The Kingdom of Islands is one of those once-in-a-lifetime must-visit destinations. The island nation in the Indian Ocean is an incredible, almost magical place that you will never forget after your visit. What is there to discover in the Maldives? Which islands are recommended? And what should you definitely pay attention to? In my Maldives travel report I have put together tips, experiences and information for your vacation in the island paradise.

You've been flying over the endless sea for hours until they suddenly appear: the tiny islands, strung like little drops on a pearl necklace, with the green jungle in the middle, the white sandy beaches around them and, above all, the turquoise lagoons. They make an incredible first sight when arriving in the Maldives. As if strung on a pearl necklace, they reach to the horizon.

They are the welcoming committee after the long flight across the Indian Ocean before you land in the capital Malé. And they make your heart beat faster. I will never forget the exhilaration I felt when I first arrived in paradise, in this completely strange island world in the middle of the ocean. How exciting that is if you haven't done anything like that before. You could also say: island holiday in Water World is coming up.

Arrival on the Maldives resort island is a highlight

And as soon as you land in Malé, you normally move on again. Even the journey to yours Hotel in itself is a highlight. Because you get on a seaplane in Malé and are flown low to your island by pilots in flip flops. Once you land there, a welcoming committee comes by boat and picks you up at the plane. I assure you: you have landed in paradise. And after 15 hours of travel, you're suddenly standing on the terrace of your own Beach Villa or Water Villa, looking out to sea and can hardly believe your eyes - these colors, the turquoise water, the brightness and the sound of the sea. Simply incredibly beautiful.

Among all of them destinations In the world you can visit in your lifetime, the Maldives is very special. Very few people on this planet make it to these islands once in their life. I don't know of any holiday that takes you away from everyday life and makes you forget everything away from home like a trip to the kingdom of the islands. Leave you from my Maldives Travelogue Inspire and get to know the island paradise better with tips, recommendations and my personal experiences.

Video – Maldives impressions from the trip

Below I have added a video from one of my trips to the Maldives that I have on my YouTube channel Strandkind Travels published. That gives you a pretty good idea of ​​what you need to know about the Maldives.

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Video – What you need to know before traveling to the Maldives

Below I have selected a video for you with lots of helpful tips and information that you should know before you travel to the Maldives for the first time. Really worth seeing and useful.

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Overview - Maldives holidays are the crowning glory for wellness fans

• The Maldives are an archipelago in the Indian Ocean with more than 1200 small islands.
• They are located south of India and east of Africa.
• Just over 100 islands are currently home to resorts, with only one per island.
• The Maldives are ideal for all fans of luxury vacations, spa vacations, diving vacations, couples vacations and of course beach vacations.

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Travelogue Maldives - my experiences in the realm of the islands

I will never forget my first morning in the Maldives. I arrived at dusk and slept in the huge king-size bed of my beach villa after the long journey. The jet lag is limited. The time difference to the Maldives is not that big. It's only four hours from Central Europe.

And so I am wide awake and full of excitement and anticipation when I wake up. The air conditioning is whirring and I first have to orient myself: towards the back is my outdoor shower and the private pool, while towards the front is the terrace on my own small section of beach on the lagoon.

My first Maldives moment

So I step outside the door onto the terrace and am initially overwhelmed by the heat, because the sun is at its zenith and is blazing, the jungle around the building rustles in the wind and the brightness makes me squint my eyes. Otherwise: silence. And isolation from the other accommodations, which are separated by dense jungle.

I see the crystal clear, turquoise water of the lagoon in front of me and my heart beats faster. Without hesitation I rush towards it and run inside. It's not a cooling sensation, it's lukewarm, but wonderful - and so I let myself drift, splash around, stick my head under the water and feel that deep feeling of happiness that I've always associated with a Maldives holiday ever since.

This is how my love story with the Maldives began

And so began my love story with the Empire of the Islands, which continues to this day. I was particularly impressed by the underwater world: so many incredibly beautiful diving spots with sharks, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and countless colorful fish make diving and snorkeling a must on your Maldives holiday. Anyone who thinks that the Maldives is boring because there isn't much to do on the tiny islands is wrong.

You can in the lagoon Stand Up Paddling, kayak, go swimming, relax on the beach, work out in the fitness center on your island or simply unwind. And of course you can eat in the resort's restaurants all day long - ideally with all inclusive, because otherwise it can get quite expensive.

And from many resorts you can also visit local islands to immerse yourself in the culture of the Maldives. There are also many opportunities to take traditional boats – the dhonis – for example on dolphin tours or sunset cruises. Beach vacation, wellness, culinary delights, digital detox and really forget about everyday life - that's exactly what the Maldives are ideal for.

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Maldives leisure activities

Are the resort islands maybe too boring for me?

What do you do in the Maldives for 12 days? Is a Holiday in the Maldives not too boring for me? I often asked myself this question before my first trip and wondered if I was stranded on the island like Robinson. The islands are tiny. They are perhaps the size of a few football fields and can be walked around in half an hour while walking on the beach.

Doesn't that give you the infamous island fever? You will laugh - exactly the opposite is the case. Time passes so quickly that at the end of the vacation you wonder where it went. Because there is more than enough to do and experience, as I will show you.

It even goes the other way - at least that's how it was on my trips to the Maldives: leisure stress can arise very quickly. Namely when you quickly jump off the diving boat to get to the massage in the wellness area in time and have an appointment for the à la carte dinner afterwards. To be clear: a stay in the Maldives is anything but boring. Let me introduce you to the best things to do in Maldives.

A typical day in the Maldives

I can show you that it is guaranteed not to be boring in the Maldives using the following table, which shows the course of a typical daily routine. I can describe a typical day in the Maldives, which unfortunately goes by far too quickly.

Time of day	Enterprise
7h	Wake up
7.30 h	Morning swim in the lagoon
8h	Breakfast in the restaurant
9.30 h	Relaxing on the beach
10 h	SUP tour around the island
12 h	Lunch in the restaurant
13 h	Midday nap by the private pool
14.30 h	Snorkeling tour with marine biologist and turtle
16 h	Massage appointment in the wellness area
17 h	Siesta in the villa
18.30 h	Dinner in the restaurant
20 h	Drinks in the resort bar

The top leisure activities in the Maldives at a glance

Below I have put together the most important information about leisure activities in my travel report about the Maldives so that you can get an overview of what you can do. It is so much. In any case, there is a wide range of leisure activities on offer in the Maldives, so you won't get bored on holiday.

And honestly? You don't have to do something every day either. You can also simply spend a day or two doing the most beautiful leisure activity in the world: just lie on your beach lounger, look at the sea and sleep.

1. Go diving and snorkeling or learn to dive

Probably the most beautiful pastime in the Maldives is diving. There are many beautiful dive sites in the atolls and around the islands. Snorkeling is mostly available in the lagoons and around the resort islands. Most resort islands have dive centers that organize dives and dhoni excursions.

Unfortunately, coral bleaching has also hit the Maldives. As a result, many corals have died and a lot is broken under water. Unfortunately, this affects many great diving destinations worldwide. This is due to climate change and the warming of the water.

But you can discover an incredible number of marine animals in the waters of the Maldives. Among the most frequently sighted living things are Hedge, Dolphins, Rays, whale Sharks and manta rays. You will of course also find tons of colorful fish and turtles roaming the waters. I could even see turtles right in front of the Beach Villa on the beach.

Sharks are undoubtedly one of the most impressive sea creatures in the Maldives. You can see them both snorkeling on the house reef and diving on the outer reefs. The sighted animals are often smaller reef sharks. But larger species such as bull sharks also occur.

You hit the jackpot when you meet a huge and harmless whale shark while diving. The main danger when diving in the Maldives is the underwater current, which can be very strong on many reefs. However, it must also be said that where there is a lot of current, there are usually also the big fish.

Many vacationers come to the Maldives for diving. If you don't have a diving license yet, you can start diving in the Maldives. In any case, it is advisable to go snorkeling with the local diving school. If possible, the diving license should be obtained before the trip to Europe in order to be able to make optimal use of the dives and the time on site.

2. Explore the islands by SUP or kayak

The daily SUP tour around my resort island was one of the highlights of my Maldives trips. There is usually a water sports center on the islands where you can rent SUPs and kayaks and set off on your own. Often there are also sailing boats, catamarans and jet skis - everything that is fun on the water.

When you set off with your board, you will quickly notice that each island has two sides - a windward side and a sea side. Depending on whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier, you should choose your route accordingly. Because where the wind hits land, there are usually a lot of waves and the terrain is more challenging.

I would definitely recommend a life jacket. And if in doubt, it is good to maintain visual contact with the water sports center. For example, my carbon paddle broke - someone was able to pick me up in the boat straight away.

I have always really enjoyed my SUP tours in the Maldives. So on the one hand I had a sporty program and at the same time a real meditation, because you are out and about in this scenically unique SUP area.

3. Swim or bathe in the lagoon

When I first arrived in the Maldives and checked into my accommodation, I immediately ran to the beach in my bathing suit and jumped into the water. The crystal clear, turquoise waters of the lagoon are lukewarm and you can splash around in them for hours.

I don't want to be a spoilsport, but there are also a few safety instructions for this harmless-looking beach: There are some very sharp-edged shells and dead pieces of coral everywhere on the beach. So you have to be careful where you step or you'll end up with a gaping, bleeding wound. I speak from experience. Bathing shoes or slippers are always recommended.

And the solar radiation is extremely high. Therefore, be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen when you get home – preferably the Australian standard with a sun protection factor of 50+. Forgetting sunscreen can be expensive: In the shop on the resort island, 100 ml costs just 15 dollars.

4. Dhoni tour with dolphins, sunset and uninhabited islands

If you want to set off for the nine islands in the Maldives, the best way to do so is with the traditional dhoni. The resort islands usually offer numerous tours to suit a variety of tastes.

One of the most popular excursions are the dolphin tours, where you can observe the playful marine mammals in the wild and possibly even snorkel with them. These tours are usually very exclusive and absolutely animal-friendly - not comparable to dolphin watching in many other holiday destinations.

Excursions to lonely islands are also very relaxing, usually combined with a picnic on the island. So you can spend several hours relaxing on a picturesque, tropical island and enjoying life. Sufficient provisions are usually provided. Sunset tours are also very popular - especially with newlywed couples who often spend their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Of course, as is so often the case, there is a catch: if you are traveling by boat between the islands in the Maldives, the waves can be very strong and the boat can rock violently. This is not always easy to bear, even for hardened female sailors. Therefore, you should definitely have enough travel tablets in the first-aid kit. And secondly, it goes without saying that excursions are usually not included in the tour price and have to be paid for separately.

5. Visit to a local island

Most Maldivians live in the capital, Male. The rest live on very small islands with villages mostly populated by no more than a few hundred people. This is what real life in the Maldives looks like. While holidaymakers relax in their luxury resorts, the Maldivians live their normal everyday life on the local islands - there are houses, sports facilities, schools and small shops. The locals mostly work in the surrounding resorts or in Malé.

If you take a trip to the island of the locals near your resort island, you can usually buy souvenirs there quite well or buy small things in the supermarket.

There are more and more guest houses on the islands of the locals, where travelers can also spend a complete vacation. These accommodations are significantly cheaper than the luxury resorts on the islands and may even be a better choice for those wanting to experience the Maldives up close and personal. Depending on the equipment, the accommodations are similar to holiday homes, holiday apartments or better youth hostels.

Of course, there are also rules on the islands of the locals that visitors should follow: First, they should dress respectfully. Bathing in a bikini is only permitted at the designated bathing areas. And on the islands of the locals, there is a strict ban on alcohol. But there are also places for tourists where drinking is allowed - for example on a ship anchored off the island.

6. Chat with the marine biologist

There are on many resort islands Marine biologistswho usually oversee a wide range of projects. You go on animal observation tours with the guests and dedicate themselves to animal protection - for example the turtles and manta rays. If you are interested as a guest, the experts don't just show you Wildlife, but also how you can get actively involved in animal welfare.

On site, guests can actively participate in projects - for example, identify turtles based on their drawings while snorkeling. And of course there is always the possibility of adopting an animal.

7. Massage applications in the wellness area

In the Maldives you can relax and unwind incredibly well - lie on the beach all day, eat and let your soul dangle. But the icing on the cake are the massages in the spa, which take you to a whole new level of relaxation and let you really relax.

As a rule, there are a large number of treatments in the resort, which are carried out by highly professional therapists. In addition, you often have the option of going to the steam bath Sauna or go to the hot tub.

8. Enjoy culinary delicacies

The food at the resorts is generally top notch. The buffets leave nothing to be desired. In the Maldives, of course, the main food is fish, which is delivered freshly caught by the local fishermen. In this respect, this should be the first choice at every meal. Otherwise food has to be imported into the island state. Everything that doesn't come from the sea or the gardens of the islands is imported from Dubai or India.

In addition to the buffet, the resorts usually also offer the option of dining exclusively in the à la carte restaurant. This is usually chargeable and even more exclusive. In the restaurants, several courses are often served and unusual dishes are offered. There are very different thematic offers - from sushi to Asian, Italian and Indian, everything is included. It all depends on which island you are on.

A special highlight is, of course, when the dinner is moved to the beach and takes place under the starry sky. Then the chefs and staff work particularly hard. In general, a lot revolves around food in the Maldives. The sea air, the good weather and the relaxed atmosphere make you hungry. Therefore you should definitely book full board or all inclusive. Because the day is long and a small lunch with a drink quickly costs between 30 and 150 dollars per person and meal.

9. Visit to the capital, Malé

Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is a truly unreal entity. It rises out of the middle of the ocean - surrounded only by water and other islands. If you are in the Maldives, you should of course also make a detour to the capital.

In Malé you will find magnificent mosques, parks and artificial beaches, museums, the University of the Maldives and numerous shops and restaurants - everything like in a typical big city. Next to Malé, the airport is on the island of Hulumale, which is connected to Malé by a bridge. A visit to Malé is a good idea on arrival or departure, as most of the resort islands are quite a distance from the capital.

10. Chill on the beach and enjoy the accommodation

One of the highlights of a Maldives vacation is having your own little retreat on most islands and in many hotels. Multi-storey buildings with several rooms are very rare. As a rule, you have your own beach or water villa on a jetty in the lagoon - isolated from the neighbors with a lot of privacy. Often you have your own access to the sea or even your own small stretch of beach.

Depending on how the villa is equipped, you may even find it difficult to part with your piece of earth. Because in many resorts and hotels you have your own pool, several terraces, a huge bed and your own coffee maker in the room - actually everything you need to retire.

Of course, it makes no sense to spend 14 days in a row in the Maldives just in your villa. But just commuting between the beach and the pool for a day or two, I think that's fine.

The most beautiful hotels and resort islands in the Maldives

There are resorts on around 100 of the Maldives' over 1.200 islands. As a rule, there is exactly one resort on one island - and the nearest hotel is at least a few kilometers away on another island. It couldn't be more exclusive and luxurious. You can book the most beautiful Maldives resorts cheaply at HolidayCheck.* Accordingly, many couples book their honeymoon in the Maldives to spend it in one of these particularly beautiful and unusual hotels.

Hotels not just for honeymoons

But my opinion is very clear: The Maldives are far from just a honeymoon destination - and I personally wouldn't spend my honeymoon in the Maldives. The hotels and resorts in the Maldives are ideal for escaping the stress of everyday life and relaxing. At the same time, there is a lot to experience, especially underwater.

I like beach villas better

Beach villas are the smaller and cheaper accommodations in most resorts. You are on the island. The far more luxurious accommodations are the water bungalows, which are usually built on a jetty in the lagoon. Each villa is clearly defined and has its own direct access to the water. Depending on the island, these accommodations are very luxuriously furnished - with an open shower, several rooms, double bed, whirlpool and private outdoor pool.

My favorite Maldives resort islands

I've had the pleasure of both Coco Bodu Hithi (travelogue) as well as most Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu (travel report) in the Maldives and I was very impressed by both islands. Coco Bodu Hithi is an approximately 350 meter long island in North Male Atoll and offers a luxurious 5 star resort with an incredible atmosphere. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and therefore offers a breathtaking diving experience. Also, there are many other activities such as yoga, water sports and various excursions.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, on the other hand, is a smaller island in Baa Atoll and offers a luxurious and relaxed vibe. Surrounded by crystal clear water and beautiful beaches, the island is the perfect place to switch off and relax. Again, there are many activities such as yoga, Diving and snorkeling.

On both islands I was struck by the incredible natural beauty and the hospitality of the locals. The Maldives really is a magical place and I hope to explore more islands in the future. If you are looking for a place to relax and get away from it all, you will definitely find it in the Maldives.

Travel pictures Maldives – impressions from paradise

Below I have put together some impressions of my stays in the Maldives for you. This might give you an idea of ​​how beautiful it is in the kingdom of islands and what makes a holiday in this paradise so special.

Who is a Maldives vacation suitable for?

In the Maldives, travelers and vacationers with very different interests get their money's worth. And let’s be honest: who would seriously say no to a vacation in an island paradise? The islands are an epitome of luxury, which is why the travel destination is primarily intended for luxury fans who can indulge themselves to the fullest.

And wellness fans will also get their money's worth - either in their own whirlpool in the villa or in one of the excellent spas with massages, beauty treatments and a sauna.

The third group is the water sports fans, especially the divers and snorkelers. The Maldives are one of the most beautiful diving destinations in the world. When diving, you always see something on a dive - either a shark, a turtle, a ray or other sea creatures that you rarely see in many other diving destinations. The same applies to snorkeling.

And fourthly, beach vacationers and beach vacationers are of course the number 1 target group in the Maldives. You can hardly spend a nicer vacation with a beach. Beautiful, white sand, your own small section of beach right in front of your beach villa and turquoise water like in the bathtub. It just doesn't get any better.

Packing list for your Maldives vacation

I don't usually write packing lists for my vacations because I think my readers are already smart enough to know what to pack. But I'm making an exception for the Maldives travel report because you're totally lost if you forget something important. You can't just buy it there. That's why I've listed below the essentials that you should definitely pack.

1. Suncream: If you forget your sunscreen, you have a problem. You need a lot of it in the Maldives, preferably with sun protection factor 50+. If you have to buy them in the resort shop there, you'll pay $15 for a small sample pack - unfortunately I speak from experience. The sun is beating down and you'll need a lot of sunscreen in one to three weeks.
2. Mosquito spray: Mosquito spray is also very important in the Maldives. The same applies as with sunscreen. If you forget it at home, you will have to buy it locally at an extremely expensive price. So it's better to pack a lot of it. And buy yourself a strong spray. The mosquitoes in the Maldives are numerous and persistent.
3. Sunglasses: I had forgotten my sunglasses. If you have to buy one locally because the sunlight is really high and you can barely keep your eyes open, you'll easily be out $100 or more.
4. Swimwear: Swimming is so common in the Maldives that it's easy to forget your bikini or swimming trunks. A costly mistake. In the boutique on the resort island, swimming trunks can easily cost $100 or more - bikinis are correspondingly even more expensive.
5. Video drone: Don’t forget your video drone if you have one. Or buy one before the trip. You can find the regulations for using drones in the Maldives here.
6. Flip flops: People always talk about barefoot islands, but if you're going out to eat you'll definitely need flip flops or sandals. Of course you can wear sturdy shoes, but hardly anyone does - unless the dress code is specified. Long pants and flip flops usually do the trick too.
7. snacks: Be sure to pack your favorite snacks. I'm thinking of chocolate, chips and everything you hold dear as a small snack in between. You can't buy anything locally or it's outrageously expensive because Western food is flown in entirely from Dubai. For example, you can also use chocolate (packaged as a bar, of course) as a tip replacement.
8. Snorkeling equipment: Whether you are a snorkeler or a diver, I would strongly advise you to pack your own snorkeling gear. You can rent equipment at the water sports center or at the diving center. However, the quality is often not that great. That's why I would rather use my own equipment.

Of course, this is not a complete packing list of things you should pack for the Maldives (More information here). But it gives you an idea of ​​what you better not forget. Just keep in mind: you can't buy practically anything on the islands. That's why I always recommend All Inclusive. Otherwise you will have to pay really dearly for everything you buy separately. A portion of pasta for lunch costs 30 dollars or a complete lunch can easily cost 100 dollars per person. That's why your trip to the Maldives needs good preparation.

FAQs Maldives travel report - the most important questions and answers about the islands

Anyone who travels to the Maldives for the first time certainly has many questions - and rightly so. Because the realm of the islands has some peculiarities and customs that you should definitely know before you start your island holiday for the first time. In my travel report Maldives I have answered the most important questions and answers about the Maldives vacation with tips and inspiration.

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Travel report Maldives – a place I will always return to

My conclusion

I hope that in this Maldives travel report I was able to convey to you the beauty of the islands and the necessity of a vacation there. Because the Maldives is an incredible travel destination that you should visit at least once in your life. I have been to the Kingdom of the Islands twice so far and would go there again at any time. The relaxation factor on a Maldives holiday is particularly high because the landscape of the Maldives is so incredibly different and you are completely taken away from your everyday life in Europe.

Maldives vacation is anything but boring

The contrast simply couldn't be greater. The objection I often hear is that people think a vacation to the Maldives is boring because there isn't much to do on the small resort island. But that's not necessarily the case: you do have a few options to keep yourself busy. And letting your mind wander and doing nothing would do a lot of people a lot of good.

Ideal for relaxing

If you are looking for a beach holiday and relaxation, the Maldives is the right place for you. And if you get a little bored: just get a diving license - the underwater world is so breathtakingly beautiful that you won't want to take your head out of the water anyway.

Have you already been to the Maldives or are you planning your first trip? Which island would you like to visit? Share your experiences in the comments.

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