The dreamy islands of the Maldives make a perfect honeymoon with their soft white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters from the Indian Ocean. What makes them even better is that they are an all-year round destination making it perfect if you want to go away straight after your summer wedding. 

However, you have probably seen that there are literally hundreds of islands to choose from, all looking stunningly beautiful making it really hard to know which one is the right one for you. Luckily, Penny from Suitcase Travel has been organising honeymoons to these islands for over two years and has picked her top picks for everyone.

Gili Lankanfushi

Best for overwater villas

Gili Lankanfushi is luxury and glam with an understated vibe. You will probably have seen the over-water villas all over Instagram and Pinterest as they are simply sublime. All of the 45 villas are overwater. They are much more than just a room sitting above the water. Each one has an overwater sun-deck with loungers, a hidden roof-top sun deck with day beds, and butler service to cater for your every need. They really are the best overwater villas around. 

Biyadhoo

Best for diving and snorkelling

This island is a great gem for those that love snorkelling and scuba diving. It has a world-class PADI dive school with instructors to hand when you want them. The island also has a fantastic house reef with seven different access points and the chance to snorkel alongside reef sharks and turtles. Some of the best dive sites are nearby so whether you are a novice or expert diver, there are the perfect spots for you. The island itself is simple and rustic with all the luxury touches to make it a perfect romantic getaway without breaking the bank.

Kurumathi Maldives

Best for choice

If you love food and want a variety of restaurants, Kurumathi is the ideal place for you. There aren’t many islands in the Maldives that are great for this due to their small size but Kurumathi is different with twelve different restaurants on the island. It is also perfect for those that want a little adventure alongside some relaxation as there is so much to do. There is a diving school onsite, a wide choice of watersports to choose from, the relaxing spas available and even an eco-centre for you to enjoy. One final thing that makes this island so great for choice is that there are plenty of accommodation options for you to choose from. Whatever style you want, Kurumathi has it.

Finolhu

Best for untouched beaches

Finolhu is a very cool island with a retro vibe to it. The wow factor is the beach with the island having the longest stretch of white sand in the whole of the Maldives. Finolhu is all about relaxing by the beach and pool in a chilled environment. The décor is totally chic If you are a fan of the retro style, with VW campers parked on the beach or to do a bit of glamping in a secluded ‘beach bubble’, or to enjoy going to the cinema on the beach or indulge in the famous Fish and Crab Shack, this is perfect! This is a super cool island with a chilled vibe and plenty of luxury throughout.

Cinnamon Dhonveli

Best for the budget

This is a great choice resort for those that want to simply enjoy the beach in a relaxed atmosphere with a great value all-inclusive package included. The highlight of this island is Raalhu’s Bar outdoor deck as it is a renowned surfing point but dolphins and pilot whales can even be spotted. For a sundowner, you need to head to Raiyvilaa Bar. Your meals are all served in a buffet style in one of the three restaurants with a selection of international cuisines served throughout your stay. Another bonus to this island is that most of the rooms and facilities are all having a major refurbishment at the end of 2019. 

Milaidhoo Island Maldives

Best for a secluded escape

This island makes a perfect honeymoon for those that want a secluded break with a complete escape from daily life. It is a simple island but still truly stunning with its emphasis on authentic barefoot luxury. It is situated in the Maldives’ only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that’s inhabited by dolphins, manta rays and whale sharks. The house reef lies close to the beach and, as a marine-protected reef, is known for its excellent snorkelling and diving. All the accommodation on Milaidhoo Island are villas and have their own private pools so you can both enjoy your paradise honeymoon just the two of you.

Kurumba Maldives

Best for a Familymoon

You can still enjoy a honeymoon in the Maldives with your children if you would like. It is a total myth that these islands are not suitable for families, you just have to pick the right one. The best for families by far is Kurumba. It is only a ten-minute speedboat transfer from the airport, which is a perfect distance to keep the children (and yourselves) happy after a long flight. There are still the beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters to enjoy as well as the never-ending activities just for the children. These include painting classes, snorkelling adventures, water skiing and even a guided diving lesson. For activities together as a family, you can enjoy a dolphin discovery cruise or even a picnic on a gorgeous white sandbank. The service is second to none on this island and will be a holiday that will be cherished forever by everyone.

Penny’s Top Tips:

• If you have always dreamt of staying in an overwater villa but the honeymoon budget doesn’t quite stretch that far consider staying seven or ten nights in a room on the land and the rest of your honeymoon in an overwater villa on the same island. You will be surprised the savings you can make by doing it this way. 

• If you want to combine a bit of exploring before enjoying your Maldivian escape, Sri Lanka is perfect. It is only an hour flight from the Maldives so is easy to combine the two destinations.

• Use an independent travel agent when booking your Maldives honeymoon. There are loads of special honeymoon offers from free upgrades to money off and the independent travel agent knows which companies to use to get all the offers available for you without charging you for their services.

Thank you to Penny for these wonderful recommendations, we love the idea of selecting an island tailored to your dream honeymoon! For many other tips, or to book your honeymoon adventure visit Suitcase Travel. Let us know in the comments what your dream honeymoon destination is!