Maldives Geography: Islands, Reefs, and What Makes This Destination Unique

When you think of the Maldives, a chain of tropical islands in the Indian Ocean made up of coral atolls and surrounded by shallow, turquoise waters. Also known as the Maldivian archipelago, it’s not just a beach getaway—it’s a geological wonder built entirely on underwater volcanoes that rose millions of years ago. Unlike other island nations, the Maldives doesn’t have mountains, forests, or rivers. Instead, it’s a string of 1,192 tiny islands spread across 90,000 square kilometers of ocean, making it one of the lowest-lying countries on Earth. Most of these islands sit less than a meter above sea level, which makes their geography not just beautiful, but fragile.

This geography isn’t random. The islands are grouped into 26 natural coral atolls, ring-shaped reefs formed by ancient coral growth around submerged volcanoes. Also known as atoll systems, they’re what give the Maldives its famous lagoons—calm, clear, and perfect for snorkeling. Each atoll acts like a natural barrier, protecting the inner waters from ocean swells. This is why the water inside is so still, and why you’ll find resorts built right on the reef edges—they’re taking advantage of nature’s own design. The sand on these islands? It’s not brought in. It’s made by parrotfish. Yes, fish. They bite off coral, digest the algae, and poop out fine white sand—up to a ton per fish per year. That’s how you get beaches that look like powdered sugar.

What sets the Maldives apart from places like the Fiji, a volcanic island nation with higher elevations, dense jungles, and rugged terrain. Also known as Fijian islands, it offers a completely different kind of island experience. While Fiji has waterfalls and hiking trails, the Maldives is all about flatness, water, and sky. There’s no inland. No mountains to climb. No forests to explore. Just endless ocean, coral reefs teeming with life, and islands so small you can walk across them in 20 minutes. That’s why travelers who come here aren’t looking for adventure—they’re looking for stillness. For silence. For the feeling of being surrounded by water with no horizon in sight.

And that’s exactly why you’ll find so many travel guides comparing the Maldives to other destinations—like Bora Bora or Goa—because its geography defines the entire experience. You don’t go to the Maldives to hike. You go to float. To swim. To watch the sun dip behind a line of palm trees with nothing but water in every direction. The lack of land isn’t a limitation—it’s the point.

Below, you’ll find real traveler insights on what makes this geography work for vacationers, how it affects costs, and why some travelers choose the Maldives over other island spots. Whether you’re comparing it to Fiji or wondering how safe it is to travel there, the answers all tie back to one thing: the land doesn’t exist here the way it does elsewhere. The water does.