Landaa Giraavaru, MaldivesPhoto: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Maldives
The Maldives, made simple: turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and island days at your own pace
The Maldives is a chain of coral atolls across the Indian Ocean: the busy little capital Malé, resorts on islands of their own, local islands with guesthouses and bikini beaches, mantas in Baa Atoll, whale sharks in South Ari and the wartime heritage of Addu in the far south. It can feel confusing, with seaplanes, speedboats, resort rules and two very different ways to stay. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry, the traveller declaration, seasons and what to pack, answered
- LandingVelana airport, transfers, SIM cards and money, explained
- Your days in the MaldivesReefs, sandbanks, local islands and food, planned with care
- Home againDeparture timing and transfer tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain transfers, taxes, service charges and resort extras so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
The Maldives should feel like calm, not worry. We answer the questions about transfers, resort or local island stays, money, dress and the sea before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Planning a honeymoon, a first dive trip, a budget island hop or a family break? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your MaldivesPrivate resort, local island guesthouse, liveaboard or a mix: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, the traveller declaration, season and transfers, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for reefs, sandbanks, cafés, mosques and stays on each atoll.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to match islands to ferry, speedboat and seaplane times.
Everything your Maldives trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Malé, South Malé Atoll, Ari, Baa and Addu, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred reefs, beaches, mosques, cafés and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Velana and stays on every atoll.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Maldives trip
Malé, a local island and a few nights on a resort
Most trips land at Velana International Airport beside Malé. Some travellers go straight to a resort by speedboat or seaplane; others spend a night in Malé or Hulhumalé, take a ferry or speedboat to a local island such as Maafushi or Dhigurah, and finish with a few nights on a resort island. Mixing the two shows you both the everyday Maldives and the postcard one.
- Snorkelling a house reef straight from the beach
- Whale sharks in South Ari or mantas in Baa Atoll
- A sandbank picnic and a sunset dhoni cruise
- Malé's coral stone Old Friday Mosque and fish market
Plan with confidence
Your islands, without the worry
The Maldives rewards a little preparation: the right season for your atoll, a transfer that matches your flight times, a resort or guesthouse that suits your budget and a clear idea of the local island dress and alcohol rules. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic transfer times by ferry, speedboat and seaplane
- The right season for calm seas, mantas or surf
- Where to base yourself on each atoll
Where to go in the Maldives
From the capital Malé and the local islands of South Malé Atoll to the whale sharks of Ari, the manta bay of Baa and the green southern atoll of Addu.
Kaafu Atoll
Malé
A tiny, crowded capital of coral stone mosques, busy harbours and island life, beside the airport and Hulhumalé beach.
Read the guidePhoto: Shahee Ilyas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kaafu Atoll
South Malé Atoll
The home of guesthouse tourism, with Maafushi's bikini beach, sandbank trips and resorts close to the airport.
Read the guidePhoto: Jantz Kurt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alif Alif and Alif Dhaal Atolls
Ari Atoll
Whale sharks year round, world class dives, local islands such as Dhigurah and Ukulhas, and the undersea restaurant Ithaa.
Read the guidePhoto: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Baa Atoll (South Maalhosmadulu)
Baa Atoll
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where mantas gather at Hanifaru Bay, with famous resorts and a few local islands.
Read the guidePhoto: Frédéric Ducarme, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seenu Atoll
Addu Atoll
South of the equator, with an international airport at Gan, islands linked by road, wartime heritage and a famous wreck dive.
Read the guidePhoto: Nattu from Male', Maldives, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is the Maldives safe to visit?
Yes, for most visitors. Resorts and guesthouse islands are calm, and the main risks are strong currents, sunburn and occasional political demonstrations in Malé. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of the Maldives?
Malé, a small and densely built island next to Velana International Airport, linked to the airport island and Hulhumalé by the Sinamalé Bridge.
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
The Maldives has long given visitors of every nationality a free tourist visa on arrival, subject to conditions such as a valid passport, a confirmed stay and an onward ticket. Every traveller must also complete the online traveller declaration before arrival. Check the official Maldives Immigration site before you book.
Can I visit the Maldives on a budget?
Yes. Guesthouses on local islands such as Maafushi, Thulusdhoo and Dhigurah, public ferries and local cafés cost far less than resorts. The trade off is no alcohol and modest dress outside the bikini beach.
What money is used in the Maldives?
The Maldivian rufiyaa. Resorts price in US dollars and take cards, and US dollars in cash are widely accepted on local islands, but carry some rufiyaa for ferries and small cafés.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in the Maldives?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.