different islands featuring different vibes. Whether you’re looking for a romantic, adults-only experience, or a memorable family vacation spot, here are some of the best resorts in Maldives that might be right for you.

Best for Couples

The easy luxury and unparalleled natural beauty of the Maldives make it a popular destination for honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries. For romance, you want an intimate, private setting, so you might choose Kandolhu Maldives, a tiny resort in the North Ari Atoll, featuring just 30 villas that look over the ocean and feature beach access. The interior of the island is lush and tropical, and there are beautiful reefs and soft white sands.

Maafushivaru Maldives, which is just 350 meters (about 1100 feet) long, also offers an intimate, romantic setting with beach and overwater dining and private boat excursions to a nearby uninhabited island, Lonubo. For the ultimate in luxurious privacy, one couple at a time can book a night in the Lunobo Beach Villa. Enjoy having your own private tropical island for the night!

Best for Activities

There are some Maldives islands that are perfect for lying on the beach, sipping cocktails, and getting massages, but if you’re looking for a more active island vacation, choose an island like Reethi Faru, where guests can go sailing in a catamaran or enjoy kite surfing or flyboarding. You can take diving lessons and get a close look at turtles and other local marine life, like reef sharks and manta rays. The resort also offers more prosaic activities, like badminton, yoga, tennis, and volleyball.

Best for Families

If you’re traveling to the Maldives with children, it’s best to make sure the island you want to travel to allows children before you book. Some islands are adults-only, and some only allow kids over a certain age to stay. However, Niyama Private Islands welcomes kids of all ages, with accommodations that cater to families. The resort encompasses two islands, which are connected by a bridge, and offer a range of family-friendly options for dining and play. You can snorkel right off the island, kids will love cooking their own meals on hot rocks at the resort’s outdoor restaurant, Tribal, or playing in Subsix, a clubhouse located six meters below the ocean’s surface.

Best for Viewing Marine Life

If you really want to see a level of biodiversity available nowhere else on Earth, the best choice is the small Milaidhoo Island Maldives, located in an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll. The coral reef surrounding the island is home to a stunning variety of marine life, and the island itself is the picture of tropical perfection. The resort boasts 50 private villas, each with its own beachfront pool and ocean views.

If you’re interested in a more relaxed, and cheaper, vibe, Biyadhoo in the South Male Atoll offers a relatively budget-friendly experience that includes access to stunning marine life. The island is home to a world-class dive school, and you can snorkel with sharks and turtles on the house reef here. Guitar sharks and white-tip sharks are sometimes seen here, and you can watch cleaner fish attend to manta rays at Manta Point.

Best for Singles

You don’t need to wait for your honeymoon to enjoy the Maldives -- it’s the perfect getaway for a girl’s or guy’s trip, too. Singles will enjoy The Standard’s first Maldives resort, located on Huruvalhi Island in Raa Atoll. The resort offers an overwater nightclub, nighttime beach bonfires, and a glass-bottomed nightclub. Watersports and snorkeling are available, as well as spa services.

With the longest stretch of white-sand beach in the Maldives, Finolhu is another great destination for singles. It’s bursting with character, from its beach bubble tents to its thatched villas, nightly entertainment in the form of acrobats and stilt walkers, beachside cinema, and 30-minute boat rides to the nearby Amilla Fushi Resort.

The Maldives offer a range of resorts, many with access to stunning reefs and breathtaking deserted islands. Book your Maldives holiday today, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime in one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings.