The most beautiful islands of the Maldives: top 10 places

The Maldives is Eden on earth. Crystal-clear water and snow-white sand - almost everyone has seen such photos. No wonder the Maldives has gained the glory as one of the most beautiful islands.

Maldives | Asad Photo Maldives

What makes the Maldives so picture-postcard

• Paradisal sandy beach. It's all thanks to the corals. They have been growing in the Indian Ocean for thousands of years. It takes centuries to create lush gardens, because the corals grow by only a few centimeters per year. When the corals reach the surface, they eventually turn into limestone. Influenced by the winds and water, it then becomes snow-white sand. Coral sand can be found at only 5% of the world's beaches. By the way, coral sand does not warm up too much and even during the baking-hot heat, it is comfortable to walk on it.
• Lagoons and coral gardens. The underwater world is a reason people come to the Maldives. There are more than a thousand islands, each not larger than a kilometer in length and several hundred meters in width on average. They are surrounded by a lagoon with incredibly beautiful coral reefs and a great number of marine dwellers. Snorkeling and diving in the Maldives is what makes these islands some of the most attractive in the world.
• Tropical vegetation. All these coconut palms, breadfruits, mangroves and flowering shrubs by the turquoise lagoons and white sand really look like a piece of paradise.
• Perfect temperature. The islands of the Maldives are located at the equator. The air temperature here rarely descents below +24 even at night, and the water temperature is + 24-27 degrees. This is the perfect temperature for hiking at virtually any time of the year, especially while watching the sunrises and sunsets that the Maldives are famous for.
• Luxurious villas. Due to the size of the islands, the Maldives pursue the concept of “one island - one hotel”. The icing on the cake is the villas above the water, which can be found at just a few other islands of the world. Sumptuous bungalows with all the benefits of a luxurious holiday attract thousands of tourists every year. One just has to decide which are the most beautiful islands in the Maldives. A review of the premium places is stated further in the article.

Play and Chill

We start with the duo of the islands - Play and Chill. Their striking trait is that the islands are located next to each other and joined by a romantic bridge. You can take amazing photos here to make everyone on Instagram jealous.

• Play is for active leisure enthusiasts. Beach villas are located here. The island itself is an oasis with tropical vegetation.
• Chill is for those who came to relax. The two islands are united by the Niyama Private Islands Maldives

The luxurious Drift Spa Essentials is set above the lagoon, bathtubs and Jacuzzi with lime gardens are the perfect place to unwind. Explorers Kids Club and Water Activities Float Center provide everything for clients, both young and adult. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts can explore the local corals. A marine excursion is organized by a biologist, who will not only speak about corals, but also teach how to plant them. There are 9 restaurants with sophisticated cuisine for gourmands. There are 2 exotic ones - Nest and Subsix. The first is located at a height of 6 meters among the trees, the second is at a depth of 6 meters in the Indian Ocean.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Dhigali

The Dhigali Maldives hotel is located on the island. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the Maldives. Due to the hotel design, it harmoniously fits into the nature of the island. The architecture is not prevailing over nature, which sometimes happens to modern hotels. Wide snow-white beaches, wooden paths in the sand, shaped pools, gazebos in tropical gardens - the nature is beautiful both under and above the water.

Compared to other islands in the Maldives, Dhigali is quite large, so you can explore it by buggy buses. If you want to have a walk, it is better to do it barefoot or in very comfortable shoes.

The hotel offers the services of the Dhigali Spa center. You can enjoy massages and beauty treatments, as well as attend yoga and meditation classes here. There are 8 restaurants and bars on the island. You can enjoy local cuisine while admiring the Maldivian sunset at Faru restaurant or tasting premium wines at the East Bar. There is also entertainment for young guests from 4 to 12 years old at the children's club. The PADI dive center will help you explore the reef.


Dhigali Maldives

Magudhuvaa

The island is located in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, which is quite far from Male. The trip to Magudhuvaa can be exhausting for children. It takes an hour by plane, followed by an hour by boat. Therefore, we recommend it for adults’ vacation. Long flight is compensated by the advantages of the island.

Ayada Maldives is settled on Magudhuvaa. It is ranked among the 25 Best Resorts in the World on TripAdvisor and is a 2019 Traveler's Choice Award winner.

Modern design, wooden furniture, restaurants at the beach and stunning sunset and sunrise views - what else is needed for a great getaway? There is also a diversified fauna. You can meet flying foxes, crabs, and various lizards. Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is considered the most beautiful region of the Maldives.

What does the hotel offer? Surfing, diving, water sports and fishing. You should keep in mind that unauthorized fishing along the coast of the Maldives is prohibited. To organize such an activity, you need to approach the hotel administration. You can be sure that the service here is spotless.

Each room is served by a professional butler. In addition to the spa center and kids club, there is also a gym with necessary equipment and an opportunity to play football, table tennis and billiards.

Ayada Maldives

Rangali and Rangalifinilhu

Another couple of islands is included in the selection of the most beautiful in the Maldives. Here you will be surprised by the resort's underwater design.

• The first plus is the good location. It can be reached by seaplane in 30 minutes from Male.
• The second plus is that the hotel has been included in the lists of the best hotels in the world several times. For example, in 2018 the Time Magazine mentioned the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Hotel in the World’s 100 Greatest Places.
• The third adventure and undoubtedly beautiful feature is that the islands are joined by a bridge. There is also a ferry cruising in between.
• Fourth, Conrad has the world's first underwater villa, The Muraka. Here the beauty of the island will be revealed from a new side - you will be surrounded by the unique underwater world of the Maldives.
• The fifth highlight is the underwater restaurant Ithaa. Just imagine: there are dishes from the best chefs in the world on the table, and outside the window you can admire a variety of the best underwater world.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Hadahaa

Hadahaa looks like a cherry from above. The island is round in shape, and the water villas are built in a curved line resembling a tail. With a classic tropical island in mind, Hadahaa is perfect - a small circular island with lush greenery, white coastline and surrounded by the blue lagoon. In a selection of the most beautiful and interesting islands in the Maldives, this is our cherry on top. It should be mentioned that most of the islands in the Indian Ocean are stretched.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

The island is located on the Gaafu Alifu atoll, almost at the equator. There are no noisy parties here. Just you and the nature. The water villas are located right by the reef, you can submerge to snorkel from your porch. The beauty of the underwater reef is beyond words.

The local hotel Park Hyatt Maldives won a World Travel Award as a "Leading Green Resort" in the archipelago. During construction, the owners tried not to cut trees, just replanted some of them to other places. 50 luxurious villas are inviting guests to the island. There are 7 restaurants and bars, diving and spa centers.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Vihamanaafushi

Vihamanaafushi was included in the selection of the most beautiful places for a reason. In 1972, the first resort in the Maldives Kurumba Maldives was opened here. They chose, of course, the most attractive island. Its benefits today are lush gardens, well-tended, with paved paths and various places to unwind.

Kurumba Maldives

The hotel got its name after the many coconut trees growing on the island. The word “kurumba” is translated from local language Dhivehi as a "coconut".

The island is located close to the capital Male within just 10 minutes by boat. It is great for families. Another advantage of Vihamanaafushi is a superb reef. It is home to reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, trunkfish and many other marine inhabitants.

The hotel offers spa services, gym, and various water activities for adults and children.

Kurumba Maldives

Kandolhu

Kandolhu Island is magnificent thanks to its unsurpassed nature, as well as the architectural design of the Kandolhu Maldives Resort located here. The roofs of villas and other buildings are designed to resemble the Maldivian Dhoni boat. The result looks unusual and beautiful not only from the outside, but also inside the buildings. Thanks to this, Kandolhu is mentioned in our list.

Kandolhu Maldives Resort

The small island is excellent for couples and honeymooners. A total of 30 water and beach villas at Kandolhu will provide you with comfort and maximum privacy.

The hotel provides spa services, diving, excursions and much more.

Kandolhu Maldives Resort

Lankanfushi

It is another secluded island for pure Maldivian relaxation. Lankanfushi stands out for its wide white beaches, smoothly conversing into a transparent shallow lagoon. Photos taken here seem to be unrealistically adorable.

Lankanfushi Island

The most romantic evenings in the Maldives are arranged here.

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

The resort has 45 authentic sea and beach villas. The hammocks in the middle of the ocean are stunning! By the way, the North Male Atoll region, where the island is located, is considered one of the cleanest in the ocean.

Gili Lankanfushi hotel was included in World’s top 5 by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards in 2018. The villas are built with environmentally friendly materials, the design is simple, but thought out to the tiny details.

In addition to the traditional bars, restaurants, spa and fitness center, you can also play tennis at the mini courts.

Lankanfushi Island is home to the Gili Veshi Research Center, which is involved in the conservation of coral reefs.

Villingili

Villingili is the largest in our list of the most beautiful islands in the Maldives: it is about 3 km long and 0.8 km wide. Cycle paths run from one end of the island to the other. You can be sure this tour will be one of the most scenic in your life:

• Manicured tropical gardens
• Snow-white beach
• Turquoise lagoons
• One-of-a-kind sunsets and sunrises
• The only 9-hole golf course in the Maldives
• Luxurious villas of the famous Shangri-La's Villingili Island Resort & Spa

While staying at the island you can also visit local farms. Tourism in Addu Atoll has started to develop not so far ago. For a long time, the locals earned their living particularly by agriculture. You can explore farming traditions at the Meedhoo Farm.

They offer an unforgettable lunch at the equator line for couples. Guests are transferred there by a splendid yacht.

Shangri-La's Villingili Island Resort & Spa

Biyadhoo

A small island surrounded by the azure ocean, got to our list due to the beauty of the underwater world. TheSouth Male Atoll region is considered one of the most exciting for divers. There are 20 fantastic diving spots right by the island.

The Biyadhoo Island Resort is settled on the island. 96 comfortable rooms are waiting for the guests. Both tourists and businessmen who cannot be distracted from work for more than a minute can stay here. The hotel provides them with the necessary facilities.

The island offers spa center services, ocean fishing at dawn, windsurfing and canoeing.

It is up to you to choose the most picturesque island in the Maldives. Feel free to go to this paradise on earth and identify your favorite!

Biyadhoo Island Resort