When picturing an idyllic honeymoon, most people envision crystal clear water, overwater bungalows, and vibrant marine life. The Maldives is a popular and sought-after destination for newlyweds fitting this description with luxurious accommodations, stunning natural beauty, for the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
We can attest that a honeymoon in the Maldives is a once in a lifetime experience and we want to help you plan the most amazing honeymoon with this guide. From logistics of reaching these islands, choosing the perfect resort, to packing essentials, we've got you covered!
Fun fact: While wedding planning, Max decided to surprise me with our honeymoon destination. We decided together that we wanted a tropical, beachside honeymoon outside of the United States. Max kept our honeymoon destination a secret until we arrived at the airport in Chicago! He created a dossier with information about our resort, activities, and details about our overwater bungalow in the Maldives!
How to Get to The Maldives
If you are traveling from the U.S, don't let the long flight and travel time deter you from visiting The Maldives, the journey is well worth it!
Flights
Flying to the Maldives from the US typically involves connecting flights through major international airports such as Dubai or Singapore before catching a connecting flight to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Several airlines offer routes to the Maldives, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, among others. The journey usually involves a long-haul flight from the US to the connecting hub, followed by a shorter flight to Malé International Airport. When searching for flights to the Maldives, you will want to search for Malé (MLE), the capital of the Maldives and a journey from the US will typically span around 16-24 hours.
Our total flight time from Chicago, IL was 18 hours and 25 minutes. We chose Turkish Airlines, flying from Chicago (ORD) to Istanbul, Turkey (IST) - a 10-hour and 25-minute flight. This was followed by an 8 hour flight from Istanbul, Turkey (IST) to Malé, Maldives (MLE). A 12-hour layover in Istanbul gave us the opportunity to explore the airport, relax in the iGA Lounge, and take a nap in the iGA sleep pods!
How to Get to Island Resorts in the Maldives
All flights land at the Malé International Airport (MLE). Upon arrival in Malé, travelers can then take a domestic flight, speedboat, or seaplane to their chosen resort. Our resort, Varu by Atmosphere, catered to our convenience by offering boat transportation to and from the airport. The boat dock is just steps from the exit doors at the airport, and made the transfer a unique airport experience!
Photo Credit: Varu by Atmosphere via Varu-atmosphere.com
What to Consider When Choosing a Resort in the Maldives
With 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has 164 resort islands, offering an abundance of options for choosing the perfect resort for an unforgettable stay. With so many options catering to diverse budgets, careful consideration of several key factors is essential for creating the perfect getaway.
Types of Rooms
Once you've established a budget, consider your preferred room type. Prices will depend on the resort you choose but most have a variety of room types including overwater bungalows, beach villas, garden villas, and underwater rooms.
Not all resorts have every type of room option, so you will want to narrow down your choices based on your preferences. To optimize your budget, you can switch rooms during your stay - alternating between more affordable beach or garden villas and luxurious water bungalows.
Photo Credit: Varu by Atmosphere via Varu-atmosphere.com
Distance/Travel from the Airport
Spread over 35,000 square miles, traveling to Maldivian resorts from the Malé Airport can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. For longer trips, resort selection based on location isn't super important. However, shorter trips would benefit from a closer proximity to the airport. Some resorts require guests to book their own travel from the airport (seaplane, speedboat, or ferry) while others will handle booking for you.
Amenities
Resort amenities play a huge part in your overall vacation experience. Whether it's fitness facilities, water activities, pools, or spas, you can prioritize what amenities are important for you.
Our stay at Varu by Atmosphere had amazing amenities. At Varu, the duration of your stay influences the perks you'll enjoy. Over our 10-day vacation, our all-inclusive package included:
Twice-daily snorkeling excursions
A stargazing or sunset cruise
Four 45-min complimentary spa services (we chose a couples massage and couples facials using these credits)
A fishing excursion
Four fine-dining meals
Unlimited access to water sports equipment, fitness classes, and sporting facilities
Daily shark feedings
Unlimited food, drinks, and alcohol
Additional services available at an extra cost include jet ski rentals, diving courses, and photography sessions
Dining
If you stay at a Maldivian resort, you will most likely be staying on one island for your trip and will want to choose a resort that offers a wide variety of dining options. Our resort had one main restaurant that offered a huge variety of cuisines at all meals. There were 3 additional fine-dining restaurants that required reservations and a beachside pool bar that offered unlimited cocktails and afternoon snacks.
