Maldives dominates Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Indian Ocean resort rankings

The Maldives has secured 20 of the 25 places in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards ranking of the best resorts in the Indian Ocean, with JOALI Maldives taking the top position in the region.

Published on 6 October, the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are based on votes from Condé Nast Traveller readers, with the scores representing the overall average level of satisfaction reported by respondents. JOALI Maldives was ranked the best resort in the Indian Ocean with a score of 99.83.

The Maldives accounted for 80 per cent of the 25 resorts included in the Indian Ocean category. Maldivian properties also occupied seven of the top eight positions and eight of the top 10, underlining the destination’s strong showing in this year’s awards.

Following JOALI Maldives in first place, COMO Cocoa Island was ranked third with a score of 99.35, while Soneva Secret placed fourth with 99.21. One&Only Reethi Rah took fifth place with 99.18, The Nautilus was sixth with 99.06, Soneva Fushi seventh with 99.01, and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru eighth with 98.89.

Constance Halaveli completed the Maldives representation in the top 10, ranking 10th with a score of 98.59. Madagascar’s Miavana by Time + Tide was the only property to separate the Maldives resorts at the top of the ranking, taking second place with 99.59, while Mauritius’ The St Regis Le Morne Resort placed ninth.

The Maldivian resorts featured in the 2026 Indian Ocean ranking are:

1. JOALI Maldives — 99.83
2. COMO Cocoa Island — 99.35
3. Soneva Secret — 99.21
4. One&Only Reethi Rah — 99.18
5. The Nautilus Maldives — 99.06
6. Soneva Fushi — 99.01
7. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru — 98.89
8. Constance Halaveli Maldives — 98.59
9. Dhigali Maldives — 98.48
10. Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island — 98.24
11. SO/ Maldives — 98.18
12. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — 98.08
13. LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maldives — 97.84
14. Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives — 97.33
15. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — 96.50
16. Niyama Private Islands Maldives — 96.38
17. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives — 95.84
18. Patina Maldives, Fari Islands — 95.52
19. Amilla Maldives — 93.64
20. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island — 93.24

The other five places in the Indian Ocean category went to resorts in Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar. The ranking included Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa and The Oberoi Beach Resort in Mauritius, Six Senses Zil Pasyon in Seychelles, The St Regis Le Morne Resort in Mauritius, and Miavana by Time + Tide in Madagascar.

The Readers’ Choice Awards recognise destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines and other travel experiences selected by Condé Nast Traveller readers. In its overall list of 2026 winners, the publication separately confirmed JOALI Maldives as the Indian Ocean resort category winner.

The results mark another strong international showing for the Maldives, with properties ranging from established private-island resorts to newer luxury developments represented across almost every level of the Indian Ocean top 25.