The Maldives

The Maldives sits barely a metre above sea level — a collection of atolls so flat and so close to the water that the ocean seems to be the destination itself. And in many ways, it is. The water here is warm, clear and extraordinarily rich in marine life: coral gardens, reef sharks, manta rays, hawksbill turtles and whale sharks all inhabit the waters of the Indian Ocean around these islands. Snorkelling directly from your villa steps, diving on pristine house reefs and watching hammerhead sharks circle in the currents of the outer atolls are among the defining experiences of a Maldivian stay.

Above the water, the Maldives offers a vision of paradise: powder-white sandbanks, coconut palms, hammocks strung between jetty posts and over-water bungalows extending out over the lagoon. The concept of the over-water villa was arguably born here, and the Maldives remains the finest place in the world to experience it — waking to the sound of the sea below, stepping off the deck directly into warm turquoise water, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean from a private plunge pool.

The resort model in the Maldives is typically one resort, one island, providing an unmatched level of exclusivity and seclusion. Resorts range from accessible mid-range options on North Malé Atoll to ultra-exclusive private island retreats in the outer atolls accessible only by seaplane. Dining, spa experiences and water sports are typically world-class.

The Maldives is warm and sunny year-round, though the dry season from November to April brings the calmest seas and best diving visibility. It is the quintessential honeymoon and celebration destination, offering a level of romance, beauty and seclusion that is genuinely hard to match anywhere in the world.