Maldives
Tropical. Tranquil. Utopian. The islands of the Maldives are a byword for paradise.
These scattered, low-lying coral islands peppered across an enormous stretch of Indian Ocean have cornered the honeymoon market with their azure waters, icing sugar beaches and inky, star-lanced skies. The 26 atolls do sublime simplicity like nowhere on earth. Superlative diving and snorkelling in bath-like lagoons, immaculate beaches and extraordinary service, there’s no compromise to be made here.
Experiences
Swim with enormous whale sharks and gliding manta rays; enjoy a romantic torch-lit dinner on a private beach with exotic Maldivian dancers to entertain; set sail for a Robinson Crusoe experience on your own private desert island; sail a traditional Dhoni yacht to explore outlying coral reefs, swim or siesta while a chef prepares a delicious lunch onboard; cruise to far-flung islands on a luxury superyacht; try big game fishing or learn age-old Maldivian fishing methods before a sushi supper; gain insights into the local culture and the Maldivian way of life, picking up local arts and crafts; dive with reef sharks; enjoy luxurious spa treatments in over-water bungalows; kick back with a cocktail on a vast hammock, slung directly over the Indian Ocean, and watch the fish dart beneath you.
Where to Stay
Private islands; over-water villas; or cruise the islands onboard a superyacht.
When to Go
From June to November rain is more likely and the air is humid, but besides the showers, blue skies and warm waters are a year-round draw.