The Maldives consist of a myriad of little islands, about two hundred of which are inhabited, and these are engulfed into twenty-six natural atolls. They straddle the equator with the appearance of a garland of little gems haphazardly abandoned on the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Each little resort has a shallow yet brilliant blue lagoon and is surrounded by a coral reef. The islands themselves are blessed with relatively deserted beaches of the softest powder-white sand, with a backdrop of gently swaying palms. Below the ocean is a world apart, a truly amazing kaleidoscope of over nine hundred species of exotic fish inhabiting the crystal clear waters.

The splendours of the underwater life include turtles, sharks, dolphins, whales, stingrays, moray eels and manta rays. If you are seeking the ultimate in exclusive island hideaways, then the Maldives are for you.

 The most famous coral reefs in the world are found here. All kinds of colourful, tropical marine life can be viewed simply by putting on some snorkel gear and swimming into the lagoons. Diving is of course, huge, and you can get your PADI certificate at all of our resorts, or improve your existing skills. The pleasures here are mainly quiet and convivial: barbecues on the beach, sunset watching with a cocktail, the gentle rhythms of local music, all contributing to the very special atmosphere of this magical place. Surfing is big on the east of North Malé atoll, but you may prefer to come here to relax. Stay in the Spa Retreat at the Hilton Resort, or one of our other spa properties and you can add some top-class pampering to your itinerary of pleasures. Elsewhere, you can visit the sleepy capital, Malé, or take a boat to the town of Seenu on Addu atoll, from where you can visit traditional Maldivian island communities.

POPULAR ISLANDS:
- ARI ATOLL
- BAA ATOLL
- FAAFU ATOLL
- FELIDHU ATOLL
- MEEMU ATOLL
- RAA ATOLL
- SOUTH MALE ATOLL

Handy Stuff

Time Difference
GMT +5 hours

Currency
Maldivian Rufiya (US$ travellers' cheques are recommended some US$ notes are handy for tipping on arrival.)

Visa Requirements
British citizens do not require a visa.

Language
Maldivian Dhivehi is the official language. English is widely spoken.

Getting There

Flight Details
Qatar Airways flights to the Maldives (via Doha) depart 4 times from London Heathrow (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun). 3 times a week from Gatwick (Sun, Wed, Thu) and twice a week from Manchester (Wed and Sun).

Flying Time
Approx 12 hours to Malé.

Flight Upgrades
Business Class available from £499 supplement per person each way. First Class available from £799 supplement per person each way.

Alternative Airlines to Maldives
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow. Emirates from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow via Dubai. Supplements apply.

Transfers in the Maldives
If your flight to Malé arrives at night or departs very early in the morning, an overnight stay might be necessary at either the airport hotel or Kurumba, which is located a short boat ride from the airport. Prices start from £69 per person per night. Transfers in the Maldives are either by speedboat or seaplane. Due to the nature of the transfers, during adverse weather conditions it may not be possible to transfer immediately to your resort.

Fly Direct to the Maldives with Sri Lankan airlines
If you would prefer to fly direct to the Maldives, Sri Lankan Airlines now fly 4 times a week direct from London Heathrow to Malé (Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat). Supplement to fly direct between £0-£290 per person.

Upgrade to a Seaplane Transfer to Velidhu Island Resort
Velidhu Island Resort is one of our most popular resorts in the Maldives and is served by a speedboat transfer from Malé. However, if you would like to treat yourself, why not get a bird's-eye view of this beautiful destination and upgrade to a seaplane transfer? You can upgrade your transfer one way or both ways and supplements for a seaplane transfer start from only £40 per person one way or £80 return. So go ahead, treat yourself and get your holiday off to a flying start!

Additional Information

Diving and Snorkelling

These islands, with their crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, are fabulous for underwater activities. Many resorts have 'house reefs' an easy swim from the beach. So if you'd just like to snorkel, you can experience the psychedelic colours of the coral and marine life from the surface - all resorts provide snorkelling equipment and many arrange snorkelling excursions to show you the varying reef structures and types of marine life. Want to learn to dive? Most resorts have a professional PADI diving school, with courses for beginners and advanced.

In recent years the islands have gained some wonderful spa resorts. One of the best we offer is the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. There you can stay in a luxurious Spa Water Villa on stilts over the ocean in the Spa Retreat, with daily treatments included. The glass-floored massage room is amazing. We also offer Kurumba and Taj Coral Reef which both have lovely spas. Down here you can experience Ayurvedic treatments, an ancient Indian philosophy which involves massages with herbs and oils, and the eating of certain foods. Why not give it a try?

Beautiful Beaches

The sunshine is year-round, and virtually all of the islands and atolls are completely surrounded by powdery white sands over which you can pad into warm, turquoise blue water. Gentle and shallow, it is nature's very own swimming pool. These beaches are the perfect place to kick back, relax and escape the stress of modern-day life. The Maldives are also in the world's top 5 for whale and dolphin-watching, with a quarter of the world's species to be found here.

Climate

The climate in the Maldives is warm all year round. Generally speaking, the best time to travel to the Maldives is from November/December to March/April, during the north eastern monsoon, when it is usually dry. The south western monsoon runs from May to October when rainfall and breezes are likely. May and June can be particularly susceptible to showers. However, given the temperatures, the occasional shower can be quite refreshing. Temperatures vary little throughout the year with an average of 31 degrees year round.