Nothing says honeymoon heaven like the Maldives. This far-flung Indian Ocean paradise defies superlatives as one of the most romantic places on earth, instantly evoking images of powdery beaches, impossibly blue lagoons, mesmerising sunsets, and those iconic overwater villas. Where better to enjoy your newlywed bubble? Read on, because we’ve got everything you need to know to plan a Maldives honeymoon…
Couples who are circumnavigating the globe in search of the perfect swathe of sand for their honeymoon or romantic holiday have the Maldives on their mind. The fact that many people couldn’t readily place this enchanting archipelago on a map only a decade ago seems only to enhance its allure (it’s just south of India by the way).
Instagram feeds promise a far-flung paradise of tiny white-sand islands braceleted by colourful coral reefs and anchored in the kind of water which defies superlatives – no photoshop required.
The reality is pinch-yourself pretty, and with only 200 of the 1000 islands inhabited there’s always a pristine empty beach just waiting for two beach towels and a bottle of Champagne. It’s no wonder that this tropical island paradise is a top destination for couples seeking a truly luxurious honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Best Time to Visit The Maldives:
While the rainy season in the Maldives is from May to September, there are still plenty of reasons to visit during this time. Not only are prices lower due to it being the low season, but visitors can also witness unique experiences such as spotting manta rays in Hanifaru Bay and enjoying successful fishing trips. The temperature remains consistent throughout the year, ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celcius, so there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Maldives.
How to Choose the Best Honeymoon Resort in the Maldives
It’s no secret the calibre of luxury hotels and resorts in the Maldives is sky-high thanks to its reputation as the perfect honeymoon destination. Many top-tier stays can be found on their own creamy dollop of sand, so you can unpack once and reallyrelax. Seriously, once you slip into these crystalline waters, you’ll never want to leave! But how can you find the best Maldives accommodation in such an illustrious travel landscape?
We’re here to help, kicking off your search with 11 of the best luxury hotels and resorts in the Maldives — all carefully selected to deliver the ultimate honeymoon experience. So, let’s get started. Time to make this dream destination a romantic reality.
Top Luxury Romantic Resorts in the Maldives
One&Only Reethi Rah
True to its name, the all-villa One&Only Reethi Rah holds a special place in the star-studded world of luxury Maldives resorts. Unfurling across a luscious private island, with a dreamy collection of thatch-roof beach villas, overwater villas, and exclusive residences (many with private pools), this serene hideaway embodies the effortlessly chic style of the Maldives. Set your Champagne bucket down on one of 12 immaculate beaches and explore scenes lifted straight from a screensaver. You’ll want for nothing with six restaurants, three swimming pools, two bars, an award-winning One&Only spa, a PADI dive centre, and a range of aquatic adventures. An idyllic escape for creating just-married memories. Location: North Malé Atoll, a 45-minute transfer via speedboat or luxury yacht from Velana International Airport, Malé.
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Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
No list of luxury Maldives resorts would be complete without Gili Lankanfushi, an eco-conscious barefoot paradise that invites guests to “slow down, breathe deeper, and slip into our island’s easy rhythms”. The 45 rustic-luxe villas feel authentic and indulgent with a host of extras including private rooftop terraces, open-air bathrooms, and water hammocks that sway above the fabled waters below. Alongside a beachfront infinity pool and a range of aquatic adventures, guests can indulge in the stunning Meera Spa, enjoy a signature sunset cruise, or explore the island’s romantic dining options, including lantern-lit beach barbeques. The resort’s relaxation-inducing ‘no news, no shoes’ policy is enhanced by the intuitive service of its personal butlers and a bespoke approach to every stay. Location: North Malé Atoll, a 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.
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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
A chance to dine in the world’s first undersea restaurant, Ithaa, may be all the incentive you need to book Conrad Maldives Rangali Island for your honeymoon. But rest assured, there’s plenty more to explore at one of the most unique resorts in the Maldives. The property itself spans two islands to create one sublime sanctuary with a choice of barefoot-luxe suites and villas (most with private pools) offering direct beach or lagoon access, an overwater spa with glass-floored treatment beds, and an outstanding selection of bars and restaurants. In another one-of-a-kind, you can also book The Muraka, a two-level luxury residence where the master bedroom is submerged beneath the sea. Now that’s a honeymoon memory! Location: South Ari Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane ride from Velana Airport.
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Amilla Fushi
A pristine private haven set within the UNESCO-protected biosphere of Baa Atoll, Amilla Fushi is one of the most spacious and stunning five-star resorts in the Maldives. Its chic all-pool accommodation has been thoughtfully placed to preserve the island’s natural beauty, offering a choice of beachfront pool villas and treetop hideaways through to over-reef villas and vast private residences. Honeymoons can fill their days with wonder here — seeking out secret beaches, snorkelling the vibrant house reef, cycling leafy island trails, indulging in ten world-class dining destinations, or unwinding in the sublime Javvu Spa and Wellness Resort. As part of the Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection, Amilla Fushi has sustainability at its heart with a refined modern Maldivian aesthetic. Location: Baa Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane ride north from Velana Airport.
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The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Let’s talk once in a lifetime. Because you’ll never have a better excuse than your honeymoon to book somewhere like The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Taking cues from the seascape, this private island escape celebrates its stellar locale with an ultra-luxe take on Maldivian design. Find your romantic retreat among the 33 garden/beach villas and 44 coveted overwater villas, each with an inviting private pool. Enjoy seven top-notch dining offerings including Japanese Kaiseki-style restaurant T•Pan and a whale shark-inspired overwater lounge with epic sunset views. Leave the world behind snorkelling hand-in-hand. Known for its discreet butler service, The St. Regis ensures every guest receives the royal treatment, whether it’s delivering your favourite snack, arranging a private cruise, or booking a couple’s treatment at the award-winning Iridium Spa. Location: Dhaalu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane transfer from Velana Airport.
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Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives
For couples keen on a luxurious, all-inclusive Maldives experience, the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is a must-see. Among the 112 beautiful beachfront suites and overwater villas, the Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villa is a standout for its private pool and romantic sunset views while delicious dining options, an oceanfront spa, and warm Maldivian-Thai hospitality complete the picture of holiday bliss. Honeymooners, why not plump for the Grand All-Inclusive package? The unlimited dining and premium beverage indulgences, daily premium minibar replenishment, and complimentary laundry service come with extra treats and complimentary excursions (think sunset cruise and whale shark snorkelling tours) the longer you stay. And it’s safe to say, you’ll want to linger longer! Location: South Ari Atoll, a 25-minute seaplane ride from Velana Airport.
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Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort
The scenic seaplane arrival to Sirru Fen Fushi is a pinch-me moment, gliding over shimmering shades of lagoon-blue as the resort’s bountiful house reef glides into view. A fitting introduction to an all-villa resort and spa (formerlyknown as Fairmont Maldives), that will bring your pampered-castaway dreams to life. And because each of the 120 glorious villas comes with a private pool, all you need to do is choose your setting. Will it be an overwater adventure touching distance to the sea, a blissful beach stay, or a rarefied Robinson Crusoe vibe in the jungle? Dolphin safaris, couple’s spa treatments, and curated dining experiences (think starlit beach dinners and atoll-hopping picnics) all conspire to make Sirru Fen Fushi a dream honeymoon destination. Location: Shaviyani Atoll, a 55-minute seaplane ride from Velana Airport.
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Six Senses Laamu
Sustainable meets the sublime at Six Senses Laamu, a laid-back paradise with world-class amenities — and the only five-star resort on romantically remote Laamu Atoll. Choose your honeymoon hideaway from 94 spacious beachfront villas, overwater bungalows and private pool villas, all crafted with local materials in harmony with the environment. Sail the sapphire seas at sunset on a traditional dhoni (spotting dolphins along the way), discover the resort’s impressive eco initiatives on a Sustainability Tour, and indulge your senses with a nourishing beachfront spa treatment. You can even try ‘luxury surfing’ here: taking on premium waves in a private, uncrowded setting. From sunken glass bathtubs to lobster barbeques on the beach, this is pure castaway chic. Location:Laamu Atoll,a 65-minute seaplane ride south from Velana Airport.
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COMO Cocoa Island
When only overwater will do, see the intimate couple’s paradise of COMO Cocoa Island. From above, the resort’s 33 overwater suites and villas look like gently curved local dhoni fishing boats docked at the boardwalk. Inside, understated elegance reigns with teak floors, swathes of white, and captivating views of the turquoise lagoon and one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. Cocoa Island also boasts excellent water sports facilities, a private yacht for exploring, a dreamy beachside infinity pool, and the renowned and expansive Como Shambhala Wellness Retreat. Whether it’s snorkelling with gentle nurse sharks or sharing a five-course dinner on a private sandbank, you’ll be living the honeymoon dream here. Location: South Malé Atoll, a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana Airport.
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Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
Want a magical, adults-only Maldives honeymoon just 20 minutes from Malé? Set your compass for Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa, a couples’ playground with 140 luxurious villas, from private beachfront options to coveted overwater hideaways. For the ultimate Maldives escape, see the **Premium Deluxe Sunset Overwater Villa** for its outdoor spa tub and private deck where you can soak up the sunset and slip straight into a sparkling lagoon teeming with marine life. Unwind at the oceanfront spa or enjoy snorkelling and diving, semi-submarine tours, watersports, cultural island visits, and more. The resort also delivers a culinary adventure with seven drinking and dining venues alongside honeymooner-approved private dining experiences. Location: North Malé Atoll, a 20-minute speedboat ride west from Velana Airport.
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Cheval Blanc Randheli
The epitome of elevated island living, Cheval Blanc Randheli is one for the honeymoon wish list. This sophisticated luxury resort offers just 46 exquisite villas, each with a private infinity pool, including unique Garden Water Villas that open to lush tropical greenery on one side and silken lagoon waters on the other. While a private picnic on a sandbar is a must-do for honeymooners, there are also five high-end restaurants and three bars including Le 1947 for exquisite dishes drawing on Cheval Blanc’s French heritage. The resort’s Guerlain Spa is located on its own island, perfect for those seeking extreme relaxation in an opulent island setting. Location: Noonu Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane ride north of Velana Airport.
Unique & Romantic Dining in The Maldives:
Dining is a highlight too; local specialities feature spectacular super-fresh seafood and delicious tropical fruits with the exotic influences of nearby Sri Lanka, India and Africa making their mark on menus which also boast classics from around the world. Some of the most spectacular restaurants in The Maldives include:
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (Conrad Maldives)
Located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort, the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant offers a unique dining experience below sea level. This exquisite venue specializes in contemporary European cuisine, featuring dishes such as malossol imperial caviar and yellowtail kingfish with saffron champagne risotto. While indulging in a luxurious six-course dinner, guests can watch reef sharks and manta rays swim by without the need for snorkeling gear. For those on a budget, the restaurant also offers mid-morning cocktails and four-course lunches as a more affordable option.
Reethi Restaurant
Reethi Restaurant, located in One & Only resort, offers a dining experience like no other. With breathtaking views of the ocean and an open-concept kitchen, guests can watch as their meals are prepared behind floor-to-ceiling glass screens. During the day, Reethi is breezy and bright, serving breakfast dishes on the spectacular over-water veranda. At night, it transforms into a dramatic food theatre, with the floor arranged into three distinct dining experiences: Earth, for fine French and vibrant Asian-inspired cuisine, and Fire Grill, invoking all the natural flavours from the land, farm, and sea in a charcoal oven. The menu is a fusion of Asia-Pacific and Mediterranean flavours, with themed nights showcasing the most popular dishes. On Mondays, the restaurant transforms into an Italian paradise, serving fine charcuterie, homemade pasta, gnocchi, risotto, and grilled treats. Throughout the week, guests can enjoy à la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while wine enthusiasts can browse the walk-in wine room to choose their favourite bottle.
Subsix
The Subsix Underwater Restaurant is a unique dining experience that doubles as the island’s first underwater nightclub. The restaurant’s decor, from the sea anemone chairs to the shell-shaped bar, is inspired by the ocean and its inhabitants. Coral-like chandeliers and blue lighting add to the mermaid theme, making guests feel like they are part of the undersea life. To reach the restaurant, visitors must take a speedboat and descend a dramatic three-tier staircase illuminated by Italian abstract chandeliers. Once there, guests can enjoy champagne breakfasts, subaquatic lunches, gourmet dinners, and adults-only glow parties. The restaurant’s location, 20 feet under the Indian Ocean, adds to its exclusivity and thrill factor.
What to Do When Honeymooning in the Maldives
Don’t expect to spend all your time lolling about the sunset bar either. In a place that boasts more sea than land, it’s almost mandatory to make like a local and get wet! In the balmy Indian Ocean waters, high underwater visibility almost year-round and the stunning spectacle of over 3000 coral reefs have made the Maldives a diving and snorkelling favourite. And you won’t be alone; the region boasts over a thousand species of fish and underwater creatures to keep you company as you slide through the silky waters. Everything from tiny plant cells to starfish, giant clams, tropical fish, turtles and manta rays jostle for attention in a marine hub that will have you grabbing your partner in astonishment at every turn.
And if you want to follow in the footsteps of Tony Hinde, affectionately known as ‘the father of surfing in the Maldives’, the main surf season runs from May to October. Look for names like Pasta Point and the Honkeys (long lefts), Sultans (a right with barrels) and Chickens (a reef off an uninhabited island in the North Male Atoll).
With a plethora of resorts to choose from, you can indulge in luxurious spa treatments and take daily excursions to explore the stunning islands. Whether you want to relax on the beach or head out on an adventure, the Maldives has something for every honeymooner. The Maldives really is made for two, so whether you spend your days supine in the sunshine on a deserted beach, snorkelling hand-in-hand in an underwater fish-tank, or drinking in the views from your overwater bungalow terrace, you’ll both feel like you’ve discovered paradise.
Fact File – Truly, Madly, Maldives
DO: Get out on the water. Play celebrities on a glamorous sunset boat cruise where the Champagne flows freely and the dophins seem to frolic for your amusement alone; or visit one of the local fishing villages and while away an afternoon on a wooden swing in the shade while the locals gather at the holhuashi; a traditional thatched roof communal gazebo. Or why not trial every watersport on offer; think kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, diving and parasailing; there’s something for every skill level.
DON’T: Leave without experiencing the Maldives from the air. Only a seaplane flight can really showcase the unique beauty of the individual isles, and while most visitors give the capital of Malé a miss (as the airport is located on a nearby island, Hulhumale) it’s an unexpected treat from the air; a floating pencil box jam-packed with brightly coloured buildings.Ask your resort in advance to organise a trip for two.
Language: Dhivehi is the Maldives’ official language, though English is commonly spoken and understood, especially in tourist areas.
Location: Situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives is a tropical paradise comprising 26 atolls and over 1,000 coral islands. It’s famous for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life.
Currency: The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), though US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted in most tourist spots.
Getting around: Inter-island travel is typically done by boat or seaplane while walking or cycling is common on the islands themselves.
COUPLES WILL LOVE:
The splendid isolation, first-class appointments and sublime natural beauty of this paradise-found escape. It really is unique! Additionally, the Maldives is known for its lush natural surroundings and wildlife, and many of the properties are eco-friendly with a focus on preserving the environment. So if you’re looking for a romantic and sustainable getaway, the Maldives is the perfect choice for your honeymoon.
