Lie back and forget about your worries back home.

The Maldives is the ultimate castaway destination in the Indian Ocean.

Made up 1,190 tiny coral islands, wherever you go in the Maldives you will be a stone’s throw away from crystal-clear waters.

Some 200 of the islands are inhabited, with 80 per cent housing fewer than 1,000 residents. If the hustle and bustle of the crowded Maltese islands gets too much, the Maldives provides the perfect antidote.

In all, this island nation has a population of 300,000 people, with the capital Malé home to over one-third of the total.

These lucky citizens, of mixed descent, are blessed with a hot tropical climate averaging 30°C throughout the year.

Attractions in Malé itself include the 17th-century Hukuru Miskiyy (Friday Mosque), containing finely fluted coral block walls, and the nearby Presidential residence, Mulee-aage, built just before World War I.

Malé’s Raalhugandu surf point and its artificial beach lie on the southeastern side of the city. This area comes to life in the late afternoons and evenings, with hundreds of city dwellers coming out to enjoy the fresh sea air and the day’s end.

But the real attractions in the Maldives lie on the pristine beaches beyond the city, which entice over 10 million tourists each year.

With around 73 holiday resorts spread over just under 1,000 uninhabited islands, the tourism industry is based on quality over quantity.

These resorts range from extravagant luxury to beach-comber simplicity. Each individual resort occupies its own island and offers a unique specialty, appealing to a particular group or individual.

While some resorts offer a quiet sanctuary to relax in and enjoy the spa treatment, others host international conferences. Some even offer guests an entire island for the day for a private party.

There are resorts ideal for honeymooners and others more suited for diving enthusiasts.

Maltese newlyweds have been discovering the Maldives in increasing numbers over recent years, lured by the guarantee of a blissful, romantic stay on their own deserted island.

For those who can drag themselves off their sun loungers or out of their hammocks, the Maldives provides ample opportunities for water sports.

From simple pleasure boat trips and snorkelling to night fishing and safari cruises, the pristine waters around the Maldives are ripe for exploration.

Scuba divers will be hard-pushed to find a better destination. The sea teems with life, with kaleidoscopic fish, turtles, stingrays and sharks playing around the country’s colourful coral reefs.

If you want to catch the fish rather than just admire them, Maldivians believe the perfect time for fishing is at night. Boats leave the islands and anchor at reefs just before sunset. Even if you don’t catch a bite, you will be able to relax under the night sky as the boat gently rocks with the waves.

From simple pleasure boat trips and snorkelling to night fishing and safari cruises, the pristine waters around the Maldives are ripe for exploration

Whether you choose to fish during the day or at night, through a yacht charter or boat excursion, there is seriously big game to be caught in Maldivian waters. Tuna, groupers, dolphin fish, barracuda, rainbow runner, trevally and squirrelfish are all common.

Make sure you do your research before booking to ensure the company respects local regulations and does not target protected or threatened species.

Back at your resort, you’ll most likely find luxury spa treatments on offer to accentuate your state of bliss beyond what you thought possible.

You’ll also find sumptuous seafood dishes and top-class international cuisine in the finest restaurants.

And when the time comes for you to go home, you’ll find yourself wishing you could stay in the Maldives forever.