Where is the Maldives?
The Maldives is an Indian Ocean archipelago southwest of Sri Lanka and India— a chain of 26 coral atolls and roughly 1,192 islands straddling the equator. Here is exactly where it sits, how far it is from the world's major hubs, and how to get there.
Geography
Where exactly is it?
The Maldives lies in the northern Indian Ocean, off the southern coast of Asia. Its nearest neighbour is Sri Lanka, about 760 km to the northeast; the southern tip of India sits a little over 400 km to the north. It is not in the Pacific and is nowhere near Bora Bora or Fiji — a common mix-up.
The country is a double chain of 26 natural atolls running north to south across the equator, scattered with roughly 1,192 low-lying coral islands. Most are tiny; around 187 are inhabited, more than 160 are private resort islands, and the capital, Malé, sits beside the international airport in the centre of the chain.
Because it straddles the equator, the Maldives is warm year-round (28–32°C), with two monsoon seasons rather than a hot/cold cycle. See the best time to visit for the month-by-month breakdown.
How far is the Maldives from…
Planning the journey? See flights to the Maldives for routings, hubs and durations from your city.
The Maldives in four facts
26 atolls, ~1,192 islands
Coral atolls strung along a north–south chain. Around 187 islands are inhabited; 160-plus are private resort islands; the rest are uninhabited or industrial.
Straddles the equator
The archipelago spans about 871 km north to south, crossing the equator. That tropical position keeps the climate warm — 28–32°C — all year round.
The lowest country on Earth
Average ground level is roughly 1.5 m above the sea, and the highest natural point is only about 2.4 m — lower than any other nation.
Capital: Malé
One of the most densely populated cities in the world, on its own island beside Velana International Airport (MLE), the gateway for all international arrivals.
Frequently asked
Where is the Maldives — your questions.
Where is the Maldives located?
The Maldives is an island nation in the northern Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and the southern tip of India. It sits roughly 760 km southwest of Colombo and straddles the equator at about 3.2°N, 73.2°E. The country is a chain of 26 coral atolls containing around 1,192 small islands spread over roughly 871 km from north to south.
What continent is the Maldives in?
The Maldives is part of Asia — specifically South Asia. It is a sovereign country, not part of India or Sri Lanka, though it is their close maritime neighbour and a member of the South Asian regional bloc (SAARC).
What country is the Maldives in?
The Maldives is its own independent country — officially the Republic of Maldives — with its capital in Malé. It is not a region of any other nation. It gained full independence in 1965 and is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth.
How far is the Maldives from Sri Lanka and India?
Malé is about 760 km southwest of Colombo, Sri Lanka — a short flight of around 1 hour 20 minutes. The nearest point of India (Minicoy, in Lakshadweep) lies roughly 430 km north, with mainland South India (Kochi) about 710 km away.
Is the Maldives in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific?
The Maldives is firmly in the Indian Ocean. It is sometimes confused with Pacific destinations such as Bora Bora or Fiji, but those are on the far side of the world. The Maldives is best reached via Indian Ocean and Gulf hubs — Colombo, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or directly from many European and Asian cities.
How do you get to the Maldives?
Almost all visitors fly into Velana International Airport (MLE) beside Malé. There are direct long-haul flights from the Gulf, Europe and Asia, plus convenient one-stop routings via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo and Singapore. From the airport you transfer to your resort island by speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane, depending on the atoll.