How to travel to the Maldives
Just over 16 hours by plane from Brussels lies Malé International Airport, the gateway to the Maldives’ capital. Count on a stopover, because you won’t easily find direct flights from Brussels. You’ll land in Malé, where a short transfer by seaplane, boat, or helicopter usually awaits before you reach your final destination.
You can also fly to the Maldives with Emirates via Dubai—perfect if you’d like to add a stopover!
All excursions to nearby islands are also done by boat or seaplane, because most islands are very small and often don’t have roads for cars.
Benefits of a honeymoon in the Maldives
Dreaming of a honeymoon where you stay in luxurious overwater bungalows or in villas beside and over the sea? Then you’ve made an excellent choice!
The Maldives let you unwind in an unbelievable way on paradise beaches—where you can also enjoy outstanding cuisine.
A pleasant tropical climate welcomes you with a fairly constant average temperature of 28°C. The gently lapping seawater is wonderfully warm too.
If you’re crazy about sailing, diving, and snorkeling, the Maldives truly are the place to be.
You’ll experience the most beautiful sunsets during your honeymoon in the Maldives. Insta-worthy!
Attention!
Just so you know:
You must respect the dress code—even when sunbathing. Read carefully what the beaches allow.
Take Ramadan into account, as well as the traditional closures on Fridays, the Islamic day of rest, when shops, banks, and restaurants are closed.
Do not import alcoholic drinks or products containing pork (think of jars of baby food).
In the Belgian diplomatic travel advice, you can read that “due to the increase in crime in Malé, it is recommended not to walk the streets of this city at and after nightfall” (more info: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/contact).
Also be careful with drinking water, as tap water is not drinkable here.
Best time to travel for your honeymoon in the Maldives
The tropical climate in the Maldives divides the seasons based on the two annual monsoons. There is a northeast monsoon from November through April, and a southwest monsoon from May through October. The first brings a dry period with little wind, with March and April being the warmest months. A two-week transition period around late April and early May can sometimes bring strong winds and heavy rain—the signal for the new season. From May through October, as well as in November and December, the Maldives see the most rainfall. In other words: it’s always humid and warm here. Compared to our Belgian time zone, add 3 hours in summer and 4 hours in winter.
The best activities during your honeymoon in the Maldives
Admire the most beautiful fauna and flora
Truly all islands are surrounded by coral reefs, some even with a lagoon around them—small white rings you can see in the sea from your plane. Because the Maldives have truly tropical vegetation, you’ll find coconut palms and breadfruit trees everywhere, as well as pumpkins, bananas, and mangoes. You’ll likely be amazed by native animals such as the flying fox (a large bat) and the many geckos that come to greet you everywhere.
Explore Malé, the capital
Because the habitable land area of the Maldives is so small—only about 300 km2—it is one of the most densely populated “countries” in the world. That’s why daily life largely takes place in the capital, Malé, where you’ll find a few large shopping centers, a great number of markets, and above all many souvenir shops in the bazaars. Don’t forget to visit the large exotic fish market—one of the tourist attractions where unfamiliar fish (think clownfish) and the world’s largest rays, the mantas, will amaze you. As limited and flat as the livable surface may be for residents, the ocean around the Maldives is immensely deep. To the east of the Maldives, toward Sri Lanka, the ocean is 2,500 meters deep, and it even reaches 4,000 meters to the west of the Maldives.
Explore the islands by bike, speedboat, or sailboat
During your honeymoon to the Maldives, you’ll discover the little islands by bike or by speedboat or sailboat. Anyone who wants an overall impression of the Maldives should go island hopping. Take your time and explore the many small islands by sailing yacht. Find exclusive spots where you can relax, swim, and enjoy a fresh coconut—just the two of you!
Water sports
Diving excursions and dive schools do extremely well here. You’ll never tire of the colorful coral reefs. The most popular place to dive and snorkel is shaped like a banana, stretches up to 300 meters long, and is therefore called Banana Reef. Among exotic coral species and giant clams live as many as 2,000 different species of fish and underwater animals. You’ll also find various families of turtles—endangered species—in the Maldives, perhaps even during your first refreshing morning dip in the sea.
Don’t forget to head to the many spa centers and fully immerse yourself in the typical aromatherapies of this atoll culture.
Also seek out the traditional cuisine and taste the delicious spice variations used in recipes based on curry, chili peppers, fish, and rice—always accompanied by salads of fresh fruit, ground coconut, and lime.
The most beautiful hotels during your honeymoon in the Maldives
Riu Palace Maldivas
Enjoy an infinity pool with views of the sky-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, unwind with a wellness visit, or treat your taste buds to an unforgettable experience at the fusion restaurant of Riu Palace Maldivas.
Robinson Noonu
The adults-only hotel Robinson Noonu is a dream for water sports lovers and for those who enjoy taking in a magical sunset from their private pool.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, you dine five meters below sea level and enjoy unparalleled luxury in your modernly finished private villa.
I’m going on a honeymoon to the Maldives and I’m bringing
To travel to the Maldives, you need a passport that is still valid for six months after departure and has at least one blank visa page.
On site, you’ll usually dress casually; a few tops or T-shirts and some cotton clothing will do. Especially in the capital Malé, where the large mosque is located, women are best to avoid bare shoulders, and men should avoid shorts. Bring flip-flops for the beach.
Vaccinations are not required, although vaccination against hepatitis A and DTP is recommended. Before you leave, consult the website of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (www.itg.be) and possibly also the World Health Organization (www.who.int) for more precise information. Bring a small travel pharmacy including, among other things, insect repellent.
In the Maldives, you pay with the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MRF). In resorts, US dollars are always welcome. Only on the main island of Malé is there a financial bank; there are no ATMs anywhere. Feel free to pay in hotels and resorts with your credit card.
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