Life is full of challenges, but relaxing in the Maldives shouldn’t be one of them. This island nation of emerald lagoons and white coral sand in the northern Indian Ocean invites visions of world-class rest and renewal. With a national campaign designating 2026 the “Year of the Ocean Nation,” the Maldives is spotlighting wellness, conservation and ocean-focused travel like never before.
© Soneva Jani
Stretching across 35,000 square miles, the Maldives comprises 26 atolls and welcomed a record two million visitors in 2024. New luxury resorts continue to open, and many more are in development, underscoring the islands’ enduring appeal. This year’s focus on ocean healing and sustainability is showing up in spa menus that incorporate local healing traditions, hands-on conservation programs for marine life, and expanded coral-restoration efforts.
Made up of two main atoll groups (North and South), the Maldives is the world’s lowest-lying country, with most land just a few feet above sea level. That low profile creates the stunning cyan-blue shallow lagoons that define the islands and supports vibrant coral ecosystems beneath the surface. The combination of calm, clear water and abundant marine life makes the Maldives a premier destination for snorkeling, diving, windsurfing and other water sports.
Pair your aquatic adventures with exceptional relaxation. Many resorts offer in-villa treatments, so you can enjoy a massage without leaving your thatched-roof overwater suite and private plunge pool. Joali Being on Bodufushi Island in Raa Atoll is a wellness-focused retreat that blends Chinese, Thai and Indian therapies. The resort is also active in conservation, hosting a Reef Restoration Project and one of the Maldives’ turtle rehabilitation sanctuaries in partnership with The Olive Ridley Foundation.
Two-bedroom water retreat with slide © Soneva Jani
If the resort circuit feels too crowded, explore the Maldives’ more remote atolls for seclusion and bespoke experiences. Travel agents and digital concierge services can arrange everything from glamping on an uninhabited island and chef-led dinners on a sandbar to private astrology sessions beneath pristine, star-filled skies.
For travelers who want mobility without committing to transfers in advance, a private yacht offers flexibility and privacy. A yacht lets you move between atolls, follow manta and whale shark migrations, surf lesser-known breaks, and visit local island communities while enjoying luxury accommodations and on-board dining.
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Two-bedroom overwater retreat master bedroom © The Halcyon Private Islands Maldives
LODGING
THE HALCYON PRIVATE ISLES MALDIVES
Opened in 2025 as an Autograph Collection property, this resort offers 38 villas across two private islands in Gaafu Alifu Atoll. It’s remote and accessed by a roughly 90-minute seaplane from Malé.
Meradhoo Island, Gaafu Alifu Atoll
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JOALI BEING
A wellness-led resort on Raa Atoll with 68 private villas, Joali Being is known for its holistic treatments and celebrity clientele.
Bodufushi Island
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SONEVA JANI
Family-friendly and playful, Soneva Jani features The Den, an imaginative waterpark with slides, waterfalls and lounging nets.
Medhufaru Island, Manadhoo
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DINING
© One&Only Reethi Rah
ITHAA UNDERSEA RESTAURANT
Sited about 16 feet below sea level at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, this all-glass venue offers an intimate dining experience with panoramic underwater views.
Rangali Island, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll
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REETHI RESTAURANT
Set over a lagoon at One&Only Reethi Rah, this restaurant serves Mediterranean, Riviera and pan-Asian dishes in a glamorous waterside setting.
Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll
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ZUMA
Located at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Zuma is a floating overwater restaurant renowned for high-quality Japanese cuisine, from sashimi to wagyu.
Ithaafushi Island, South Malé Atoll
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INFO TO GO
Travel time from U.S. airports to Malé varies and can take 20 to 30 hours depending on connections. Major carriers like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad and Cathay Pacific provide convenient connections to Velana International Airport (MLE). After arrival in Malé, most resorts require a speedboat or seaplane transfer to reach your final destination.