Maldives atolls: features and best holiday destinations

The Maldives is an archipelago of over 1000 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. White sand formed by crushed coral, azure water and rich underwater life make these islands a true paradise for travellers.

The review presents the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives, which mesmerise with pristine nature and offer ideal conditions for a holiday. Whether you’re looking for a secluded retreat, a snorkelling spot or family-friendly comfort, there’s something for everyone.

Top 15 most beautiful beaches in the Maldives

The variety of beaches is amazing: from deserted corners to elite resort areas with developed infrastructure. Among the best:

1. Cocoa Island Beach is a narrow sand spit with crystal clear water and coral reefs.
2. Baros Beach is an impeccable combination of privacy, premium service and natural beauty.
3. Lily Beach – snow-white sand, comfortable sun loungers, easy access to the water.
4. Hulhumale Beach is a public beach overlooking the ocean, accessible without staying in the resorts.
5. Dhigurah Beach is one of the few places where you can see whale sharks and go diving.
6. Nalaguraidhoo Beach is a beach at Sun Island Resort with coconut palms and calm waters.
7. Maafushi Beach – democratic atmosphere, cafes, bars, lots of water activities.
8. Fihalhohi Island Beach is a picturesque beach with lush vegetation and ideal snorkelling conditions.
9. Thoddoo Beach is a spacious beach surrounded by tropical papaya and watermelon plantations.
10. Ukulhas Beach is an example of an eco-friendly holiday destination with crystal clear waters.
11. Hanifaru Bay Beach is a nature reserve known for the seasonal migrations of giant mantas.
12. Kuramathi Beach is a long sand spit going far into the ocean.
13. Vabbinfaru Beach is a beach with a secluded atmosphere, first class villas and impeccable service.
14. Banyan Tree Beach is part of a nature reserve surrounded by mangrove forests and wild birds.
15. Mudhdhoo Beach is a famous beach with bioluminescent plankton creating a glowing sea effect.

These Maldives holiday beaches combine crystal clear water, manicured grounds and extraordinary nature. Each has a distinctive atmosphere, whether it’s the serenity of a private island or the dynamism of an active public beach.

Turquoise Dreams: beaches with white sand and perfect ocean

The most beautiful beaches in the Maldives are famous for their dazzling white sand, made up of crushed coral and shells, making it unusually soft.

Among the best spots:

1. Fulhadhoo Beach is one of the most secluded beaches, surrounded by palm groves.
2. Veligandu Island Beach is a beach with smooth sand and a calm lagoon.
3. Cocoa Island Beach is an exotic coastline perfect for photo shoots.

Shallow lagoons create comfortable swimming conditions and the water is so clear that visibility reaches 30 metres.

Snorkelling lagoons: beaches with the best underwater views

The best beaches in the Maldives for snorkelling offer incredible underwater scenery:

1. Biyadhoo Beach is a famous reef beach where stingrays and sea turtles can be found.
2. Reethi Beach – coral gardens and colourful fish near the shoreline.
3. Kuredu Beach is one of the few places where you can see reef sharks.

The depth here is shallow and the current is low, making snorkelling safe even for beginners.

Ideal beaches for family holidays

Travellers with children appreciate the Maldives’ family-friendly beaches for their safety, gentle entry into the water and well-developed infrastructure. Best family beaches:

1. Cocoa Island Beach – Hotels with children’s playgrounds and animation.
2. Baros Beach – comfortable seating areas, restaurants with children’s menus.
3. Lily Beach is shallow water, perfect for little ones.

There are no sudden depth changes here and the water stays warm all year round.

How to get to the beaches of the Maldives

The archipelago is made up of 26 atolls, and the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives can be reached in different ways depending on the remoteness of the island:

• seaplanes are the fastest transfer option. Flights take place during the daytime and round-trip flights cost between $200 and $800 depending on the distance. Airlines such as Trans Maldivian Airways offer routes to remote islands, providing stunning views of azure lagoons and coral reefs;
• speedboats are the best way to get to the nearest resorts. The price depends on the distance: a transfer to the islands located within 30-50 kilometres from Velana Airport (Male’) costs $50-$150. The journey time varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours;
• ferries are the most affordable but less convenient mode of transport. State ferries connect the capitals of the local islands to Male’, but their timetables are limited. The fare is $3-$10, but it takes longer to get there – up to 5 hours depending on the direction;
• Private transfers – hotels often organise individual transfers by boat or small aircraft. This option is convenient if flexibility in schedule and comfort are required.

For travelling to remote corners, it is better to pre-book a transfer through your hotel or airline, especially in high season.

Where to stay: hotels on Maldivian beaches

Luxury beachfront resorts offer unrivalled comfort, scenic views and ocean access:

1. Soneva Fushi – secluded villas amidst tropical greenery, world-class spa, restaurant under the stars.
2. Gili Lankanfushi is an eco-hotel with bungalows on the water, personalised service and private beach areas.
3. Anantara Dhigu is a resort for romantic holidays with beach villas and the option to dine on a secluded sand spit.
4. Vakkaru Maldives is a luxury hotel with white-sand beaches, lagoons and gastronomic restaurants.
5. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a combination of contemporary design and natural exoticism with panoramic ocean views.

Each resort offers access to first-class service, snorkelling, diving and exclusive spa treatments.

Conclusion

Maldives is not just a popular tourist destination, but a real paradise for lovers of beach holidays. The most beautiful beaches in the Maldives impress with white sand, warm ocean and perfect temperature. Here every moment is filled with a feeling of bliss that stays in the memory forever.

Stereotypes about exorbitant costs are gradually giving way to cold calculation. Holiday prices in the Maldives are not abstract luxuries, but specific categories of spending that can be flexibly adjusted. Cost formation depends on the season, type of accommodation, length of stay and travel patterns between islands.

The all-inclusive format is fading into the background. More and more tourists refuse intermediaries and build a budget itinerary on their own. Choosing a destination requires analysing the costs of individual blocks, comparing island types, and assessing seasonal variations. Each figure is a justification, each item of expenditure is an element of the equation.

Airfare prices: a starting point for calculating a holiday in the Maldives

Flight costs are the first major budget item. Direct flights from Moscow, Dubai and Istanbul have formed a steady grid. The average price for 2025 is from 450 to 750 USD round trip for early bookings (60-90 days in advance). Periods of peak demand (December-January) increase the price to 950-1100 USD.

A budget flight via Doha, Colombo or Abu Dhabi with a layover can reduce costs to 400-500 USD. Azur Air, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines offer seasonal discounts. Holiday prices in the Maldives start to form at the stage of buying tickets – a competent choice of dates saves up to 30% of the total capital.

Accommodation: from hut to villa

Maldivian hotels are divided into private resorts and localised guesthouses. The resort island provides maximum comfort, but requires investment – from 350 USD per day for a standard room. Villas over water cost from 600 USD, with Jacuzzi – from 800 USD. Prices for hotels on local islands start from 35 USD per night with breakfast. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, shower. The best value is offered by the islands of Toddu, Mafushi, Gan. Direct booking through Booking gives an additional discount of up to 15%.  10 days in a guesthouse cost 350-450 USD, which is comparable to the costs in South-East Asia. For longer stays, concessions reach 20-30%.

Food and logistics: the hidden costs of a holiday in the Maldives

Hotel restaurants are often overpriced. Lunch at a guesthouse is 7-12 USD, seafood dinner 15-20 USD. On local islands, tuna, rice and flatbread dishes sell for 3-5 USD. Street food is not available. Transfers fall into three categories: public ferry (1-3 USD), speedboat (25-50 USD), seaplane (200-400 USD). The trip from the airport to the local island takes 1.5-2 hours, available daily. A budget holiday in the Maldives requires precise travel planning. One mistake with the transfer schedule increases the spending per day of stay.

How to save money in the Maldives: a systematic method to reduce holiday prices

Pricing is controllable. The right itinerary, reasonable dates, early bookings allow you to organise holiday in Maldives prices without unnecessary overpayments. How to save money:

1. Book tickets 60+ days in advance – savings of up to 35%.

2. Choose local islands – accommodation from 35 USD.

3. Comparing transfers – saving on speed.

4. Eat at local cafes – reduce daily expenses.

5. Plan for the off-season – catch discounts.

6. Take a minimum of luggage – reduce your flight costs.

7. Refuse all-inclusive packages – pay only for what you need.

Beaches and islands: the geography of privacy and cost differences

Beach holidays in the archipelago are accompanied by a unique geography. Each island is a separate world with its own rules, service and price category. The price of a holiday in the Maldives is formed, first of all, by the choice of location and type of beach. Resort islands, where only hotels are located, offer ideal lines with white sand, shady palm trees, infrastructure “without excessive noise”. Such places as Rangali, Meedhu, Nalaguraidu keep the bar at 450-1200 USD per day. For this money a tourist gets privacy, luxury service and limited access of outsiders.

On local islands beaches are not inferior in quality. Allowed bathing areas are marked specifically for tourists. An example is Maafushi, where the equipped tourist beach is separated from the local residential sector. Cleanliness is maintained daily, sunbed rental from 3 USD. Entrance is always free. Islands with different densities of construction determine the difference in perception: somewhere you feel the solitude, somewhere – the rhythm of life of the local community. If you want to enjoy complete silence, it is more logical to choose less popular atolls like Vaavu or Laviyani.

Cheap tours to Maldives

Tour operators offer cheap tours to Maldives based on budget gesthouses and local transfers. The cost – from 950 to 1200 USD per person for 7 nights with flight, breakfasts and insurance. Such packages include accommodation on localised islands and self-guided tours. The model only works if the itinerary is strictly followed, no force majeure and limited luggage. Tourists choosing these options should consider the tight boat timings and lack of insurance against weather disruptions. The advantage of the tours is that they save planning time. The disadvantage is the lack of flexibility. If you need to change the island, extend your holiday or add a service, you have to overpay.

Maldives holidays on your own: price management under control

Tourists are increasingly rejecting intermediaries, choosing direct booking, flying low-cost carriers, eating in cafes and travelling by ferry. This approach saves up to 40% of the budget compared to the classic variant. Example: a 10-day trip with accommodation in a gesthouse (350 USD), meals (150 USD), excursions (150 USD), flights (550 USD), transfers (50 USD) – total 1250 USD.

Pros: budget control, variability, flexibility in itinerary. Minuses: need to book independently, keep track of schedules, no guarantees against delays. Budget holidays in the Maldives are possible only with independent organisation, attention to details and studying the specifics of the islands.

Conclusion

Maldives holiday prices in 2025 are manageable. With proper planning, the destination provides one of the best formulas: “experiences = investment in yourself”. Beaches with turquoise water, nights under the stars, breakfast on the sand, evenings on a boat – every day brings something that is hard to express in money. The Maldives remains one of the few places where holidays make sense beyond the budget.