Asia's smallest country, the Maldives, is synonymous with escapist luxury. Peppered across the ocean south of India, the islands are the stuff of daydreams: talcum-powder sands, unspoilt jungles and warm waters that are home to three-quarters of the world's reef fish.
Most of the 1,200 islands are uninhabited, with only 89 developed as resorts. North Malé Atoll, which has the largest number of resorts, offers a James Bond-style holiday: take a catamaran cruise, dive in Banana Reef – the first dive site to be discovered in the Maldives – and surf on waves that can reach 2.4 metres. Or take a trip to the capital, Malé. Maldivian food such as fresh tuna, reef fish and curries thick with coconut milk are easy to come across in the northern markets.
At Raa Atoll you'll find some 90 islands, but only 15 are inhabited. From the island of Meedhupparu, travel by a traditional fishing boat, dhoni, to a deserted island and indulge in a champagne picnic, completely uninterrupted – it's something many resorts offer and is an absolute must. Thaa Atoll is one of the less-visited in the Maldives, meaning it's especially unspoilt. Search for whale sharks on a scuba-diving trip or snorkel around the reef looking for anemonefish, butterflyfish and colourful wrasse.
Then there's Mauritius, often called the gem of the Indian Ocean. The tropical island, some 500 miles east of Madagascar and 1,000 miles from mainland Africa, is only 42 miles long and 29 miles wide, but it's a haven of sun, sea and sand – and much more. There are countless watersports to try, golf courses to play, horseback tours to take and the tropical Mauritius National Botanical Garden to visit, which is one of the world's finest.
The old colonial capital of Port Louis, named for the French king Louis XV, is flanked by mountains on one side, and sea on the other: it's a spectacle not to be missed. Head to Caudan Waterfront, a shopping and leisure area on the harbour, to lap up the cosmopolitan side of the isle and sip cocktails. For some of the island's finest beaches, go east to Belle Mare where you can wander for miles on white sand. The area also serves as a convenient base camp for a trek to Lion Mountain, a challenging half-day hike that offers unrivalled views over the coast.
Where to stay
In the Maldives, choose four-star resort Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa in the South Ari Atoll. It's renowned for affordable luxury and is located near some of the best diving points. On Mauritius, try Ambre Resort & Spa, set on a 700-metre stretch of sandy beach and newly refurbished as an adult-only hotel for May 2014.
Getting there
Thomson offers packages to the Indian Ocean starting from £1559 per person*. Thomson Airways can help you get there in style as it's the first UK airline to fly the new 787 Dreamliner. Highlights include bigger seats, larger windows and hi-tech extras that help knock jetlag into touch.
Thomson Airways flies direct to the Maldives from London Gatwick. From May 2014, Thomson Airways will be introducing direct flights to Mauritius from London Gatwick. To book your holiday, visit thomson.co.uk/holidays.html
