The Maldives, a Naturally Distanced Paradise

The Maldives is synonymous with paradise — a tropical archipelago made up of 1,192 tiny islands dotted across the Indian Ocean, with crystal-clear waters, coral lagoons, sugar-white beaches and an underwater world that's ripe for discovery. Add to that a plethora of luxury resorts with drool-worthy overwater bungalows and it's no wonder this unique nation is a bucket-list holiday destination. 

First things first: Is it safe to travel there?

The Maldives reopened borders to all travellers from all countries last summer and shortly after was declared a safe destination by the World Travel and Tourism Council. After all, the Maldives are a naturally isolated destination.

All visitors, including Canadians, can travel to the Maldives as long as they have the required proof of a negative Covid test. Before you arrive, you'll need to present a negative PCR test, taken within 96 hours of arrival, and fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 24 hours before departure.

Thanks to these open doors, the Maldives was one of the rare travel success stories of 2020 and it looks like that trend is continuing this year. We're still seeing incredible deals come of out this island paradise, and that's why now is the perfect time to save on your dream holiday before the price of hotels and resorts shoot up. 

Fun above and below the water

A holiday to the Maldives is all about being in the water, which averages a gorgeous 28ºC/82ºF. Whether you're diving into a coral lagoon or just cooling off in the afternoon sun, you won't be able to resist a dip into the azure waves.

Watersports are huge here — resorts offer a range of activities, from a family ride on a banana boat to a thrilling wakeboarding session, or even just a relaxed paddle around the island in a canoe. If you want to try something a bit different, flyboarding is a thrill-seeker's dream — shoot up into the air and fly above the ocean, propelled by jets of water.

There's plenty going on under the water, too. The Maldives is home to many amazing diving spots, including underwater shipwrecks, as well as opportunities to get up close to some spectacular marine life. Go whale-shark diving, snorkel with manta rays, and swim amongside sea turtles and thousands of fish.

The Maldives is also home to the first underwater restaurant, Ithaa; the underwater bar, Subsix and the first and only underwater spa, Huvafen Spa. Where better to unwind than eight metres under the sea?

Dine on local delicacies under the stars

After a day on the water, it's time to tuck into some delicious local cuisine. There are dozens of specialties across the different atolls of the Maldives, most of which are (unsurprisingly) made with fish.

Some of the more typical dishes are golha riha (a curried fish ball), muran’ga baiy, a rice dish made with fish paste, onion, chilli, and lemon, and mas huni, a mixture of tuna and coconut, served with a Maldivian flatbread. Finish off with a naroh faludha, a dessert known as the Maldivian donut. Don't leave without trying the mas riha (fish curry).

There are plenty of international cuisines on offer, too. If you're travelling as a couple, many resorts provide romantic dining experiences, such as floating breakfasts or dinner on a private sandbank. After dinner, kick back on the beach for the ultimate movie night under the stars.

It's not just a couples destination

Although the Maldives has been long-established as a blissful honeymoon destination, there are many islands that cater to families, too. 

The one island, one resort concept provides safe beaches for children to play, and all-inclusive dining options mean meals are taken care of, with something for everyone.

Many resorts have a kids' club with extensive activity options, so the little ones can have fun while you kick back and relax. Think child-friendly watersports, dolphin spotting, treasure hunts, and coral adoption schemes.

Give something back

As the world's lowest-lying country, the Maldives faces the very real threat of rising sea levels. Local government and communities, along with many hotels and resorts, have launched a number of initiatives to keep the islands pristine and eco-friendly. These include beach and reef clean-ups, developing renewable energy sources, educating locals on safe fishing, and phasing out single-use plastics. Many turtle rescue centres have also opened up in recent years.

Protecting the islands' coral reefs is a big priority. In 2015-16, around 60-90% of the Maldives' coral suffered from bleaching due to unusually high water temperature. Coral conservation projects have been set up across the atolls, providing employment and helping revive the coral. A lot of resorts have also turned this into a guest experience — look out for snorkelling trails and coral planting, so you can give something back to these stunning islands, and preserve them for your next visit.

See our latest fully refundable beach escapes from the Maldives to the Caribbean and beyond.