Maldives Holidays

Overview
When to go
Travel Information

Overview

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Colourful coral with Moray Eel, Maldives

With over 1000 idyllic islands, Maldives holidays boast stunning lagoons, beautiful white sand beaches and dazzling underwater coral gardens. Famous for incredible diving opportunities, the Maldives is home to three quarters of the world's reef fish. Add fantastic luxury hotels, seamless service and world-class spas and discover why holidays to the Maldives are the perfect romantic retreat.

Dreaming of a barefoot paradise? Make your dreams come true with our luxury Maldives holidays.

Maldives Highlights

Tropical beaches: Utterly peaceful and exotic, the unspoilt sugar white sands of the Maldives leave even the most discerning travellers awe-struck. The beach and sea play a major part of any holiday to the Maldives, characterised by beautifully formed atolls. A huge array of water-sports are available on each island including kayaking and kite surfing.

Diving: A pristine diver's paradise where dazzling underwater coral gardens are home to an assortment of marine life surrounds the islands of the Maldives. All islands have dive centres and they offer courses for amateurs as well as PADI certified. Why not give it a go next time?

Sea Planes and Speedboats: Transferring to your hotel by speedboat or seaplane is all part of the excitement. Seaplanes offer the best views and are the perfect way to start and end your holiday. If your international flight arrives in the evening (after 1630) or arrives early morning (before 0900) a night in Male may be required. It is advisable to wear shoes that are suitable for climbing in and out of boats and seaplanes. Due to weight restrictions, if you are taking a sea plane, your luggage may need to be transferred to your island by boat. This may take an extra few hours.

Privacy & Seclusion: By law the Maldivian government allows one resort per island. You're never fighting for a sunbed, and are free to wander the beautiful tropical island, before returning to your luxurious over water bungalow and admiring the view of turquoise waters meeting he clear blue skies.

Island Hopping: With such a wide choice of islands, twin and multicentre holidays are very popular.Travel by seaplane between each for a bird's eye view, or take an excursion by dhoni (a traditional Maldivian boat) to see local fishing village and what the other atolls have to offer.

Maldives Factfile

When to go

Temperature Range: 25°C - 33°C

Travel Information

Direct flights: British Airways, Sri Lankan Airways and Thomson

Indirect flights: Emirates and Qatar Airways

Visa information: None for British citizens

Health information: No specific vaccinations required

Time Difference: GMT +5 hrs in Male, the capital. Some islands run island time which is GMT +6 hours.

When To Go

Best Value

To avoid the highest prices of December to April, stick to before and after the high season. There will be fewer crowds and you could get that same stunning scenery for a bargain price. Considerably cheaper still, is the summer months of June to August. Although the chance of rain is high, it will not interrupt your relaxing island getaway.

Best Time to Go

If you are looking for sunny days and clear blue skies, travel to the Maldives between December and April. There are plenty of activities available, great diving and with little chance of rain.

Most Popular

Most people choose to visit the Maldives during the winter months of December to April so they can take full advantage of the outdoors with warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine. November, October and May are also becoming more popular, with warm temperatures and a slightly higher chance of showers, the diving opportunities are great all year.

Hottest

The Maldives enjoys warm tropical weather year round, with temperatures averaging 28ºC. The hottest months are March & April where temperatures can reach 33ºC. The coolest months are June to August but temperatures are still anything from a pleasant 26ºC.

Climate

The north experiences higher temperatures and less showers, than the south. There are two monsoon seasons in the Maldives. The northwest monsoon brings very little rain and wind from November to April, whereas the southwest monsoon can bring heavier showers from June to August. Temperatures average at 28 ºC throughout the year.

Maldives Travel Information

Flight information

There are a number of carriers offering flights to the Maldives from the UK.

Direct Carriers: British Airways, Sri Lankan Airways and Thomson offer a direct service from the UK.

Indirect Carriers: Emirates and Qatar Airways offer and indirect service via Dubai or Doha.

Departure Taxes: There is no departure tax when visiting the Maldives.

Visa information

British Citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the Maldives but will be given a 30 day visa on arrival free of charge. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the Maldives. Please contact the Maldivian Embassy for up to date country and visa information on 0207 224 2135.
How to obtain a visa
If you need a travel visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport Professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specializes in fast, dependable visa application services. Don't wait until the last minute, for an application form and discounted pricing. Call 0844 800 4650 or visit http://www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis