About
The Maldives is a tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Indian subcontinent. It is made up of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, and it is formally known as the Republic of Maldives.
What a visit is like
Most visitors come for the sea. The islands sit within clear, shallow lagoons and reefs, and the water is known for its clarity and for the marine life that lives around the coral. Many travellers spend their days snorkelling, diving, or simply watching the water from the beach or from a boat.
The country is also widely known for its luxury resorts, many of which occupy individual islands. This gives a visit a strong sense of retreat: a stay is often built around the beach, the lagoon, and the quiet of an island that is largely your own.
Planning your trip
- Setting: a scattered archipelago of coral islands in a tropical ocean setting.
- Main draw: crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.
- Style of stay: resorts, many on their own islands, suited to a slower, beach-focused holiday.
- Getting around: because the islands are spread across many atolls, travel between them is typically by water or air.
The Maldives suits travellers who want the sea to be the centre of their trip. Those looking for a city, a dense cultural programme, or a long list of inland sights may find the pace and setting quite different from what they expect.
