Why you should plan a solo trip to the Maldives—the honeymoon capital of the world

After two overnight flights and a brief stop in Istanbul, I found myself island-hopping alone through the Maldives on a tiny seaplane surrounded by couples. I was the last stop: Velaa Private Island—a palm-studded speck of sand in the middle of the impossibly blue Indian Ocean.

There are certain destinations that seem made for couples. Paris is one that lives large in our imaginations, conjuring images of strolling hand in hand along the Seine. The Maldives is another, with white sand beaches, luxury resorts, and overwater bungalows that are almost synonymous with the word “honeymoon.”

I always thought the Maldives was one of those places you needed to save for a special occasion. If not a honeymoon, then an anniversary, a big birthday, or a romantic milestone of some kind. And while the lavish private island resorts are popular with newlyweds, the Maldives is a surprisingly enriching destination for solo travelers.

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A solo traveler’s private paradise

The thing everybody knows about the Maldives is the over-water bungalows. They are just as spectacular as they look in photos. My villa had a wall of windows that opened onto a private deck with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Just the sea stretching into the horizon.

One of the underrated joys of traveling alone is doing exactly what you want, whenever you want. Want to take a bubble bath in the middle of the day? Go for it. I spent hours in the enormous round bath with the windows open, overlooking the pool that overlooked the ocean. I could have happily spent my entire trip confined to my bungalow, swimming and lounging and ordering room service. But paradise has a way of luring you outside.

Adventure is for everyone

Sometimes, doing whatever you want means doing nothing at all. I am absolutely one of those people who can sit and “do nothing” on vacation for a week, provided I have a comfortable lounge chair and a good book—or seven. I did not expect my days on a tiny tropical island to be filled with adventure, but I decided to try a Jet Ski trip. The scenery was picturesque, with dolphins and rainbows and water so blue it looked digitally enhanced.

I could snorkel straight off my deck and spot clouds of iridescent fish flitting beneath the surface. If I had the time, I could have gotten scuba certified, tried kite surfing, hydrofoiling, seabobbing, or even gone surfing. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy the Maldives—but if you are, you won’t be bored.

Marine life is a highlight of a trip to the Maldives, and many of the more eco-conscious resorts have strong conservation programs. Remote Lands can set up a custom itinerary that includes sea turtle rehabilitation and manta ray research with a marine biologist. There are plenty of ways to feel like an explorer, not just a guest.

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Alone doesn’t have to mean lonely

Escaping to the ends of the Earth to outrun your anxiety is a cliché—but clichés exist for a reason. A week filled with massages, ocean swims, and perfectly grilled fish can work wonders on the nervous system. Especially when there’s no one else’s schedule to navigate but your own.

One of the most unexpected highlights of the trip was a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor visiting from India. Our conversation was surprisingly profound; we talked about my energy, my sleep, my digestion, and the cycles of stress I’d been stuck in. He offered insights into how those things were showing up in my body and gave me small but thoughtful recommendations for rebalancing. It felt like therapy for the soul, with a side of herbal tea.

What makes the Maldives so popular with honeymooners—privacy, beauty, and indulgence—also makes it a fantastic solo destination. But you don’t have to come alone if you don’t want to. Companies like Intrepid, G Adventures, and Explore Worldwide all offer small group tours to the Maldives. These trips combine a built-in social group with enough free time to explore on your own.

Why you should take a solo trip

There’s this strange pressure we put on ourselves to wait for certain life milestones to do the things we really want. People say they’re “saving” the Maldives for some arbitrary future date, but you don’t need an excuse to treat yourself to your dream trip.

What I found in the Maldives wasn’t just luxury or natural beauty—though there was no shortage of either. It was something deeper, a quiet reminder that you don’t need someone else to make a trip memorable. You can do that all on your own.