Discover essential information about the Maldives Islands

For centuries, Maldives splendour has inspired and captivated generations of travelers.

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.

maldives islands aerial view

The Maldives in Video

A Dreamy Journey to The Maldives Islands.

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.

Dhivehi Raajje

Maldivians refer to their nation as Dhivehi Raajje, which means “The Island Kingdom” in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language.

Garland of Islands

The first Indian merchants called the Maldives “Maladiv” which literally means “Garland of Islands” in Sanskrit.

Indian Ocean Pearls

Nowadays and since the beginning of tourism in country (70’s), travelers have also beautifully named the Maldives the “Indian Ocean Pearls”.

Maldives Islands. The Ultimate Paradise in Photos

Maldives = Sandbanks + Paradise Beaches + Coral Reefs + Infinite Blue

Maldives paradise sandbank

Virgin Sandbanks

Maldives sandbanks are home to hundreds of sea birds.

maldives paradise beach

Paradise Beaches

The Maldives have 1000’s of kms of white sandy beaches

Maldives coral reefs Paradise

Amazing Coral Reefs

The Maldives islands are of coralline origins.

Maldives Beach Paradise

Infinite Blues

In the Maldives you’re surrounded by infinite blues and flat horizon

Maldives Islands geography

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.

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.

map maldives country

The origin of the word “atoll”

The origin of the word “atoll” itself could derive from the Dhivehi – Maldives language – “Atholhu” and is now used in many languages worldwide.

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.

maldives small islands

Looking for a small resort in Maldives ?

you will love /

Different types of Maldives Islands in Photos

A Garland of Islands

Maldives row Of Islands

Maldives Row Of Islands

A scattered row of island jewels : The Maldives.

Male city -The World's Smallest Capital

Male, The World’s Smallest Capital

Approximately 170,000 people live in Malé city, a 6 km² island.

 Sandbank

Sandbank

Around 800 islands and sandbanks in the Maldives remain completely untouched and deserted.

Tiny Island

Tiny Island

Some Maldivian islands are truly tiny, covering only a few dozen square meters.

The Maldives

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

Maldives / Destination
 Visitor Statistics Over Time

70’s
 1,000

90’s
 200,000

2015
 1,000,000

2025
 1,800,000

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.

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.

The Birth of Tourism

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.

What are the Maldives islands made of ?

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.

How many islands are there in the Maldives ?

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.

What is the geography of the Maldives 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.

Which are the smallest resort islands in the Maldives ?

Some of the smallest resort islands in the Maldives are Kandolhu, Naladhu Private Island, and Kudadoo — each measuring around 200 meters in length.

When did tourism start in the Maldives ?

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.

Are all Maldives islands resorts ?

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