Maldives
Maldives
White sand and hot sun in South Asia.
It would be a lie to say that the Maldives is a breeze to get to from the U.S.; it’s definitely a journey. But once you arrive to the Indian Ocean’s most precious commodity—a cluster of over 1,000 different yet equally gorgeous islands—you realize it was worth every hour of the trip. The biggest decision to make while planning your trip is which island to kick up your feet on (most islands house only one hotel and nearly all require a separate seaplane transfer from the main airport), making privacy unparalleled to other islands in the world. The sparkling turquoise waters and pristine beaches are about as Instagrammable as they come. Our best pieces of advice? Stay for as long as humanly possible (trust us, you won’t ever want to leave)—and make time to check out more than one island.
Did You Know?
| The Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed countries. Consisting of 1,192 coral islands (about 200 inhabited) and spanning roughly 35,000 square miles, Maldives is the smallest Asian country by both land area and population. |
Explore
DeepFlight Submarine
You can go the scuba diving route, but if you prefer not to get wet at all, you can skim past sharks, turtles and rays from inside your own submarine. Embarking right from the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, hop inside DeepFlight Adventures’ three-person Super Falcon 3S for an hour-long exploration of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| "The biggest decision to make while planning your trip is which island to kick up your feet on, making privacy unparalleled to other islands in the world." |
Underwater Massage
Continue your connection with the ocean at Huvafen Fushi resort, where you can get all your kinks out at the world’s first underwater spa. The Underwater Spa Embrace treatment includes a couples’ massage, an underwater viewing appointment and a bottle of bubbly. |
Stay
Indulge
The Whale Bar
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli’s expansive deck overlooks the ocean, and is aptly named after the design of the entrance that resembles the opening of a whale’s mouth. The island is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, and it’s the perfect place to sip a cocktail as you watch the sun sink into the ocean.
Itha
Dine beneath the bellows of the sea at Ithaa, an all-glass 14-seat underwater restaurant offering sustainably caught fare with panoramic views. The restaurant is exclusive for guests of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel, but even if you do plan to stay there, make sure you book the restaurant reservation well in advance as well—it’s a hot ticket.
EXPLORE: @OceanTravelAsia, @Huvafen Fushi
STAY: @Fairmont Maldives, @One&Only Reethi Rah
INDULGE: @St. Regis Maldives, @Conrad Maldives
