Maldives Holidays

Best time to travel to the Maldives for a holiday?

If there’s one location that’s at the top of most people’s bucket lists, it’s the stunning islands of the Maldives. Think swaying palm trees, sun-kissed, white, sandy beaches and water that’s so clear you can see all the way to the bottom, and you have the perfect honeymoon destination or once-in-a-lifetime luxury holiday resort.

The islands have a tropical monsoon climate, which means for the majority of the year you’ll be basking in sunshine and blue skies. However, during the monsoon season, you will encounter quite a bit of rain and often some strong winds, so you need to know exactly when to travel to the Maldives to get the best weather.

During April and May the wind shifts and the rainy season starts in earnest in June. It lasts until the end of August, when the rainfall levels ease off and the promise of endless sunny days returns. The average annual rainfall is around 250cm in the north and 380cm in the south.

Our top tip: February and March are when conditions are at their best, with lower humidity and plenty of sunshine, and when the winds are also gentle.

Latest travel advice for holidays in the Maldives

The Maldives is a very safe and stable group of islands, famous for offering visitors from around the world the warmest of welcomes. The resorts put client security and safety at the very top of their list of priorities, and you’ll feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe during your time here. The Maldives is the lowest-lying landmass in the world, and as such can be prone to storms during the monsoon season. The most likely time when you’ll encounter any stormy conditions is during July and August.

The Maldives: amazing facts and reasons to visit

Diving – if you love diving then you’ve come to the right place. The glass-clear waters and low levels of sediment make it perfect for diving, with superb visibility and stunning coloured corals. It was also the site of the world’s first (and only!) underwater cabinet meeting in 2009, done to emphasise just how important marine conservation is to the atoll, and what a devastating effect climate change could have on the islands.

Thousands of islands – the Maldives isn’t one single island – it’s no fewer than 1190 coral islands spread across 26 atolls, only 200 of which are inhabited, while a further 80 have tourist resorts on them. That means there are over 800 uninhabited coral islands (some of which are barely above sea level) making this stunning destination a magnet for everything from angel fish to hammerhead sharks.

Where are the best places to visit in the Maldives?

It’s the natural beauty of the islands, both on land and under the ocean that makes it so special. The network of islands forms an archipelago that is protected as an area of outstanding natural beauty and international importance as a conservation zone, while on land the majority of the islands are nature reserves.

If you want to see the Maldives of the postcards and travel brochures, head to Dhigurah, in the South Ari Atoll. Its sparkling beach is dusted with pure white sand and is the ultimate spot for that stroll along the beach at sunset, hand in hand with your partner.

The capital, Male, is home to markets, malls, mosques, and museums, all of which are uniquely Maldivian and a great opportunity to find out more about the culture of the islands. More modern landmarks also play an important part in the rich diversity of the islands, such as the spectacular China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, and the poignant Tsunami Memorial.

What are the best tour packages to the Maldives?

No matter which of the delightful Maldives islands you land on, you’ll instantly fall in love with this utterly charming destination. Whether you’ve decided to go for the ultimate honeymoon in Angsana Ihuru or the heavenly Constance Halaveli, or are going for an all-out luxury holiday on Anantara Kihavah or the truly gorgeous Vakkaru, a holiday to the Maldives has to be on your bucket list.

No matter where you decide to lay your head for a few days, you’ll be surrounded by two things – breath-taking beauty and total luxury. Look out over the ocean from a palatial beach hut on stilts, or watch the sun set from your own infinity pool.

Spend your tropical holiday on the beach at Banyan Tree resort, Vabbinfaru, or take the whole family to the glorious resort of The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi with its selection of water villas, beach villas and exclusive retreats.

Why go on holiday to the Maldives with Qatar Airways Holidays?

If you want the ultimate tropical island escape to a place that captures the sheer beauty of an Indian Ocean atoll, with rare wildlife, stunning flowers, and water so clear you can simply laze on the surface with a snorkel and watch the fish swim underneath you, then the Maldives is the place to come. Luxurious, exclusive resorts where every whim and desire is catered to, swaying palm trees and sand so white it’s dazzling - this is the epitome of tropical perfection. For total relaxation and indulgence, a package deal to the Maldives with Qatar Airways Holidays is the best way to experience the magic of these islands.

Our package holidays to the Maldives mean that you don’t have to worry about a thing – everything is taken care of including hotels, flights, and transfers, so all you have to do is lie back and soak up the sunshine.