For the February school holidays, the Maldives offer almost everything expected from a premium winter escape: turquoise lagoons, overwater villas, warmth, sunshine and island resorts built around the beach and reef. February falls in the north-east monsoon, generally the driest and sunniest part of the year, but it is also peak season and rewards early booking.
This guide covers flights from key francophone markets, entry formalities, the real cost of a resort holiday, seaplane and speedboat transfers, taxes, currency, cards and how to choose between a private resort island and a local island.
Why February is one of the best months
The Maldives have a tropical climate year-round. Visit Maldives gives an average maximum temperature of around 31.5°C and an average minimum of about 26.4°C. The north-east monsoon from November to April is generally the sunniest period.
The Maldives Meteorological Service indicates around 10 to 11 hours of sunshine per day on average in January, February and March. Short showers remain possible, but February is one of the most reliable months for a beach holiday.
Velana International Airport is only the first step
Most international visitors arrive at Velana International Airport (MLE) near Malé. For many resorts, however, the journey continues by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight.
Resorts close to the capital are usually reached by speedboat. More distant islands require a seaplane or domestic flight, sometimes followed by a boat. This transfer must be included in the budget from the beginning: a seaplane can add several hundred euros or dollars per person.
Flights from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Québec
France: Paris has the widest choice. Air France markets Paris–Malé, while Gulf carriers provide many one-stop options. When checked on 23 September 2026, Air France displayed February 2027 returns from roughly €523, Etihad from around €720 and Turkish Airlines from around €750 on some dates.
Belgium: Brussels itineraries generally connect through Istanbul, Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Turkish Airlines was showing some February 2027 returns from around €694.
Switzerland: Geneva is a strong departure point. Turkish Airlines showed fares from around CHF931, while Lufthansa and partners were displaying some combinations from roughly CHF786.
Luxembourg: Turkish Airlines offers one-stop itineraries via Istanbul. February return fares observed were around €839 on some dates. Comparing Brussels, Paris or Frankfurt may still make sense for travellers in the Greater Region.
Québec: Montréal–Malé usually involves a long one-stop journey through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul. Emirates publishes some itineraries of around 19 hours 45 minutes total. Because of the travel time, a five-night trip is hard to justify; seven to ten nights are more realistic.
Entry rules: visa on arrival and IMUGA
A tourist visa is granted on arrival. Maldives Immigration says no prior visa approval is required for tourism if entry conditions are met.
Travellers need a machine-readable passport valid for at least one month, a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation in a registered tourist establishment and sufficient funds for the stay.
Every traveller, including children, must also complete the free Traveller Declaration through IMUGA within 96 hours before arrival.
Private resort island or local island?
The iconic model is the “one island, one resort” concept: a whole island occupied by a single hotel, with beach, lagoon, restaurants, spa and activities all within the resort.
Local inhabited islands offer guesthouses and smaller hotels at much lower prices, and provide more contact with local life. The experience is different: modest dress is expected in public areas, bikini beaches are designated, and alcohol is prohibited on local islands. Resorts are permitted to serve alcohol.
Examples of premium resorts
Baros Maldives: around 25 minutes by speedboat from the airport, making it especially practical for short stays and couples.
Kuramathi Maldives: a larger island with a wide choice of villas, restaurants and activities, suitable for both couples and families.
JOALI Maldives: a very high-end option in Raa Atoll, with villas, residences, butler service, strong design and art positioning, a kids club and sophisticated dining.
Six Senses Laamu: more remote and focused on natural luxury and wellness, with beach and overwater villas.
Soneva Fushi: a reference for barefoot ultra-luxury in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Overwater villa or beach villa?
The overwater villa is the classic Maldives image, but it is not automatically the best choice. For couples, it offers privacy and direct lagoon access. For families with young children, a beach villa can be more practical and safer, with direct sand access and more outdoor space.
Some resorts impose age restrictions or liability waivers for children in overwater accommodation, so family rules should be checked before booking.
How much does a premium week cost?
February is high season. For a couple travelling from Europe, a seven-night premium stay can easily cost €5,000 to €9,000 in total, flights included, depending on the resort, meal plan and transfer. Ultra-luxury trips can exceed €10,000 or €15,000 without difficulty.
The room rate is only part of the calculation. Add transfers, food if the meal plan is limited, drinks, activities, taxes and sometimes service charges. A “cheaper” resort can end up costing more once a seaplane and meals are added.
Taxes travellers often underestimate
Since 1 July 2025, the Maldives’ tourism GST is 17%. A separate Green Tax also applies. Since 1 January 2025, it is USD12 per person per day in resorts, larger hotels and tourist vessels, and USD6 per person per day in smaller guesthouses or hotels of 50 rooms or fewer on inhabited islands. Children under two are exempt.
Currency and cards
The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), but resort prices are commonly quoted and charged in US dollars. Bank of Maldives uses a reference rate of USD1 = MVR15.42.
International cards are widely accepted in resorts and tourist businesses. In a private resort, it is entirely possible to spend the whole stay without handling rufiyaa.
Family, couple or solo?
Couples: this is the obvious target market: private villas, spas, beach dining and lagoon settings are ideal for honeymoons and anniversary trips.
Families: the Maldives work very well if the resort has a kids club, family villas and suitable transfer arrangements. With young children, a resort reachable by speedboat can be much easier than a late seaplane connection.
Solo travellers: excellent for diving, wellness or switching off, but many premium resorts price around double occupancy. Local islands or activity-focused resorts may offer better value.
What to do beyond the beach
The Maldives are not only about lying on the sand. Snorkelling and diving are the obvious highlights when the house reef is strong, while many resorts also offer kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, fishing trips, dolphin cruises and spa programmes.
A local-island visit can add cultural context to a resort stay, but travellers should respect local dress rules and remember that alcohol is not permitted on inhabited local islands. Wildlife encounters should never be treated as guaranteed: manta rays, whale sharks and dolphins move according to season, location and sea conditions, so resort marketing should be checked against the actual time of year.
How many nights?
From Europe, seven nights is a strong standard. Five nights can work for a resort close to Malé, but feels short if long connections and a seaplane are involved.
From Québec, seven to ten nights make more sense. Nine or ten nights also allow a two-resort combination for a honeymoon or high-end trip.
AeroSillage tip
For February 2027, make decisions in this order: 1. choose the island and transfer type, 2. calculate the final resort price including taxes and meals, 3. then book the flights. The transfer and meal plan can matter more to the total cost than a small difference in airfare.
Related: Turkish Airlines orders up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
Sources and checks
Visit Maldives; Maldives Meteorological Service; Maldives Immigration; MIRA (Green Tax and GST); Bank of Maldives; Air France; Etihad; Turkish Airlines; Emirates. Fares and exchange references checked in September 2026.
Photo credit: Rayyu Maldives / Unsplash.
