I was in the Maldives for the first time in 2017. Back then, it was rare to see a family with children on the island: the hotel was filled with couples of different ages and nationalities.
A lot has changed in 8 years: The Maldives is no longer just a lazy resort where you can just lie on the beach, drink cocktails and kiss against the setting sun. Today, everyone is coming here: divers, surfers, fun groups of friends, large families with toddlers, teenagers, grandparents, and solo travelers. And everyone finds something to their liking. Join us!
Content
- How to get there
- What to do: 6 ideas
- Where to stay
- Tips
How to get there
The easiest way is a direct Aeroflot flight: it departs Sheremetyevo at 22:10 and lands at Velan International Airport about 8 hours later. That is, you will be able to swim in the morning. The price of a round-trip ticket for April is 81,200 rubles (without luggage). You can also connect via Bahrain, Dubai or Sharjah.
How to save money in Maldives
I’ve already told you about! A blog on how to visit these wonderful islands and not go broke. For example, you can go on vacation in the summer when it’s low season in the Maldives, stay on an island where locals live and get discounts on accommodation.
Things to do in the Maldives
Surfing
There are several surf points in the Maldives that are highly appreciated by athletes from all over the world. Among the most popular are Chickens, Cokes, Moodhuclub
and others. The high season for surfing is considered to be the period from May to October, although sometimes there are good waves in April. Surfers usually settle on local islands.: it’s more budget friendly. But some resorts, such as Kuda Villingili, offer special conditions for wave conquerors.
Horse riding
Sounds like fantasy, but Sun Siyam Resort has a whole horse ranch. Indian Marwari horses, accustomed to the hot climate, live here. The pride of the hotel is the first ever horse born in the Maldives. It is free to observe the inhabitants of the ranch, including parrots, domestic birds and Nubian goats, and horse riding lessons are available to tourists for a fee.
Indian Marwari horses, accustomed to hot climates, live here. Photo: leoks/Shutterstock.com
Go-karting
Another unusual entertainment by Maldivian standards on the same island with the Sun Siyam Hotel: the Speed Racers Circuit go-karting track. A great option for an unusual date or a friendly competition. You can test your cornering skills and the ability to maneuver in a narrow space.
It’s safe: the riders are given helmets, and the race is closely monitored by experienced staff. Ten minutes of skiing will cost about $30 per person.
By the way, there is a life-size football field next to the track: world stars who conduct master classes for children are often invited here. Plus tennis courts and a basketball court: you can practice on them for free.
A great option for an unusual date or a friendly competition. Photo: Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock.com
Wine cellar tasting
A wine cellar is not exactly what the Maldives is associated with. But you can also get this experience in some resorts. You will descend into a cool basement room decorated with hundreds of bottles from around the world. An experienced sommelier will tell you how brut differs from extra dry and offer you to try several interesting drinks, from champagne to Bordeaux.
Usually, the price (about $ 150) for two already includes a cheese plate, so this is not only an original experience, but also a full-fledged snack. There is a private cellar, for example, on the islands of Siyam World, Baros, Huvafen Fushi and others.
An experienced sommelier will tell you how brut differs from extra dry and offer to try some interesting drinks Photo: icemanphotos/Shutterstock.com
Cooking class
You can cook Maldivian dishes under the guidance of a real chef by trying on a chef’s hat and apron. You will be provided with a detailed recipe and the necessary ingredients, among which tuna is likely to be a popular product on the islands. Follow your mentor’s instructions carefully so that you can repeat the culinary experiment at home and surprise your friends: fortunately, most of the products are available in Russian stores. And those that cannot be found can be replaced with analogues.
Master classes are offered in almost all major resorts.
To plant corals
Today, many resorts in the Maldives are engaged in coral restoration and actively involve guests in this. You can have your own coral garden: a marine biologist will help you with this.
Some resorts (including Sheraton Maldives Full Moon) will even send you photos of your underwater garden by email. You can watch its development and remember your own contribution to the conservation of nature in one of the most beautiful corners of the planet.
Today, many resorts in the Maldives are engaged in coral restoration and are actively involved in thisthe guests. Photo: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
A lot depends on your requests and the wishes of your fellow travelers. Some resorts accept only adults, while others, on the contrary, are family-oriented. Pay attention to the size of the island as well: usually the bigger it is, the more diverse the entertainment.
It is not necessary to book a trip with a travel agency: you can find and pay for accommodation yourself on the Island, and discounts from 5% with the GURU loyalty program will save tens of thousands of rubles.
- The five-star Royal Island Resort & Spa offers a 61% discount on accommodation in the summer of 2025: a night will cost not 65,000 rubles, but 21,500 plus taxes and fees.
- Guests can relax at the Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa Maldives with a 29% discount. So, a double villa with a swimming pool will cost from 35,000 rubles per day.
- Democratic Maldives also exists: you can grab a double villa at Filitheyo Island Resort with a 17% discount and pay about 11,000 rubles per day.
Royal Island Resort & Spa.
These prices will be seen by those guests whose loyalty program level has reached at least GURU 2. To receive it, you only need two completed bookings on the Island. Read more about how to use discounts and travel more profitably in the article.
And now — my hotel recommendations.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, 5*
- Cost: from 68,690 rubles per night.
An island that combines complete relaxation with incendiary parties. DJs and musicians come here after sunset, including folk ensembles, so there is always something to do before going to bed. Restaurants and bars offer all-inclusive meals, and it’s very convenient, especially if you’re traveling with children. All the spaces are beautifully zoned, so even with 90% occupancy, there is no feeling of crowding on the island.
The spa center, which is among the top five in Asia, deserves special mention. A nice bonus: everyone can visit the sauna and hammam for free — you just need to make an appointment in advance.
An island that combines complete relaxation with incendiary parties.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli, 4*
- Cost: from 60 563 rubles per night.
Four-star resort 40 minutes by speedboat from Male Airport. The resort unites three islands at once, but access to one of them is open only to travelers 18+. There are more than twenty restaurants and bars on the huge territory of the hotel, which even has small buses, so you can’t get bored with monotonous food: you can take the all inclusive and enjoy.
The largest swimming pool in the Maldives is located here: a godsend for families and those who don’t really like swimming in the sea. Interesting things: swimming with a mermaid’s tail (fans of the Disney “Little Mermaid”, it’s time to fulfill a childhood dream!) and dinner on a floating platform in the middle of the bay. And, of course, it’s worth arming yourself with a mask and snorkel to explore the underwater world.
The largest swimming pool in the Maldives is located here: a godsend for families and those who do not really like swimming in the sea.
Sun Shine View, 3*
- Cost: from 20 038 rubles per night.
If you want to save money, you can stay in a guest house on an island where locals live: for example, Maafushi near Male. Hotels on such islands are simpler than the luxury resorts from the brochure. But the beautiful sunsets and white sand will not disappear anywhere, and you can enjoy the Maldivian beauties. Don’t expect outstanding service and legendary villas on the water. But you will be able to get acquainted with the local culture and learn how the Maldivians live. The Sun Shine View Hotel has a relaxed homely atmosphere, hearty breakfasts and clean, bright rooms.
The Sun Shine View Hotel has a relaxed, homely atmosphere.
Tips before the trip
- Always use sunscreen! Even if you’re just going to breakfast in a T-shirt and not going to lie on a chaise longue. The sun in the Maldives is very treacherous, and you can easily burn out, even if the sky is cloudy.
- Take light, closed clothes with you: for example, a long-sleeve shirt. This is another way to protect yourself from the scorching sun.
- If your chosen hotel offers an all-inclusive system, agree: most likely, it will be cheaper than paying for every lunch, dinner and cocktail at sunset.
- Prices on the menu of Maldivian restaurants are tax-free: alas, but in the end, another 26% will have to be added to the amount (service fee and state tax).
- Take care of nature: when swimming with fins and a mask, do not stand on the corals, so as not to break them. In addition, most resorts ask not to feed fish, birds and other animals: they must forage on their own.
I have been to the Maldives 7 times and I will definitely come back again. The island, even the smallest, will not be boring, because even if the hotel does not have a wine cellar, a zoo, a dozen restaurants and its own water park, there will still be incredibly beautiful sunsets and the very landscapes that are usually put on the desktop screensaver.
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Cover photo: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock.com
