The Best Maldives Vacation 2023: A Top Travel Guide

The Maldives is a stunning tropical paradise located in the Indian Ocean. It is an archipelago consisting of 26 coral atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. The country is situated southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life, making a Maldives Vacation a popular choice.

In particular, I stayed at the Jumeirah Vitavelli resort in the Maldives. Below are the best things to do in the Maldives in my blog ‘The Best Maldives Vacation 2023: A Top Travel Guide’.

1| Private Beaches!

The beaches of the Maldives are world-renowned for their exquisite beauty. They are characterised by powdery white sands, translucent turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees, creating a picture-perfect tropical setting. Many of the beaches in the Maldives are located on private resort islands, ensuring a sense of exclusivity and privacy for resort guests. Resorts often have their own stretches of beach, allowing guests to enjoy a secluded and intimate beach experience.

I went in April during term time holidays, but even then, there were many times throughout the day when I would literally be the only one at the beach, swimming in the clear blue water and enjoying the sun as the island had a whole host of activities for guests to do. You have the option of having either a villa that is situated above the water or on the island. We opted for the island villa, and to be honest, we felt it was better because we almost had our own section of beach we could just walk onto at any point. Some people would also prefer this option if they had kids and were worried about having a villa surrounded by water only.  

2| Restaurants 

Maldivian cuisine is influenced by various cultures, including South Indian, Sri Lankan, and Arabian cuisines, while also incorporating the abundant seafood found in the surrounding Indian Ocean. The food offered on the island definitely enhanced our experience during our Maldives Vacation. 

Each island resort will have its own unique set of restaurants for guests to sit at and enjoy the views. The resort offers an exquisite culinary experience with a range of dining options to suit different tastes and preferences.

In addition to these restaurants, resorts offer personalised dining experiences such as private beach dinners, in-villa dining, and destination dining options, where guests can enjoy a meal in a secluded spot on the island. Some resorts are all-inclusive resorts, offering inclusive package deals. Some of the vacation packages may include half-board or full-board access, depending on each resort. 

At my particular resort, we had an actual mini-submarine which would take us on an underwater tour to find coral fish, turtles, and manta rays. It was a fun activity to do for both adults and children. It was one of the activities that could also be good on a day when you may have cloudy, rainy weather, which we had for a couple of days of our trip. 

Another fun activity is snorkelling. The Maldives is famous for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Snorkelling allows you to explore these underwater wonders easily. Many resorts have house reefs where you can snorkel right off the beach, while others offer guided snorkelling trips to nearby reefs.

The Maldives is home to several species of sea turtles, dolphins and even whale sharks. You can take boat excursions to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Common dolphin species found in the Maldives include spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and Risso’s dolphins.

Sunset and Sunrise Cruises is another option if you want a more peaceful and romantic experience, surrounded by the stunning colours of the sky and sea, the breathtaking beauty of Maldives’ sunsets and sunrises aboard a traditional Maldivian boat called a dhoni.

It’s important to note that while enjoying water activities, it’s crucial to respect the marine environment and follow responsible tourism practices to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the Maldives.

4| Resort Based Activities

Each island will usually offer activities which are individual to their resort, making it a perfect place to visit. For my stay, we were given a leaflet full of different events which would take place each day. We stayed over during the Easter holidays, so the island was decorated with easter eggs, bunnies, and activities related to this. This was particularly enjoyable for children. My niece particularly enjoyed the easter egg hunt on the island! 

The resort was great as they offered a children’s play centre where staff would look after young children, to allow parents to have some time to themselves, which I thought was great. Other events that happened on the island were a sunset party on one of the beaches, where they offered live music and food to eat. The island was a good enough size to ride bikes around, too, which was fun and something I tried to use during my stay. There were also other activities like board games, shisha rentals, and spa treatments which was an enjoyable experience. 

Please also don’t miss out on the island life experience of the world-class spa treatment most islands will have on offer at their luxury hotel and Maldives resorts. Choose from either private individual rooms to a romantic escape involving couple massages offering an ocean view, enhancing your luxury vacation.

5| Villa Stay

The villa you will be staying at is one of the big parts of staying in the Maldives and will be the main area you will be spending most of your time! So evaluating the room types at your luxury resort can make a big difference to your trip. It is also important to book in advance and prices do tend to shift during peak season, so ensure you book the ideal place for you at the best time to enjoy your beach vacation with ease. 

You will have the option to book a beachfront villa or an overwater villa. The overwater bungalows at our resort did cost a little more than the beachfront villa but there are benefits to having either villa. I think the overwater villas are what most of us think of when we think of the Maldives, but if you do want your own slither of the pristine beaches don’t he island and have children that love to run around like crazy, then having a beachfront villa might be the perfect choice for you!

Beachfront villas typically come with private gardens or pools, allowing you to unwind in a serene tropical setting. We had an L-shaped pool which we enjoyed spending time at and swimming in the ocean. The villa had both private and open showers and baths, which was a nice touch and was very spacious. 

One of the most iconic accommodations in the Maldives is the overwater villa. These villas are built on stilts over the lagoon, allowing guests to have direct access to the crystal-clear waters. They often feature private decks or sundecks with loungers, allowing you to relax and soak up the breathtaking views. Some villas even have glass floors or panels, offering glimpses of the marine life below.

It’s worth noting that each resort in the Maldives offers its own unique style of villas, amenities, and services. The level of luxury and facilities can vary, so it’s essential to research and choose a resort that aligns with your preferences and budget. Whether you opt for an overwater villa, a beachfront retreat, or a private pool oasis, the villas in the Maldives promise a truly exceptional and indulgent experience. 

I hope you enjoyed reading up on my experience on ‘The Best Maldives Vacation 2023: A Top Travel Guide’, which will give you an idea of what type of hotel you would prefer to spend your time in the Maldives. The price tag for a Maldives vacation can be very expensive, so planning ahead is key to a vacation on an island of your choosing.

If you enjoyed reading ‘The Best Maldives Vacation 2023: A Top Travel Guide’, read my other blogs at https://www.mymemoriesabroad.com/category/blog/  or head to my Pinterest profile to have a look at travel photos which will hopefully inspire you to book your holiday to remember at  https://www.pinterest.co.uk/mymemoriesabroad/.