Neighborhood guide
Where to Stay in Maldives
The 3 areas worth basing yourself in Maldives, Maldives — ranked by our editors, with walking distances from the center. First-timers: start with Malé.
Top pick
Malé
Capital island — quick stopover, the fish market, the Hukuru Miskiy mosque.
#2
Maafushi
Local island accessible to budget travelers — guesthouses, dive shops, public beach.
#3
Resort atolls
Private-island resorts on Baa, North Male, South Ari — each is its own world.
Getting around
Seaplane or speedboat from Malé to your resort; local ferries between inhabited islands.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen; reef damage from regular sunscreen is taken seriously by resorts.