Maldives

Made up of more than 1,100 individual islands, the Maldives is home to arguably the world’s finest beaches. There are literally hundreds of fine white powder beaches jutting up against an impossibly blue Indian Ocean. But it’s what’s in the water that makes the Maldives truly special.

The archipelago’s clear waters teem with marine life, lively corals and underwater caves waiting to be explored by intrepid divers. Look for schools of brightly coloured tropical fish, manta rays, turtles and sharks — all in water so warm that wetsuits normally aren’t necessary.

The Maldives isn’t just about the ocean. Recent changes have allowed locals to open independent guesthouses, allowing travellers to explore the islands beyond the big resorts. Island-hopping is now possible, opening up the Maldives to a whole new type of travel.