8 of the best Maldives beaches to visit

Did you know that the Maldives consists of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean? It is often referred to as a dream destination for many global travellers. The main draw, obviously, is the amazing and beautiful Maldives beaches. Picture them now, the bright white sand and the crystal clear water lapping at your feet as the sun shines.

It makes sense why people love the Maldives so much. These islands are mostly clustered into atolls and are teeming with marine wildlife centred around the many coral reefs. These make it a much sought-after snorkelling destination for travellers.

READ MORE: We rank some of the best beaches in the world to visit

However, we want to focus on the Maldives beaches that make us want to book a ticket right now and pack our bathing suits. You will be spoilt for choice, but to help you, we’ve picked eight of our favourite Maldives beaches that promise to be worth the price of the flight.

• Cocoa Island
• Kandholhu Island
• Dhigurah Island
• Huruvalhi Island
• Baros Island
• Thulusdhoo Island
• Fulhadhoo Island
• Huvadhoo Atoll

Cocoa Island

We start off with a good here. Cocoa Island is a luxurious hideaway in the South Malé Atoll. Also known a Makunufushi, the beaches on this island are best known for crystal-clear waters and endless white beaches.

Vistors to this Maldives beach should also scuba dive to see the live coral reefs. As with most Maldives beaches, the island is quite small but has a lovely COMO resort if you’re looking for a place to stay.

Kandholhu Island

Kandolhu island has some of the best reefs in the whole of the Maldives, so make sure you make it part of the itinerary. The Maldives beach is clean and offers soft sand around the whole island.

The island is located 70 kilometres southwest of the main island Male’ in North Ari Atoll and can be reached in 25 minutes by seaplane. Visitors can stay at the Kandolhu Maldives, which is a luxury resort.

Dhigurah Island

Our next beach is nestled in the South Ari Atoll, which is about 60 miles from the main island of Malé. The island is probably best known for whale shark sightings and is also a great diving spot. However, we love it because of the amazing beaches that you’ll never want to leave.

The island has its own dive centre, and the water surrounding the white sand beach is a gathering spot for sea turtles and several species of colourful fish. This makes it a great place for those who love nature.

You might want to consider staying at The Residence Maldives, which offers a luxury experience for your time on this island.

Huruvalhi Island

This Maldives beach is just a short seaplane ride away from Male’s Velana International Airport. It is best known for being a romantic destination or a great place for a family vacation.

This is also a great island for water sports, so if you love snorkelling, diving, water skiing and more, this is the spot for you to visit.

We suggest staying at The Standard, which has 115 villas to choose from and have a trip to remember.

Baros island

The Maldives beaches of Baros island are known for being pristine with unmatched views. The island is teeming with wildlife and has lush greenery throughout, so feeling closer to nature is an added benefit for your time on the island.

It is a small island, so there is only one resort, which is the Baros Maldives.

READ MORE: You cannot miss out on these Indonesian beaches if you’re down there

Thulusdhoo Island

Get your surfboard ready when you visit the capital of the Kaafu Atoll, this is one of the most popular surfing sites in all of the Maldives. Thulusdhoo is actually just an hour-and-a-half ferry ride from Malé.

This island caters to the slightly more budget-conscious, so be prepared for sunny beaches and amazing surfing without breaking the bank. It is known for being the most ‘local’ of the islands and has an authenticity to it that some islands may lack.

There are many options on this island, but you might want to consider the Reef Edge, which is a quality experience at an affordable price.

Fulhadhoo Island

Another budget option for you is Fulhadhoo Island. Fulhadhoo Island in the Baa Atoll is home to only 250 people and is a beautiful spot to snorkel and dive. See some amazing underwater wildlife including dolphins and sea turtles.

It is two hours from Malé by speedboat and offers the best option for those looking for a more nature-centric trip.

Visitors might want to consider White lagoon Fehendhoo if they are looking for a place to stay.

Huvadhoo Atoll

Located in the North Huvadhoo Atoll and is surrounded by a 360-degree house reef. This Maldives beach comes with natural white sand and turquoise waters, which are actually protected to maintain the natural beauty of the atoll.

One of the best places to stay on this island is the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, which runs the sustainability programme that keeps the natural ecosystem healthy.

Have we missed out on any of your favourite beaches? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them in.