Looking to travel to a perfect island paradise? With stunning beaches, gorgeous water, and beautiful resorts featuring fabulous overwater bungalows, Maldives and Tahiti are two of the best destinations for this type of dreamy honeymoon or vacation.

If you are trying to choose between the two, this Maldives vs. Tahiti comparison will help you decide.

Maldives vs. Tahiti Quick Take:

Tahiti is easier to get to from the U.S.
Maldives is more expensive.
Tahiti offers more options for cultural, historical, and nature activities.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Overview

Both of these island nations are popular honeymoon and bucket list destinations for good reason. Maldives is an archipelago, or group of islands, located in southern Asia in the Indian Ocean. It offers a variety of luxury resorts along bright white sand beaches and deep blue water.

Tahiti is a single island in French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. Resorts here range from inexpensive hostels to guest houses and hotels to luxury resorts, so it’s a more budget-friendly option than Maldives. It’s also easier to get to from the United States. Tahiti also has mountains and valleys to explore in addition to glorious beaches.

Both Maldives and Tahiti are known for their overwater bungalows as well as excellent scuba diving and snorkeling.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: When to Visit

Both Tahiti and the Maldives are excellent destinations to visit at any time of year, but due to their different locations, this means they experience very different seasons.

The best time to visit Tahiti is the dry season, which falls between May and October. Temperatures rise and rain levels increase starting in November, making the weather wet and humid.

Peak season in Tahiti is July and August, so resorts are most expensive and there are more tourists. If you’re looking for a good deal in Tahiti, it’s best to visit during the shoulder seasons of April to May and November to March.

In Maldives, the dry season falls between December and March, making it an ideal time to escape the cold winters of the U.S. The wet monsoon season occurs between May and November, bringing tropical rains and high levels of humidity.

If you’re looking for a great deal in the Maldives, the best time to find one is during the shoulder season of May through to August, outside of the peak season which falls between the end of December and February.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Accessibility

When it comes to which is easier to get to from the U.S., Tahiti is the clear winner. Direct air routes fly from Los Angeles to Tahiti, taking around 8 hours to arrive.

When it comes to the Maldives, however, it takes a lot longer to get there from North America. Even direct routes to the Maldives require a stopover along the way. Many people choose to make it part of a multi-country trip to break up the journey a little bit.

That said, it comes down to where you’re flying from. If you live in Europe or Asia, you’ll find that Maldives is much easier to access.

Maldives vs Tahiti: How Far Apart?

Many people planning a tropical island getaway are interested in visiting multiple islands on their trip. You may be wondering if it’s possible to visit both Tahiti and Maldives during the same trip. In short, no. It is not possible to go island hopping between Tahiti and Maldives.

Situated almost 10,000 miles apart, these two destinations would take around 18 hours to fly between.

If you’re looking to go island hopping, then it is best to go to Tahiti. While the Maldives is made up of many small islands, it is not easy to move around. It’s far more accessible to get from Tahiti to other nearby spots in French Polynesia such as Bora Bora.

Maldives vs Tahiti: Accommodations

When it comes to choosing the best place in terms of accommodations, this will likely depend on your budget. If you want a dreamy tropical destination that doesn’t break the bank, then Tahiti is the better option for you.

On a trip to Maldives, the closest you can get to “budget” are some private villas, but the majority of places to stay in the Maldives are opulent and luxurious. With an abundance of overwater villas and five-star resorts, there are plenty of gorgeous options here if you’re looking to splash out on your dream honeymoon.

In Tahiti, you’ll have far more options in terms of budget-friendly stays. Many resorts here still feel luxurious, but come at a fraction of the price of the ones located in Maldives. Of course, there’s still a great range of luxury options here too, including five-star resorts with those iconic overwater bungalows.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Island Hopping

When visiting Tahiti, many people take the opportunity to go island hopping to other destinations in French Polynesia such as Moorea or Bora Bora. With multiple excellent resorts to choose from on each island, you can enjoy your vacation as luxuriously (or as budget-friendly) as you like.

If this is something you’re interested in doing, it’s important to note that many chain resorts will offer discounts if you choose to book multiple resorts in one trip. Be sure to get in touch with your travel agent beforehand to help see what kind of deals you can get.

Island hopping in the Maldives, however, is much less common. In this region, most resorts are located alone on an atoll, so guests typically choose to stay in just one resort for the duration of their stay.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Things to Do

There are plenty of fun things to do in Tahiti and Maldives both, although Tahiti may have an edge here.

Known for its natural attractions, Tahiti is praised among those who love escaping into unspoiled nature. There’s plenty of nature to discover here, such as luscious rainforests, volcanic mountains, and clear lagoons. Popular tourist spots in Tahiti include many cultural and historical sites, such as Marae Arahurahu (a restored archaeological site) as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, and snorkeling.

If you’re looking for somewhere with some of the most incredible beaches you’ve ever laid eyes on, then Maldives may be the perfect destination for you. With stunning white sands and deep blue, crystal clear water, Maldives is the place to be if you’re a watersports enthusiast. It can also be more about just relaxing than Tahiti, due to its large selection of luxury resorts with opulent spas and outstanding cuisine. That said, there are also some cultural and historical sites to visit, such as the National Museum and the Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, depending on where you stay.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: The Food

As both of these destinations are tropical islands, you can expect to enjoy delicious local food like coconuts, fresh fruits, and fresh fish no matter which you choose. However, the overall cuisine style is quite different between the two.

As the first settlers in the Maldives arrived from India and Sri Lanka, much of the food on offer here is influenced by these cuisines. Curry and seafood are two of the most popular options in Maldives. Be sure to try Mas Riha, a dish made with freshly caught tuna, chilies, and coconut; Kuhli Boakiba, a type of fishcake; and Garudhiya, a type of fish soup.

Maldives is also famous for its coconut water and a great selection of cocktails.

The food in Tahiti is also heavily seafood-based. It is influenced by both French and Chinese cuisine due to the Chinese-Polynesian and French-Polynesian populations within the area. Be sure to try raw fish with coconut milk (which is much nicer than it sounds!), as well as sweet treats such as firi firi (Tahitian doughnuts) and banana crepes.

Maldives vs Tahiti: Which Is Cheaper?

Maldives is teeming with luxury resorts and opulence, and a vacation there can come with quite a hefty price tag. Flights there from the U.S. are also more expensive.

Tahiti is generally the more budget-friendly option and offers a selection of beautiful resorts and hotels that don’t break the bank, as well as shorter and less expensive flights.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Conclusion

If you’re looking for a relaxing escape by the sea, lounging on the beach and soaking up the sun, then the Maldives may be the perfect choice for you. With some of the most luxurious resorts in the world, however, it’s important to keep in mind that Maldives can be an expensive getaway. It’s also further away from the U.S.

Tahiti, on the other hand, has a far more impressive landscape, more options for those traveling on a budget, and more cultural and historic activities and sights. It’s also closer to the U.S.

If you still can’t decide between Maldives vs. Tahiti, consider talking to one of our trusted travel advisors who can help you plan the perfect tropical getaway.

Maldives vs. Tahiti: Which Is Best for You?