Dive Into the

Maldives: An Expert’s Guide 

F1S: When is the best time to visit the Maldives?  

The high season is typically from December through June—but there’s really not a low season, so they can accommodate you at any time throughout the year. That’s been especially true lately because the Maldives re-opened very early during the pandemic and we’ve seen consistent interest in visiting.

On this trip, my husband and I spent 28 days there in November. The weather was amazing—we had three days of showers. Usually, it’s very hot in June, July, and August, with the rainy season spanning from August to October, but that also depends. Since the country is so vast, it can be raining on the northern islands and not in the south or vice versa. So all in all, I would say that no matter what time of year you want to visit, we can help you figure out the best itinerary.

F1S: What is the travel experience like?

We flew into Malé, which is the capital and where the main airport, Velana International Airport, is located. We went on Qatar Airways and connected in Doha, Qatar, though other popular connections are through Dubai on Emirates or through Singapore. 

It’s not necessary to spend the night in Malé. And though the airport is easy to navigate, it can be a bit overwhelming if it’s crowded. That’s why booking through a company like F1S is a good idea: Our partners on the ground will always have signage with your name and help you transfer to the boat or seaplane that will take you to your resort.

Of all the islands in the Maldives, about 200 or so are habitable. Some are further from Malé than others, so depending on where you’re headed you’ll either take a boat or seaplane, which can be a commercial or private plane or hotel boat. If you’re transferring via plane, I’d say on average expect anywhere from a 20-minute to an hour flight.

But no matter how long your transfer is, the views—especially if you’re flying—are just amazing. It’s remarkable to see the islands from the sky. It’s like a painting, with dollops of blue and turquoise. The water is truly indescribable.

F1S: We always see photos of those gorgeous over-water bungalows. Are these a must when visiting the Maldives? What other types of unique rooms are available?

You’ll find that every resort offers different types of accommodations, whether it’s garden, beachfront, or overwater. They’re primarily all freestanding villas, so they’re not connected or part of a main building.

For example, at Soneva Jani we stayed in an over-water villa. It was immense, with a retractable roof, an outdoor bathtub, outdoor shower, private pool, and rooftop patio. It was very, very expansive—and just incredible. Most of the villas even have their own private water slide into the ocean, which the resort is famous for.  

On the other hand, at Soneva Fushi, we stayed in a two-level garden villa, which has a path leading to the beach. We couldn’t see the water, but we felt like we were in the jungle, so it offered a totally different vibe. It was much more rustic and we loved the natural elements and sustainable materials incorporated throughout. And though we didn’t stay at JOALI Maldives, their beach villas, which have their own private pools—some even have two pools!—look just stunning.

Cheval Blanc Randheli is also amazing. In terms of high-end luxury, it truly exceeded my expectations. The villas, which include over-water options, are just gorgeous: Very modern and contemporary, with beautiful furniture, big bathtubs, high ceilings, and amazing views. And in general, the food was phenomenal, the spa was beautiful, and the service was top-notch—it really stood out in my mind as the crème de la crème in terms of service. They listen intently, so if you say, ‘oh I’d love to take a bath tonight’, you can expect to have a full bath drawn with rose petals and candles lit when you return to your room. The attention to detail is unsurpassed.

So overall, I’d say there are benefits to both staying over-water and staying on land. But if I had to choose, since the water in the Maldives is so spectacular and you’re traveling all that way, you want to experience the over-water stay.

F1S: Is the Maldives family-friendly?

There are definitely programs that cater to kids. Cheval Blanc’s children’s area is amazing and offers amenities for babies up through teens, including a trampoline, climbing wall, and shallow pool. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives also has a great kids club, as does the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Patina Maldives. Patina has different areas for different age groups and what stuck out to me was one of the rooms had a 3-D printer and other cool features that any teen would be game to hang out and play with.  

The other thing to remember when considering going with little ones is that it’s a long-haul flight, at least from the States, so you want to make sure the kids are ready to fly that distance. Also keep in mind that there aren’t any cars on these islands, so you’re primarily getting around by bike or golf cart. So you have to consider that if you’re going with a baby, you’ll be using golf carts and pushing a stroller more often than perhaps in other settings. That being said, though, it’s all kid-dependent and these luxury resorts are incredible when it comes to service. Everyone was more than accommodating and just so helpful to the families we saw.

F1S: What is the local cuisine like? Any standout dishes we should definitely try?

We found the food to be amazing. A lot is grown organically in the resorts’ gardens and of course, there is an array of locally caught fish. Some food is also imported, like really high-end beef from Australia. There are Indian influences, too. And you’ll find all the resorts offer vegan and vegetarian options as well. It’s all very fresh and super tasty—I didn’t have a bad meal.

At the two COMO resorts in the Maldives—Cocoa Island and Maalifushi—they really focus on a very clean, healthy way of eating. At Cocoa Island, they have a seeded avocado toast, which they make in-house and it was incredible. I was really obsessed—so much so that the head chef gave me a container to take home, which I thought was so sweet.

At the Waldorf, for example, there are 11 restaurants on site. So for those that really want a great, varied gastronomic experience, they’ll be happy there. They have a Chinese restaurant that specializes in Peking duck. The Soneva properties have a dedicated chocolate room as well as a gelato room, and you can enjoy unlimited amounts daily. All of this to say that there are a variety of cuisines offered at all the resorts—and at many, you can opt to do full or half board meal plans, where some or all of your meals are included in the rate. 

Also, people often ask about alcohol since it’s a predominantly Muslim country, where most of the Maldivians themselves don’t drink. But you can find alcohol at all of the resorts. Cheval Blanc has one of the most incredible wine collections I’ve ever seen. And in general, their dining was bar-none and super elegant.

F1S: It all sounds so amazing! Anything else we should know?

When it comes to the Maldives, I can say comfortably that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a smaller, more rustic resort, something remote, or extreme luxury, you can find it. Maldivians are super friendly, as a culture and as a nation. And the islands themselves—the landscape, the ocean, the flora and fauna, the sea life, the surroundings—it’s truly a must-see and experience destination.