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It’s unfair to try and pick the best beaches in the Maldives. After all, every beach on the archipelago’s 1100 plus islands is unique and offers visitors something to remember.
While some are secluded and allow for intimate moments between couples or occasions to have a desert island encounter, others are family-friendly, places where you can build sandcastles, participate in water sports, and interact with the locals.
Nevertheless, while you’ll come across pristine stretches of sand, picket-fenced by rows of sky-high palm trees on most atolls, there are a few noteworthy beaches in the Maldives, both on uninhabited and inhabited islands, that deserve a special mention.
1 – Cocoa Island
All it takes is a 40-minute speedboat ride from Malé to reach the dreamy Cocoa Island, where the sand is soft, the beach wide, and the water is clear. Nestled comfortably between Kandooma and Guraidhoo channels, Cocoa Island promises a cornucopia of marine life, easily spotted from the beach, or discovered up close by partaking in snorkeling activities from your water bungalow. Adding to the experience are the azure seascapes visible from the beach, perfect backdrops for a honeymoon photoshoot, or an afternoon siesta in the sun.
2 – Thoondu
In the north of Fuvahmulah is Maldives’ most extraordinary beach, Thoondu. Famous for its sand, the beach is made up of small white pebbles, shiny and smooth. It is a one-of-a-kind occurrence that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Popular with locals and tourists, Thoondu is perpetually busy and an excellent place for a family outing. What further makes it one of the best beaches in the Maldives is the annual phenomenon known as Bissaaveli. As the sand on the coast moves from season to season, it extends out towards the reef, creating enclosed natural swimming pools along the shoreline, in which locals love to swim.
3 – Niyama Private Island
Being on the twin private island resort of Niyama means you have options galore when selecting a beach to spend the day. Pick one on the island named Chill, and you are instantly transported to a tranquil, almost isolated part of the resort. For a more action-heavy afternoon, cross the wooden bridge and opt to hang out on the beaches of Play. Here you can do water sports or lounge to your heart’s content on the well-manicured shoreline.
Public beach area in Maafushi Bikini Beach, Maldives
4 – Maafushi Bikini Beach
A “bikini beach” in the Maldives is primarily for tourists where they can dress down to relatively skimpier bathing suits. The one on the inhabited island of Maafushi is incredibly popular for having a beautiful lagoon and being the ideal place to view sunsets. Beachgoers at Maafushi often spot schools of fish and the occasional stingray without having to swim in the deep. Relatively small in size, the beach is typically crowded but has sun loungers that you can rent for the day.
5 – Reethi Rah
The uber-luxurious One&Only in Reethi Rah is located on one of North Malé Atoll’s biggest islands and boasts 12 gorgeous beaches. There’s plenty of sand to walk around the island, with isolated spots for honeymooners, and shaded areas for those wanting to spend hours in the open. As a villa-only private island, the beaches here tend to be broader, immaculately clean, and provide opportunities aplenty to play or do absolutely nothing.
6 – Gulhi Bikini Beach
An Instagrammers dream come true; there is much to see and photograph on this quaint Maldivian island, including an “I heart Gulhi” swing in the middle of the lagoon, to make your followers jealous. A part of Kaafu Atoll, Gulhi, is slowly gaining popularity amongst tourists, although its bikini beach is already a favorite. It comes with several watersport options, free sun loungers, gorgeous crystal blue water where you can swim up to the reef, and the chance to kayak and spot juvenile reef sharks at a nearby island.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru island, in Baa Atoll
7 – Landaa Giraavaru
As part of the premium Four Seasons in the exclusive UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the beaches on Landaa Giraavaru are already exceptional. Add to that the possibility of observing manta rays, reef sharks, and turtles from the shore, and it becomes an unavoidable proposition. However, there is more, as Four Seasons has its very own three-person submarine for guests to explore underwater life. But if you prefer land, head over to the back where the island’s tail transforms into a sandbank as the tide recedes.
8 – Fulhadhoo Bikini Beach
An occasion to observe Maldivian life in a serene environment, Fulhadhoo is an inhabited island that is still off the tourist trail. As a result, the bikini beach here is quieter, with fewer activities, and idyllic for a romantic stroll or a swim. Moreover, the thick vegetation along the sand gives the beach an inimitable natural disposition, making it a genuine hidden gem you should explore.
9 – Nika Island
To experience the most spectacular private beaches in the Maldives, look no further than Nika Island. The resort has a selection of beach villas that come with direct access to the lagoon and provide a natural enclosure that places you in a world of your own. The island’s powdery sand highlights the Maldivian mantra of “no shoes, no news,” as Nika further encourages its guests to walk barefoot anywhere on the resort. From turtles laying eggs to unforgettable nighttime views, Nika island is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the Maldives.
The longest beach of the Maldives at Dhigurah island in Alif Dhaal Atoll
10 – Dhigurah
Known as the “long island”, Dhigurah also has the longest beach in Alif Dhaal Atoll. While there is little to do besides unwinding here, the island is famous for having whale sharks swim around its coast throughout the year. Manta rays, on the other hand, are noticeable from May to November. Beach lovers looking for a novel escape can have a picnic on the sandbank at the end of the island, which goes straight to the neighboring LUX South Ari resort, although entry is not allowed for non-residents.
