MaldivesTravel Tips

Typical weather seasons by month.

When the city is peak, balanced, or quieter.

Typical monthly AQI index trends.

What to know before drinking water, eating street food, or dining out.

• Drink bottled or filtered water; desalinated tap water is not worth testing on a short trip.
• Resort kitchens are generally controlled; small island cafes vary by refrigeration and turnover.
• Choose grilled reef fish, tuna curries, coconut rice, and vegetarian short eats where turnover is visible.
• Bring oral rehydration salts; heat, saltwater, and long transfers dehydrate faster than expected.

Common scams and safety precautions during your stay.

• The main risks are sunburn, currents, transfer delays, and inflated excursion pricing, not street crime.
• Confirm seaplane and speedboat timings before booking international connections.
• Do not snorkel alone outside marked resort areas; reef channels can pull hard.
• Agree boat prices in writing on local islands before departure.

Respectful behavior for temples, neighborhoods, and restaurants.

• Resort islands are socially different from inhabited islands; adjust dress and behavior when crossing that line.
• On inhabited islands, keep swimwear to signed tourist beaches.
• Ask before photographing residents, workers, homes, or school areas.
• Public affection and loud intoxication read badly outside resort compounds.

Plugs, voltage, and electrical charging standards.

Tipping customs for dining, taxis, and services.

• Service charge is often included, but direct tipping still matters for room attendants, boat crews, and dive teams.
• Tip in USD notes in good condition; small denominations are useful.
• For high service, USD 5 to 10 per staff interaction is normal; private boat crews deserve more.

Essential local laws and regulations to respect.

• Alcohol is served inside licensed resorts and liveaboards; do not carry it onto inhabited islands.
• Drone use is tightly controlled by resorts, privacy rules, and aviation zones; ask before flying.
• Do not remove coral, shells, sand, or marine life from reefs and beaches.
• Respect posted bikini beach boundaries on inhabited islands.

Health advice for climate, insects, and well-being.

• Use reef safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and sunglasses; UV exposure is severe even under cloud.
• Pack motion sickness medicine if using seaplanes, speedboats, or dive boats.
• Bring personal medication in original packaging with a prescription copy.
• Serious care is concentrated around Male and Hulhumale; remote atolls require evacuation planning.

Simple local phrases that help with greetings and polite conversation.

Useful phrases for shopping, bills, and price negotiations.

Phrases for dietary preferences, vegetarian choices, and water.

Polite ways to decline offers, transport, or street vendors.

Directions for finding toilets, basic shopping, and asking help.

Emergency calls, hospitals, and help phrases in the local language.