It’s oh-so instagrammable in the Maldives. It has all the essential ingredients to capture sublime Insta-worthy shots.
Some 1 192 coral islands and islets to pick from, no matter your budget whether you stay at a luxe private resort or on a local island. Yes please!
Tropical landscapes and luscious vegetation. Check!
Sugar-white beaches that stretch tantalisingly above azure waters. Ka-ching!
It’s an Indian Ocean-lying paradise with no shortage of island backgrounds to frame your Instagram shot against
This is my final post in my series about travelling to the Maldives.
See-food
An underwater restaurant in the Maldives (there are a few) is another incredible place to splurge across your Instagram feed.
5.8 Underwater Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives on Lhaviyani Atoll – a chic, adults-only island resort – is arguably the most special as it is the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant. Suspended some 5.8 metres below the surface of the water, this suave fine-dining restaurant offers magical views of the coral reef and surrounding sea life, combined with a gastronomic journey that is hard to rival.
Best of all, it is designed to provide a truly intimate experience, as no more than 10 couples can be seated at once. You can choose from private champagne breakfasts or lunches and dinners alongside other patrons.
Laze around in an over-water hammock
The Maldives has become synonymous with the several (now famous) over-water hammocks that are found across the Maldives’ archipelago and at its many island resorts.
Often slung between two dead trees or adjoining palm trees, these water hammock allow you to lie in a truly stunning setting, while staying cool at the same time. Lounge above (or in) the balmy waters with your a page-turner (just make sure you don’t wet the pages) or with your drink of choice in hand and snap that unforgettable Insta pic.
Enjoy a cinematic experience on the edge of the Indian Ocean
Soneva Jani – a luxury wellness resort on the island of Medhufaru on Noonu Atoll – has a private cinema. But it’s not located just anywhere, as its giant screen floats above the water and is set against cotton candy-coloured at sunset. Metres away, with nothing but the ocean between you and the screen, are several spacious, cushion-adorned hammocks to sprawl out on. As for the cinematic experience: guests can enjoy a selection of classic and contemporary films, while savouring gourmet finger foods, cocktails and popcorn.
Dine on a pristine lagoon
The Piano Deck, at the luxurious Baros Maldives on North Malé Atoll, is another one of the Maldives’ most Instagrammable spots. It is named for the steps that lead up from the water to this expansive wooden deck and resemble a piano. It sits on an azure lagoon, which means you’ll have to be taken there by boat. Choose from a champagne breakfast where you can witness the sun rising, an afternoon seafood picnic or a sunset dinner as the day winds to an end. No matter which time of day you find yourself here, it’s certain to be a memorable meal.
Take it back to the beach
It may be the most obvious option, in this watery paradise but can you can’t go wrong with a quintessential Maldives beach shot. And with so many drop-dead gorgeous beaches to choose from, you really are spoilt for choice.
Some of the most secluded beaches are found at One&Only Reethi Rah on North Malé Atoll. Only guests staying at the resort are permitted to visit and enjoy the twelve beaches that make up this island resort. Any of these beaches make for perfect Insta spots but ClubOne Beach has slouchy hammocks and an ocean-fronting pool.
Getting to The Maldives
The award-winning Air Seychelles has weekly nine-hour (business and economy class) flights from South Africa to the Maldives, via Seychelles. This makes it quicker than transiting in Dubai, Doha or India, as is the case with many other airlines. Flights to Maldives depart from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Sunday evenings, briefly stopover in the Seychelles, and arrive at Malé International Airport the following morning. Flights from the Maldives to South Africa leave on Monday mornings and arrive in Johannesburg later that day. Air Seychelles also flies to Mauritius, India (Mumbai) and Israel (Tel Aviv).
Maldives Covid-19 travelling requirements
Fully vaccinated travellers don’t need a Covid-19 PCR test or booster vaccines, as long as they’ve been vaccinated at least 14 days before travelling. Tourists holidaying on inhabited islands no longer need a negative Covid-19 PCR test when departing. It’s best to look at the Maldives Ministry of Tourism’s website for COVID-19 updates and protocols.
Read my previous posts about everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Maldives, Stargazing in the Maldives, and 5 unmissable things to do in the Maldives.
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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Air Seychelles and Visit Maldives. All opinions are my own, but you already know that! ;)
