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Asia

MaldivesMaldives

Atoll islands, overwater villas and some of the clearest reef diving in the world.

The vibe

BeachyScenicRomanticFamily-friendlyAction-packed

Derived from Maldives’s strongest Destination DNA attributes.

Where is Maldives?

Map showing the location of Maldives, MaldivesMaldives, Maldives is in Asia. The marker shows its approximate position.
Simplified location map: Maldives, Maldives, Asia.

The Maldives is a chain of low-lying atolls in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India.

At a glance

Country
Maldives
Region
Asia
City size
Medium

Why you might like Maldives

  • Island
  • Diving
  • Romantic
  • Beach
  • Warm & sunny
  • Surfing

The Maldives is a chain of low coral atolls where most resorts occupy their own island, reached by speedboat or seaplane. Reefs start metres from the beach, with manta and whale-shark sites in season; guesthouses on local islands make it far less expensive than the resort image suggests.

Maldives in facts

Country
Maldives
Region
Asia
City size
Medium · ~520,000 residents

Island resident population · UN World Urbanization Prospects and national statistics offices, 2024

English proficiency
Not available

This country is not covered by the index edition used here.

Why Maldives stands out

  1. The Maldives is made up of roughly 1,200 coral islands grouped into atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean.

  2. Many resorts occupy a single private island, each reached from the capital Male by seaplane or speedboat.

  3. The country has one of the lowest average elevations of any nation, making it especially exposed to sea-level rise.

  4. Overwater bungalows built on stilts above lagoons are a signature feature of Maldivian resort design.

Good to know

  • Most travel involves a domestic transfer, by seaplane or boat, from Male's international airport to the resort island.
  • The dry season from roughly December to April is generally considered the best time to visit.
  • Alcohol is generally restricted to resort islands rather than sold on inhabited local islands.

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