Category Archives: Maldives

Maldives Travel Tips You Must Know

Maldives, the epitome of natural beauty is a paradise for Honeymooners & hub for water sports lovers. In this Travel guide, we will be discussing in detail Maldives travel tips.

2022, is the year when most people are looking to travel again. So, how about Maldives this year. Has that name aroused your travel lust? Surely, it has. The Maldives is 99% water and 1% land. It has 1190 islands (200 inhabited), turquoise blue clearest water, beautiful beaches with the whitest sand, live coral reefs, overwater dreamy resorts which take luxury to a new level, spectacular wildlife, and palm tree forests making this island country a dreamland.

Earlier Maldives used to be a destination for elites and honeymooners only. In 2019, the Maldivian government allowed staying up on islands and opening guesthouses and homestays. Therefore, the game changed and now it is a perfect travel destination for every traveler, be it families, solo travelers, divers, etc. The Maldives offers a plethora of activities and accommodation options for all tourists. They have hotels from luxurious stays to mid-range hotels to homestays.  

So, before planning and traveling to the Maldives, check out this Maldives travel tips & guide.

Note: Trip to Maldives can be clubbed while travelling to Middle East (UAE) or Srilanka too.

Maldives Travel Tips

Maldives travel is exciting but you need to keep in mind these Maldives travel tips for a safe, comfortable, and happy vacation in this beautiful island nation. Proper planning will give you a stunning experience, a complete work break from daily mundane life.

Maldives Travel Tips

1. Plan your trip according to the weather

November to April is the peak season in the Maldives, so all activities and accommodation will be available at skyrocketed prices. For the budget trip, best is to plan during shoulder season (the time between peak season & off-season) i.e. from April to September. During this period, you will get exciting discounts and great services too.

Note: Rain is common during the off-season, but it does not rain all day.

2. Prepare an itinerary month beforehand

After choosing the travel month, prepare an itinerary according to what the Maldives has to offer and what you would enjoy doing most. Start making bookings based on that. Remember to space out the adventure sports so that you are not too exhausted to enjoy the rest of your trip. Leave a buffer day in your itinerary.

3. Make an advance booking for flights & hotels

The golden rule of travel is – “Flight tickets & hotels are cheaper when you book them in advance”. The closer you are to the travel date higher goes the cost. So, overall travel is cheaper when you book it months in advance.

In addition, check, whether you wish to go via a travel agent or want to make bookings for yourself. In either case, many companies offer discounts and great deals on packages. You can look out for flash sales that can cut down your cost of travel. Many companies also offer deals around slack times.      

4. Choose Airplane rides wisely

A round trip seaplane ride in Maldives is an unforgettable experience but quite expensive too. The best affordable option is to book a flight to Male and then a speedboat for transportation between Maldives islands to reach the specific islands. Another option is the Maldivian domestic flight for the transfer but the flights can get delayed and there is also no scheduled time for seaplane transfer between the dawn-to-dusk window. So try to plan for the flight that land in the first half of the day to get transferred to the island before sunset, otherwise you might have to spend the night at Male and take the earliest transfer the following day.

Seaplanes at Maldives
Seaplanes at Maldives

5. Maldives visa

Any foreigner traveling to the Maldives, doesn’t require a pre-approved visa. The tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to the Maldives. However, the person must satisfy the basic entry requirements to get immigration clearance upon arrival.

An Indian passport holder too does not need to apply for a Maldives visa, as there is a facility for a visa on arrival for Indians in the Maldives. But, make sure to carry, all valid travel documents, and your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date of arrival.

Note: For the Maldives visa on arrival for Indians, you need to have accommodation and return details to get a visa.

6. Get an international travel insurance

Travel mishaps are common and can happen to anyone anytime. So, it’s better to be prepared and have travel insurance.

Imagine, after landing in the Maldives you get to know your baggage has gone missing. In that case, you may be able to fend for yourself with the money you have, but travel insurance can pay for the missing bag. At the same time, if any medical emergency arises in the Maldives, you can look to your travel insurance to cover the cost. If you are unwell or there is an injury, that renders you immobile; your travel policy will also cover you for emergency medical evacuation. If your trip gets canceled, your insurance will cover the costs as well. Getting travel insurance for Maldives is the perfect way to ensure your trip is not disrupted due to any financial setbacks.

7. Pack & Tavel light

Less is more. So, packing light is always better. In Maldives, the climate is hot and humid, so pack clothes made of cotton only. Avoid synthetic materials such as silk as they will make you feel uncomfortable and requires a lot of care and maintenance too.  Do carry comfortable shoes with an excellent grip to help you navigate on the beaches as well as keep your toes comfortable while walking. Also, carry swimsuits, sunscreen, toiletries, surf wax, personal care products, and a medical emergency kit.

If you want to experience marine life, do carry your fins, snorkeling, surfing, or diving gear to cut down on renting costs. Most important, do carry a water-resistant or underwater camera with a polarizer to shoot all the action on land and underwater.

Note: Bikinis, are not allowed on all Island. Practice modesty and wear bikinis or skin-tight clothing only when at the resort islands. On the local islands, there are some “bikini beaches”, which are specially meant for tourists to visit.

Maldives Travel Tips

8. Prepare a list of experiences to indulge in

There are many things to experience in the Maldives such as going on a cruise for a romantic meal on board. If you are an explorer, you can take a private boat to an isolated island to enjoy the spoils of nature in peace. For an adrenaline rush, you can go for the water sports in the Maldives. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater sea walking are some of the other exciting activities in the Maldives.

9. Check & Compare prices for water activities

The Maldives offers a plethora of water sports i.e. Sea kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, boating, and the whale, dolphin, or Manta watching trips. Almost all resorts and private organizers offer these activities. Do, compare the prices before choosing one.

Water Activities in Maldives

10. Look at Taxes & Hidden Costs

Look out for the extra cost on the imported food and drinks at resorts along with their 10% service cost and 8% service tax. Do not miss the public price on menus, taxes on equipment rentals, spa sessions, and more.

Note: Tipping is not common in the Maldives therefore; it is not an obligation to tip. However, if you feel that the service provided was commendable and you should praise them, then you can provide a tip.

11. Learn Basic Terms in Local Language

Whether traveling to any country, it is always better to learn the basic words in the official language for a smooth experience. But, it is not necessary for Maldives as the country has a strong tourism game and most people speak English, especially at resorts and restaurants. You can also include a translation book in your Maldives tour plan.

12. Buy a local sim card at the airport

Resorts in the Maldives do offer Wi-Fi service but they are completely unreliable. So, to stay connected to your family and friends, and not to be struck, it is advisable to buy a sim card at the airport itself.  

13. Drone Photography

In 2022, drone photography has picked up and everyone wants to capture the pristine white beaches with bungalows in between the turquoise water in the Maldives. But, note in Maldives some resorts have a complete No Drone Photography policy for the protection of their guests. So, do check before flying one.

Sunset in Maldives

14. Keep USD for easy transactions

Maldivian Rufiyaa is the national currency used in the Maldives, but USD is widely accepted everywhere. Apart from the local islands, most of the shops have things labeled in USD. Credit cards are used widely including the resorts, but keep cash too for purchasing the miscellaneous items. Also, it is difficult to find an ATM near Maldivian islands.

15. Don’t carry Alcohol

The Maldives is a Muslim-dominated country. The only place where someone can enjoy a drink without any worries is at the private resorts. Also, do not carry alcohol while entering the country. If you are carrying, you might be fined by the customs.

Conclusion

Traveling to the Maldives and experiencing what the place offers is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and do enjoy it to its fullest. Use these Maldives travel tips to get the best out of this trip and make the memories of a lifetime.