Ultimate Maldives Honeymoon Guide

If there is one place in the world to take the most epic honeymoon ever, it’s the Maldives. A Maldives honeymoon cannot be topped.

Think overwater bungalows, the craziest shades of blue ever, vibrant marine life, and much more.

We’ve put together this guide to help plan your honeymoon in the Maldives. Everything from how to get to the Maldives, the best resorts for a Maldives honeymoon, what to pack for the Maldives, the weather in the Maldives, the best time to visit the Maldives, and much more.

We’ve been to the Maldives twice and spent five weeks island hopping in the Maldives, so we can speak from our first-hand experience.

---

Maldives Honeymoon |Everything You Need To Know

How to get to the Maldives

Don’t let the long flight scare you away from a honeymoon in the Maldives. Flights aren’t as bad or as expensive as you may think. You’ll probably have 1-2 layovers, depending on where you are coming from.

When searching flights, you’ll want to look for flights to Male (MLE), but it may be cheaper to fly into Colombo, Sri Lanka, and buy a flight to the Maldives from there.

If you are coming from the USA, it will probably take 16-24 hours to get to the Maldives, but it will be so worth it. Common layover stops are Abu Dhabi, UAE, Dubai, UAE, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On our trip to the Maldives, we flew from Chicago O’hare to Colombo and spent a few weeks exploring the best of Sri Lanka before getting on a flight to the Maldives. For $250 round trip, we then flew to the Maldives on Sri Lankan air.

After our five weeks in the Maldives were up, we flew Air Asia direct to Bangkok for under $300. Airlines we personally have flown and recommended for long-haul flights to the Maldives, in order of our favorites: Korean Air, Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, Air Asia, Turkish Air, and Air Berlin. We flew Korean Air to our honeymoon in Thailand and Sri Lankan Air & Air Asia to the Maldives.

How to get to Maldives Resorts

All flights land at Male International Airport (MLE), from where you will board a seaplane or speedboat/ferry to your Maldives resort. Some resorts are only accessible by flight, and some offer a speedboat and flight option.

If you opt for the speedboat, we highly suggest the flight for at least one way. The views from a seaplane in the Maldives are out of this worth.

There are public ferries in the Maldives, but they don’t go to any of the private Maldives resort islands so your only option will to be book a speedboat or flight with your hotel. The hotel will book all this on your behalf (and bill you), and they work with the airline to coordinate flight times and everything.

We took four seaplanes in the Maldives and a Maldivan Airlines flight to GAN, the furthest southern island in the Maldives.

If you come in on a late flight, you may want to consider staying at Hotel Jen Male for a night to catch up on jet lag and then heading off to your honeymoon hotel the next day. This is where we stayed for the first night.

Maldives Honeymoon Experiences

A honeymoon in the Maldives will be epic no matter where you stay or what you do during the day. The Maldives has tons of different options to fit every Maldives honeymooner’s budget and travel style.

Stay in an Over the Water Bungalow in the Maldives

When you hear the word Maldives, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Overwater bungalows! A few nights in overwater bungalows in the Maldives is a must. Your honeymoon dreams come true in an overwater bungalow.

Breakfast in bed with epic ocean views, or look down through your fish window on the floor. You can literally just jump off your balcony into the ocean or possibly have the choice of your own private pool or ocean. There were a few days where we never left our room except for meals.

There are Maldives water villas ranging from $300 – $50,000+ a night. If you think you can’t afford a water villa in the Maldives, you might be shocked by how low prices can be during the low season.

If you can’t splurge for one on your entire honeymoon, consider upgrading to a water villa for at least two nights. We personally stayed in four overwater bungalow resorts in the Maldives, all of which were under $500 a night.  The below prices are for September 2021.

If you were ever considering buying a drone for travel, this is the place you’d want it for. Complete travel drone guide here with my professional recommendations and compare each model.

Budget Maldives Overwater Villas Under $500 a night 

• Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon less than $200 a night. We’ve spent 3 nights here and loved it | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia
• Summer Island Maldives, our personal favorite. We’ve spent 11 nights here | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia
• Kandima Maldives | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia

Mid Range Maldives Overwater Villas $500-$1,000  a night 

• Gili Lankanfushi Maldives | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia
• Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives All Inclusive | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia 
• Six Senses Laamu | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia

Luxury Maldives Overwater Villas Over $2,000+ a night 

• Soneva Jan | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia | starting $5,000 night
• One & Only Reethi Rah | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia | TripAdvisor Reviews
• Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives | Hotels.com | Orbitz | Expedia

Swim With Whalesharks in the Maldives Year Round

If swimming with whale sharks is on your bucket list like ours, then you should head to South Atoll. These magical creatures can be found year-round in South Ari Atoll.

Being able to swim alongside the largest fish in the sea that can reach lengths of 40 feet is definitely a bucket list honeymoon item. Best hotels to stay at to swim with the whale sharks in the Maldives:

• LUX* South Ari Atoll | Hotels.com | Orbitz
• Lily Beach Maldives Resort | Hotels.com | Orbitz
• Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa  | Hotels.com | Orbitz

A Week on a Catamaran Sailing in the Maldives

Spend a week sailing through the Maldives on a catamaran. This is not only the best way to island-hop in the Maldives but also the cheapest. For only $1344 a person, you’ll have a private cabin and all meals covered, and you’ll wake up on a different island every day.

For those who love the water, you’ll have unlimited snorkeling & kayaking in some of the sickest places in the world. Have private islands and beaches all to yourself.  Here are some of the highlights from South Ari Atoll, Meerufenfushi, Dhigghiri, and Guraidoo local island, for the complete itinerary, click here. When we return to the Maldives, this is #1 on our list of things to do in the Maldives.

Divers Paradise Liveaboard Dive Trip

This honeymoon experience is best for those who are divers. Some of the best dive sites in the world are in the Maldives, and there is no better way to dive in the Maldives than getting on a liveaboard.

For those unfamiliar with a liveaboard, it’s a boat that’s main purpose is all about diving. Most liveaboards are three to four dives a day. Liveaboard prices vary based on the boat, room type, if you require equipment, etc.

Adam is a diver and I (Hannah) am not which is not a  problem, non-divers can still go on liveaboards at a reduced rate. We suggest doing some research to decide what dive sites in the Maldives you’d like to visit and find a boat that fits your budget and bucket list. Check here for prices. You’ll be shocked to see how affordable a liveaboard in the Maldives is.

Related Article: More Than Beaches, Aruba Honeymoon Guide

Catch a Wave Surfing in the Maldives

You might not know this, but the Maldives has some pretty epic surf spots. Like liveaboards, there are boat trips that cater to surfers, bringing them to different surf breaks in the Maldives.

However, some breaks are private. Some resorts “own a break” and only their paying customers can surf on the break. We saw this at Cinnamon Dhonveli Resort. If you’re a surfer, definitely consider a resort that owns a surf break. It’ll not only guarantee you can surf it, but there won’t be a ton of surfers due to it being private. Other great places to surf in the Maldives and resorts to stay at:

• BUDGET| Cinnamon Dhnoveli Maldives as low as $134 a night, owns its own private surf break.
• MID RANGE| Ayada Maldives luxury surf resort with 6 surf breaks within a 30-minute boat ride, book online here.

Head Down to Gan, the southernmost island in the Maldives

We traveled to the Maldives in June & July during the wet season and found the best weather in Gan, and the prices were way cheaper. Compare Gan hotels online here.  

There aren’t nearly as many hotels down here, but there are still a ton of things to do in Gan: diving, surfing, snorkeling, and more. There is great diving, especially at Manta Point, British Loyalty, the largest shipwreck in the Maldives, and more.

• BUDGET | Equator Village is located on a local island, so you’ll get to book online here for $150+ a night.
• MID RANGE | Canareef (we stayed here) is a unique location as you can bike to the local village on the island, but yet it’s considered a private island, so alcohol is allowed. All the rooms are right on the beach. They have a sunset side & a sunrise side. During the wet season, you can book a room for $200+ a night.
• LUXURY |  Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives, For only $500+, you can have a villa with your own private pool and epic ocean views, book online.

Things to know before planning a Maldives Honeymoon

1. 1,192 Islands In The Maldives

There are 1,192 coral islands in the Maldives, to be exact, and they are grouped into 26 atolls, which have 122 resort islands. There are two types of islands in the Maldives: private resort islands and local islands.

Up until 2009, tourists in the Maldives were only allowed to stay on private resort islands, but now they can be amongst locals on local islands. We spent four nights on the local island Thulusdhoo. It was great to get a feel of a local island; however, for a Maldives honeymoon, I would stick to resort islands.

2. Alcohol in the Maldives

The Maldives is a strict Muslim country. HOWEVER, alcohol is permitted on resort islands. Do not purchase any duty-free alcohol and bring it into the Maldives. It will get picked up on the scanner and taken away when entering the Maldives.

Almost all Maldives resorts offer an all-inclusive package that includes all the alcohol you can drink but in no way like a Caribbean all-inclusive sloppy mess.

3. Dress Code in the Maldives

Bikinis and skimpy clothing are not allowed on local islands in the Maldives. If you do travel to a local Maldives island, they may have a dedicated portion of the beach for bikinis. Please respect the local culture and cover yourself when on the local islands or in Male.

We highly suggest even wearing pants & covering your shoulders when at the Male airport. Once you are on your Maldives honeymoon island, feel free to wear your bikinis and booty shorts.

4. Fridays in the Maldives

Friday is the holy day for Muslims, and you should expect things to operate slightly differently on Fridays (even at resorts), especially Fridays during Ramadan. One of the biggest things you’ll notice is the lunch hour will most likely be slightly later.

5. Bacon at Breakfast

Most resorts will have pork sausages and chicken sausages. Pork products are another thing that are not allowed on local islands in the Maldives but are on resort islands.

Best time for a honeymoon in the Maldives

There are two main seasons in the Maldives: wet season and dry season. With that being said, the Maldives is a great year-round destination. The dry season is typically January through March, and the wet season is May through November.

We have been in the Maldives during June & July, and yes, there was rain sometimes, but in no way did it ruin our vacation. We had more than enough hours of full sunshine.

With the weather, there is no guarantee, but if you are after near-perfect weather, then plan your honeymoon in the Maldives to be from November to April. Peak season is December and March, and prices will be at their highest. If you want to save some money, consider the low season in the Maldives instead.

Maldives Visa

The Maldives has visas on arrival or visa-free for ALL nationalities for 30 days except for Indians, who get 90 days without a visa, and Bruneian residents, who get 15 days. Just present your passport at immigration, and you’ll get a free visa on arrival in the Maldives.

Traveling to the Maldives during Ramadan

We personally went island hopping in the Maldives during Ramadan and would recommend it. Ramadan is the ninth Islamic lunar month, so Ramadan dates change every year. For the entire month, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations during daylight hours.

They wake up early and have a large meal, and after sunset, they break fast with a large meal. If you are in Male very few restaurants will be open during the day, we stayed at Hotel Jen Male which caters to tourists so we were able to get food all day long.

As a tourist, it is best to respect the culture and not eat or drink on the street in front of those who are fasting. If you are thinking of taking a Maldives honeymoon during Ramadan, it shouldn’t affect your honeymoon at all.

When is Ramadan 2024?

• March 10, 2024 – April 9, 2024

What to wear in the Maldives

You can wear whatever you want on private Maldives resort islands, but when on local islands, including Male, women should cover up and be respectful of the local culture. Women should wear pants and cover their shoulders, yes, even during the summer months.

Maldives Honeymoon Cost/Budget

The cost of a honeymoon in the Maldives is going to vary based on which Maldives resort you stay at. Another big factor is which meal package you choose. We suggest the half board option if you aren’t a big drinker (breakfast & dinner). If you are a big drinker, then you may want to consider the all-inclusive option, so you don’t have to worry about how much drinks cost and how many you have.

If you are trying to take a budget honeymoon don’t be afraid of the Maldives, it can be done for under $3,000 for two people if you pick the right time of year and watch for deals. The typical Maldives honeymoon will cost around $5,000 for two people, but if you ask us, it’s definitely worth every penny.

One Week Maldives Honeymoon Cost Estimate

• $2,000+ return flights to the Maldives
• $200-$800 transportation to Maldives resort island
• $500+ activities in the Maldives (snorkeling, local village trip, diving, special dinners, etc.)
• $1,500+ accommodation in the Maldives

Don’t forget your insurance! You never know when you’ll need it. We suggest getting travel insurance with Safety Wing. Which coverage includes medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, and more. Often rates are as low as $12 a week. 

How much time do you need in the Maldives?

If you’re coming from North America or Europe, it’s going to be a long flight, so we suggest spending at least a week in the Maldives. You’ll want a day just to relax and recover from jetlag.

Once you land in the Maldives, you never want to leave. We spent five weeks island hopping in the Maldives, as the Maldives is huge and every island is slightly different. If you have a few weeks, consider visiting different parts of the Maldives.

Maldives Cell Phone & Data

The first thing we do when in a new country is pick up a local SIM card; sorry, we can’t live without being connected. All of our resorts in the Maldives had free wifi, and for the most part, it was really considering where we were.

We, however, do still suggest picking up a local SIM card and data package. Right at the airport, there is a Dhiraagu location, the local cell phone provider. They sell “tourist packages” where you pick a set amount of data and pick how many days you need it valid for. Our plan was roughly $30, and it worked on every island in the Maldives we visited.

Money in the Maldives

For most honeymooners in the Maldives, you’ll be staying at a resort in which you won’t need cash. Any charges should be charged back to your room, and the credit card is on file. The Maldive’s currency is the Rufiyaa, which is roughly $1 USD 15.

However, if you want to tip the local staff, giving them Rufiyaa, USD, Euro, or GBP is best. You can exchange money at the Male airport or get local currency at the ATM. If you spend any time in the capital city, Male, or local Maldives islands, it’s best to have Rufiyaa.

Other Epic Honeymoon Destinations

If a Maldives honeymoon isn’t for you, make sure to check out our other related honeymoon guides.

• 25 Top Honeymoon Destinations in 2024
• Thailand Honeymoon | 2 Week Honeymoon cost $3,800-$6,600
• Myanmar Honeymoon | 2 Week Honeymoon cost $5,000+

---

A honeymoon in the Maldives is easily the best place in the world to take a honeymoon. No matter where you stay or what you do, you’ll be surrounded by the craziest colored water ever with your loved one by your side. It’ll easily be the easiest decision you’ll make during all the wedding planning.

Pin me for later!