20 Best Beaches in Maldives

On my journey to every country in the world, I celebrated country number 100 in the Maldives. Normally I’m not a ‘resort’ type guy, but this place converted me, at least temporarily. And the beaches in Maldives. Just ridiculous.

So, of course the Maldives is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It features serene resorts well suited to relax, enjoy solitude, have fun with family, and experience aquatic adventure.

In this post, we’ll look at the best beaches in Maldives.

Where Are the Maldives?

Maldives (also called the Maldive Islands) is an independent island nation of Southern Asia. It’s really near to Sri Lanka, and south of India.

The island is located in the north-central Indian Ocean and covers around 300 square kilometers lying to the north of the equator. 

The Maldives comprises a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks with each of the coral islands rising no more than 1.8 meters above sea level. 

Is the Maldives An Independent Country?

Yes, it is. It’s one of the 197 countries in the world. It’s located in the continent of Asia.

How To Get To Maldives?

Getting to the Maldives is pretty easy but will require some moderate pre-planning. From most locations, you won’t get a direct flight to the remote tropical paradise.  So be prepared to have stop-overs in between the flight. 

Some of the major airlines operating flights to the Maldives are Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and SriLankan Airlines.

Top-Tip to get to the Maldives:

The Maldives are expensive. And 2 weeks here can be a little boring just stuck on a (albeit luxury) resort. Combine your time in the Maldives with a week in Thailand, India or Sri Lanka. From Bangkok, Colombo and across India, you can fly to the Maldives in 2 hours or less, and for about $100 one-way. Personally, I’d do 10 days Sri Lanka and 4 or 5 days in the Maldives. Perfect!

From the Maldives to your resort

On getting to the archipelago in the Maldives, you’ll need to go to your island resort from Male airport, where all the international flights arrive. You’ll have 3 options:

• SEAPLANE (or helicopter) to get to your resort. This option will cost you hundreds of dollars when not included in your tour package but will afford you a chance to sightsee the beautiful scenes of the Maldives. You should be mindful that luggage capacity is limited via this option. This is the most common option, and normally cost around $500 per person return. Ouch.
• SPEEDBOAT: You could decide to get transported by a speedboat. If the resort is relatively near to Male, which many are, they will have a speedboat service to take you there. Either free, or less than $100. Much cheaper than the seaplane!
• DHONI: Which is a traditional Maldivian boat. You can go from the airport to your destination resort in the Maldives via a Dhoni ride (a popular mode of transport). This option will most likely be included in your package. 

Maldives during COVID?

And in the days of COVID, in the first three days of 2021, the resorts in the Maldives played host to a total of 10,360 tourist arrivals from around the world according to the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives. 

20 best beaches in the Maldives.

Now that you know where the Maldives is and how you can get there, let’s explore the 20 best beaches in the Maldives.

#1: Cocoa Island Beaches

The beaches on Cocoa Island are well-known for their exoticness, clear waters, and sugar-sand beaches. They house the amazing COMO Cocoa Island resort and are closely connected to the Kandooma channel and Guraidhoo channel.

One of the best features to enjoy on the Island is its live coral reefs which are best explored on a scuba diving trip arranged by the Cocoa Island team. Also, the privacy the beach offers to its guests is worth talking about.

Cocoa Island Location

This luxurious vacation Island which is also called Makunufushi is located in the South Male Atoll part of Maldives.

How To Get To Cocoa Island?

To get to Cocoa Island, you’ll need to take a 40-minute speedboat ride from the Male International Airport.

Nearest Resort To Cocoa Island

The COMO Cocoa Island is a paradise for beach guests and a romantic place to stay in Cocoa Island if you love beachfront accommodation.

Activities To Enjoy At Cocoa Island

You get to experience and enjoy the beauty of marine life, spa retreats, scuba diving, yoga sessions at the resort, and much more at one of the best beaches in the Maldives.

#2: Baros Beach

The Baros Island, Maldives is filled with white sand and surrounded by crystal-clear waters and a coral reef. The beach has one of the best lagoons in the Maldives and is a good hotspot for couples looking to chill, relax and unwind.

Baros beach provides a hotel that provides an amazing view of the beach to guests. As a guest on the private Island, you’re offered a stay at the hotel to enjoy and experience the serene scenes at Baros beach.

Baros Beach Location

The private Baros beach is located on Baros Island.

How To Get To Baros Beach?

To get to Baros beach, you need to take a 25-minute hotel boat ride from the Male International Airport to the beach.

Nearest Resort To Baros Beach

You can stay at Baros Maldives which is a stunning 5-star hotel near the beach. The hotel offers you a clear, breathtaking view of the beach right from your hotel room.

Activities To Enjoy At Baros

One of the common things to do as a guest on Baros Beach is reef snorkeling.

#3: Reethi Beach

Reethi Beach features a hotel resort and is one of the best-secluded beaches in the Maldives. You can only have access to the beach as a guest. 

Sitting on three and a half miles of coast, the Reethi Rah beach provides 12 private and amazingly beautiful stretches of sand. 

The island has its time zone (one hour ahead of Malé) and offers you loungers on the beach if you’re planning to spend the day in the sun.

Reethi Beach Location

The Reethi Beach is a luxury beach and one of the best places to stay in the Maldives for world-class comfort. It is located on a tiny island in the Baa Atoll. 

How To Get To Reethi Beach?

You can get to Reethi Beach by taking a seaplane from Male. This journey will take you around 35 minutes.

Nearest Resort To Reethi Beach

Without a doubt, the Reethi Beach Resort is an amazing place to stay nearby as a guest on the beach. 

Activities To Enjoy At Reethi Beach

You can explore Reethi Beach by taking a walk around, taking private excursions, or just relaxing in the resort’s spa and wellness center.

#4: Veligandu Island Beaches

Veligandu Island is a beach that features a resort and a spa in the Maldives. You’ll find villas over water, soft sand, and a long-stretching sandbar as a tourist on the Island. 

The spacious beach is only accessible to guests of the Veligandu Island Resort & Spa. And the beach has enough space that you would feel like you’re on a private stretch of sand. 

On the beaches, you’ll also find luxe thatched-roof pavilions, loungers, and a reef around the island.

Veligandu Island Location

The Veligandu Island is a small, cozy island located in North Ari Atoll and is home to some of the best and beautiful beaches in the Maldives.

How To Get To Veligandu Island?

Aside from staying at the resort, the best and most affordable way to get to the beaches on Veligandu Island is by first taking a government ferry to the Rasdhoo island, and then commuting by boat to the Island with a local.

Nearest Resort To Veligandu Island?

The Veligandu Island Resort & Spas is the nearest resort to the beaches on Veligandu Island. The resort contains stunning bungalows and water villas for you to stay in as a guest.

Activities To Enjoy At Veligandu Island Beach

As a guest on the Veligandu beach, you get to enjoy fun activities such as snorkeling, swimming in the crystal clear water, and taking a walk by the beach.

#5: Hulhumale Beach

Hulhumale Island is a man-made island in the Maldives located in the North Malé Atoll. It features a more commercial and westernized atmosphere worth experiencing, with a feel unique and different from other islands in the archipelago. 

You’ll find hotels, seaside shops, water-sport companies, and restaurants jointly creating a buzz on the island. 

Hulhumale Beach Location

The Hulhumale beach is located in Kaafu Atoll, in the northern part of Male Atoll. Speaking frankly, it is one of the best beaches in the Maldives you can explore and enjoy without breaking the bank.

How To Get To Hulhumale Beach?

One of the most accessible beaches in Maldives. This beach is located not far from the Male International Airport (2km distance) and you can get there in 10 minutes via road transport.

Nearest Resort To Hulhumale Beach

Some of the best places to stay near Hulhumale beach include Hotel Ocean Grand, Planktons Beach, and Vilu Rest Hotel.

Activities To Enjoy At Hulhumale Beach?

At Hulhumale Beach, you get to enjoy a range of exciting activities such as paddleboarding, group snorkeling, scuba diving, watching the changing colors in the sky during the evening at Sunset Cruise.

#6: Fulhadhoo Beach

Fulhadoo beach is one of the most beautiful islands to explore in the Maldives. The island is quite long and uninhabited to a large extent which explains why it’s one of the quietest islands you can visit in the Maldives.

On the island, you get to enjoy calm lagoons, natural pools, snorkeling, diving, and more. The island hosts a plethora of various fish species including turtles and dolphins. There’s an opportunity for wildlife sighting on the island too. If you want to enjoy some privacy and seclusion, you should consider going to Fulhadoo beach.

Fulhadhoo Beach Location

The beach is located on Fulhadhoo island in Baa Atoll.

How To Get To Fulhadhoo Beach?

It will take you about 2 hours using a chartered speedboat from the Malé International Airport to get to Baa Atoll where Fulhadoo island is located.

Nearest Resort To Fulhadhoo Beach 

You can stay at the Azoush Tourist and Three Hearts Guest House which is a homely accommodation option located near Fulhadhoo beach.

Activities To Enjoy At Fulhadhoo Beach

Cuddling with your partner and watching the beautiful sky on the beach are some of the fun activities you should look forward to on the secluded Fulhadhoo beach.

#7: Dhigurah Island

The Dhigurah island is home to various secluded beaches you’ll love and where you can dive with the whale sharks. On these beaches, you’ll experience whale shark sightings and diving (it has its dive center). 

You can easily find hotels and cheap cafes while taking a walk around Dhigurah island. And if you peep around the water that surrounds the sugar-sand beach, you’ll find gathering spots for various fish species and sea turtles. The beautiful beach is located in South Ari Atoll and is one of the best beaches in the Maldives.

Dhigurah Beach Location

The Dhigurah island lies in South Ari Atoll, around 60 miles from the Malé in the Maldives.

How To Get To Dhigurah Beach?

You need to first get to Mahibadhoo Island by MTCC ferry from the international airport. And then you can reach the beach in around 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Nearest Resort To Dhigurah Beach

You can stay at TME Retreats Dhigurah which is popular amongst guests and fun-seekers at the Island. Alternatively, you can consider other guest houses such as Boutique Beach All Inclusive Diving Hotel, Athiri Beach Maldives, etc.

Activities To Enjoy At Dhigurah Beach

While at Dhigurah beach, you should consider diving, swimming, taking a walk around the beach, and visiting local cafes as part of the recreational activities to enjoy on the Island.

#8: Lily Beach

This is a private beach and one of the best beaches in the Maldives. Lily Beach is set on Huvahendhoo Island located in Ari Atoll and is closely connected and near some of the famous dive sites in the world.

Lily Beach Location

The beach sits on Huvahendhoo Island located in Ari Atoll.

How To Get To Lily Beach?

To get to this beach, you can take a seaplane from the international airport and reach in 25 minutes.

Nearest Resort To Lily Beach

The nearest resort to Lily beach to stay in as a guest is the Lily Beach Resort & Spa.

Activities To Enjoy At  Lily Beach

You can explore the exotic house reef, dive your heart out or visit the spa as a guest on Lily beach.

#9: Bandos Maldives

Bandos is a private tropical beach in the Maldives and is perfect for any couple looking to take a break from the city life and chill at a serene hotspot. 

The Bandos beach comes with white sands and a house reef for snorkeling. It attracts a lot of tourists and is without any doubt, one of the best private island beaches in the Maldives.

Bandos Beach Location

The Bandos beach is located on Bandos Island situated close to the Male international airport.

How To Get To Bandos Beach?

You can get to Bandos beach with a 20 minutes speedboat ride from the Male International Airport.

Nearest Resort To Bandos Beach

You can stay at Bandos Maldives or the Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort as a guest on this beach.

Activities To Enjoy At Bandos Beach

Some of the activities to explore on Bandos Beach include snorkeling, walking by the beach, and fishing.

#10: Taj Exotica Beach

Taj Exotica beach is said to be the jewel of South Male and is located in South Male Atoll quite close to the international airport. 

The beach boasts of hospitable services and mind-blowing beauty.

Taj Exotica Beach Location

The Taj Exotica Beach is located in South Male Atoll, not far from the International Airport.

How To Get To Taj Exotica Beach?

To get to the Taj Exotica beach, you can take a hotel boat ride from the Male International Airport.

Nearest Resort To Taj Exotica Beach

You can stay at the beachfront Taj Exotica resort so you can comfort your eyes with breathtaking views of the beautiful beach.

Activities To Enjoy At Taj Exotica Beach

Some of the activities to do at the Taj Exotica beach include spotting wildlife by walking around and scuba diving.

#11: Kandolhu Island Beach

This beach is home away from home and one of the best beaches you can go to in the Maldives. It has clean white sand along with Emerald Water and is a suitable place to spend your honeymoon by the beachfront. 

Asides from the awesome accommodation and food treat, the beach also houses a colorful and lively house reef which you’ll find interesting. 

Kandolhu Island Beach Location

The beach is set on Kandolhu Island which is located 70 km southwest of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

How To Get To Kandolhu Island Beach?

You can get to this beach through a seaplane from the international airport in 25 minutes.

Nearest Resort To Kandolhu Island Beach

Kandolhu Maldives is the perfect and nearest resort to stay as a guest on Kandolhu Island Beach.

Activities To Enjoy At Kandolhu Island Beach

You get to enjoy snorkeling, diving, and spa treats while you’re away at Kandolhu beach.

#12: Landaa Giraavaru

Surrounded by clear blue waters, the Landaa Giraavaru Island is one of the best beaches in the Maldives. It is a luxury, private island in the Maldives and is home to the four seasons resort. 

As a visitor at Landaa Giraavaru, you’ll find a long sandbank that extends into the azure water. 

The beaches surrounding this Island are innovative and vibrant. The water houses various fish species, sea turtles, and a live reef, making it a great destination to explore.

Landaa Giraavaru Location

Landaa Giraavaru is located within the Baa Atoll, not far from Male.

How To Get To Landaa Giraavaru?

To get to Landaa Giraavaru, you’ll need to take a scenic sea-plane ride from Malé Airport,

Nearest Resort To Landaa Giraavaru

The four seasons resort is the best place to stay while you’re at Landaa Giraavaru Island.

Activities To Enjoy At Landaa Giraavaru

You can enjoy a host of recreational activities including ayurvedic therapies in the spa,  splashing, sailing, and lagoon.

#13: Thulusdhoo Island Beach

Thulusdhoo is a tropical island located in the Maldives and it happens to be the capital of the Kaafu Atoll. Popular for surfing activities, this beach is one of the local hot spots in the Maldives, unlike other luxury islands. 

Here, guests come around to explore the dreamy archipelago and experience first-hand surfing. It will take an affordable, one-and-a-half-hour journey via a ferry to get to this island from Malé. 

And no matter your budget, be rest assured you’ll find a variety of hotels to lodge and spend the night on the Thulusdhoo island.

Thulusdhoo Island Beach Location

This tropical island is located just 28 km north of Male and is the capital of Kaafu Atoll.

How To Get To Thulusdhoo Island Beach?

You can get to this Island through a scheduled speedboat ride from the airport which only takes only 25 minutes and runs every day (except Friday). 

Also, you can get around through a local ferry to Thulusdhoo.

Nearest Resort To Thulusdhoo Island Beach

There are around 20 guest houses and hotels on the island but Club Med Kaani and Cinnamon Dhonveli are some of the popular, nearest ones.

Activities To Enjoy At Thulusdhoo Island Beach

Recreational activities you can enjoy at Thulusdhoo Island Beach include local sports, surfing, sandbank visiting, snorkeling safari, night fishing, and scuba diving.

#14: Ukulhas Island Beach

Ukulhas island is a beach in Maldives and part of the atoll Alif Alifl. The beach is quite under-the-radar and is regularly cleaned to attract tourists and decrease island pollution. 

And you can access the beach on a wide range of travel budgets.

On the island, you can get access to resorts for almost every budget. The resorts are located within a short distance from the beach, without direct access to the sand though. 

The Ukulhas island is a vast stretch of white sand covering almost 1 kilometer unhindered, with beach loungers and umbrellas lying around. There’s enough space on the beach for guests and it’s almost always quiet, making the experience a worthy one for solitude lovers.

Ukulhas Island Beach Location

The Ukulhas Island Beach is 72 km from Male in the Maldives and is a part of the atoll Alif Alif.

How To Get To Ukulhas Island Beach?

You can get to Ukulhas Island via a public ferry and a sharing speedboat from Male.

Nearest Resort To Ukulhas Island Beach

You can stay at the Ukulhas Inn which is one of the first and nearest hotels to the beach in Ukulhas.

Activities To Enjoy At Ukulhas Island Beach

You get to enjoy recreational activities such as Snorkeling, taking walks, diving, safari, big game fishing, and visiting resorts as a guest at Ukulhas Island.

#15: Omadhoo Island Beach

The quiet and amazing Omadhoo island houses some of the best beaches in the Maldives. It is set within South Ari Atoll and features a fine white sand beach and turquoise water.

The beaches on Omadhoo island are really clean with a long sandbank that cuts through the crystal-clear water which you’ll love. 

There’s a reef that surrounds the beaches which is home to a variety of fish species, whale sharks, and turtles. The local community in Omadhoo island makes the island feel originally Maldivian with around 800 residents. 

So if you’re interested in learning about the local culture in the Maldives, this will be a great destination for you.

Omadhoo Island Beach Location

Omadhoo Island Beach is set within South Ari Atoll, which is about 70 km far from the capital Male.

How To Get To Omadhoo Island Beach?

You can get to Omadhoo by a scheduled speedboat and by a slow ferry from Malé. Travel time could be around 4.5 hours.

Nearest Resort To Omadhoo Island Beach

There’s a couple of resorts near Omadhoo Island Beach which you can visit and stay like the Centara Grand Resort, Lily Beach, Conrad Maldives, and more.

Activities To Enjoy At Omadhoo Island Beach

As a guest at Omadhoo Island Beach, you get to enjoy fun activities such as snorkeling, Robinson Crusoe, scuba diving, and resort visiting.

#16: Hadahaa Island

Located in the North Huvadhoo Atoll, the Hadahaa Island is one the best beaches in the Maldives to explore as a tourist. 

It is surrounded by a 360-degree house reef and crystal blue waters and hosts the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. The beaches in Hadahaa island sit on the natural white sand and are well cleaned and maintained by Park Hyatt’s sustainability commitment. 

This is to ensure the reefs are kept healthy, and the overall environmental impact of the beaches is decreased.

Hadahaa Island Location

This beach is one of the largest natural atolls in the world and is located in North Huvadhoo. 

How To Get To Hadahaa Island?

To get there to this beach, you’ll take a commercial flight from Male to Kooddoo and once you land, you’ll take a 30-minute boat ride from Kooddoo to get to your destination.

Nearest Resort To Hadahaa Island

The Park Hyatt is one of the best resorts in the Maldives with stunning sunset views and is a nearby place to stay while you’re at Hadahaa Island.

Activities To Enjoy At Hadahaa Island

During your stay at this Island, you’ll have access to a range of recreational activities including scuba diving, canoe paddling, visiting the luxurious Vidhun Spa, and enjoying the serenity of the Park Hyatt resort.

#17: Bikini Beach 

I’m being a bit cheeky here because it’s not one of the best beaches in Maldives BUT it IS the most accessible, and it IS possible on a budget! Just as the name signifies, Bikini beach is the official bikini beach in the Maldives where you’re allowed to wear bikinis and flaunt your body. 

The Island is located on Rasdhoo Island and offers you breathtaking views of the beach while leafy palm trees and comfortable sunbeds surround the beach. 

Some tourist attractions close to Bikini beach which you can explore include Sultan Park, Gunbaru Beach, National Museum.

Bikini Beach Location

Bikini Beach is located on Rasdhoo Island and is one of the few beaches in the Maldives where you’re allowed to wear a bikini.

How To Get To Bikini Beach?

To get to Bikini beach, you need to take a 1-hour speedboat ferry ride from the airport.

Nearest Resort To Bikini Beach?

The Rasreef Maldives and Rasdhoo Island Inn are the closest resorts and accommodation options nearby where you can stay.

Activities To Enjoy At Bikini Beach 

Some of the fun things to do at Bikini Beach include swimming, snorkeling, and wading.

#18: Vabbinfaru Island Beaches

The beaches on Vabbinfaru Island Beaches are some of the finest public beaches in the Maldives. They are surrounded by beautiful corals with colored fishes and are a great destination for a range of activities at the beach. 

Some of the tourist attractions around  Vabbinfaru Island beaches include Sultan Park and Whale Submarine.

Vabbinfaru Island Location

Vabbinfaru Island beaches are located in Kaafu Atoll, North Male Atoll, Maldives, and are known for their variety of fun activities and stunning villas.

How To Get To Vabbinfaru Island?

You’ll need to take a 25-minute speedboat ride from the Male International Airport to get to the beaches on Vabbinfaru Island.

Nearest Resort To Vabbinfaru Island

While you’re at Vabbinfaru Island, you can stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru to soothe your eyes with the beauty of the beach right from your rooms.

Activities To Enjoy At Vabbinfaru Island Beaches

You get to enjoy a variety of activities like jet-skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, diving, and a romantic candlelight dinner under the stars.

#19: Mirihi Island Beach – That Lavish Resort

Mirihi beach is a private beach located on a small island in South Ari Atoll. From palm trees and white sands to comfy sea beds and luxurious resorts, this beach has all you need to have an exciting, refreshing time on vacation with your partner. 

Some of the tourist attractions you get to explore at Mirihi island include a sunset cruise, cultural island, and snorkeling safaris.

Mirihi Island Beach Location

This beach is located in Mirihi Island, a small private island in South Ari Atoll and notable for having an excellent diving and snorkeling experience. 

How To Get To Mirihi Island Beach?

You can get to Mirihi Island in 30 minutes by taking a seaplane from the international airport.

Nearest Resort To Mirihi Island Beach

To enjoy your time here, you should consider staying at the nearby Mirihi Island Resort. It is a top-notch accommodation option and a 5-star resort you should stay in to enjoy your time at Mirihi Island beach.

Activities To Enjoy At Mirihi Island Beach

You can enjoy water activities such as diving and snorkeling while at this beach.

#20: Kurumba Beach

Kurumba Beach is one of the best beaches in the Maldives and is located on an island close to the international airport. 

With a ton of fun activities to explore and breathtaking views, this beach should be considered a perfect spot for your honeymoon holiday.

Kurumba Beach Location

This beach is located in Vihamanaafushi, North Male Atoll, and is very close to the International Airport.

How To Get To Kurumba Beach?

You can get to the beach through a 10-minute boat ride from the international airport.

Nearest Resort To Kurumba Beach

The Kurumba Maldives Hotel is a top-notch accommodation for you to stay near the beach and enjoy the breathtaking views of the sea.

Activities To Enjoy At Kurumba Beach

You get to enjoy fun activities such as scuba diving, Veli spa, and floating in the lagoon while you’re at Kurumba beach.

Final thoughts on the best beach in Maldives?

Ready for your romantic, honeymoon holiday to these beaches in the Maldives? It’s hard to choose which is THE best beach in Maldives, I know. And to be honest, they’re all pretty spectacular. I would say though, the ones that require a seaplane are even more beautiful, more secluded and more luxurious (and obviously more expensive too!).

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