Holiday rentals in Maldives

The Maldives is a series of islands located in the Indian Ocean between the southwest coast of India and Africa. With powder-white beaches lined with palm trees and cerulean waters, the Maldives are an incredibly popular place for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling, and the island chain has become synonymous with luxurious holidays. While the highlights for many visitors here are the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water, the cities and towns of the Maldives are also vibrant, and they provide a unique perspective of island life.

Male is the capital of the Maldives and is a bustling place full of busy markets selling fresh fish and produce. Here you’ll also find the stunning Grand Friday Mosque with whitewashed walls, a towering minaret, and a golden dome. The moving Tsunami Monument, created in remembrance of the natural disaster that flooded two-thirds of the city and took the lives of 82 people across the country, is also located here. The town of Maafushi has a laid-back feel and is a great jumping-off point for snorkelling trips to some of the smaller atolls.

The Maldives’ climate is split into two distinct seasons — the dry season, which lasts from November to April, followed by the rainy season, which starts in May and goes through October. The dry season not only offers stunning weather it also brings the best conditions for snorkelling.

During the rainy season, the rain can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, which can make planning your vacation a bit tricky. However, this is when all the islands are quietest. If you plan to stay in Male, note that some places may have limited opening hours during the month-long holiday of Ramadan, as the Maldives is a Muslim country.

Sandbanks

Explore the Maldives by taking a boat trip to one of the many sandbanks —  or explore them on foot during low tide. These pseudo-islands are made up of silky white sand and a few palm trees surrounded by crystal clear, bathwater warm water dotted with coral reefs. When strong waves hit, the sandbanks can disappear temporarily, but they reappear and reform when changes in weather pushes the sand around once more. When the waters are calm, there is plenty of room on the sandbanks for lounging around.

Male

With a mixture of high-rise buildings and low-slung shops running along narrow alleyways, Male is a crowded city on a tiny island surrounded by the sparkling Indian Ocean. It is the capital of the Maldives, so you will find many of the country’s government buildings here, as well as ornate mosques, interesting museums, and popular parks and playgrounds.

Snorkeling

Thanks to the crystal-clear waters and an amazing variety of tropical fish and coral, the Maldives is an incredible place for snorkelling. You can simply grab a snorkel and head into the water from many of the private islands, or you can arrange a snorkelling trip from Maafushi Town. Some of the best snorkelling spots on the island include HP Reef, Banana Reef, and Manta Point.