Let’s start with the difference between inhabited islands and resort islands.
Over half a million Maldivians live on numerous idyllic islands scattered throughout the tranquil turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, yet we only seem to hear about the $4,000-per-night resort islands. The often unspoken truth is you can visit pristine white-sand paradise for a fraction of that hefty price tag. Move over Kardashians, the Maldives is no longer an opulent destination fit only for lavish honeymooners and wealthy jet setters. You can snorkel, dive, lounge, and eat your way across the atolls without breaking the bank or sacrificing your iconic over-water bungalow experience.
The abundance of misinformation surrounding the Maldives too often discourages prospective beach bums. So, let’s clear the air. An inhabited island is an isle where locals live, and they are usually peppered with guesthouses, restaurants, and other accoutrements of daily life. In contrast, a “resort” island is a privately owned island that you cannot visit without booking a stay.
The inhabited islands adhere to the strict local Muslim laws, which means there is no alcohol at all served on land. This also means no bikinis outside of designated areas. Fortunately, each island has a “tourist beach” where you can flaunt your favorite two-piece freely. All the inhabited islands can be reached by either a slow local ferry that can take anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the island, or a much faster speed boat.
After numerous trips to the incredible archipelago and weeks of painstaking beach exploration, I have found these to be my 10 favorite islands in the Maldives. I’ve also included two budget-conscious resort islands on this list for travelers who want the more “traditional” Maldives experience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime tropical island getaway, after all.
