The Maldives islands
The Maldives belong to the small and exclusive list of the ultimate place to see.
From the sky, the Maldives Islands appear like an emerald necklace set on navy blue background.
Ultimate paradise, their name itself is enough to make us dream and the surreal natural beauty of their landscapes make this dream a reality.
The ideal beauty of their crystal-clear lagoons, beaches of fine white sand, combined with the splendour of their aerial views make it an absolute paradise and one of the most popular Dream destinations on Earth.
All photos and video featured in this article were taken by us during our multiple journeys from north to south of the archipelago.
The Maldives in Video
The Island Kingdom
More than just a paradise of turquoise waters and powdery shores, the Maldives holds deep meaning in its very name.
From ancient traders to modern travelers and the islanders themselves, each has given the nation a name that reflects its essence—poetic, reverent, and steeped in beauty.
Maldives Islands. The Ultimate Paradise in Photos
Virgin Sandbanks
Maldives sandbanks are home to hundreds of sea birds.
Paradise Beaches
The Maldives have 1000’s of kms of white sandy beaches
Amazing Coral Reefs
The Maldives islands are of coralline origins.
Infinite Blues
In the Maldives you’re surrounded by infinite blues and flat horizon
you will love /
Maldives Islands geography
26 Atolls, 1200 Islands
The Maldives are located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, at the South of India and West of Sri Lanka, the Maldives owe their beauty to a unique geological formation.
Spanning 823 km (512 miles), the Maldivian archipelago comprises 26 atolls protecting around 1,200 small, perfectly formed tropical islands and thousands of kilometres of coral reefs.
Island Settlements and Resort Sanctuaries
Of the Maldives 1,200 islands, roughly 200 are home to Maldivian communities, about 700 islands and sandbanks lie completely deserted, and around 200 have been set aside as resorts.
you will love /
From Tiny islands to “large” ones
The Maldives islands can be very tiny with only a few tens of meters in diameter.
The largest islands in the Maldives stretch over a kilometer in length, with Malé, the bustling capital, spanning 1.5 kilometers. Further south, in the stunning Addu Atoll, lies Gan — the largest island in the Maldives — measuring an impressive 6 kilometers long and 3.4 kilometers wide.
Maldives resorts average sizes
Most resorts in the Maldives occupy islands averaging just 400 meters in length.
However, a few stand out for their size, such as Atmosphere Kanifushi, Kuredu, Meeru, Kuramathi, and Sun Island — each stretching between 1 and 1.7 kilometers, which are among the largest.
The smallest resort islands in the Maldives include Kandolhu Maldives, Naladhu Private Island Maldives, and Kudadoo Maldives Private Island — each measuring barely 200 meters in length.
you will love /
Different types of Maldives Islands in Photos
Maldives Row Of Islands
A scattered row of island jewels : The Maldives.
Male, The World’s Smallest Capital
Approximately 170,000 people live in Malé city, a 6 km² island.
Sandbank
Around 800 islands and sandbanks in the Maldives remain completely untouched and deserted.
Tiny Island
Some Maldivian islands are truly tiny, covering only a few dozen square meters.
99% of water
1% of land
Although the Maldives span an area of 90,000 km² across the Indian Ocean, their total landmass is just around 300 km²—including coral surfaces—with an average elevation of only 1.5 meters above sea level.
The birth of tourism in the Maldives
From “Robinson-Back-to-Nature” to “Robinson-Chic
Secret destination of well informed travelers and divers in the early 70s, the Maldives opened their first international Resort in 1972 with Kurumba.
Few of these travelers have resisted their beauty and many shared their amazing experiences on their return, bringing each year more and more curious adventurers in search of a perfect paradise.
how the destination became a luxury paradise
Maldives tourism boom has rapidly continued and increased in the years that followed. Many deserted islands, the closest to the capital Male, were then transformed into resorts to accommodate a growing number of visitors.
Until the early 1990s, most Maldivian resorts were simple and charming 3-star properties, with only a handful offering 4- or 5-star comfort.
Today, the Maldives has evolved into one of the world’s leading luxury destinations with 1.8 million visitors per year.
Maldives Islands
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You’ll find below answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by travelers.
My blog is full of useful insights and inspiration — feel free to explore further using the search bar below. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact me.
The Maldives islands are made primarily of coral, formed around the rims of ancient volcanic peaks. These coral islands rest on the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge in the Indian Ocean.
There are about 1,200 islands in the Maldives, grouped into 26 natural atolls. Only around 200 are inhabited by locals, and over 150 are developed as resort islands.
The Maldives is a chain of coral islands stretching over 870 kilometers in the Indian Ocean, south of India and Sri Lanka. Its atolls are flat, with the highest natural point reaching just 2.4 meters above sea level.
Some of the smallest resort islands in the Maldives are Kandolhu, Naladhu Private Island, and Kudadoo — each measuring around 200 meters in length.
Tourism in the Maldives began in 1972 with the opening of Kurumba Maldives. Since then, the country has grown into one of the world’s leading luxury island destinations.
No. Out of 1,200 islands, only about 200 are developed as resorts. Others are inhabited by locals, used for agriculture or industry, or remain completely untouched.
All photos © Dreaming of Maldives – All rights reserved.
Follow us on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram
for more Maldives Dreams & Stories
