Maldives travel guide
The Maldives is a chain of coral atolls in the Indian Ocean south-west of Sri Lanka, made up of around 1,200 low islands surrounded by reefs and lagoons. It is best known for private resort islands, but guesthouses on inhabited local islands also let travellers see everyday Maldivian life. It suits divers, snorkellers, honeymooners and anyone who wants time on and under the water.
Places worth the trip
Malé
One of the world's most densely built capitals, packed onto a small island. See the Old Friday Mosque, built from carved coral stone, the busy fish market where the day's tuna comes in, and the waterfront, then cross the bridge to Hulhumalé's beach.
Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll
Part of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this small bay can draw large gatherings of manta rays feeding on plankton, mainly between about June and November. Visits are regulated and snorkelling only.
Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll
The southern edge of Ari Atoll is one of the few places where whale sharks can be seen year-round. Snorkelling trips follow strict guidelines on distance and behaviour.
Diving the channels
Water flowing through gaps in the atoll rims, called kandu, attracts grey reef sharks, eagle rays and schools of fish. Liveaboard boats reach the best channels across several atolls in a week.
Local island stays
Since guesthouses were allowed on inhabited islands, places such as Maafushi, Thoddoo and Dhigurah have opened to independent travellers. You eat with locals, visit fishing harbours and use designated bikini beaches, at a fraction of the scale of a resort.
Sandbanks and picnic islands
Boat trips run to strips of white sand that appear in the middle of the lagoon, often only a few metres wide, for snorkelling and swimming far from anything else.
Addu Atoll
The southernmost atoll, below the equator, has islands linked by causeways that you can cycle, a former British air base at Gan and healthy reefs, with a calmer, more local feel than the central atolls.
Interesting facts about Maldives
- The Maldives is the world's lowest-lying country, with most land only a metre or two above sea level, which makes rising seas a serious national concern.
- In 2009 the government held a cabinet meeting underwater, with ministers in scuba gear, to draw attention to climate change.
- It is the smallest country in Asia by both land area and population.
- The country's islands are grouped into 26 natural atolls, a word that comes from the Dhivehi language.
- Many resorts each occupy an entire island, following a long-standing policy of one island, one resort.
Best time to visit Maldives
The dry north-east monsoon, from about December to April, brings sunshine, calm seas and the clearest water, and is the peak season. The south-west monsoon, from roughly May to November, brings more rain, wind and choppier seas, though sunny spells are common and it is the best time for manta rays at Hanifaru Bay. Temperatures stay warm all year. Ramadan is observed nationally; resorts operate as usual, but life on local islands slows down during daylight hours.
Getting around
Velana International Airport is on its own island next to Malé. From there, transfers to resorts are by speedboat for nearby atolls, by seaplane over the lagoons in daylight hours, or by domestic flight followed by a boat. Local islands are reached by public ferries, which are slow and run limited timetables, or by shared speedboats. Malé and Hulhumalé are linked by bridge to the airport, and taxis are plentiful. On most islands you simply walk, as distances are tiny.
Practical details
- Capital
- Malé
- Currency
- Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR); US dollars are widely accepted, and resorts usually price in dollars
- Languages
- Dhivehi
- Plug types
- G, D
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 119 police, 102 ambulance, 118 fire
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Resorts add a service charge, but extra tips for room attendants, waiters and boat crew are common. On local islands, tipping guides and dive crews is appreciated.
Staying online in Maldives
Mobile coverage is good on inhabited islands, in Malé and around most resorts, with 4G widely available. Resorts usually offer Wi-Fi, though quality varies between rooms and over-water villas. Between atolls, on long boat crossings and on liveaboards far from inhabited islands, signal can drop out entirely. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can message your resort or guesthouse about transfers from the airport.
Maldives eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Maldives
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 30 Days for Maldives
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 7 Days for Maldives
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 30 Days for Maldives
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Useful in Malé and Hulhumalé and for orienting yourself between islands.
- Windy: Wind and wave forecasts for planning boat trips, diving and snorkelling days.
- XE Currency: Converts rufiyaa and US dollars, as prices on local islands may appear in either.
Maldives travel FAQs
Alcohol is served at resorts and on liveaboard boats, but not on inhabited local islands, and you should not bring it into the country. Guesthouse guests often take day trips to resorts or bar boats.
The Maldives is a Muslim country. On inhabited islands, cover shoulders and knees away from designated bikini beaches. Resort islands have no such restrictions.
Yes, on most inhabited and resort islands coverage is reliable. Roaming on a home plan can be expensive, so a travel eSIM is a simple way to get local data while keeping your home number for calls and texts.
Staying in guesthouses on local islands and using public ferries keeps costs far lower than resort stays. Allow extra time, as ferries do not run every day on all routes.