Cheap Holidays to Maldives

All you need to know about holidays to Maldives

A holiday to the Maldives is something truly special, particularly when it takes you from the cold and dark winter in the UK! We're always on the lookout for great value Maldives deals, and cheap Maldives resorts - which we put in our newsletter when we see a particularly spectacular deal. You can also use our holiday search to find the best value Maldives package holidays for your travel dates.

The Maldives are a collection of islands, arranged in a double chain of 26 atolls, which are circular coral island formations. Tourists are able to visit 80 of these islands, which lie in the Indian Ocean, and so when it comes to booking your 2013 Maldives holiday you'll find that there is plenty of choice. Many of the islands are exclusively home to a luxury resort - although there are also plenty of cheap Maldives deals to be found as well.

Thanks to the stunning beaches, beautiful clear waters and proliferation of secluded spots, the Maldives are seen as one of the most romantic places on earth. This has made them one of the most sought-after honeymoon destinations, with all manner of companies lining up to offer tailor-made honeymoons. Why not look for a cheap Maldives deal, or book your hotel and cheap flightsseparately to avoid the inflated costs that being recently married often incurs?

What to do in the Maldives

As the Maldives are made up of more water than land, you can easily imagine that holidays here are usually all about the sea. The Indian Ocean is warm and clear, which means that fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving and water sports can all be virtually on your doorstep. Relaxing and taking things down to a slower pace of life are what a holiday to the Maldives is all about, but if you do want to explore a little, then how about one of these?

Friday Mosque is the colloquial name for the Huskuru Miskiiy in Male. The Maldives boasts a fairly large number of mosques and churches, but this one stands out thanks to its size - it's the country's largest, as well as the oldest, dating back to 1656. You'll see it from a distance because it boasts a huge gold dome, and whilst the intricate designs on the outside have been covered to protect them, the interior is a feast for the eyes. It's best known for its fine lacquer work and intricate and elaborate woodcarvings, so make sure you're not in a hurry!

Makunda and Muduka are the premier dive sites in the Maldives, known for their amazing coral reefs and the beautiful underwater life that calls this area home. These are both in the Seenu Atoll and are popular with tourists and scientists who are still discovering new species here. If you're not quite sure you're up to the diving standards required then head to Umarus Plave, Kuda Hohola, and Kuda Kandu Corner instead.

Thinadoo might just be the island of your dreams. It's known for being pollution-free so aside from its stunning beaches, the sea creatures are known for especially vibrant colours. Plenty of trees help to regulate the temperature on the land, so it's a lovely cool place to spend the day.

Kudahuvadhoo is both a diving mecca and a cultural landmark. This island is dotted with mysterious mounds known as hawittas, which are the ruins of old temples - said to give spiritual meaning to the land. Head to the Old Mosque to see the masonry, as it's widely believed to be on a par with the Inca Walls in Peru, although the archaeologists have yet to get their teeth into this. Kudahuvadhoo is also where to go if you want to learn to dive in these most stunning of surroundings, as the dive centre here is the best place to learn in the Maldives.

Maldives Fish Market in Male is a great hub for all sorts of items you want to buy as well as souvenirs from your Maldives holiday. Local fruit and veg as well as dried fish are the main things on offer throughout the day, but the real fun happens when the fresh fish catches come in once a day. Restaurants, locals and travellers can all join in with the bartering and bargaining - but the best way to try some of the fish you like the look of is to follow it to a local restaurant!

When to go to the Maldives

Flights to the Maldives from the UK are available throughout the year, and you can expect an average journey time of around 10 hours. The flight prices are the highest between December and April as the Maldives is a popular winter sun holiday destination from the UK. The temperature in the Maldives is pretty constant throughout the year, with daytime highs of around 30°C and nighttime highs of around 25°C. Winter in the UK falls firmly in the middle of the dry season, which means that prices are at a premium.

The rainy season runs from May to October, and although it will rain every day, you can also expect at least a few hours of sunshine. If the underwater attractions are what's calling you to book your Mauritius holiday deal, then try November and April. You may get a little rain but underwater visibility is higher, and everything is cheaper!

Where to stay in the Maldives

With the majority of the islands in the Maldives uninhabited, and plenty more inaccessible to tourists, you might think that you've got nowhere to turn. That's not exactly try as there are a whole range of resorts on the open islands, most of which are close to the capital of Male. When you're looking for somewhere to stay, the main question you need to ask yourself is - what sort of nightlife am I after? If you want a lively nightlife then you need to look for a resort in your budget on one of the larger islands where there are clusters of resorts. If you're on honeymoon or are just after a relaxing and quiet holiday in the Maldives then heading to an island resort is a better bet.