• Qatar Airways
• Emirates
• Cathay Pacific
• Singapore Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• China Southern Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• Saudi Arabian Airlines
• Turkish Airlines
• Aeroflot
• SriLankan Airlines

At present, there are no direct flights between the United Kingdom and the Maldives. Only connecting flights are available from major airports in the UK. International airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and others above mentioned, fly indirectly to the Maldives from the UK.

• The minimum flight duration from London Heathrow to the Maldives is 12 hours and 35 minutes with Emirates. This is a one-stop flight via Dubai. Velana International Airport is the receiving airport.
• London Gatwick to Maldives flights with Qatar Airways take 13 hours minimum. These are one-stop flights and Doha is the stopover.
• From Manchester to the Maldives (Velana International Airport), the minimum flight time is 13 hours and 30 minutes. Etihad Airways runs the shortest connecting flights via Abu Dhabi.
• From Birmingham to the Maldives (Velana International Airport), Qatar Airways offers one-stop flights via Doha that take 13 hours. This is the minimum flight duration for this route.
• Qatar Airways offers the minimum time duration on flights to Velana International Airport (the Maldives) – 13 hours and 15 minutes. Qatar Airways flies via Doha.

The weather conditions are the most stable from December through to the end of April. This is the time for a nice holiday with temperatures around 28 °C during daytime. There is a high demand for tickets and lodgings during this period which is why it is called the peak-season. Being a tropical monsoon climate, the Maldives are best enjoyed during the drier periods. Beaches are the very reason why people visit the Maldives. With a lot more daily sunshine hours and relatively low humidity, the weather complements the beach experience.

Officially known as Velana International Airport and commonly dubbed as Malé International Airport, this is the major airport that caters to international flights to and from the UK. This airport is situated on the Hulhule Island which is accessible by ferries. A half an hour of ferry-ride takes passengers to Malé city centre from the airport. The IATA code for this airport is MLE.

Travellers will get better deals during the monsoon season (from May to November) and the availability of such offers is going to be more frequent. Tourists visiting the Maldives for the sole purpose of spending quality time at the beaches do not find a sticky monsoon climate to their taste. There is not much of a difference in the average temperature – it remains the same as any other time of the year i.e. 28 °C – but due to humidity, the temperature perceived is a bit hotter. The low-season has its perks of course. Airlines offer cheaper deals from time to time and even classy resorts are less expensive. You might get periods of good weather but you will definitely get cheap prices.

Combining an archipelago and an atoll, the island nation of Maldives is made for a vacation within the heart of the Indian Ocean. Such is its popular demand that it is regarded as the first preference for honeymoon vacations which is why cheap flights to Maldives are high on demand.

Ari Atoll: This is the iconic spot that captures the imagination of most tourists. Main activities include jet skiing, wind surfing, kite boarding, cruising or simply yachting around this natural atoll. Resorts take care of spa and relaxation therapy services among infinity pools and outdoor (covered) settings. Multiple sections offer refuge from the congestion of tourists and thus become the prime spots for resorts.

Shrines (Ziyaarat): There are multiple shrines and tombs, the most prominent one being Medhu Ziyaarai, dedicated to the Imam who spread Islam across the Maldivian population. The Muhammad Thakurufanu Ziyaarai and the King Ali Rassgefaanu Ziyaarai are the tombs of the local rulers hailing from the era of Portuguese invasion of the islands.

The Old Friday Mosque: It is very unlike the conventional mosque architecture in the Maldives, seeming more like a temple from its outer structure based on coral stone, while the interior is based on Lacquer. It has its own stone cemetery in a yard by its side, as well as the Minaaru minaret based on a circular structure present from earlier times.

The Mulee Aage Palace: The Mulee Aage Palace is the official residence of the president of the country with the facility for routine tours for visitors who wish to explore its artistic setup.

The Grand Friday Mosque: Replacing the Old Friday Mosque is the modern Grand Friday mosque, which also hosts the National Islamic Centre as an official institution. It has a public library and conference centre, and is one of the most prominent landmarks in the main island, with its golden reflective dome as well as its Middle Eastern architecture and calligraphy.

The Sultan Park: This Park holds a national status and houses the National Museum. The premise formerly consisted of botanical gardens surrounding the Sultan’s Palace – which has now been converted into a museum. Utheemu Ganduvaru, the official historical residence of the sultan, serves as a public monument facing the coasts.

Flea Markets: An opportunity for getting to know the locals and the way they engage in everyday commerce is provided at the main fish market and the local flea market. Here the village folk bring in their stocks of fruits and vegetables as well as the daily catch from neighbouring islands. This is also the place for purchasing souvenir items.

• Bikini Beach
• Fulhadhoo Beach
• Reethi Beach
• Hulhumale Beach
• Four Seasons Beach
• Lily Beach
• Kurumba Beach
• Taj Exotica Beach
• Dhigurah Beach
• Cocoa Island

Depending on where there resort is, tourists will be guided to either take a speedboat or wait for their sea plane. Walking out of the customs at Velana International Airport, travellers will see queues at different counters where respective tickets are being sold. Straight out of the airport we see speedboats waiting at the collection point. Note that tourists do not land in Male but Hulhule Island where the airport is. The capital, as well as other islands, are reached by these boats and sea planes (a bit expensive though). When commuting within the cities, local buses are the best option. These buses are not crowded and one often finds half of the seats occupied by fellow tourists. If someone is not familiar with bus routes and time is of the essence, call a nearby taxi. Taxis save time and tourists can reach their destination without much care.

With the country spread over an archipelago, resorts have completely acquired small private islands of their own in order to ensure privacy for their guests. Most of the resorts which fall in this category are boutique hotels. There are multiple internationally-themed facilities as well, allowing foreign visitors greater ease in availing suitable hospitality standards. The same goes for their communication with the staff. Towards the central islands and urban centres, there are guesthouses and hotels available which relatively fall in the budget category. Some of the local villages also facilitate paying guest services for tourists so that they can get a chance of exploring ad interacting with the locals up close. Suites and cabins aboard luxury yachts, cruise boats and small ships are also available.