Resort or Local Island in the Maldives: What to Choose? Four Factors to Keep in Mind Before Booking a Holiday

Take the time to plan your holiday in the Maldives and choose the resort or local island that suites your preferences. There are 1,192 coral islands in the Maldives although only 182 are inhabited. Some islands have their own coral house reef, dive school, and resident marine biologist while others offer a more affordable, authentic island experience. Choosing the right island for your holiday is all part of the fun of planning your trip to paradise.  

1. Diving Holidays Maldives 

If it is your dream to swim with Manta Rays then the best time to visit the Maldives is from mid-May until December, when Hanifaru Bay turns into a Manta Wonderland. For easy access, choose a private or local resort in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Milaidhoo Maldives has a perfect Baa Atoll location and is a 15-minute boat ride to Hanifaru Bay.  

Some local islands house up to 30 guest houses and hotels, and you can go diving with an experienced operator to beautiful dive sites. These excellent dive operators cater to beginners and experienced divers. At Milaidhoo our onsite, five-star PADI dive centre, Ocean Stories offer more personalised experiences including private diving, night diving, manta ray diving and nitrox diving.   

1. House Reef Wonder 

Maldives’ crystal-clear waters and incredible diving and snorkelling are legendary.  And whichever island you choose, you will be able to explore the incredible underwater world. At Milaidhoo, snorkellers can sink into turquoise waters directly from their Maldives Beach Villa with private pool or Maldives Water Villa with private pool. You also enjoy free use of snorkelling equipment during your stay. Visibility stretches 100 feet or more and the Milaidhoo coral wall and caves reveal rainbow-hued reef fish and thriving coral gardens filled with multi-coloured tube sponges, bright green and purple anemones, and pink gorgonian sea fans. 

As the Milaidhoo house reef is located in the Baa Atoll, the site is fed with nutrient-rich water which attracts megafauna and over 1,200 tropical fish. Trumpetfish, blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, surgeonfish, and butterflyfish are some of the residents found in our house reef. You can join our resident marine biologist in caring for coral fragments and participate in our coral planting experiences. Our onsite coral nursery allows for healthy corals to thrive on custom made coral frames before being transplanted. This process is known as coral gardening and helps to support biodiversity and keep the marine ecosystem healthy. You can even adopt your own coral frame, contributing to the preservation of our ocean, if you wish.  

In the Maldives, all snorkelling trips are amazing as underwater encounters are notably better than elsewhere.  Being accompanied by our marine biologist makes the experience so much richer. You will learn about different species, their characteristics and habitats and enjoy unique guided snorkelling tours – exploring the underwater world with an expert at your side.  

1. Personalised Experiences Versus Action Packed Activities 

You need to ask yourself the question: Why are you going on holiday to the Maldives? If you’re dreaming of dining, sunbathing or overnighting on a tranquil sandbank in the middle of the ocean and practising the art of slow living. Then your needs will be different from those of the adrenaline-fueled holidaymakers keen to try diving with tiger sharks, surfing and skydiving.  

Motorised water sports abound on local islands ranging from jet skiing, water skiing to banana boat rides.  While Milaidhoo Maldives only offers non-motorised water sports providing an eco-friendly and tranquil way to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Maldives. Drift across the water on a kayak or stand-up paddle board (SUP) or catch the wind on a windsurfer. These low-impact water sports preserve the delicate marine ecosystem and offer our resort guests a more serene experience. At Milaidhoo we believe privacy is the new frontier in luxury travel. Our secluded pool villas, where you don’t see anyone unless you want to, and bespoke itineraries cater to our guest’s desire for truly personalised experiences.  

1. Wellness Experiences 

Most of the local islands offer massages and herbal treatments and on the busy main island of Male, you can even experience traditional Maldivian medicine and local healing practices.  

Milaidhoo is one of the best resorts in Maldives for couples offering a range of holistic wellness practices designed to elevate all your senses. From the meditative sounds of ancient Tibetan singing bowls, to guided meditation sessions, yoga journeys to immersive spa ceremonies like the Couples Connect Ceremony. Milaidhoo fosters private moments of reconnection with your loved one. This ritual offers an extraordinary heart, sacral, and crown chakras ayurvedic treatment to encourage a beautiful union of body, mind, and soul. The healing ceremony includes a vigorous Himalayan salt body scrub, a restorative Kundalini back massage, and an Ananda facial.  

You can also indulge in various massage therapies, body wraps, scrubs, facial treatments and transformative mood dining. Milaidhoo’s “Mood Dining” series is based on the concept that certain foods can influence body chemistry and elevate one’s mood. This mood-altering experience features thoughtfully curated food and drink menus alongside wellness activities, all designed to energise you, enhance concentration, and alleviate brain fog and anxiety. You can choose from a range of unique dining settings, including a secluded sandbank, the beach, or the privacy of their own pool villa. The various Mood Dining experiences include Get into the Milaidhoo Mood – perfect for your first day on the island, Rise and Shine, Deep Sleep, and Revitalise and Reset. 

Ultimately, the biggest difference between a local island experience and a Milaidhoo experience is exclusivity, seclusion and tranquility. Our activities and programs aim to help you disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with what truly matters.  

We offer holidays that prioritise relaxation, well-being, and meaningful Milaidhoo moments. To discover Milaidhoo’s idyllic paradise for yourself, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call 960 660 7788 so we may help you plan the perfect escape.  For the latest news and to follow the story of our small island, subscribe to our newsletter.