At Pentravel, we heart Maldives. With its Crusoe-chic resort islands, limpid blue lagoons and radiant coral reefs, what’s not to love? Maldives is the kind of dreamy destination that needs to be seen to be believed, which is why we were so excited to catch up with Pen expert, Landi Burger, to get the deets on her recent trip to paradise. 

If there’s one place in the world that tops the list of best honeymoon destinations, it’s the Maldives. It’s a desert-island-dream made up of 1,192 pearlescent islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. These paradisiacal atolls feature romantic resorts, luxurious overwater villas, private infinity pools, gem-like coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and more. 

You’ve said “I do” and exchanged rings… this is when the adventure begins! After months of wedding planning and a celebration that nobody will ever forget, all you want to do is relax and enjoy each other’s company as Mr and Mrs. It’s time for lazing on the beach, enjoying moonlight walks and savouring delicious meals… welcome to your honeymoon!

The Maldives called, and you answered. Congrats on booking your tickets to paradise! Before you start packing your bags though, we’ve got some Maldives packing tips for you, starting with our number one packing rule: don’t overpack! You will spend most of your time on the beach or in the sea. So leave the heavy luggage at home.

Only a hop, skip and jump away, the beaches and islands of the Indian Ocean are a no-brainer option for South African sunseekers. Flights times are negligible, and rates are competitive – but the actual experiences are priceless.

Palm-fringed shores, glittering coral reefs, powder-soft beaches and colourful cuisines await… Here’s some inspiration for your next Indian Ocean holiday.