• By: NP Traveller
• Mar 03, 2025
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Maldives 2025: Beyond Honeymoons – A Paradise for Every Traveler

Author: Alka

Do you also believe that the Maldives are just for couples and often end up feeling left out? It’s time to rewrite that story! This blog unveils a whole new side to this paradise, showcasing it as a vibrant, all-encompassing travel destination. Maldives, a stunning archipelago in the Indian Ocean is undeniably a dream destination for romance, but 2025 is reshaping its narrative, and here’s what your ideal itinerary should look like with places perfect for rejuvenation:

1. Explore Male: The Capital City

While the Maldives is famous for its remote islands, Male, the capital city is a bustling urban center that you should not miss visiting, though small but it’s packed with key attractions such as:

• Grand Friday Mosque: A visit to the Grand Friday Mosque offers an opportunity to explore not only a religious site but also an important piece of Maldivian history and culture built in 1665, still serving as a central place for Friday prayers(the holiest day in Islam). It can accommodate over 5,000 worshippers at once, being the largest mosque in the country. After taking blessings, take a moment to admire the surrounding area with  shops, and restaurants offering a vibrant culture.
• Maldives Islamic Center: Maldives is an Islamic country and this place is an architectural masterpiece serving as a cultural hub for Islamic culture, education, and worship. It was inaugurated in 1984 and houses important facilities such as an Islamic library, prayer halls, and spaces for religious events and conferences. The walls are decorated with intricate Arabic script and design depicting verses from the Quran and other Islamic texts. The Centre is usually open for public visits outside of prayer times.
• Majeedhee Magu: If you love shopping, then Majeedhee Magu is your space with streets lined with an impressive mix of local shops, boutiques, and street vendors as this is the heart of Male’s shopping scene. It’s a great spot to grab authentic Maldivian souvenirs and score everything from stylish local outfits to international brands.

2. Luxurious Overwater Villas

A stay in an overwater villa is a hallmark of the Maldives, accessible via seaplane or speedboat adding an element of excitement to your arrival for Rs.15,000. These iconic villas provide luxury and privacy unmatched elsewhere with a general check-in time of 2 p.m. Soneva Jani is one such villa best for families and those who prioritize sustainability alongside luxury with sleek aesthetics and panoramic views. For the ultimate in relaxation, indulge in a spa treatment with an ocean view. Spend your mornings with a cup of coffee, watching the ocean come to life beneath your feet.

3. Island Hopping

Maldives is a country made up of over 1,000 islands, and many are even untouched by tourism. You can visit local islands to experience Maldivian culture up close, sample traditional cuisine, or buy handcrafted items at local markets. 

• Maafushi Island: It’s one of the most popular local islands in the Maldives that is 27 kilometers away from its capital city and you can reach here via ferry and speedboat which typically takes about 30-45 minutes. Its white sandy shores and clear blue waters make it an ideal spot for relaxation and water activities. Mafushi serves as a great base for various day trips and excursions around the Maldives, take a sandbank picnic trip where you can enjoy a private beach experience surrounded by nothing but the open ocean. It also offers a range of affordable accommodations with beach hotels and local beaches starting at Rs.3,000-4,000.
• Meeru Island: Located in the North Male Atoll of the Maldives, is a tropical paradise with vibrant marine life, and top-notch facilities. It’s easily accessible from Male with a scenic speedboat ride of about 45 minutes that offers stunning views of the Maldives’ clear waters and surrounding islands that will make you quickly fall in love with the island’s picturesque surroundings. Island offers beachfront villas and overwater bungalows starting at Rs.40,000 for two adults. 

4. Water Sports Galore

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or someone who enjoys leisurely water activities, the Maldives offers a variety of experiences that caters to all interests.

• Scuba Diving: Starting with Rs.20,000, you can get an experience that you’re not going to forget. Ari Atoll and North Male Atoll are some of the best locations for scuba diving.
• Snorkeling: Perfect adventure for beginners in Snorkelling. You swim alongside reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and a dazzling array of tropical fish, including parrotfish, clownfish, and angelfish, all this, at just Rs. 14,000 in Maafushi and Meeru Island.
• Kayaking and Paddleboarding: If you want to enjoy the Maldives at a slower pace then go for kayaking and paddleboarding experiences starting at just Rs.12,000 in Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Soneva Fushi. For those with a love for adventure, night diving is one of its one-of-a-kind experience, giving you a chance to witness the underwater world’s nocturnal creatures. Many resorts also offer sailing excursions on traditional Maldivian boats known as dhonis.

5. Sunset Cruises and Dolphin Watching

A sunset cruise in the Maldives is a must-do activity where you can watch the sky turning vibrant shades of pink and orange as you sail along the calm waters. On some cruises, you can also spot playful dolphins leaping from the water, making it a memorable experience. Enjoy a glass of cocktail (since liquor is heavily regulated)as you take in the breathtaking views and absorb the serenity of the surroundings.

CONCLUSION

Your tour to Maldives is going to be more than just a vacation as it’s an experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re lounging on pristine beaches or doing thrilling water sports, this tropical paradise promises memories you’ll treasure forever.

Start planning your Maldives gateway with sunscreen in hand and prepare to be mesmerized by its unmatched beauty!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Tip: To secure the best rates and avoid last-minute hikes in the rates, it is advised to book all your accommodations and activities well in advance.

1. How to Reach?

Reaching Maldives typically involves a flight since it is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, with no direct land or rail connectivity. However, here’s how you can plan your journey using a combination of flight, train, and bus from India:

• Flights: To reach the Maldives, you must reach a city with direct or connecting flights to Velana International Airport (Male). You can get cheaper flights from Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, and Bengaluru to the Maldives for Rs.15,000, which takes 2-3 hours on a direct flight and 6-7 hours on a connecting flight.
• Train: You can use Indian Railways to travel to cities with international airports.
• Bus: In India, buses can be convenient for shorter distances between cities and can bring you closer to the airport.

Local Transport

Once you arrive in Male, you can reach your resorts or destination island via Speedboat, Seaplane, or ferry as they are the only options for connectivity. 

2. Visa & other important information

If you have your passport, then in the Maldives airport you will get your free visa-on-arrival for 30 days specifically for Indian citizens. You need to submit your Travel Declaration form within 96 hours before your flight’s departure through the official Maldives Immigration IMUGA portal by filing your details such as your passport, return flight tickets, and accommodation details.

• Maldives’s official currency is Maldivian Rufiyaa, at the airport though you get the currency exchange facilities but don’t exchange it all in one go as you can exchange it at good rates outside the airport as well (Dollars are also acceptable).
• You can purchase a SIM card at the airport for Rs.2,800 (17GB) and Rs.4,000(100GB).

3. Accommodation

Hulhumale is a quite budget-friendly option for travelers, resorts far from Male require seaplane transfers, which add to the cost.

• Standard option: Kaani Grand Seaview
• Deluxe option: Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
• Luxury option: Baros Maldives

4. Places to Eat

The Maldives offers a mix of traditional Maldivian, Indian, Asian, and International cuisines, making it easy to find vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan options.

• Vegetarian option: Bombay Darbar (Male)
• Non-vegetarian option: The Hive Cafe & Bistro (Male)
• Vegan option: Shell Beans