DESTINATION GUIDE
Maldives
Private jet charter to the Maldives
When you envisage a tropical island, all white sand, clear water and lush interior, what you see is probably very close to what the islands of the Maldives actually look like. There aren’t many places in the world that can better sum up the phrase, picture-perfect island hideaway, so charter a private jet to the Maldives and be prepared for your own luxury island getaway.
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The Maldives are coral island grouped into atolls, or collection of islands. Once rings of coral, the atolls are the islands fragments of these original rings. There are nearly 2000 islands in the Maldives, and 26 atolls, though some are not used for tourism. Those that are include Kaafu, which is home to the capital, Malé, and the main airport on Hulhulé Island, and Baa, which is one of the best spots for diving, especially if you want to see mantas and whale sharks.
From the minute you arrive in the Maldives you can feel the stress start to melt away. The main airport is a little more relaxed than many in the world but it just adds a certain charm to your arrival. Once in you’ll most likely either hop on a speedboat or, our favourite, a Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane. From the seaplane you can see all the atolls and islands from the sky, each little pocket of green ringed in white sand, giving way to a crystal clear lagoon nestled inside a protective coral barrier. There are plenty of islands out there in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and the journey, whilst a little noisy, is vastly enjoyable.
Practically every resort in the Maldives occupies its own island, with only the airport hotel on Hulhulé Island having to share with anything else. There are plenty of resorts to choose from, many offering wonderful overwater accommodation, which has become synonymous with the Maldives. There are some, like Kuramathi Island Resort or Soneva Fushi, which are larger and offer plenty of meal choices and separate areas aimed at couples and families. There are others, like Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Bandos, which are far smaller, very intimate and a big hit with honeymooners. For those looking to to do the Maldives on a bit of a budget you’ll find fun and friendly resorts such as Biyadhoo, not offering quite the same level of luxury as its counterparts, but instead an informal, relaxed vibe. There are plenty of resorts to choose from, so you’re bound to find one to suit your needs.
Whilst in the Maldives you must take a dip in the ocean. Whether it’s just for a gentle snorkel or for something a little more intensive, you won’t regret it. Most of the islands will have a house reef for snorkelling and many will have dive schools allowing you to do a try dive, or a boat dive if you have the necessary qualifications. If you’re up in the Baa Atoll you can also swim with mantas and whale sharks, though diving with them is not permitted. There are also some great resorts in the Maldives for surfing, so if you’re a fan of hanging ten, you can still find some waves ideal for your needs. And once all that’s done, you can retire to your beach lounger to relax in paradise.
The main airport in the Maldives is often called Malé airport, though its actual name is the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Take a look at our airport finder and book a private jet to the Maldives with Air Charter Service.