Islands vary in size, from the very small uninhabited islands which can disappear when a reef’s current changes, to the bigger ones such as Male at 1.7 square kilometres. In the end, deciding which to pick really depends upon your budget. If you want exclusivity, opt for one of the 100 or so resort islands; however, if you’re working on a tighter budget then there are guesthouses on Male and some of the inhabited islands. Take into consideration, however, that while you may be able to bag a bargain on your flights and accommodation, you still need to set a fairly high budget for your food and drink. It isn’t easy to travel between the islands, so choose carefully when picking your home away from home. 

Male
All international flights land in Hulhule, the airport island that is part of Male, the capital; visitors then take a connecting seaplane flight or speedboat from here to their chosen resort. In a country of around 275,000 people, the capital is home to two-thirds of the population, and the busy streets of Male are a world away from the serenity of the other islands. While Male is the largest of the islands, there is not much to see or do, although there are several hotels available if you land at night (seaplanes only fly during daylight hours). From the airport island, you can take a 10-minute boat ride to get to the main island of Male. If you do have a few hours spare, there is a traditional market on the northern side of the island selling local produce and souvenirs, and the Friday mosque is an interesting example of coral architecture.

The atolls
From Male you head north or south to one of the 26 atolls that make up the Maldives. Each individual atoll comprises a coral reef that surrounds a lagoon and is divided by deep channels. Within the atoll sphere resides a series of islands, each with its own animated coral reef where all manner of marine life have made their home. Each resort is a world in itself with activities and restaurants to keep you entertained. Depending on where you are staying, you may be able to enjoy excursions to some of the inhabited islands for cultural tours.

Watersports
As 99% of the Maldives is made up of ocean it’s not surprising that a large amount of time is spent in the water. In addition to the obvious snorkelling and diving, many resorts offer stand up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and waterskiing. All resorts have professional diving schools, with the option of house reef dives – so close to the shore that they can be explored by beginners as well as experts – or boat dives, which go into deeper waters for wreck dives. The Maldives’ stunning coral reefs in shallow waters are just as fun to explore by snorkel though. Other trips include night dives, and snorkelling safaris with underwater cameras. 

Well-being
Thanks to its serene natural surroundings, the Maldives is the perfect location for total relaxation. You will notice that most resorts have “& Spa” attached to their title and with good reason; taking time out to enjoy a relaxing treatment is a must, even when you’re already in paradise.