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05 Maldives Islands to Explore with Maldivian Airlines!

There's more to Maldives than just resorts, here are some of the top destinations to explore in the Maldives via Maldivian Airlines.

For a lot of travellers, exploring the Maldives starts and ends at resorts. Although the Maldives resorts are iconic on their own, there is a lot more that this country has to offer. One of the best ways to delve into the Maldives and its culture is to book a trip to an island. Over the past few years, local Maldivian islands have become a major hit, especially among budget travellers. The best way to explore the Maldives? Just book a ticket on Maldivian Airlines to one of the following destinations!

Fuvahmulah City

Located just an hour away by domestic flight, Fuvahmulah City is one of the hidden gems of the Maldives. In addition to being a great spot-to-spot tiger shark, Fuvahmulah is also a unique destination to learn about Maldivian culture. Over the past few years, Fuvahmulah has become popular among travellers due to its scenic beauty and underwater exploration.

There is also an abundance of unique activities you can explore while in Fuvahmulah City. Some of the must-do activities in Fuvahmulah include:

  • Visiting Bandaara Kilhi- This beautiful natural lake in Fuvahmulah is an extremely photogenic spot filled with vegetation and fish.
  • Mud baths at Koda Kilhi- If you have not seen it on Instagram already, look it up now! The Koda Kilhi is a natural mud bath that will take your worries away. If you are looking for an amazing spa day, this mud bath has healing properties and minerals. The best part is that it’s free.
  • Diving- Fuvahumulah has one of the best diving spots, especially if you’re looking to spot tiger sharks. The Fuvahmulah tiger shark spot guarantees tiger shark spotting all year round. So, if you book this excursion while on the island, you will surely get your money’s worth.

In addition to this, travellers also love going to the pebble beach ‘Thundi’ for amazing beach days and exploring the ancient Buddhist ruins on the island. If you’re looking to book tickets to Fuvahmulah via Maldivian Airlines, here are some of the best rates right now.

Addu City

One of the best ways to island hop in the southern parts of the Maldives is to take a flight to Fuvahmulah City via Maldivian Airlines and take a speed boat to Addu City. This way, you can explore two beautiful destinations in one go. One of the most unique aspects of this City or Atoll is that you can explore multiple little islands during your trip. You can choose to explore a few of the 24 natural islands or just explore the western side of the Atoll by the link. Through this link road travellers can explore the islands of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoofeydhoo, Feydhoo, and Gan.

In addition to exploring the Addu nature park, travellers also like to partake in a variety of watersports and underwater activities. In addition to scuba diving, Addu City offers a variety of watersports for travellers to explore. For some historical exploration, travellers can also visit the island of Meedhoo. Here, travellers can see traces of settlements as far as 2000 BCE. Additionally, travellers can also explore the British Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Addu City Gan island. If you’re only looking to explore Addu City, Maldivian Airlines also offers amazing rates for direct flights to the city!

Hanimaadhoo

If you’re looking for a northern island with beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and amazing marine life, Hanimaadhoo Island is the place to go. Over the years, Hanimaadhoo has become quite popular among tourists who are looking to relax, scuba dive as well as snorkel.

In addition to being the largest island in Haa Alif Atoll, Hanimaadho is also easily accessible as the island has its own airport. Hanimaadhoo is mostly an island for breach lovers, There are three different beaches to explore on the island: Hanimaadhoo Beach, Utheemu Beach, and Kuredu Beach. Additionally, travellers can also explore night fishing as well as scuba diving while on this island.

With the most recent updates by Maldivian Airlines, guests can now get connecting flights between Hanimaadhoo International Airport and Trivandrum as well. This means that travellers between India and northern Maldives can easily access both destinations for the perfect holiday.

Dharavandhoo

Maldivian Airlines also connects you to the beautiful island of Dharavandhoo, located in Baa Atoll. This is a bucket list destination for ocean lovers, as Baa Atoll is known to be home to some of the most breathtaking underwater life in the Maldives. As Dharavandhoo has its own airport, the island is somewhat divided into two parts- the Dharavandhoo Airport and the island. With a small population and a beautiful beach, Dharavandhoo is a quiet getaway spot. One of the most unique aspects of this island is the beautiful crystal clear waters that surround the island known as Dharavandhoo Thila and Hanifaru Bay.

Although it’s a small island, Dharavandhoo has an expansive bikini beach with sunbeds, hammocks, swings, and umbrellas! Some of the must-do activities while in Dharavandhoo include:

  • A day at the bikini beach
  • Exploring Hanifaru Bay
  • Visiting the nearby sandbank
  • Night fishing
  • Snorkelling & scuba diving

Kulhudhuffushi

Kulhudhuffushi is a beautiful island located in the north of the Maldives. Due to its unique and beautiful mangroves, Kulhudhuffushi is known as the heart of the north. This vibrant island is perfect for travellers who are seeking rich Maldivian culture and lush mangroves. This small island is perfect for a day trip, making it the perfect island for an island-hopping experience in Maldives.

Just like any other island in the Maldives, Kulhudhuffushi is also a beautiful spot for diving or snorkelling to observe the beautiful marine life of the Maldives. If you’re lucky you will also come across some baby sharks during your expedition. The unique aspect of Kulhudhuffushi, however, is the many mangrove forests, which the island is named after.

If you’re looking for a nature-based getaway, hop on the next Maldivian Airlines flight to explore Kulhudhuffushi!

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Maldives Bans Israeli Passport Holders: What Travelers Need to Know

Maldives Bans Israeli Passport -- Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu

In a bold move that reflects growing global outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza, the Maldives has amended its immigration laws to ban entry to individuals holding Israeli passports. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the legislation on April 15, 2025, signaling a significant shift in the island nation’s travel policy and sending a clear message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

For travelers considering the Maldives as their next destination, here’s what they need to know.

The Ban: What Has Changed?

The amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act now explicitly prohibits entry to anyone who presents an Israeli passport. While dual nationals can still enter using a passport from another country, immigration authorities will deny entry to travelers presenting an Israeli passport—effective immediately.

The Maldivian government pushed this legislative change through after months of political debate and mounting public pressure. The government acted in response to what it describes as Israel’s “ongoing atrocities and acts of genocide” against Palestinians.

The ban comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates, with mounting casualties and widespread international condemnation of Israel’s military actions. The Maldives, a Muslim-majority nation, has consistently voiced support for the Palestinian cause on global platforms. Maldives is framing this policy shift as more than symbolic—it serves as a direct, travel-based response that aligns with the country’s ethical and political stance.

The government has also launched a national fundraising campaign titled “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine” and plans to appoint a special envoy to assess humanitarian needs in the occupied Palestinian territories.

What It Means for Tourists

The Maldives is globally renowned for its luxurious overwater villas, pristine beaches, and honeymoon escapes. While Israeli travelers made up a small percentage of total arrivals—just 528 visitors in Q1 2024 compared to 4,644 in Q1 2023—the change holds practical implications for Israeli passport holders and travel agencies.

  • Israeli citizens can no longer enter the country if they travel using Israeli passports.
  • Dual nationals must ensure they use a non-Israeli passport to gain entry.
  • The Israeli Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens against visiting the Maldives, warning of limited or no consular support in case of emergencies.
  • The tourism impact remains minimal: In 2024, over 1.9 million tourists visited the Maldives, mainly from China, Italy, India, Russia, and the UK. Israeli arrivals accounted for less than 1% of total traffic.

What Travelers Should Do

If you’re planning a trip to the Maldives:

  • Check your passport details before booking—Israeli passport holders will not gain entry.
  • Dual nationals should confirm entry requirements with Maldivian immigration authorities.
  • Stay updated with official travel advisories, especially as regional developments evolve.

The Maldives joins a growing number of countries that are reassessing diplomatic and travel policies in response to the situation in Gaza. By taking this step, the Maldivian government has shown that its moral and political commitments outweigh potential economic considerations.

While paradise remains open to most of the world, the Maldives has drawn a line in the sand—literally and politically.

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