Last updated on February 17, 2023 by Wandering our World
When it comes to tropical Indian Ocean paradises, you can’t get much better than the Maldives or Andaman & Nicobar. However due to their remote nature, visiting either is costly and the airplane journey long.
That means making the right choice between Andaman or the Maldives for your dream getaway is vitally important.
However other than their remoteness, these islands are actually vastly different.
For example, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort holiday where you’re guaranteed great beaches, celebrity treatment, and world-class snorkeling, then the Maldives will suit you better than Andaman & Nicobar.
Andaman & Nicobar, on the other hand, will be cheaper, provide a vacation with great beaches too, but will be a more rustic, cultural and local experience than a vacation in the Maldives.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how these two holiday destinations compare!
Luckily having spent time in both, we compare them below. We compare the beaches, culture, excursion opportunities, which is cheaper and lots more.
We then show you what each place has on offer. All so you can make the right vacation decision for you. Let’s get started!
CONTENTS:
- A Quick Overview & Comparison
- How Do The Beaches & Landscape Compare?
- How Does The Culture & Vibe Compare?
- Where To Stay According To Your Budget
- A Taste Of The Tropics: How Does The Cuisine Compare?
- Which Is The Better Choice?
A Quick Overview Of The Maldives vs Andaman & Nicobar
For beach lovers, you will find spectacular beaches and turquoise swimming waters in both the Maldives and Andaman & Nicobar – we tell you some of our favorites further on in this article.
However the Maldives, as a nation made up of 1000+ different islands and cays, probably just shades it when it comes to world-class beaches and perfect swimming water.
However many islands in the Maldives are privately owned by a resort complex, and so activities on the island revolve around the resort and what it offers. That also means that many of the beaches in the Maldives are not public.
That’s not the case in Andaman & Nicobar where the beaches are public. So you have the right to sunbathe and swim on all of them. Therefore these islands tend to give you a more local experience where you can explore the country, eat street food, go for picnics on the beach, and interact within the community.
It’s also possible to island hop around Andaman & Nicobar, exploring each island’s unique qualities, as well as the stunning forests and landscape that exists throughout the Indian archipelago.
In contrast, island hopping in the Maldives is a very different experience as the islands are mostly owned by private resorts and therefore access can be limited.
The landscape from island to island in the Maldives is also very similar, which is probably summed up best by the fact that the highest point throughout this nation is just 2.4 meters! In comparison, the highest point in Andaman & Nicobar is 731 meters!
There are also several different types of accommodation options in Andaman & Nicobar – from guest houses through to five-star hotels.
That makes the Indian archipelago a far more affordable destination than the Maldives, which is focused on high-end resorts and is very expensive. Although as the Maldives specializes in this, the resorts there tend to be exceptionally well run with some of the best service in the world.
To quickly sum up before we look at each destination in more detail: the Maldives is very much a beach-focused holiday with exceptional resorts but few excursion options.
However it does have some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving spots, so expect a lot of underwater fun in the Maldives. It’s the perfect place if you want a dream vacation that revolves around the beach and resorts. But all of that comes at a hefty price.
Andaman & Nicobar, in contrast, is an interesting island in terms of culture, and there’s many hiking opportunities and excursions to do away from resorts. It has great beaches, although not as good as the Maldives, but it’s cheaper and there’s more to do away from the coast.
That makes it the perfect vacation for those looking for sun, sea, and sand, but also a bit of adventure.
Below we look at some of our favorite places in both destinations, before comparing the culture in each. Spoiler alert – they’re very different!
How Do The Beaches & Landscape Compare?
Maldives: The Beaches & Landscape
Ever seen pictures of crystal clear turquoise water, with those stunning wooden hotel huts sitting over it? That’s what you should expect throughout the Maldives, a country that specializes in up-scale resorts and honeymoon vacations.
Some of the world’s best beaches happen to be in this nation. One of our favorites is the powder white coastline at Lhaviyani Atoll where the palm tree lined beaches look like a computer screensaver.
We’ve found that the west side of the atoll has wider beaches and softer sand, so is perfect for a day’s sunbathing.
However as many of the islands are privately owned by resorts, you may be limited as to where you can go on each island in the Maldives. That’s not an issue in Andaman & Nicobar though.
But what this means is that if you’re staying at a Maldives resort you are pretty much guaranteed to have a spectacular beach, and a coral reef for snorkeling, right beside your room. When it comes to high-end beach vacations, this country really does excel.
It also excels when it comes to snorkeling, with a spectacular colorful underwater life that can be seen easily thanks to the gin-clear water. However most snorkeling is done with a resort, due to the privately owned nature of many islands in the Maldives.
One of the best snorkeling spots is Manta Point, which is home to Manta Rays! Also known as Emas Thila, this is probably one of the best places in the world to swim alongside these gentle giants, just make sure you take a great underwater camera with you – like this one. Check out our previous article on the incredible wildlife of the Maldives to see what else you could meet!
For a burst of color, Banana Reef is another great spot to snorkel and dive. There you’ll see rays, sharks, and many different types of reef fish including Royal Blue Tangs. You might not have heard that name before, but you will recognize the fish if you’ve seen ‘Finding Nemo’ – ‘Dory’ was a Blue Tang!
Recommended: Snakes In The Maldives
Andaman & Nicobar: The Beaches & Landscape
The Andaman & Nicobar islands are breathtakingly beautiful, with white sand beaches giving way to a rainforest-clad interior, and colorful culture-packed towns.
Swaraj Dweep island has some of the best beaches, and won’t disappoint sun-seekers. But head to Kala Pathar beach for unbelievable turquoise hues, and a secluded coastline that feels like a deserted island.
A trip to Radhanagar for the sunrise or sunset is a must as well. This coconut-tree lined beach has picture-perfect sunsets, and calm, clear, warm water for swimming.
Our favourite spot for snorkeling, and one of the best in the Andamans, is Neil Island. This gorgeous coral-reef ringed island is small – you can walk around it in two hours – but packs a real punch.
Teeming with colorful tropical fish thanks to the protected coral reefs, this is also one of the best places in the Indian Ocean to swim with turtles.
Close to Neil Island is Rose Island , a tiny uninhabited island that has some of the clearest waters throughout the archipelago. It also has some old remnants of an abandoned British penal colony that may interest history buffs!
For something a little more adventurous take a boat ride to see Barren Island which has the only active volcano in South Asia. This forest-clad island is also full of wild goats! A trip here shows just how different Andaman & Nicobar are to the much flatter Maldives.
Another boat trip worth doing is one to the uninhabited Guitar Island. Amazingly, this island really does resemble a guitar from above, but it has more to offer than just that, with stunning beaches and lush green mangroves.
And if you’re craving more greenery, then a trip to Saddle Peak – the highest point in Andaman & Nicobar – is a must. There are numerous trekking opportunities in and around the mountain, and as a wildlife reserve you will get to hear the sounds, and see the sights, of nature as you hike!
As you will have probably seen by now, there’s loads to see and explore in Andaman & Nicobar, and it’s possible to explore many islands and different places.
So if you are looking for a holiday with a bit of adventure, there’s no doubt in our mind this destination will suit you more than laid-back resort-orientated Maldives.
How Does The Culture & Vibe Compare?
As the Maldives is more focused on resort-based holidays, interaction with the local community and culture tends to be limited.
That’s unless you make the sometimes lengthy trip away from the private island resorts, and into the population centers.
In contrast, hotels and guest houses in Andaman & Nicobar are far more integrated into the community, so a vacation there will have more of a ‘local’ feel than tourist-orientated Maldives.
That also opens up opportunities for excursions away from the hotel, as well as the opportunity to try street food – which is cheap!
Maldives: The Culture & Vibe
As a majority Muslim country, the Maldives is a conservative nation, although within resort complexes you are free to act as you would in any liberal Western country.
However if you plan to make any excursions into population centers – like the capital Malé or public beaches – then be sure to dress conservatively, and avoid things such as alcohol.
The culture in the Maldives is vibrant, interesting, and definitely worth discovering though.
Bodu Beru is a traditional rhythmic dance performed by upwards of 15-20 people, and was introduced to the Maldives around 1000 years ago. It’s been a tradition here ever since, and many resorts have cultural nights where dancers perform.
If venturing into Malé, a visit to the Maldives National Museum is a must. Not only does it give an insight into the history of this nation, but it also has a great collection of historical artefacts from the region, some several centuries old.
Andaman & Nicobar: The Culture & Vibe
The archipelago has become famous in recent decades due to a remote island that nobody visits for fear of death – South Sentinel Island!
That island is home to an indigenous tribe that fiercely defends its territory, and has killed intruders in the past.
You won’t encounter any members of that tribe while visiting as that island is off limits to tourists, but can learn more about the Sentinelese people, as well as other tribes and cultures that have inhabited these islands, at the Zonal Anthropological Museum in the capital of Port Blair.
Port Blair itself is worth visiting as it’s home to remnants of the British Empire, such as the Cellular Jail. The jail was used by the colonialists to house Indian independence activists.
Asia’s largest and oldest saw mill can still be visited to this day in Port Blair too. The 19th century Chatham Saw Mill has exhibits, and is also a great place to pick up souvenirs made on the islands.
A trip to Sagarika Emporium will also give you the opportunity to see and purchase handicrafts from locals. Expect items made from materials found on the islands like pretty seashells, wood, and jute.
Where To Stay According To Your Budget
There’s a range of accommodations in both island destinations, but you’ll find prices – and service – to be much higher in the Maldives.
The Maldives
Budget: The word ‘budget’ is a rarity in the Maldives, but on the stunning Fonimagoodhoo Island you can find private villas at the four-star Reethi Resort at a tenth of the price as other Maldives stays.
With everything catered for, and a white sand beach on your doorstep, this resort makes the Maldives affordable to most. See photos and rates!
Luxury: At Amilla Maldives you get the opportunity to stay on an overwater villa that sits directly over the gorgeous waters of the lagoon. The sea views are, of course, breathtaking. But even more so from your own private pool.
Couple that with the world-class service and you have one of the best resorts in the world and the perfect honeymoon stay. And incredibly it’s still a lot cheaper than similar stays in the Maldives. See photos and rates!
Andaman & Nicobar
Budget: Set on Neil Island which happens to be one of our favorite places for snorkeling in the Andaman Islands, the three-star Blue Lagoon Resort offers budget rooms close to the beach.
They also do bike hire, which is perfect for exploring the island. It’s cheap, basic and rustic, but that sums up the Andamans. See photos and rates!
Luxury: There is one Andaman resort that wouldn’t look out of place in the Maldives though, and that’s Taj Exotica Resort & Spa. Set on the gorgeous Radhanagar Beach at Havelock Island, yet still within old-growth forest, this resort is the best of both worlds and the result is picturesque to say the least.
The facilities are exceptional (there’s even an Olympic-sized swimming pool), the rooms are classy, and the service the best on the islands. See photos and rates!
A Taste Of The Tropics: How Does The Cuisine Compare?
Both island destinations have delicious seafood, and will provide a unique treat for your tastebuds.
Maldives: The Food
Considering the first settlers to the Maldives came from India and Sri Lanka, the food here has an Indian twist.
Curry is therefore one of the most popular dishes. We recommend trying Mas Riha. Made with freshly caught tuna, coconut, and a good number of chilies, this is a truly unique and delicious Maldivian dish.
Seafood is also popular and traditional dishes include Garudhiya (a type of fish soup) and Kulhi boakiba, which is a fish cake made from smoked tuna, coconut, ginger and rice.
As for what to drink, resorts in the Maldives have countless number of cocktails to try. However the coconut water in the Maldives is delicious and refreshing – especially when enjoyed direct with a straw.
Of course if you’re visiting the Maldives you will likely be staying at a resort. So there will be plenty of local and international dishes on offer, and all at a very high standard.
Andaman & Nicobar: The Food
Food in Andaman & Nicobar has a tropical island feel to it, but coupled with Indian influences.
Seafood is a huge component of cuisine on the islands, and in particular cuttle fish, crabs, lobsters, and prawns can be found in dishes up and down the archipelago.
Expect seafood to be paired with rice – which is locally grown on the islands! Coconut Prawn Curry, and Fish Curry, are two of our favourites.
Barbecuing is also popular in Andaman & Nicobar, and is done when enjoying a day on the beach as well as when trekking! Grilled lobster and crab are two popular dishes to expect.
The Maldives or Andaman & Nicobar: Which Is The Better Choice?
Both the Maldives and Andaman & Nicobar will provide an unforgettable experience, but also remarkably different holidays.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort holiday where you’re guaranteed great beaches and world-class snorkeling, then the Maldives will suit you better than Andaman & Nicobar. Resorts are what this country excels in, however the prices are expensive, and excursions can be limited.
Andaman & Nicobar, on the other hand, will provide a vacation with great beaches (albeit not as good as the Maldives) and swimming waters, but also other excursion possibilities.
Tourists and locals intermingle throughout, so an Andaman & Nicobar holiday will be more of a cultural and local experience than one in the Maldives. Accommodation and food options in Andaman & Nicobar are much cheaper than the Maldives too.
Recommended For Your Trip To The Maldives Or Andaman & Nicobar
