Twelve hundred islands, a hundred and seventy resorts, one resort per island: the Maldives invented the over-water villa and still does it better than anywhere. Soneva, Cheval Blanc, Velaa, the Ritz-Carlton and Joali set the standard; the water sets the mood.
Stay
- Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
- Velaa Private Island
- The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands, Joali, One&Only Reethi Rah
Shop
- Resort boutiques only; bring what you need
- Dive shops and water sports centres at every resort
- Local crafts on inhabited islands
- Sunscreen: reef-safe, bought before you fly
Dine
- Soneva’s restaurants, especially the overwater Japanese and the chocolate room
- Ithaa, the undersea restaurant at Conrad Rangali
- Sandbank dinners arranged by any good resort
- Fresh tuna, everywhere, every day
Gavalia’s rules
- Seaplanes fly only in daylight; a late arrival in Malé means an overnight before the resort.
- Choose by atoll and transfer: a 20-minute speedboat from Malé is a different holiday from a 45-minute seaplane to Baa or Noonu.
- Full board or all-inclusive packages are worth it; resort prices for food and drink are the highest in the world.
Choosing an island
Every resort is its own island, so the choice is everything. Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll biosphere reserve for barefoot luxury and the best food; Soneva Jani for the over-water villas with slides; Cheval Blanc Randheli for LVMH polish; Velaa for a private island with a golf academy; the Ritz-Carlton and Patina in the Fari Islands for a modern take; One&Only Reethi Rah for scale and families; Joali for design. The reef, the house reef and the transfer time matter as much as the villa.
The water
The Maldives is diving and snorkelling first: manta rays at Hanifaru Bay from June to November, whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll all year, house reefs a few metres from the villa. Surfing in the North Malé atolls from April to October. The best resorts have marine biologists on staff and take conservation seriously.
Residences
Ownership is leasehold and rare: a few resorts sell villas on long leases with rental programmes. Velaa, Soneva and the Fari Islands have the most credible offerings; prices start around 5 million dollars for an over-water villa and the income depends entirely on the resort’s occupancy.
Practicalities
Fly into Malé, ideally on a morning arrival so that the seaplane connects the same day. Pack for the resort: swimwear, linen, reef-safe sunscreen and nothing formal. The dry season from November to April is the safest bet; the shoulder months of May and October combine lower prices with good weather more often than not.
The property market
Private ownership is limited to leasehold resort residences (up to 99 years) at a handful of resorts such as Velaa, Soneva and the Fari Islands, from about 5 million dollars for an overwater villa.
Try it yourself
Destination MatcherMonth, mood and budget: the three countries or regions that fit, with the season and the hotels.Villa Cost CalculatorPurchase price and country: taxes, fees, annual running costs and the ten-year total, with rental income if you let it.Questions people ask
Which is the best resort in the Maldives?
Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani for food and barefoot luxury, Cheval Blanc Randheli and Velaa for polish and privacy, One&Only Reethi Rah for families, Joali for design.
How much does a Maldives holiday cost?
From about 1,500 dollars a night for a water villa at a top resort in low season to 5,000 to 15,000 in high season, plus seaplane transfers of 500 to 1,500 dollars per person.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
December to April for the driest weather and calmest seas. May to October brings more rain, lower prices, surf and manta rays.
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