The Ultimate Travel Guide to Maldives: History & Attractions

Paradise on earth — overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral reefs and absolute tropical serenity.

A Glimpse into History

The Maldives — 1,192 coral islands scattered across 90,000 sq km of the Indian Ocean — has one of the world's most fascinating histories given its tiny size. Archaeological evidence suggests the islands were inhabited by peoples from South India and Sri Lanka as early as 500 BC. The islands converted to Islam in 1153 AD when an Arab trader reportedly drove away a sea monster through prayer, and the local sultan embraced the faith — a transition that fundamentally shaped Maldivian identity for the next 870 years. The 16th century brought Portuguese colonisers who occupied the islands and converted the population to Christianity before being expelled in 1573 by Ali Didi, celebrated as a national hero. Dutch and then British protection followed from the 17th century, with the Maldives becoming a British protectorate in 1887 while retaining its own sultanate, language, and culture. Independence came peacefully in 1965, followed by the abolition of the sultanate and declaration of a republic in 1968. The modern Maldives tourism industry began in 1972 with a single resort, growing into the world's premier luxury beach destination with over 160 resort islands today. Rising sea levels pose an existential threat — the average elevation is just 1.5 metres above sea level — making the Maldives a frontline nation in the climate change crisis and one of the first countries that may become uninhabitable by 2100.

Top Attractions in Maldives

Overwater Bungalows Experience

The Maldives invented the overwater bungalow concept in 1968 and perfected it — private villas suspended above crystal-clear lagoons with glass floors, private pools, and direct ladder access to snorkelling reefs below. Waking up to 360-degree turquoise water views and stepping directly into the ocean from your bedroom terrace is the defining Maldivian experience.

Coral Reef Snorkelling & Diving

The Maldives sits atop the world's seventh-largest coral reef system, home to over 2,000 species of fish, 700 types of coral, and regular sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins. Several protected marine areas offer drift diving along underwater walls dropping hundreds of metres through schools of colourful reef fish.

Malé — Capital City

One of the world's most densely populated cities — 220,000 people on a 5.8 sq km island — Malé offers a fascinating contrast to the resort paradise beyond. The ornate gold-domed Grand Friday Mosque, the National Museum of Maldivian history, the colourful harbour market, and the vibrant fish market (where the largest tuna auction in the Indian Ocean happens every afternoon) reveal the real Maldives.

Bioluminescent Beach Experience

Certain Maldivian beaches emit blue bioluminescent light after dark when waves disturb the phytoplankton (dinoflagellates) in the water, creating an ethereal natural light show that makes the shoreline glow electric blue. The phenomenon is most visible on moonless nights on Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll, one of travel's most otherworldly natural spectacles.

Dhoni Sunset Cruise

A dhoni — the traditional Maldivian wooden fishing boat with a distinctive high bow — is the island nation's iconic vessel, used for everything from fishing to inter-island transport. Sunset cruises on dhonis offer front-row seats to the Indian Ocean turning copper and gold, with dolphin pods frequently joining the boat's bow wave during the golden hour.