The Maldives: Where the Water Is Ridiculously Blue, the Overwater Bungalows Are Mandatory, and Your Savings Account Goes to Die

Welcome to the Maldives, a collection of nearly 1,200 tiny coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, so impossibly picturesque that every photo you take looks like an default desktop wallpaper.

It’s a place where the concept of a "road" is replaced by fine white sand, and "shoes" are considered completely unnecessary. The standard vacation here revolves around checking into a private resort island, walking out onto a wooden pier, and diving headfirst off your overwater bungalow directly into an ocean so turquoise it practically hurts your eyes. It’s the ultimate paradise for honeymooners, wealthy influencers, and anyone who wants to spend a week doing absolutely nothing except staring at the horizon and applying sunblock.

Below the surface, the marine life is pure fantasy. You can strap on a snorkel and swim alongside massive, gentle whale sharks, watch reef sharks casually cruise past your ankles in knee-deep water, and float above vibrant -or dead- coral reefs populated by sea turtles and eagle rays.

Then comes the reality check of island logistics. Because almost everything on these tiny sandbars has to be imported by speedboat or seaplane, a casual dinner can easily cost as much as a used car. You’ll sit inside an underwater restaurant, watching tropical fish look at you through glass while you pay $40 for a single coconut.

Between hopping on tiny propeller planes that land right on the water, getting massaged while staring down through a glass floor at the ocean, and trying to convince yourself that living on a 500-meter-wide island forever is a viable career plan, the Maldives is luxurious, serene, and mind-blowingly gorgeous. Just bring your best sunglasses, prepare to empty your wallet, and watch out for falling coconuts!

November, 2017 - February 2018