Maldives Travel Guide

• Flight time from the UK: The direct flight time is between 10 and 11 hours  
• Currency: Rufiyaa (MVR)
• Language: Dhivehi (or Maldivian) is the main language. However, there are various dialects including Malé (spoken in the capital) as well as Mulaku, Huvadhu, Maliku, Haddhunmathee, Mulaku and Addu.
• Time difference: The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of the UK.
• Visas: You’ll receive a free, 30 day tourist visa on arrival.

The Maldives is always warm, sunny and tropical making it a year-round destination. But, there are certain times of the year that are better to visit than others: 

• Peak season = December to March  
• Monsoon season = May to November 

The best time to visit is from November to April, making it the ideal place for some winter sun. Temperatures all year round can reach 31°c and don’t tend to dip below 24°c, even in the evenings. 

However, there is a rainy season, which peaks in June. Although you experience periods of heavy rainfall, these tend to come in short bursts as the rainclouds move over the island. The highest rainfall in the northern atolls is from May to November and in the southern atolls, this is November to March. 

January to April are the driest months, when as well as little rainfall you will also enjoy low humidity. 

The Maldives is particularly popular during Christmas and New Year and so might be more expensive at this time.

Swimwear is essential in the Maldives. You may also like to take a sarong, so you can cover up when you are out of the water on a boat trip or when heading for lunch after a morning in the sea. 

The weather is beautiful in the Maldives, so make sure you pack lightweight clothing in cotton and linen – such as summer dresses as well as shorts and tops. 

If you plan to visit the capital Malé you will need to ensure you cover your knees and shoulders. This could be lightweight trousers or a long skirt paired with a t-shirt. You could also take a shawl, to use to cover up, when necessary. 

You should also take a comfortable pair of trainers for those days you are exploring and flip flops for the beach. 

It’s important to have suncream and make sure this is a high factor that is applied regularly, especially as you’ll no doubt be in and out of the sea. You will also be grateful for sunglasses and a sun hat.  

Snorkel and mask – many resorts offer these either free of charge or for a small cost but you may like to take your own. You may also like to take an underwater camera, to capture the incredible sights beneath the waves.

There are very few cars in the Maldives, the only vehicles you are likely to be in on the road are the buses and taxis that will take you from the airport into and around the capital city Malé as well as in Hulhumale and Addu, if you visit.  

Beyond here, there are very few roads and much of the transport takes you on or over the water. We’ve rounded up some of the key ways of getting around below but we also have a full guide. 

• Boat: A speed boat can take you to your island when you first arrive. It is also a convenient way to island-hop if you want to explore the Maldives beyond your own resort. 
• Seaplane: These small planes will fly you over the water from Malé airport to your chosen island resort. It’s a wonderful experience and provides the most breathtaking views. Be aware, though, that they only tend to fly during the day. 
• Bike: Once on most of the islands, a popular way to explore is on two wheels (or by foot). There are plenty of bicycles at the resorts that you can use and it’s the perfect way to get around, explore at your own pace and stop off when you want to. 

Apart from travelling to and from your accommodation, you won’t need to consider transport too much during your trip, so you can sit back, relax and simply enjoy soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea.

You don’t want to visit this beautiful destination and miss its top attractions. Here are a few of our highlights:

Snorkelling and diving: As an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is famed for its inviting azure waters – and you won’t want to miss exploring the world that lives beneath the surface. Here you can spot everything from clownfish, angelfish and parrot fish to stingrays, whitetip reef shark and green sea turtles. They swim amid spectacular coral reefs and can also be spotted among shipwrecks. You can jump straight in and snorkel or head out on a boat trip to dive. Join a night dive after the sun has gone down and you may  see the bioluminescent plankton light up the dark waters. 

Dine under the ocean: You can see the world beneath the water without getting wet at all when you book a table at Ithaa on Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, an award-winning restaurant situated five metres below sea level. As you enjoy a four-course lunch or six-course dinner, you can watch the sea life through the glass as it swims right past your table. You’ll need to be staying at this resort to dine here but many other resorts boast their own underwater restaurant too, including 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Island Resort and M6m at OZEN Life Maadhoo.

Watersports: As well as heading under the water you can enjoy it from the surface too with the wide variety of watersports. The Maldives is a great place for surfers to catch a wave but if you want to take things slower, head out on a stand-up paddleboard. You can also go windsurfing, parasailing or out on a banana boat or fun tube. 

Spa: In a destination designed for pure rest and relaxation, there’s nothing better than a treatment to really pamper yourself and let your stresses float away. Many resorts host over-water spas or treatment rooms, where the glass floor means you can enjoy looking at the colourful fish and coral below at the same time. Bliss! 

Before you book your holiday to the Maldives, check out our other guides to this stunning destination:  

• When to visit the Maldives
• Where to stay in the Maldives
• Getting around the Maldives
• What to eat and drink in the Maldives
• Things to do in the Maldives 

Do you want to experience paradise for yourself? Then check out our flights and hotels here.