The best luxury beach resorts in the Maldives

One&Only Reethi Rah is its own island with over 6km of private beach for guests to play with. Its vast stretch of golden sands alone makes it one of the best luxury beach resorts in the Maldives. 

Choose to stay in one of the gorgeous beachfront villas, all of which feature an outdoor deck perfect for sunbathing and cocktail sipping. There’s simply no need to leave the villa - even if it’s a sunny beach day you’re after.

But when you do fancy heading out into the resort, we recommend exploring the island’s coastline at the One&Only Splash Water Sports Centre. Here you can sample all sorts of adrenaline-pumping activities including jet-skiing, parasailing, and wakeboarding. Or if you need something a little tamer, take a gentle sail in a canoe or snorkel around the house reef. 

There are 193 different private villas to choose from at LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas, but we think beach pavilions are by far the best option. 

The beauty lies in their simplicity. With thatched roofs, warm colour palettes, and outside rain showers, these villas offer laid-back island castaway vibes. You’ll wake up to the sun peeking through your French doors that lead straight out into a private garden, perfect for an alfresco breakfast. 

But don’t let the villas’ modesty fool you. They come well-equipped with modern amenities and facilities too, with flat-screen TV and USB ports bringing comfort and convenience. 

There are many reasons why Conrad Maldives Rangali Island made the cut for the top Maldives beach resorts, none more exciting than its option to ‘borrow’ a grand yacht for the day. 

With a designated driver on board, you’ll sail the seas around the island and drop an anchor if you feel like diving in and exploring the deep blue. You can also opt for a private chef to join you on the ultra-luxury cruiser. They’ll serve up a delicious lunch and dinner at your call.
 

Luxury beach resorts in the Maldives don’t come more exciting than Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort. After settling into your beachfront villa and taking a dip in your private infinity pool, you’ll probably want to sample the resort’s many water sports activities.

Keen surfers and water babies will be in their element at Tropicsurf hub. Friendly and helpful instructors offer coaching sessions for budding beginners, but experienced surfers can just grab a board and start riding the waves. With swell sizes differing throughout the year, guests looking to catch the biggest waves should look to come between April and October. 

Top beach resorts in the Maldives are masters in encouraging relaxation. A Maldives getaway is best experienced with the so-called ‘no news, no shoes’ attitude – switch off your phone, grab your swimmers, and venture to the beach to unwind in a paradise you can call home for a week or two.

If it’s this kind of peace and quiet you’re after, JOALI BEING is your best bet. In fact, it’s the Maldives’ first fully immersive health and wellness retreat, offering curated programmes that promote four key principles: mind, skin, microbiome, and energy. Your stay here will consist of health-related luxuries, so think: holistic spa treatments, bespoke menu recommendations, and interactive exercise workshops.

But nothing’s expected of you. You have free reins to pick and choose your daily activities. So, after a meditative yoga class on the beach, you’ll be free to relax in a cabana with a well-deserved cocktail. 

COMO Maalifushi is one of the most family-friendly luxury beach resorts in the Maldives. If you’re an active family looking to pack your week with fun things to do, you have an abundance of options like snorkelling, canoeing, and kayaking. Plus, the swimming pool is a haven for water babies too.

Families of relaxed beach-lovers are catered for as well. You can splash out on a family castaway picnic complete with a private stretch of beach and a shaded cabana to lazily lounge. And when bellies start to rumble, lunch is served by a private butler who’ll be there for anything else you need throughout your day.