10 best beaches in the Maldives - relax and enjoy the beauty of the Maldives' many beaches

Located on Rasdhoo Island, this is the only beach in the Maldives, other than private beaches, where you can show off your hot summer body in a stylish bikini without any worry. Fringed by swaying palm trees, the beach not only offers up stunning views of the sea but is substantially big as well.

Reethi Beach has everything you could want on a beach holiday - white sands, clear turquoise water and leafy palm trees for shade. Located just 35-minutes away from Male by seaplane, on a small island in the Baa Atoll, the beach is a great option for honeymoon couples who are looking for a quiet getaway.

A 10-minute drive from Malé - Hulhumalé is a re-claimed island that offers travellers a well-earned break filled with white sand beaches and blue seas. What makes the beaches here so great is that unlike the island resorts, Hulhumale is more of a local island, thus you'll find fewer crowds on the beach. Do note, since this is a public area, visitors are required to dress modestly.

The beaches on Vabbinfaru Island are surrounded by crystal clear water and vibrant corals teeming with marine life. Ideal for snorkelling or a relaxing swim, this is a great place for water sports or downtime.

A secluded beach that guarantees peace and quiet, Fulhadhoo Beach is worlds away from the typical Maldives beaches. You won't find any of the luxurious Maldives 5 star hotels or exotic water villas such as the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, for example, but there's still something very beautiful about it. The beach is quite large but not many people come here, so you can enjoy a day here without meeting too many people. To reach Fulhadhoo Beach, you can book a speedboat from Male, which will take you about 2-hours.

Situated close to the Male international airport, Bandos beach provides a tropical escape for travellers who want a quick getaway from the main city. While it does attract a lot of tourists, don't let that stop you from exploring the beach. The water is calm enough for swimming and there's a house reef that's perfect for snorkelling. You can even try your luck at fishing here.

Located on a small local island in the South Atolls, Dhigurah Beach is a beautiful private beach that ends with a picturesque sandspit. While it is significantly further away than other beaches on this list, it takes roughly 4-hours to reach from Male, it's worth seeing for the numerous water activities it affords visitors. Diving is a popular activity here, and the reclusive whale shark has been spotted here frequently, making for a memorable swim.

Biyadhoo Island is famous for its scuba diving sites; however, the beaches are just as amazing. The island is home to lush vegetation, powder white sands and several reefs that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

While the island offers up all you can expect from a Maldives island, the best time to visit the beach on this uninhabited island is at night when the sea is lit up by phytoplankton which leaves a trail of bright neon blue light as they wash up on the shore.