In 1972, the Maldives opened its first ever resort, bringing with it just over 250 tourists and vacationers. Now, the little archipelago welcomes hundreds of thousands annually. It continually makes top beach destinations lists for its stunning beaches and one-of-a-kind sights.

The tropical islands of Maldives have so much to offer to travelers looking for a unique holiday getaway. Whether you go for diving, awesome cuisine, wonderful nature, or just a relaxing villa by the beach, this sun-kissed treasure has so much to offer.

Here are our top reasons you should consider the Maldives for your next summer vacation.

#1 – The Villa Life

Resort accommodations on Maldives typically have available villas with immediate access to the islands’ turquoise waters.

Just the thought of waking up every morning to shimmering blue waves on your own private balcony is enough to inspire wanderlust.

#2 – IG-Ready Sunsets

The colors of a Maldivian sunset—purple, orange, pink, and yellow— over the water are such a treat for your holiday Instagram feed.

It’ll add natural flare to any occasion you might be celebrating with friends and family on this island getaway.

#3 – Pristine Waters

Look out your hotel room window and find bright blue, gin-clear waters of the Indian Ocean stretching for miles and miles in every direction.

If you love swimming, you’ll find all the space luxurious.

#4 – Plenty of Reefs and Marine Life

Speaking of water, if you strap on a pair of goggles and look beneath the surface, you get a front-row seat view of the rich aquatic life of the islands.

Nearly every island resort has its own “home reef”, so you’re likely to find baby sharks swimming in the shallows, or schools of fish zipping above colorful reefs.

#5 – Under-the-Sea Photo Ops

In the Maldives, one of the world’s snorkeling and diving meccas, a lot of the action happens below sea level!

The abundant sea life, shipwrecks, and unique coral formations make your waterproof camera a must-pack on any Maldives vacation. After all, you never know when you’ll get to take a selfie with a sea turtle or whale shark!

#6 – Own An Island for a Day

Many islands in the archipelago are totally uninhabited, but some resorts offer picnic packages.

Arrange for some alone time (hours, even) on an island of your choice when you plan your vacation. Not only will you get free reign of the beach until the time runs out (beach volleyball extreme, anyone?), this also means that you and your party are exempt from following the strict rules laid down by the Maldivian government on locally inhabited islands*, such as the “no bikinis” and “no alcohol” mandates.

* The local population of Maldives is largely of Islamic faith.

#7 – A Magical Glow-in-the-Dark Beach

This beach is one of the rarest sights in the world!

If you find yourself at the Dusit Thani Maldives on a dark night, you may just see the islands’ shores come alive with the natural glow of thousands of ostracod crustaceans.

#8 – Romantic Spots Everywhere

From the 5-star restaurants, couples’ sporting activities, and unique backdrops of sky, land, and sea, we couldn’t possibly think of a better place in the tropics to propose or enjoy a picnic for two!

Want to win a trip for 2 to the Maldives, plus P50,000 pocket money?

Keep using your Maya throughout May 2018 to join the #TravelBlowout2018 promo! You earn one (1) raffle entry by doing any of the following:

Download the app and register an account
Purchase and activate a Maya physical card
Upgrade your Maya account
Pay bills in full (minimum P300)
Pay using Maya (minimum P1,000 single-receipt)

Cross your fingers and pack your bags for a hassle-free trip from start to finish with the Maldives Vacay Package! We’ve got the winner covered from VISA application and airport transportation to itinerary planning, lodging, and even local tours!

Read on and learn more about #TravelBlowout2018 and the Maldives Package here!