The best beaches to see in the Maldives

It comes as no surprise to learn that the Maldives is one of the most popular and acclaimed destinations for travellers today, and one that you should see at least once in your lifetime. Largely due to the Maldives’ stunning beaches, these paradise islands have become one of the most famous places in the world.

With a vast array of white sands, crystal clear waters, lush palm trees and blue lagoons, the Maldives is made up of approximately 1,190 islands of varying sizes. As well as being the ideal destination for sun and sea lovers, there are also a myriad of things to do in the Maldives both in and out of the water, as well as stunning resorts, great restaurants and lively entertainment venues. Want to know more?

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

Which beaches to see in the Maldives?

Fushifaru Maldives Beaches

The small island of Fushifaru was one of the islands chosen for our Maldives vacation. Located to the west of the Lhaviyani Atoll, it is a spacious sandbank between two channels that link the lagoon directly to the sea. We got there by seaplane, which took around 35 minutes.

This island offers an impressive marine area that is protected, so we had the opportunity to snorkel in some of the most incredible waters in the Maldives and see its impressive marine fauna. Amongst all the species you’ll see, you’ll be especially fascinated by the manta rays and turtles. We were also able to enjoy a famous floating breakfast at the accommodation while we had a nice swim in the private pool of our room. One of the best things to do in the Maldives is a cooking class, where we learned more about the traditional Maldivian cuisine. Besides having time to enjoy the stunning beaches, this island is also ideal for snorkelling and kayaking. To end the day, we recommend having a sunset dinner on the beach – a unique experience!

If you want to know what else you can do on this island read our post: Fushifaru Island of the Maldives

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Beaches in Himmafushi

Himmafushi is one of the most visited islands in the Maldives, as well as being the closest to Malé. Almost a kilometre long and with a population of just 1,000, this island is one of the most tranquil and paradisiacal corners of the Maldives.

As well as being one of the world’s most popular surfing islands due to its great waves, Himmafushi has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Although not officially listed, this island has a beach where bikinis are allowed. Here you can enjoy a paradise-like setting while sunbathing on the sand or taking a dip in the spectacular crystal clear waters. In Himmafushi you can also enjoy other services, such as local shops, a couple of restaurants where you can try traditional dishes, and even stalls where you can book some activities. This island is a must on your trip to the Maldives beaches.

Beaches in Maafushi

Just 25 kilometres from Malé lies the beautiful island of Maafushi. The government of the Maldives wants to initiate a different kind of tourism here other than resort tourism.

Considered the backpacker island of the Maldives, you’ll find everything you need for a complete stay. From hotels and other accommodation to restaurants, bars and entertainment, Maafushi is an exceptional experience. As in most of the Maldives’ beaches, the water is inviting not only for swimming but also for snorkelling and scuba diving. You’ll see fish of all types and colours, as well as large turtles and even small, harmless sharks. Another of the most famous things to do in Maafushi Maldives is swimming with amazing whale sharks near Dhangethi Island. You will be super impressed!

Cocoon Maldives Beaches

Also located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, Cocoon is a small island that exceeds all expectations of anyone travelling to the Maldives.

On this island, you feel like you are in paradise itself. It offers a dreamlike setting of white sand, turquoise waters and lush nature. We could feel its tropical atmosphere in every corner. We had the opportunity to snorkel in its impressive crystal clear waters and admire numerous marine species. To end the day, we enjoyed a boat trip to watch a film-like sunset. As a farewell, we were able to experience a great yoga class early in the morning before leaving the island. This is one of the things to do in the Maldives that we 100% recommend.

To find out what else you can do on Cocoon Island read our post: Cocoon Island of The Maldives.

Beaches in Kuramathi Maldives

Kuramathi is one of the most beautiful islands in the Maldives and was the final destination on our trip. Probably one of the most luxurious islands in the area, it is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday.

The journey to the island takes approximately 20 minutes from Malé International Airport, and must be made by seaplane. We were amazed not only by the incredible natural scenery, but also by the number of services this place offers. We enjoyed fully equipped accommodation located on the beach, with unbeatable views of the sea from our rooms. In addition to snorkelling, in Kuramathi we also had the opportunity to attend a semi-submarine tour to admire the depths from a unique point of view. Another thing you can’t miss is a walk along its extensive sand strip. Without a doubt, two of the best things to do on your Maldives vacation.

To find out what else to do in Kuramathi Island you can read our posts: Kuramathi Island Resort in the Maldives.

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Hulhumalé Maldives Beaches

Hulhumalé is a stunning man-made island in the Malé region of the Maldives. On this island you’ll find a host of spectacular resorts and amenities, as well as some of the most beautiful beaches of these famous islands.

It is an ideal destination to visit especially if you are travelling with your family, as it offers numerous all-inclusive hotels and resorts, allowing you to enjoy your stay with the greatest possible comfort. In addition to spending time on its paradisiacal beaches, you will have the opportunity to get to know the urban centre of the island, where you can visit some of its most symbolic spots. Among them are the Mosque or the wonderful Central Park of Hulhumalé.

In addition, and as is traditional on these islands, we recommend you try some of its most acclaimed water sports. From snorkelling to boat rides, Hulhumalé has many options for a fun morning or afternoon with friends or family.

If you want to find out more about this island, read our post: Hulhumalé Island of the Maldives.

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Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Where to eat in the Maldives?

Fushifaru Maldives

At Fushifaru Maldives we recommend you to go to Korakali Restaurant, where you can enjoy amazing Maldivian dishes with spectacular sea views.

Cocoon Maldives

At Cocoon Maldives we recommend you try the Octopus Restaurant, where you can enjoy a buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you feel like having a drink, don’t hesitate to go to Loabi Loabi Bar, where you can try different typical Maldivian drinks. Another option is the Kurum-bar, which serves cocktails and drinks with unbeatable views of the sea.

Kuramathi Maldives

In Kuramathi, a visit to the Reef Restaurant is a must. There you can enjoy excellent seafood dishes from the area. Another place we visited that we highly recommend is the Barbeque Restaurant, where you can try some of the best barbecued meat dishes. Finally, you must try the Farivalhu Restaurant, where they serve great continental breakfasts, as well as lunches and dinners.

Where to stay in Maldives?

In the Maldives you can enjoy amazing accommodation on each of the islands. Below is a list of our recommendations based on where we stayed during our trip.

– In our first destination, we chose Cocoon Maldives, the first design hotel in the Maldives. Here you can enjoy dreamy beachfront villas, with all possible amenities including restaurants, bars, water activities and even a spa.

– We then stayed at Fushifaru Maldives, a spectacular 5-star boutique villa resort. You can choose from beachfront villas or villas over the ocean, with or without a swimming pool. You will enjoy a wide range of impeccable services in an unbeatable location.

– Finally, we recommend staying at Kuramathi Maldives, a luxurious resort on one of the most beautiful islands in the Maldives. You can enjoy a myriad of services and activities, as well as excellent quality in each of its villas.

Tips for your trip to the Maldives

• Invest enough time in finding a good combination of flights.
• Make sure you take enough money with you and change your currency in the Maldives.
• Find out which island you want to stay on based on your interests.
• Check accessibility between islands in advance.
• Make sure you take out travel insurance.
• Keep everything organised with the Passporter app.

How to plan the things to do on the best beaches in the Maldives? 

You can use this post as a reference and use the Passporter app for more suggestions. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on the things to do on the best beaches in the Maldives.

With the app you can:

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers. 
• Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip. 
• Save tickets and reservations. 
• Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point, or any other point that you indicate. 
• Know the best travel option for each location. 
• Keep and post your own photos and experiences in each of the places as you go, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to the Maldives?” You can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Maldives Islands