How to decide on the right destination to place yourself during your Maldivian vacation –Your guide to the ideal island escape for an epic getaway 

The Maldives has so much to offer its travellers. It may often be introduced as a single tropical paradise, but the truth is that it is made up of many islands, including ring-shaped coral atolls among others, each offering unique experiences for its visitors. Therefore, it might be tricky to decide where to place yourself if you are visiting it for the first time or have been there before. Not to worry. Here we present a guide for you to make the right decision and have a great holiday to remember. 

Transfer time 

Unlike many destinations across the world, all the accommodations in the Maldives demand a speedboat, a domestic flight or a seaplane transfer. Therefore, not planning properly may cost you some time, especially if your property is far away and needs a seaplane transfer. Those are not readily available like speedboats, as they function only between 6 am and 3:30 pm. You may even have to stay overnight if the flight is scheduled for the next day, and this will take away some of the time you should be pampering yourself or enjoying some activities during your holiday. Such a situation will also get you to book an overnight stay close to Velana International Airport, adding unexpected expenses to your vacation. 

Image via The Residence Maldives

Decide on your budget

Check your budget and choose your hotel accordingly, as your budget largely determines your location and options. Many island hotels, such as The Residence Maldives, offer guest privileges and deals that can help you get more out of your stay. So take the time to explore what different hotels offer, prioritise what matters most to you, and decide accordingly based on the amount you have at hand. This way, you can enjoy the facilities and activities you want without the worry of overspending during your trip.

Accommodation preferences

Make sure the activities you need are available close to the place you are hoping to stay. It is no use spending hours travelling or large amounts to take seaplanes to visit another atoll if whatever you have in mind is not available at or close to the place you have chosen. Maldives island resorts offer unparalleled privacy. So if you are planning a romantic getaway, you might like to check out those. Those who are looking for adventurous activities like exploring historical sites should place themselves closer to places like Kondey Island, where they will be able to walk among the pre-Islamic Buddhist ruins and ancient stupas.

Activities you wish to explore 

Place yourself in the right atoll to get all the activities you wish to experience and all the places you hope to visit a comfortable distance away. Keep in mind that surfing waves, marine life, and cultural experiences vary drastically by location. If you are into diving, you might want to set yourself in a place close to Vilingili Kandu, a prime spot for marine biodiversity. You will be able to encounter massive schools of silvertip sharks and grey reef sharks. Surfing enthusiasts will have a great time at Kooddoo. You can even snorkel at the Falhuma House Reef and witness untouched coral gardens in the archipelago. Embark on an island-hopping spree to destinations like Villingili to experience the local culture of the fishing community and witness their lifestyle, how they construct boats, and buy some enchanting local handicraft items. Dolphin watching is also a top activity at a place like Gaafu Alif Atoll, which you can enjoy with your kids. There are bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins aplenty between December and April in the calm sea.