Beaches · Maldives
The best beaches in and near Maldives
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Potov - Noblige, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Hulhumalé beach (About 10 minutes from the airport by bus or taxi). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
About 10 minutes from the airport by bus or taxi · Transit stays
1.Hulhumalé beach
A long public beach of white sand and palms on the reclaimed island beside the airport, with cafés behind it; modest swimwear expected.
East side of Malé · Local life at sunset
2.Malé Artificial Beach
The capital's man-made swimming spot where locals swim and gather in the evenings; swim in modest clothing.
About 30–45 minutes from the airport by speedboat · Budget beach days
3.Maafushi bikini beach
A fenced-off designated beach on Maafushi where swimwear is allowed, with sunbeds and water sports nearby.
About 30–40 minutes from the airport by speedboat · Surfers and their companions
4.Thulusdhoo bikini beach
A white-sand beach on the surf island of Thulusdhoo with clear, shallow water on the lagoon side.
South Ari Atoll, about 1.5–2 hours by speedboat · Long walks and whale sharks
5.Dhigurah beach
A long, narrow island fringed with sand that ends in a sandbank stretching into the lagoon, close to the whale-shark reef.
Across all atolls · Snorkelling from the beach
6.Resort house-reef beaches
Most resorts have their own beach with a house reef a short swim offshore, where turtles and reef sharks are common.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| April | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and beach
Ari Atoll
North and South Ari are among the best diving atolls in the country, with sharks at Maaya Thila and Fish Head and whale sharks around Dhigurah and Maamigili in the South Ari Marine Protected Area. Resorts are reached by seaplane or by a domestic flight to Maamigili and a boat, and Dhigurah has local guesthouses on a long sandy island.
- Good
- World-class diving and whale sharks; Wide range of resorts; Local-island option on Dhigurah
- Watch out
- Seaplane transfers are costly; Popular dive sites can be busy
- Nearby
- Maaya Thila, Dhigurah, South Ari Marine Protected Area
Getting to the beaches
- Boat — Resort speedboats and shared speedboats link the airport with North and South Malé atolls and nearby local islands in 15–90 minutes; seaplanes and domestic flights serve more distant atolls.
- Ferry — Government-run public ferries connect Malé with local islands in the surrounding atolls; they are very cheap but slow, run on set days and are limited on Fridays.
- Bus — Buses link the airport with Malé and Hulhumalé across the Sinamalé Bridge, a cheap alternative to taxis.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–April. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Currents in reef channels (kandu) can be strong: snorkel with a buddy or guide and follow resort advice on where to swim. The equatorial sun burns quickly, and coral cuts heal slowly, so wear a rash vest and reef shoes. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Maldives have beaches?
Yes: Hulhumalé beach, Malé Artificial Beach, Maafushi bikini beach, Thulusdhoo bikini beach, Dhigurah beach and Resort house-reef beaches.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Maldives?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Maldives?
Hulhumalé beach: A long public beach of white sand and palms on the reclaimed island beside the airport, with cafés behind it; modest swimwear expected.