By Eric Hrubant, Founder & CEO of CIRE Travel
The Maldives has long been synonymous with luxury—conjuring images of overwater villas, Windex-colored waters, and wide sandy beaches. Yet, beyond its serene beauty, there’s a unique quirk that makes the Maldives even more intriguing—some resorts set their clocks forward to gain an extra hour of sunlight. This sun-sational perk, “island time,” is an unofficial adjustment some Maldives resorts make to prolong daylight. Bravo, Maldives. What an ingenious way to attract guests to this remote part of the world.
Island Time
You may be wondering how the Maldives can bend time. Do they have some sort of secret partnership with Mother Nature? In a nutshell, Maldives resorts are often located on private islands, allowing them to adjust their clocks independently from Malé, the capital city. They essentially create an artificial time zone that maximizes daylight.
Not every Maldives resort follows this practice, but those that do are quite literally bending time. If an extra hour of sunshine sounds like a perk you can’t pass up, the team at CIRE has your back. Just be sure to wear sunscreen; those extra hours of sun add up.
The Perks of Extra Sunlight
An extra hour of sunshine in the Maldives means longer afternoons to unwind on the beach, swim, or savor a sunset cocktail without feeling rushed. Although this is the Maldives, remember, where nothing is rushed. With the sun setting later, there’s more time to enjoy activities like snorkeling with manta rays, sunset cruises, or simply relaxing in your villa.
The Maldives are a photographer’s paradise, and the extended golden hour provides even more opportunities to capture the seascapes and landscapes. This small time adjustment is the ultimate perk for every traveler.
Avoiding Island Time Chaos
However, island time can sometimes create confusion for visitors. Since some resorts move their clocks one hour ahead of Malé time and others don’t, travelers might miscalculate departure schedules, including transfers to the airport.
While island time could easily translate to unnecessary stress, with CIRE Travel, there’s no need to worry. CIRE’s travel advisors prioritize ensuring transfers align perfectly with flight schedules so no one misses a connection. From handling logistics to coordinating with resorts, let’s just say, with CIRE, it’s handled.
Why Visit The Maldives?
Travelers visit the Maldives for the sun, naturally. But beyond that, few places in the world match the Maldives in terms of exclusivity, serenity, and beauty. Maldives resorts are known for offering some of the world’s most luxurious experiences. Some resorts have underwater suites where guests sleep surrounded by marine life and coral reefs. In the Maldives, private islands are available for rent so guests can enjoy completely undisturbed luxury.
Many Maldives resorts offer private seaplane transfers, ensuring a smooth journey to accommodations. Others offer iconic overwater bungalows with infinity pools and glass floors so visitors can ponder the ocean’s mysteries while lounging from the comfort of their villas. Private yacht charters, diving with marine biologists, and spa treatments performed in overwater pavilions are all designed to provide the most bespoke and personalized stays.
Where Are The Maldives?
Scattered across the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are a group of over 1000 islands that stretches over 500 miles southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Many visitors don’t realize that the Maldives isn’t one single destination but a collection of nearly 200 resort islands, each with its own personality and vibe.
Since many Maldives resorts sit on private islands, no two experiences are alike. Some cater to ultra-luxury travelers with private butlers and fine dining, while others focus on wellness, adventure, or family-friendly escapes.
Getting To The Maldives
Reaching the Maldives typically involves flying into Velana International Airport, followed by a speedboat or floatplane to a resort island. But don’t sweat the details—CIRE is very familiar with the logistics of getting to and from Maldives resorts. Regardless of a journey requiring a private transfer or a VIP fast-track service through the airport, working with CIRE ensures arrivals and departures are as effortless as the rest of the holiday.
If you’re planning a family trip, a honeymoon, or a festive season splurge, these five Maldives resorts will ignite the imagination. CIRE is waiting on standby to help turn this dream into a reality.
Five Luxury Maldives Resorts
1. Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani may be famous for its expansive overwater villas, but that only scratches the surface of what this private island resort has in store for guests. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for ‘wisdom,’ Soneva Jani has experiences that nurture all the senses.
With a three-level spa offering unique treatments like regenerative and vitamin therapies, movie nights at Silent Cinema Paradiso, an open-air theater suspended over the water, and hands-on coral planting experiences with marine biologists, there’s no shortage of unforgettable activities. Just don’t forget to leave time to sit on the beach and chill.
Falling firmly into the category of ‘Big Splurge,’ Soneva Jani’s five-bedroom overwater villa has a private gym, private lagoon access, a saltwater pool, a dedicated wine cellar, and, wait for it, a water slide. Soneva Jani isn’t just a resort—it’s an experience designed to immerse guests in the finest barefoot luxury has to offer.
2. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island Resort
An adults-only, all-inclusive retreat, Kudadoo is the epitome of exclusivity. With only 15 overwater residences, guests also have access to a private butler who will help curate their Maldives experience.
Kudadoo runs on 100% solar power, adding sustainability to its endless roster of amenities. But what sets Kudadoo apart is its Anything, Anytime, Anywhere concept—where unlimited means exactly that. Guests can enjoy unlimited private dining experiences, from champagne breakfasts on a deserted sandbank to multi-course feasts in their villa’s private wine cellar. Unlimited excursions mean guests can snorkel with manta rays at dawn, embark on a dolphin-sighting cruise, or take out a private yacht to explore hidden atolls—all whenever the mood strikes.
The island itself radiates intimate, unhurried energy, where the days blend seamlessly into one another, and the only real decision is whether to start the day with a floating breakfast in your infinity pool or an oceanside massage. Every moment at Kudadoo feels effortlessly indulgent, as if time exists only to cater to their desires.
3. Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
A newer addition to the Maldives, Patina Maldives is part of the Fari Islands development, where guests can explore multiple islands while staying at one resort. With its sleek, modern aesthetic and emphasis on art and culture, Patina offers a fresh take on Maldivian luxury. The resort has immersive art installations, thought-provoking sculptures, and interactive design elements that blend seamlessly into the natural elements.
The food scene at Patina is a highlight, with 12 restaurants featuring everything from Nikkei-inspired fusion to plant-based fine dining. Every meal is a culinary masterpiece. Sustainability is at the core of Patina’s ethos, with energy-efficient villas, zero-waste initiatives, and coral regeneration programs that allow guests to engage with conservation efforts in real-time.
The island exudes a laid-back yet sophisticated vibe—where mornings begin with beachfront yoga and afternoons are spent enjoying a personalized spa ritual. Patina is a destination for those who crave innovation, design, and eco-conscious luxury.
4. Velaa Private Island Resort
Velaa is an exclusive, private island resort experience that feels like a billionaire’s island home. Velaa blends Maldivian charm with European refinement, creating a sophisticated and deeply personal setting. Privacy is paramount, with 47 villas, houses, and exclusive residences, some only accessible by boat.
Velaa’s one-of-a-kind offerings include a snow room—a supercool cooling therapy experience, and the Velaa Golf Academy, designed by José María Olazábal. The overwater spa has classic and innovative treatments and tailored longevity programs. Thrill-seekers can immerse themselves in a semi-submarine excursion or high-tech water sports like jet surfing and flyboarding.
Velaa is one of the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives. A former Disney Imagineer designed the Lha Velaa Kids Club, which features an outdoor water park, themed activity programs, and creative workshops. Babysitting services, family-friendly excursions, and customized dining options make it easy for parents to unwind while kids explore at Velaa—a magical destination for all ages.
5. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
At the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, elegance meets avant-garde design. The resort is nestled on a lush private island in the Dhaalu Atoll and blends modern architecture with natural beauty. The vibe is sophisticated yet inviting. Personalized butler service means every need is met, and days unfold at a snail’s pace.
The St. Regis’s Iridium Spa is one of the largest overwater spas in the Maldives, with bespoke treatments in glass-bottom treatment rooms. Foodies can indulge in six world-class dining venues, from underground wine dinners to pan-Asian flavors at a jungle-set restaurant. For adventure enthusiasts, the Azimut Flybridge 66 yacht is available for private charters.
The St. Regis Maldives is another fantastic choice for families. Its Family Traditions program includes marine discovery excursions, Maldivian cooking classes, and a Children’s Club where kids will be just as pampered as their parents.
Slowing The Clock In The Maldives
The Maldives is the kind of place where time slows. The kind of place where waves lap against powder-soft sand, and the air is thick with the scent of salt and frangipani. The kind of place where a lantern-lit dinner on the beach is accompanied by the lull of the tide and where the afternoon drifts effortlessly into a golden-tinged dusk.
It’s the kind of place where luxury meets nature, barefoot elegance is the only dress code, and every moment lingers just a little longer. In the Maldives, there’s an endless world of splendor to discover. And an extra hour each day to discover it.
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.