The Maldives is a luxury holiday, make no mistake about it. It’s also one of the most relaxing places I’ve ever had the fortune of visiting.

The thing about the Maldives, or at least where we went, is that it is highly manicured. Every tree has been carefully planted, well spaced and the topiary is consistently maintained. This made it feel a little artificial but did not detract from the beauty of the island.

A bit about the Maldives

The Maldives is made up of more than 1,100 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, grouped into 26 coral atolls. Only a small number of these islands are inhabited, and many are dedicated entirely to a single resort, often one island, one hotel.

The local language is Dhivehi, though English is widely spoken, particularly in resorts.

The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, but US dollars are widely accepted and commonly used in hotels and tourist settings.

It is also important to know that the Maldives is a Muslim country. While resort islands are very relaxed when it comes to clothing, modest dress is appreciated when visiting local islands. Covering shoulders and knees is generally expected.

And yes, it is expensive. If you go to a resort island, it is not cheap. I don’t know if it possible to get an Airbnb as it was in St Lucia.

How we “did” the Maldives

I do not usually book package holidays. I like flexibility and figuring things out as I go. The Maldives, however, is one of the few places where a package holiday actually makes sense.

Transfers between islands often involve speedboats or seaplanes, and logistics can become complicated quickly. Booking everything together removed a lot of stress and meant we could simply arrive and switch off.

We opted for a resort island hotel and chose half board. We do not drink much alcohol so this worked out significantly cheaper than all inclusive (about $600 each for the week cheaper). It did mean that lunches and ice creams came at a premium, but that probably stopped us eating multiple ice creams every day!

Maldives Resort Experience: Staying at LUX*

We stayed at LUX*, a standalone island resort where staff live and work on site. Once you arrive, it genuinely feels like its own self-contained world.

From the main airport in Male, you get a seaplane to Lux* (it takes about 30 minutes). You are greeted by the hotel staff who wave you on to the island and see to your every need. Including towels shaped like animals.

The island has:

• Seven restaurants
• An ice cream parlour
• A coffee bar
• A gym
• A yoga studio
• Multiple beaches and swimming spots

The staff at the hotel know how to upsell. Excursions, spa treatments, playing cards and bottled water all come at a price. That said, a surprising amount was included in our stay, which helped balance things out. We had a snorkelling boat trip and daily snorkel hire included in our resort fee. I also had the pleasure of beach-side Yoga which was part of the package.

We ate at the restaurants which were included in half board – an Indian restaurant, a fish place and a buffet. All of the food was exceptional. There was an abundance of fresh fish and fruit. As the Maldives attracts global travellers, the buffet bought an exceptional combination of Asian, Indian food, with a little European thrown in (but not much!).

What to do in the Maldives

While the Maldives is ideal for doing very little, there is plenty to do if you want more than a sun lounger and a book.

Snorkelling is easily one of the Maldives highlights. The water is incredibly clear and even in a resort harbour you will see a range of sea life. I managed to see a stingray in water by the resort, alongside some brilliantly colourful fish. On the snorkelling excursion we did to a coral reef, I saw bright orange and bright blue fish as well as some magnificent star fish.

Most resorts also offer water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking, with motorised options available at an extra cost.

We also opted for a boat trip to see Dolphins. It really was a special experience. We saw numerous dolphins chasing each other through the water and swimming alongside the boat.

I was determined to visit another island so we did a boat trip to Dhangethi, the capital of the South Atoll. The Island has about 1000 inhabitants and is home to the local council offices, which made me happy. It was sparse, but showed a little more of Maldivian life. I REALLY wanted to visit Male, see the national museum and a couple of heritage sites. The package we booked allowed no time for this. I would say that was the only downside of our BA Holiday.

The wildlife in the Maldives

I’ve already touched on the fabulous marine life in the Maldives, but there was so much more to the nature.

The true nature highlights for us were the fruit bats, which seemed to live in every tree and the Hermit Crabs. The Hermit Crabs really were something else. They ran wild on every beach. We even managed to see one crab crawl out of its shell and into another.

What to Pack for the Maldives

Packing for the Maldives seems simple. There are some less obvious things which you should pack to make the most of your trip.

Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential, as is swimwear. Bring more than you think you will need, as you will likely live in it.

Reef safe sunscreen is important (with a high SPF), along with comfortable sandals or flip flops.

If you plan to visit local islands, pack something modest that covers your shoulders and knees.

The BEST thing I bought with me (seriously it was a stroke of genius) was my waterproof overtrousers. I say this as the one thing we didn’t plan for was two days of downpour. The waterproof trousers meant I could still navigate the island without being soaked through. Opting for the overtrousers meant they were lightweight enough for the climate.

And finally, bring a good book, load up your Kindle or get an audible subscription to listen to on the beach.The Maldives is a place where you actually get the time to read it.

Is the Maldives Worth Visiting?

Yes. But only if you want a relaxing holiday. I know this sounds silly, but if you want a deep cultural immersion or to hike mountains then the Maldives is not for you.

If you need to relax, eat some spectacular food and want to see some extraordinary wildlife, then it is THE place to visit.

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