New Year's Eve in the Maldives
Flight, island resort and transfer, with the turn of the year on an Indian Ocean beach.
New Year's Eve in the Maldives: a week on a resort island in the Indian Ocean, with 30°C, turquoise lagoons and a coral reef a few steps from your room.
New Year's Eve in the Maldives means leaving winter behind for a week of real summer. The end of December is the height of the dry season: around 30°C during the day, little rain and an ocean at 28°C. Each resort is an island of its own, with its own beach, lagoon and reef, and the turn of the year is spent on the sand under a tropical sky. The Maldives are 3 hours ahead of Romania, so you wish everyone at home a happy new year at 3 in the morning, island time.
The package has a flight from Bucharest on 25 December, 7 nights, returning on 1 January, accommodation at the resort you choose with the meals in the offer, and transfer. The resorts are spread over several atolls, from near Male to the south, and you see the price of each one in the offer, before you pay.
What to see in Maldives
The turn of the year on the island
New Year's Eve in the Maldives is spent at the resort: a gala dinner on the beach, music, sometimes fireworks over the lagoon. At many resorts the dinner on 31 December is compulsory and paid separately, even with all inclusive. You can see what your resort requires in the offer, or ask us before you book.
The house reefs
Most resorts have a reef right by the beach, the “house reef”, where you go in with a mask and snorkel and see reef fish, turtles and small, harmless reef sharks. By boat you reach the spots with manta rays and, in some atolls, whale sharks.
The atolls from above
To the resorts in the more distant atolls you fly by seaplane, and the 30–60 minute flight over the lagoons is one of the most beautiful views in the world. The resorts near Male are reached by speedboat. The type of transfer depends on the resort.
Sandbanks and sunsets
The classic trips are a picnic on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean, a sunset boat trip when the dolphins come out, and night fishing the local way. You book them at the resort, usually a day ahead.
Everything you need to know about Maldives
New Year's Eve weather
December–January is the dry season: 29–31°C by day, warm nights, a north-east wind and short, rare showers. The ocean is around 28°C. The sun is strong even when it is cloudy: bring high-factor sun cream and a T-shirt for snorkelling.
Choosing a resort
North and South Male for a short speedboat transfer. Ari, Baa, Raa and Lhaviyani for rich reefs and more secluded islands, by seaplane. The southern atolls for the quietest islands. Overwater villas cost more than beach villas.
Entering the Maldives
The 30-day tourist visa is issued free on arrival. You need a passport valid for at least six months, your hotel booking and a return ticket, and within 96 hours before arrival you fill in the IMUGA travel declaration online.
Money and rules
At the resorts you pay in dollars or by card. The Maldives is a Muslim country: alcohol is served only on resort islands, and in Male and on local islands clothes should cover shoulders and knees.
Frequently asked questions about Maldives
- What does the Maldives New Year's Eve package include?
- The return flight from Bucharest, accommodation at the resort you choose with the meals in the offer, the transfer from the airport to the resort and back, and TravelTheme assistance throughout the trip. You can see exactly what each resort includes, including the type of transfer, in the offer, before you pay.
- Is the New Year's Eve dinner included?
- Usually not. Many resorts in the Maldives hold a compulsory gala dinner on 31 December that is paid separately, even with all inclusive. Write to us before you book and we will check for the resort you have chosen.
- When do I leave and when do I come back?
- The departure from Bucharest is on 25 December, returning on 1 January, after 7 nights. You can see the seats and the price at the top, under “Nearest departure dates”, or in the search.
- Can I pay only a deposit?
- For bookings made well in advance you can pay a 25% deposit and the rest by the date shown in your confirmation. At checkout you will see whether your booking can be paid with a deposit; closer to departure, payment is made in full.
- What documents do I need for the Maldives?
- A passport valid for at least six months, your accommodation booking and a return ticket. The tourist visa is issued free on arrival, and the IMUGA travel declaration is filled in online, no more than 96 hours before arrival. Check the current requirements before you travel.