SHORT GUIDE TO THE mALDIVES

The Maldives is an independent island nation in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of India. The country is made up of 1,192 coral islands, grouped into 26 natural atolls. Around 200 islands are inhabited, while more than 170 islands are developed as tourist resorts. The remaining islands are uninhabited or used for agriculture, industry, or other purposes.

All of these coral islands and sandbanks are the visible peaks of an underwater volcanic mountain range, whose outer slopes descend to depths of more than 3,000 meters in some areas. The islands are surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and some of the world's richest coral reefs.

Malé – The Capital of the Maldives

Malé is the vibrant and bustling capital of the Maldives. Most visitors use it only as a transit point before continuing to other local islands, resort islands, or before departing the country. The city measures just 2 km by 1.4 km, making it easy to explore on foot. Malé has only public beaches, so visitors who wish to swim or sunbathe must do so while wearing modest clothing, in accordance with local customs.

Population

The Maldives has a population of approximately 530,000 people, with the majority living on the capital island of Malé and the surrounding islands. Due to its small land area and geographic layout, Malé has one of the highest population densities in the world. Maldivians are an ethnically homogeneous people, with a heritage that is primarily a blend of South Asian and Arab ancestry.

Best Time to Visit

The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate influenced by two monsoon seasons, with winds blowing from opposite directions throughout the year.

The best time to visit is from January to mid-April, during the dry Northeast Monsoon. This period is known for sunny skies, low humidity, and calm seas. As this is the peak tourist season, accommodation prices are generally higher and resorts tend to be fully booked well in advance.The Southwest Monsoon lasts from May to October, with the wettest conditions. Temperatures remain warm throughout the season, but rainfall, stronger winds, and occasional thunderstorms become much more frequent.

The transition periods typically occur in late April to May and again in late November to December. During these months, the weather is less predictable, with alternating sunshine, clouds, rain, and changing winds.

Please note: In recent years, the Maldives' tropical climate has become increasingly unpredictable due to changing weather patterns. The wet season has generally become drier, while the dry season now experiences more frequent rainfall than in the past.

Weather conditions can also vary significantly between atolls, as the Maldives stretches over 800 km (500 miles) from north to south. The northern atolls, home to many of the country's luxury resorts, typically receive more sunshine and less annual rainfall than the central atolls (including Malé) and the southern atolls located below the Equator.

Many visitors come to the Maldives not only for its idyllic beaches and luxury resorts but also for its world-class diving and snorkeling. The country is famous for encounters with manta rays and whale sharks. Diving conditions are excellent throughout the year, although the best locations for spotting these magnificent marine animals vary depending on the season and the movement of ocean currents.

Resort Islands

Each resort island occupies its own private island and operates as a self-contained luxury resort with its own beaches, restaurants, spas, water sports centers, dive facilities, and excursion services. Access is restricted to registered guests, offering privacy, exclusivity, and a premium all-inclusive experience.

Transportation

The main gateway to the Maldives is Velana International Airport (MLE), located in North Malé Atoll. The airport is served by numerous international airlines from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, offering both scheduled and charter flights. Transfers from the airport to your accommodation are usually arranged by your resort, hotel, or guesthouse, unless you choose to travel independently by public ferry.h

Speedboat

The most common transfer option for islands located within approximately 2 hours of Malé. Speedboat transfers can be shared or private and are arranged by your accommodation.

Seaplane

Used for more remote luxury resorts. Seaplanes operate only during daylight hours and offer spectacular aerial views of the Maldives' turquoise lagoons and coral atolls, making the transfer an experience in itself.

Domestic Flight + Speedboat

The most convenient option for reaching the southern and northern atolls. Guests first take a domestic flight to a regional airport, followed by a short speedboat transfer to their island.

Public Ferry

The most affordable way to travel between local islands, although it is also the slowest. Public ferries do not serve resort islands, operate on limited schedules, and in some destinations run only two or three times per week.

Language

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi (also known as Maldivian). English is

taught in schools and is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in the tourism industry. Hotel staff, guesthouse owners, and tourism professionals generally speak English fluently.

Money & Currency

Official currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)

Exchange rate: 1 MVR ≈ 0.05–0.06 USD (rates may vary).

Payments

International credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are widely accepted at resorts, hotels, and larger restaurants. On smaller local islands, cash is still preferred in some establishments, so carrying some local currency is recommended.

ATMs

ATMs are available in Malé and on many larger local islands but are uncommon on resort islands. If you are traveling to remote islands, it is advisable to withdraw cash beforehand.

Card Fees

Some businesses may charge a small surcharge for card payments.

Taxes

Most hotels and resorts add government taxes and a service charge to the final bill, so always check whether prices include these charges.

Mobile Phones & Internet

The Maldives has good mobile network coverage. The two main providers are Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, both offering physical SIM cards and eSIMs.

Compared to many other South Asian countries, mobile data plans are relatively expensive, with tourist SIM packages typically starting at around USD 35.

Country code:+960

Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels, resorts, guesthouses, cafés, and tourist facilities.

Electricity

Voltage: 230V / 50Hz

Plug type:Type G (the same three-pin plug used in the United Kingdom).

If your country uses a different plug type, you should bring a travel adapter.

Religion & Local Customs

The Maldives is an Islamic republic, and Sunni Islam is the country's official religion.

Visitors are expected to respect local customs and traditions, particularly when visiting local inhabited islands. Modest clothing should be worn outside designated bikini beaches, and alcohol is prohibited on local islands and in public places.

Ramadan

The Maldives observes Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this period, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset. Many local cafés and restaurants remain closed during the daytime, and visitors should avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public out of respect for local customs. Tourist resorts continue to operate normally throughout Ramadan.

Food & Drinks

Traditional Maldivian cuisine is based on fresh tuna, coconut, rice, and aromatic spices. Some of the most popular local dishes include:

• Mas Huni – shredded tuna mixed with coconut, onion, and chili, usually served with flatbread.

• Garudhiya – a clear tuna soup served with rice, lime, chili, and onions.

• Fihunu Mas – grilled fish marinated with local spices.

Alcohol

Alcohol is available only at tourist resorts, liveaboards, floating bars, and licensed tourist venues.

It is illegal to bring alcohol into the Maldives or consume it on local inhabited islands.

Drinking Water

Fresh water in the Maldives is primarily produced through seawater desalination, with some islands also collecting rainwater or using groundwater.

All hotels, guesthouses, and resorts provide safe drinking water for their guests. Bottled water is widely available and usually costs around 10–20 MVR.

Most resort islands operate their own modern desalination and purification systems, producing high-quality drinking water on site. Some resorts are even happy to show guests how these systems work as part of their sustainability initiatives.