The ULTIMATE Maldives Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Best things to do, Eat, Useful tips & MORE

The island nation of Maldives is famous as a precious gem in the middle of the vast ocean. With Living Nomads’ experience conquering the island nation, don’t worry about not being able to have fun here! Now, let’s check out our ultimate Maldives travel guide 2025: Top attractions, best things to do, useful tips & More in this article!

Maldives travel guide: Which continent is Maldives in, is it easy to go?

‘Which continent is Maldives in, and is it really easy to go, even people who have never traveled abroad can confidently go?’ Surely this is a question that many people are interested in, right? Let us reveal it right away.

Known as the smallest island nation in Asia, the island nation of Maldives is part of the Indian Ocean, and is also a ‘neighbor’ of the South Indian region. This archipelago includes 1,192 small islands, and is surrounded by 26 coral islands.

Currently, if you travel to Maldives on your own, you need to prepare a passport with at least 6 months of validity to be exempted from a visa when visiting this beautiful island. This is the reason why Maldives has become the top choice in the eyes of travel enthusiasts.

Or if you are not confident, you can join the 2-person Maldives tour. Or not, the 5-day 4-night Maldives tour or the 4-day 3-night Maldives tour recently launched by travel companies is also a perfect choice.

Means of transportation when traveling to the Maldives

Traveling to the Maldives

Up to now, there are no direct flights to the Maldives from major cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Therefore, for those who intend to travel to the Maldives, you need to fly to a third country, such as Singapore, Malaysia, then take a connecting flight to the capital Male of this island nation.

For transit flights, you can choose airlines that operate this route, including: Bangkok Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines or Singapore Airlines. The plane will land at Velana International Airport on Hulhumale Island, about 10 minutes from the capital Male Island. You can travel to the capital Male by public ferry or taxi.

Traveling in the Maldives

Public ferry

This is the main means of transportation in the Maldives. Ferries travel between local islands, but are not allowed to enter private islands or resorts.

People living in the Maldives will travel between islands by public ferry, but this means of transport is not allowed to go to private islands or resorts.

Speedboat

There are two types, canoes and boats, divided based on size and interior. This is also the means of transport mainly used by resorts to pick up and drop off guests. Prices range from $100 $300/person/round trip.

Maldives travel guide: Seaplanes

Riding a seaplane and seeing the whole Maldives is a great experience. However, the price for a seaplane trip is quite expensive, ranging from $300 to $1,000/round trip.

Currently, Maldives Air and Trans Maldives are the two airlines operating seaplane routes. Or if you stay at resorts such as Cheval Blanc or Soneva Jani, you will use the resort’s own seaplane service.

Accommodation in the Maldives

There are two types of accommodation in the Maldives, including: small hotels on neighboring islands and luxury resorts.

Hotels on neighboring islands have room rates ranging from $50 $200/night. Meanwhile, the resort islands include suggestions such as:

• Cornad Maldives Rangali Resort, Rangali Island Reference price: $600 $4,500/night (klook, agoda)
• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort, Vabbinfaru Island (North of Male Island) Reference price: from VND 24,685,000/night (klook, agoda)
• Mirihi Maldives Resort, Ari Atoll Island (South of Male Island) Reference price: from VND 21,450,000/night (klook, agoda)
• Velassaru Maldives Resort, Velassaru Island (South of Male Island) Reference price: from VND 7,550,000/night (klook, agoda)
• The Barefoot Eco Hotel, N 6 45 E73 10, Haa Dhaalu Atoll Reference price: from VND 4,775,000/night (klook, agoda)
• Marina Boutique Hotel, Kandivali Mage, Gnaviyani Island Atoll Reference price: from 1,800,000 VND/night (klook, agoda)
• Hanifaru Transit Inn, Arumaan Island / Dharavandhoo (Baa Island) Reference price: from 1,100,000 VND/night (klook, agoda)

Great experiences waiting for you in the Maldives

Diving, exploring the underwater world in the Maldives

Known as a diving paradise, the Maldives is the perfect destination for those who love the feeling of swimming in the middle of the vast ocean. The marine ecosystem in the Maldives is very diverse, with the presence of stingrays, whale sharks, sea turtles and colorful coral reefs.

 

The sea water in Maldives is very clear, the waves are calm, and the temperature is warm, suitable for everyone to enjoy swimming. You can join scuba diving at PADI centers or tours on the island.

Dolphin Watching

If you have the opportunity to sit on a boat out at sea, you will easily see schools of dolphins swimming freely, or even swimming close to the side of the boat. Dolphins in the Maldives are very bold, because the islanders keep a suitable distance to ensure their safety, so you will have the moment to watch this species of fish swim without fear of human presence.

Explore the culture and lifestyle of the local people

The local people in = Maldives mainly live in the capital Mule or Johnson Atoll, Naalaafushee. Therefore, to get a true look at the local people’s lifestyle, you can plan to visit these islands.

Maldives is a Muslim country, so the culture here is always attractive to any passionate explorer. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to follow and transform into a real local when participating in many activities with them, or wandering around to visit everywhere.

The capital Male is famous for its mosques, markets, especially the Maldives National Museum. When you come here, you will be able to understand more about the culture, history as well as have the opportunity to admire ancient artifacts from the Royal regime, or typical works of art. There are also displays of costumes of the Maldives Royal Family through many periods for everyone to admire.

In particular, Naalaafushee Island is a coastal fishing village, which still retains its own unique local cultural identity. Therefore, if you want to learn about a day in the life of a fisherman in the Maldives, this small island is a suitable place.

Enjoy the impressive glowing beach scene

The image of the beach lit up at night will definitely be an impression that lingers in your mind for a long time after the end of your independent Maldives island tour. If you want to admire this impressive image, you can visit the beach of Vaadhoo Island at night. At this time, the whole beach is like a sparkling galaxy with the beautiful fluorescent green color of Dinoflagellate algae.

Immerse yourself in the brilliant sunset scene

Considered the most ideal place to watch the sunset, so if you have the opportunity to visit the island nation of Maldives, you should definitely not miss it. At the end of the day, when the sun gradually disappears behind the horizon, at this time, the blue of the sea, the pure white of the sand and the purple-pink of the afternoon sky seem to blend together, painting a beautiful picture that touches the heart.

Stroll and breathe the wind at the beaches

The Maldives has smooth white sand beaches, combined with the blue of the ocean, making it even more beautiful. If you don’t like swimming or diving, you can leisurely stroll, listen to the sound of waves hitting the shore, the rustling of leaves and breathe the fresh air, with the salty taste of the ocean.

Dine at the Itha Undersea Restaurant

This is a wonderful experience that anyone who has the opportunity to travel to Maldives wants to enjoy. When dining at the IThaa Undersea Restaurant, you will be able to admire the panoramic view of the ocean with schools of fish swimming around. However, you need to book at least 14 days in advance, and the prerequisite is to have booked a room at the Cornad Maldives resort.

What to eat in the Maldives?

• Mas Huni: This is a dish made from Maldivian tuna. The fish meat is firm, fragrant, sweet and nutritious, combined with fatty coconut water, onions and spicy chili peppers, making it even more attractive.
• Riha Curry: Influenced by India, curry, especially Riha curry, is a dish you should enjoy when coming to Maldives. The curry has a spicy, fatty taste, fragrant with curry powder, served with firm chicken and roshi, papadu or white rice, all delicious.
• Garudhiya: This is a tuna soup, combined with chili and onion to enhance the flavor. Garudhiya is considered one of the traditional dishes of the Maldivian people.
• Gulha: This is a fried dumpling with tuna filling, mixed with onion, grated coconut and chili, so it is very delicious. The cake is fried in a pan of boiling oil, has a crispy golden crust and a rich filling.
• Fihunu Mas: The sea bass will be stuffed with red chili, onion, curry leaves, mango, then wrapped in foil and grilled over hot coals. The dish gives off a fragrant aroma, when eaten, you can clearly feel the delicious, rich, sweet taste.
• Bajiya: This is a cake with a golden crust on the outside, inside is smoked or boiled tuna, mixed with grated coconut, dried chili, mango and lots of pepper.

Things to note when traveling to the Maldives

• From December to April next year is the ideal time to travel to the Maldives. At this time, the weather in the Maldives is sunny and clear, no rain, suitable for participating in fun activities and sightseeing
• How much does it cost to travel to the Maldives? In general, the cost of independent travel to the Maldives will be around 18 to 20,000,000 VND, for a 4-day, 3-night trip
• About clothing: The Maldives is a Muslim island nation, so you need to choose appropriate clothing when coming to this island nation. If you go to sacred areas such as temples and shrines, do not wear tank tops, skirts or shorts above the knee
• Regarding food: Pork cannot be found in the Maldives, the main food of this island nation is seafood and chicken. If you are allergic, you should bring medicine and choose suitable dishes. In addition, alcohol and alcoholic beverages are not used here
• The main language in the Maldives is Dhivehi, but people also know English so you can communicate with peace of mind
• The sea level in the Maldives is not too deep, but you still need to wear a life jacket, fins, and an oxygen tank when diving to ensure safety
• Absolutely do not feed the fish on your own
• You should apply sunscreen, bring sunglasses, hats, and umbrellas because the weather in the Maldives is very sunny during the day

Compared to a precious gem in the middle of the immense Indian Ocean, the Maldives possesses a majestic beauty that overwhelms anyone who has ever been there. The natural beauty and unique local culture promise to bring you wonderful experiences. If you intend to travel to Maldives, bring this article from Living Nomads as your luggage to make your trip complete.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Maldives you can refer to

• Maldives Day Tour from Hulhumale
• Discover Scuba Dive in Maldives
• Male Island Hopping Tour
• 4G SIM Card for Maldives (MY Delivery) by Mewfi

Are you looking for more Maldives travel guide and top things to do in Maldives: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Maldives travel blog — The fullest Maldives travel guide for a great trip on a budget for the first-timers.