Only 250 of the Maldives Islands are inhabited, which means you can take a day trip to your own private island and explore it.
Source: Visit Maldives
Each of the islands offers a completely different experience: There are business-, romance-, relaxation- and family-oriented destinations.
Source: Condé Nast Traveler
The Maldives are considered a premiere diving destination, due to the white sand, turquoise water, and major reefs with over 187 species of coral.
Source: Maldives Dive Travel
The islands also have a ton of marine wildlife: 1,100 species of fish, five species of sea turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins, and 145 crab species.
Water sports are a huge hit in the island nation. You can go surfing, water skiing, para sailing, or wind surfing.
Source: Maldives Top Tourist Attractions
Most hotels and major fisheries arrange night fishing trips for tourists: You can catch snappers, emperors, barracuda, squirrel fish and jacks while you fish under the stars.
Source: Visit Maldives
The Republic of the Maldives makes most of its revenue from tourism, so they invest in a number of cool tourism projects, like The 5 Lagoons Project.
Not to mention the much-hyped Floating Golf Course, another part of The 5 Lagoons Project set for completion in 2015.
Source: Business Insider
The Maldives is one of the only destinations in the world with an underwater nightclub, Subsix, with music and DJs.
Source: Condé Nast Traveler
There's also an amazing underwater restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort and Spa.
Source: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
The islands serve up delicious food, largely based on a Sri Lankan and south Indian diet. The dishes are spicy, flavored with coconut, and include fish (usually tuna).
Or try one of the national drinks, like the Sai (a type of Maldivian tea) or a fermented alcoholic drink made from the sap of palm trees called Raa.
There are plenty of highly-rated places to stay, too. Four Seasons Maldives, with its above-water Asian-style private villas, is one of the best in the world.
Sources: Maldives Traveler, Business Insider
And don't miss out on the recently re-legalized spa services: Like The Spa by ESPA at the One&Only Reethi Rah resort with views of the ocean and exfoliation treatments.
Source: One&Only Reethi Rah
Or if you're looking for a little culture, visit the National Museum in Malé and see the Sultan Park, a gorgeous public park that was once the Sultan's palace grounds.
Source: Como Hotels
Ready to book your flight?
- Flights from NYC to the Male airport are an average of 17+ hours (not including layovers), and cost at minimum $800 each way
- For an affordable hotel option, both the Kurumba Maldives and Kuramathi Island Resort hotel have rates that can go as low as $250/night depending on the season and average about $450/night
- And if you want to get fancy, check into the Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa, where rooms start at $918/night (just note that it's completely booked until 2015)