Maldives is an archipelagic state in South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean. The country is comprised of 1192 islands that stretch along a length of 871 kilometres. The country’s unique geography captivates the visitor. Tiny jewel-like islands surrounded with the whitest of soft sand enclosed by the clearest shallow waters. Maldives has one of the most delicate environments anywhere on the planet, several conservation efforts include designated nature reserves in islands of various atolls to protect wetlands and mangroves, as well as, the protection of marine areas and biosphere reserves. Although not experienced by many visitors, this land has its own unique culture and traditions, which is heavily influenced by various cultures around the Indian Ocean.
Chi King, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit Maldives is between November and April. It is when you will enjoy a hot, dry weather and quieter resorts. In Maldives the climate is warm and tropical, with average highs are from 29°C to 31°C year-round and average lows rarely falling below 24°C. January to April are the driest months, with little rain and low humidity, making this peak season at the resorts. Temperatures are still warm from May to December, but rain is more likely and there is a risk of storms.
Snorkelling and Diving: Maldives is great for year-round diving, despite the seasonal weather patterns becoming less and less predictable throughout the islands. For best overall visibility underwater, calmer seas and clear blue skies, is between January to April. Between May and early-November, you will find stronger winds and slightly rougher seas, but also, plenty of nice sunny spells and water and land temperatures remain lovely. However, there is also a higher chance of rain and lower visibility.
Bioluminescent Plankton: can appear any time of the year, but it is said that from June to December, there are greater volumes of plankton in the seas. When planning your visit to coincide with the new moon phase will increase your chances of seeing the bioluminescence.
Sea Turtle Hatching: sea turtles lay their eggs all year round; however, the most active nesting season falls from May to June. The greatest number of hatchings takes place from July to August.
Marine wildlife: blue whales are seen regularly as they migrate through the Maldives during November to May. In contrast, humpback whales are most observed during June to October. October and November are a great time to see whale sharks and manta rays, which come to feed on the plankton.
Beach season: the best time to visit is during the dry season which is from November to April.
Surfing: the best time for surfing trips is from March until October. During this period, the roaring forties cause storms which bring the largest swells to the archipelago. The biggest waves are likely to occur in June, July, and August.
The Maldivian rufiyaa is the official currency. The exchange rate approximately is 1 Euro is between 16 to 18 Rufiyaa and 1 UD Dollar is 15 Rufiyaa.
The national language is Dhivehi, but English is widely spoken
Maldives grants a free visa on arrival for 30 days to all citizens. Citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal are given a 90 days stamp. For more information about visa requirements visit this website.
ATMs are only easily found in Malé City, and some islands, but all 4 and 5* resorts will accept all major credit cards. The only time you are likely to need the local currency is if you are staying in a local guesthouse or if you are visiting Malé City and would like to purchase something from a local market or shop. If your foreign currency card works in an ATM in the Maldives then you should be aware that there is a charge for all foreign cards. So, make sure you take out the maximum that you need in one transaction. There is a message on the screen telling you of this when you make a withdrawal, so you can accept it or decline (and then not get any money). In many places, you will be able to pay using US dollars. You may also be able to pay in Euros, but you will need to ask. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by many businesses. Some businesses will levy a charge for card usage.
The Maldivian working week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. Shops are generally open between 9am and 7pm. Some open earlier, or once the owner is awake, others close later. Some restaurant hours of the resorts are adapted to allow their Muslim employees to go to the mosque. Most shops close for between 15 and 30 minutes at prayer time.
Time: GMT +5 hours
Velana International Airport (is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island just 3km away from the capital. The airport is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists. The distance from the airport to the centre of Male by ferry it takes 10 minutes, by bus it takes 26 minutes, by walk it takes 29 minutes).
Villa International Airport Maamigili (is located on the island of Maamigili in Alif Dhaal Atoll, the airport has a single terminal and runway and has ferry boats for passengers to easily travel to Male).
Hanimaadhoo International Airport (is an airport located on the island of Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The distance from the airport to the centre of Hanimaadhoo is 2 km, by walk it takes 23 minutes).
The topic of public transportation in Maldives is very complex and confusing. If you have purchased a package tour, everything will be arranged for you. The only negative thing is cancellations due to bad weather. However, if you are traveling to the islands independently, there are many things to consider. The Maldives are not like other countries in terms of public transport. There is no subway, trolleybuses, trams, intercity buses, or cars that can take you far. All Maldives transportation between islands only operates during daylight hours, and it is highly weather-dependent. Routes can be cancelled at any moment, whether it be by ferry or seaplane. If you want to change atolls, there are no routes between them. The only transportation option is to go through Male with a transfer. Considering that the frequency of ferries, speedboats, and seaplanes is only 1-2 times a day and not every day, there is a chance of spending more than a day on the road. Alternatively, you can order a private transfer, where prices are quite high.
Buses and taxi
There is no inter-island transportation of this type. Buses and taxis are only available in Malé. They run frequently, there are many routes, and they are cheap, but there is not much use for them because you can walk the entire island in 30-40 minutes.
Speed Boat
Speedboats are perhaps the most popular means of transportation in Maldives between the islands for tourists. It combines two important advantages: relatively high speed compared to ferries, and not high cost compared to seaplanes. All speedboats belong to private carriers. Some resorts have their own speedboats that pick up their tourists directly from the airport.
Public ferry
Ferries are the cheapest and as well, the most popular mode of transportation in Maldives for locals and budget travellers. Ferries operate at best once a day, and sometimes not even daily. If you miss your ferry, you may have to wait a day. If you want to change atolls, you will have to go through Male. They are very slow. You cannot check ticket prices online, and you cannot buy tickets on the website either. Only at the ticket office or from the conductor on the ferry. Cards are not accepted, only cash, but you can pay in dollars or local rufiyaa. If you pay in dollars, be prepared to be charged at a bad rate, and you will get change in rufiyaa.
If you want to know specific timings for speed boats and ferries, you will need to check with your guesthouse, they will have the most reliable and up to date transport information.
Alcohol is available only on the resort’s islands but is prohibited elsewhere. It is advisable not to buy any on the flight or at the duty-free shops en route to the Maldives.
Dress standards are generally informal, but tourists should be sensitive to local dress requirements when visiting non-resort areas.
Before you enter a residence or place of worship, remove your shoes.
Be extra respectful during Ramadan, if you are on an inhabited island, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public.
The left hand is considered unclean, it should not be used to move food to the mouth.
Tap water in Maldives is all treated rainwater it is not advisable to drink it.
The traditional cuisine of Maldivians is based on three main items and their derivatives: coconuts, fish, starches, and curries. Historically, the cuisine of the Maldives is filled with Arabic and Indian, many flavours come from Kerala and Sri Lanka, being very spicy and hot. Chillies, onions, basil leaves, and lime juice are used with many recipes. The use of alcohol and pork is contrary to Islamic culture, however, the tourist areas, do not lack these products. The typical dishes in Maldives are: “Garudiya” (is a clear fish broth, cooked with salt, sometimes with the addition of chilli, onion, and basil leaves, giving the soup a unique flavour, but usually only fish, salt and water are used. Hot rice, lemon, onion, and chilli are served to the broth), “Mashuni” (is a mixture of tuna and coconut. Puree of onion, capsicum, lemon juice and salt, combined with smoked tuna meat, and add coconut pulp. The dish is eaten with roshi bread), “Kulhi Boakibaa” (like a cake, has tuna, onion, grounded rice, and coconut), “Dhonkeyo Kajuru” (or fried banana pie. It is made with ripe bananas, sugar, flour, and coconut pulp, sometimes with the addition of vanilla, is deep-fried until golden brown).
For the Maldives there are six associated plug types, C, D, G, J, K and L, which are displayed below. The Maldives operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
How the Maldivian Healthcare System Works for citizens and tourists. The Maldivian citizens are entitled to get annual medical coverage that is sponsored by the government. The public healthcare sector operates centrally with a 5-tier hierarchical system: central, regional, atoll, sub-atoll, and island level services. However, patients do not have to follow this hierarchical pathway and can avail healthcare services at any point. Maldives private healthcare sector has grown significantly in the past decade. Tourists prefer private facilities because they can get better treatment and have some of the country’s best doctors working there. We advise travellers to get private healthcare insurance. It includes emergency evacuation and transfers to hospitals in other countries, in case of severe health concerns.
There are no clearly-defined rules to tipping in the Maldives. A service tax of 10-12.5% is added to almost everything, from minibar drinks to snorkelling trips. In many places, this means there is no need to tip additionally but, in some cases, the people serving you personally will expect a tip in cases such as smarter resorts. Restaurants is not customary, also at independent restaurants or on local islands.
Bargaining is not a part of Maldivian culture.
Be careful of mopeds in Male.
It is not allowed to wear bikinis everywhere on Maldives local islands. There is usually a designated “bikini beach” for tourists.