Cheap flights to the Maldives from $360

The Maldives is very sunny all year round, but also very humid. From November to March the northeast monsoon brings dry weather, while the southwest monsoon brings rain from June to August. Temperatures average 86 degrees throughout the year.

When traveling from New York City to the Maldives, you can expect flight times of 18-1/2 hours. Those departing from Dallas typically reach their destination in just under 21 hours as do those leaving from Los Angeles. Fliers in Portland usually arrive in the Maldives in just under 19 hours. Keep in mind that since no direct flights to the Maldives originate in the United States, so you should plan ahead for layovers and connecting flights to the islands.

While no U.S. airlines offer flights to the Maldives, many airlines in Europe and Asia take on U.S. passengers via connecting flights. Some of these airlines include Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Condor, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Aeroflot, Air India, and Turkish Airlines.

Since visitors to the Maldives typically take connecting sea plane flights to reach their final island destinations, keep in mind that these planes require lighter baggage than allowed on typical flights. This means that if you take along more than the allowed weight, you have to pay extra to get your luggage to its final destination. The Maldives are a Muslim country, so women should take along more conservative clothing for visits to local villages and while traveling to resorts from the airport. This means light, loose pants or longer flowing skirts along with a scarf you can wear around your shoulders or drape over your hair. Once you get to your hotel, you can loosen up with holiday clothing such as shorts and T-shirts as most people in these areas are typically tourists. Be sure to take along swimwear that’s comfortable and convenient if you plan on doing more than lounging around the beaches. While a bikini works great for sun bathing, one-piece suits work better for activities such as snorkeling and diving. With that in mind, packing an underwater camera to capture your adventures beneath the surf’s a good idea, and be sure to take along a sun hat, coverup, sunglasses and some sunscreen. Island weather runs hot, so men should pack shorts and T-shirts. Women can get by with caftans, shorts, tees, lightweight blouses and sundresses. Take along some comfortable shoes, but don’t be surprised if you spend lots of time barefoot while enjoying the sand and surf. Since some resorts have dress-up restaurants, pack some dress-up clothes so you can enjoy every aspect of your holiday hassle-free. Along with your clothing, pack copies of your personal documentation and any prescriptions you must take regularly.

One of the main draws for travelers visiting the Maldives is the amazing diving. One of the top scuba-diving destination in the world, the islands offer a wide array of PADI dive centers that don’t break the bank where uncertified individuals can discovery dive and more experienced divers can explore numerous reefs. Crystal-clear waters provide amazing visibility, and you don’t need a wet suit thanks to the warm, inviting blue waters. While diving, you can expect to see stingrays, whale sharks and sea turtles along with sea horses, crabs, lobsters, eels and more. If you’re unsure about diving or inexperienced, try snorkeling. The same clear, pristine waters that make the Maldives great for scuba diving make the islands equally well suited for snorkeling. Enjoy swimming with sea turtles and vibrant fish along the reefs and in the tides, which can make you feel like you’re navigating your own personal salt-water aquarium. Surfers also appreciate the Maldives renown as a top-notch surfing destination. With this in mind, most surfing here requires at least intermediate skill levels, so if you’re not experienced, plan to watch and learn, especially on Dhonveli. You can also take lessons on some of the other islands if you’re looking to boost your skills. Water activities for those who don’t enjoy getting in the water include dolphin spotting from boats that take tourists out for a better look at the ocean. While visitors typically stay on private resort islands, such as Meemu Atoll, many of them explore villages and communities on the public islands. You can rent boats or join tours that take you island hopping, but when you take this option, be sure to dress more conservatively as the Maldives are a Muslim country and you’re expected to respect the locals when visiting their spaces. Some of these islands include Mule, the capital of Atoll, and the fishing village Naalaafushee. Though these islands are small, they’re mostly busy and full of local color. You can also take scenic flights to view all the islands if you just want to check them out and not visit.

Maldives has seen a 12% decrease in demand for flights to the city compared to last year.