Maldives travel guide

Getting there

Almost all visitors arrive at Velana International Airport on an island next to Malé, with some international flights to Gan in Addu Atoll. From there, transfers continue by ferry, speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry season with calm seas and sunshine.

Tougher months: May–October: the southwest monsoon brings more rain, wind and choppy seas, though it's also manta season and resorts are cheaper.

Weather by month in Malé

• 30°J●
• 31°F
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• 32°A●
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• 30°A●●
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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Indian/Maldives. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 197 of 198 other passports can enter Maldives without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 1 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Maldives (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-10-07). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Maldives travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Maldives are based around Malé, Maafushi or South Ari Atoll. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$60–100 for a backpacker and US$200–400 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Maldives page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: G, D. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +960.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Malé (North Malé Atoll · capital): A compact, busy island city with mosques, markets and a real local feel, minutes from the airport.
• Maafushi (South Malé Atoll · local island): The most popular local island for budget travellers, with guesthouses, a bikini beach and many excursions.
• South Ari Atoll (Ari Atoll · whale sharks): One of the best places in the world to see whale sharks year-round.
• Baa Atoll (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · marine life): Famous for Hanifaru Bay's manta gatherings and healthy reefs.
• Dhigurah (Ari Atoll · local island): A long, slim island with a beautiful beach and close access to whale-shark waters.
• Fuvahmulah (Southern Maldives · diving): A unique single-island atoll with lakes and exceptional shark diving.
• Addu Atoll (Far south · history & reefs): Quiet islands linked by causeways, with wartime history and coral reefs.
• Thoddoo (Alif Alif · farming island): A green local island known for watermelon and papaya farms and a lovely bikini beach.

Things to do

• Snorkel a house reef. Slip off the beach into warm, clear water filled with reef fish, turtles and baby sharks.
• Swim with whale sharks. Join a boat trip in South Ari Atoll to snorkel beside the world's biggest fish.
• See mantas at Hanifaru Bay. Watch dozens of manta rays feeding in Baa Atoll's protected bay during the plankton season.
• Stay on a local island. Sleep in a guesthouse on an inhabited island to experience Maldivian village life on a budget.
• Sail on a dhoni. Cruise at sunset on a traditional wooden boat, looking out for leaping dolphins.
• Explore Malé. Visit the old coral-stone Friday Mosque, the bustling fish market and colourful streets of the capital.
• Dive with sharks. Drift through channels with grey reef sharks or see tiger sharks off Fuvahmulah.
• Picnic on a sandbank. Take a boat to a tiny strip of white sand surrounded by nothing but turquoise lagoon.

Source: full Maldives guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Mas huni – shredded tuna with coconut and chilli
• Garudhiya – clear tuna broth with rice
• Hedhika – short eats like fish cutlets and samosas
• Roshi – thin flatbread eaten with curry

Source: RoamSun Maldives guide

Money and safety

Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: A service charge is usually added; extra tips are appreciated.

Emergency numbers: 119 police · 118 fire · 102 ambulance.

• The Maldivian rufiyaa is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted, especially at resorts.
• Resorts and many guesthouses add service charges and taxes to bills, so check what's included.
• The Maldives is generally safe; respect local laws, which prohibit alcohol and require modest dress on inhabited islands outside designated bikini beaches.
• Ocean currents in channels can be strong – snorkel with guides and follow briefings.

Source: RoamSun Maldives facts