Idyllic Indian Ocean Paradise
Known for its Instagram-worthy overwater bungalows, and some of the best beaches in the world, Maldives is known for turquoise waters and a vibrant sea life. It’s no wonder that this island is a top pick for honeymoons and family vacations. But you may have some questions like where is the Maldives? Located southwest of Sri Lanka and India, Maldives is an archipelagic nation located in the Indian Ocean. With a total area of 116 square meters, it is one of the smallest countries in Asia.
Is Maldives Its Own Country?
Yes! Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives (also called Maldive Islands) is an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean. A few fun facts about our country:
- It’s the flattest country in the world
- There are only two seasons here – wet & dry. Because we are located near the equator it is warm year round and the water’s always warm
- Less than 1/5 of our islands are inhabited
- We have the biggest whale shark population in the world
- The bobuberu is part of traditional Maldivian music (these big drums are made of coconut wood in Maldives)
- Islam is the official region of Maldives
The Atolls
Maldives’ chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. You might be wondering what makes an island an atoll? When the island completely subsides beneath the water leaving a ring of growing coral with an open lagoon in its center, it is called an atoll.
The 26 Maldives atolls make up a total of 1196 islands. So essentially, you could come here every year on vacation and still not see all our islands. That’s what makes our home so special! It also means you should be selective when deciding where to vacation in this country as not all islands are created equal or the right fit for your family. Luckily, our team is here to help you book the right trip for you. Get in touch with one of our experts!
Getting to Maldives
Getting here may be a long journey, depending on where your departing flight takes off. However, there are several direct flights from various cities around the world making it easier than ever. Fly with any of these airlines:
- Doha by Qatar Airways
- Dubai by Emirates
- Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways
- Zurich by SWISS Airlines
- London by British Airways
- Mumbai by Air India
- Colombo by SriLankan Airlines
Regardless of where you will be departing from, ALL flights will be flying into Velana International Airport (MLE). This is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the North Malé Atoll, nearby the capital island Malé. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists.
Getting Around Maldives
As discussed above, all international flights will fly into MLE Airport. From there, travelers can either stay in the capital island Malé or venture out into a different island. All resorts, except just one, are on their own island. That’s one thing special about Maldives resorts: “one-island-one-resort” concept. Regardless, you’ll want to make sure you have your round-trip transfers set up ahead of time before you arrive as occupancy is limited. For safety and convenience, we recommend booking the transfers through your resort directly. While many guests wonder where we are located, we hope you found this blog post helpful! And more importantly, we hope to welcome you on our island sometime soon!
Planning your trip to
the Maldives?
