The Maldives - where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea
The islands of the Maldives are a tropical paradise, of clear blue waters and soft white sand, fringed by palm trees. There are more than 1100 islands renowned for their unusual shapes - from the heart-shaped island to one shaped like an eye, a fish or a flower; from those which are elongated, round or pointed, to a simple sandbank or one pierced by strange-shaped lakes.
Your unique holiday experience starts as soon as you arrive at the airport, when a seaplane or a boat will take you to your island escorted by a school of brightly coloured fish.
Perfect destination for a romantic break for halal-conscious couples
The Maldives is a Muslim country and is the perfect spot for a halal-friendly beach holiday. It is proving especially popular with halal-conscious couples seeking an idyllic honeymoon spot. The attractions of its white sandy beaches and clear waters are only enhanced by the delicious halal food and the friendly welcome of the local people.
Many of the luxury resort hotels are set on their own tiny islands, perfect for those who want to get away from the crowds and find some privacy on white sandy beaches, amidst the palm trees and lush greenery.
When you search for your holiday on halalbooking.com, you can now find detailed information about which villas and rooms in the Maldives offer private pools or beach areas, which are fully-secluded, so can’t be overlooked from the outside. Simply go to ‘Leisure for Ladies and Family’ to filter your search results – just tick the box under Beach or Pool for ‘In villa/ room – secluded’.
halalbooking.com features a range of accommodation in the Maldives to suit all budgets - you may be surprised to find that this dream destination is more affordable than you thought.
Top choices for halal-friendly accommodation in the Maldives
These island resorts are rated as very good or superb in reviews by Halalbooking guests who have stayed there:
Furaveri Island Resort & Spa 5* Furaveri, Raa Atoll
An idyllic island resort with white sands and lush greenery; some villas have a secluded pool or beach sunbathing area. The spa is available for private hire and you can even hire your own secluded island beach.
Fiyavalhu Resort Maldives 4* Mandhoo
This peaceful alcohol-free island resort serves all halal food and has some villas with secluded beach sunbathing area or pool. Guests enjoy its friendly staff and beautiful setting and appreciate praying in its masjid.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa 5* Dhonakulhi Island
A friendly island resort, many of its spacious villas have fully-secluded beach sunbathing, outdoor pool and jacuzzi. It is nestled in lush greenery with crystal-clear waters and has spa facilities available for private hire.
Explore life underwater
One of the biggest attractions of the Maldives is its crystal-clear water and vibrant coral reefs, which are home to an abundance of sea life, with brightly coloured fish and fascinating sea creatures. Many of the resort hotels have their own water sports and diving schools, where beginners and serious enthusiasts alike can book day trips and hire equipment.
Welcome to Malé - enchanting capital of the Maldives!
Stay in the capital of the Maldives, set on the sea, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Experience a sensory overload at the fish market and local market. Discover the President's Palace and the Sultan Park and have a rest at a Garden Café or enjoy a meal of fresh fish whilst soaking up the views.
Visit Malé’s crown jewel, the Grand Friday Mosque, and the beautiful Islamic Centre built with coral rock carvings. It is an excellent architectural work - a fusion of traditional Maldivian and Islamic concepts. The magnificent golden domes ornament the skyline of the capital.
Explore the well-labelled collection of historic artefacts in the National Museum, which traces the unusual history of the islands, devoted to the ancient and medieval periods of Maldivian history. It includes many impressively engraved pieces of wood with Arabic carving commemorating the conversion of the Maldives to Islam in 1153.
As an added bonus, if you’re sticking to a budget, you can keep your costs down by choosing a property close to Malé, so transfer costs are low.
Halal food in the Maldives
100% of the local population is Muslim, so virtually all of the food on offer is halal. The delicious cuisine is sure to be a highlight of your holiday. Spicy curries with Indian and Sri Lankan influences will entice your taste buds; fresh fish is a staple and you will find the flavour of locally grown coconuts enhances your culinary experience. Try Mas Riha, a local curry made from fresh tuna, flavoured with peppers, chilli and coconut. There are also many different vegetable curries made from aubergine, pumpkin or green bananas. Don’t leave without trying Mas Huni a tuna, coconut and onion salad eaten for breakfast, accompanied by chapati bread.
Best time to visit the Maldives
The Maldives is truly a year-round destination, with average low temperatures rarely falling below 24°C and highs running around 30°C throughout the year. January to April is the high season as this is the driest time of year, when there is least rain. November and December are also popular, however, with long periods of sunshine. Even the rainiest months, from May to November still enjoy plenty of sunshine. During these periods, visitors are able to benefit from lower prices, making a halal-friendly holiday in the Maldives even more affordable.
How to get around in the Maldives
Getting around the Maldives mainly involves domestic flights and seaplane transfers for long distances, with speedboats used for shorter trips between islands. Public ferries are available for travel between local islands, but they’re less convenient for tourists. Dhoni boats and private boats are popular for island-hopping and excursions. On smaller islands or resorts, bicycles and walking are common. In Malé, taxis and buses are available for getting around. Planning transfers in advance is recommended, especially for seaplanes, and it’s important to respect local environmental guidelines.