Planning a Visit to this Island Paradise,Our Maldives Travel Guide is the only thing you will ever need to plan a perfect Maldives Holidays.
Home to perhaps the best beaches in the world, unrivaled luxury and an amazing underwater world make the Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime. This tiny, remote Indian Ocean paradise brings in well over a million people every year, and while you have the world’s most exclusive hotel brands competing with each other for gaining unimaginable heights of luxury, incredible changes in the tourism policy have opened up inhabited islands with locals permitted to build their guesthouses, this means you no longer have to stay in resorts and remain separate from the local population, something that deterred many travelers in the past.
Our Maldives Travel Guide will help you plan a great trip to this amazing island paradise (Jump straight to the sections that interest you from the below table)
Table of Contents
1. Maldives Travel Guide on When to Go.
Maldives is a great year-round destination, though if you want guaranteed sunshine, it’s best to aim for December to March for your visit. Outside those months, there will be plenty of sunshine, but it will be broken up by rain and cloud. Here’s our month wise breakdown with pros and cons of travel in each.
High Season (Dec–Feb)
Maldives enjoys its best weather.
Expect little rain, low humidity and blue skies.
Christmas and New Year involve huge price hikes and often minimum stays of five days or more.
Shoulder (Mar–Apr)
Great weather continues until the end of April, when temperatures are at their hottest.
The surf season begins in March and continues until October.
Prices jump during Easter.
Low Season (May–Nov)
Storms and rain more likely, but weather warm and resorts at their cheapest.
Prices rise in August for European summer holidays.
Marine life is more varied on the western side of atolls at this time.
Read all about the India – Maldives Air Bubble Here
2.Maldives Travel Guide on Getting There & Around
Flying into Maldives – Most international travelers land at the Velana International Airport. There are daily direct flights from most Indian Metro cities to Male, or with a short stopover in Colombo or Kochi. Flying time varies from 3 – 6 Hrs.
Indigo now flies direct daily from Mumbai and Cochin. One stop options are available via Delhi & Chennai as well
Sri Lankan Airlines also has 01 Stop services via Colombo for a host of Indian cities,
As always we recommend checking www.skyscanner.co.in for updated schedules and pricing
Transport within Maldives is either fast and expensive or reasonably priced and slow.
By Air
Internal flights connect Male to 12 regional airstrips, all of which are linked to the capital by regular flights. Domestic flights are run by two domestic airlines, Maldivian and FlyMe. Flights fill up fast, so reserve in advance to ensure you get the flight you want. Travel agents get access to discounted flights, so it’s best to ask them to book your flights if possible.
By Sea Plane
The use of seaplanes means that almost every corner of the country can be reached by air, given that they don’t require a runway. Travellers mainly use the services of Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivian.All seaplane transfers are made during daylight hours and offer staggering views of the atolls, islands, reefs and lagoons. The cost is normally between US$350 and US$600 return, depending on the distance and the deal between the resorts.
By Boat
Most transport in Maldives is by boat, for obvious reasons. Resorts collect guests from Male or regional airstrips by speedboat, a fast and comfortable way to travel. Independent travellers will need to use the slow but cheap public ferry system or newly introduced (and pricier!) private speedboat transfers to inhabited islands.
"Kindly note that most islands are totally car-free, with the exception of Male and a few other larger inhabited islands. Bicycles are an excellent way to get around bigger islands, and bikes are often supplied to guests at larger resorts and some guesthouses free of charge."
3.Maldives Travel Guide on Choosing the Right Accommodation
The standard of facilities and accommodation in Maldivian resorts varies enormously, from budget and extremely average accommodation to the best of everything – if you can afford to pay through the nose for it. Your choice of resort or guesthouse is absolutely key to getting the holiday you want, though, so take plenty of time and weigh up as many options as possible before settling for the place or places you decide to book. There are plenty of factors you need to take into consideration when selecting a resort. Below we list 5 top ones to help you make an informed decision.
No 01 – Budget: Although very unromantic, think carefully about how much you want to spend. Apart from whatever you pay upfront, the costs of food, drink, and water sports in the resorts can be substantial and quickly add up and as you will be staying on an island, you won’t be able to wander off for a cheaper meal or deal elsewhere. And remember that all Maldives resorts will add 18 % in service charges/taxes to every single bill as standard.
No 02 – Facilities:Probably a no brainer, but check out the facilities and make sure the resort/guesthouse you’ve chosen has the right facilities for you. If traveling with kids, does the resort have the relevant facilities and activities to keep them involved, going as a couple does it have spas and wellness treatment, want to be a bit adventurous, do they offer water sports, diving, and other adventure sports? Do you need to be connected while on the trip, check if they offer free Wi- fi all across the hotel, else you may end up the entire day in the lobby as In-room Wi-Fi is exorbitantly priced?
No 03 – Access:How far is your resort/guest house from Male, how can you get there, does it involve a seaplane ride or a speed boat transfers, many times you have to take a combination of both as well to get to your final destination. Is the cost of these transfers included, if not then how much additional you will have to pay, seaplane & speedboat ride often cost between USD 200 to 500 per person depending on the distance and time taken? Ensure you have a clear picture of this before you book anything.
No 04 – Water Villas or Beach Bungalows: If you go for the water villa option, check out an aerial view of the resort if you want privacy, to see how the villas are laid out (whether they overlook one another for example) and how close they are to the land. If you prefer to sit in the shade, a beach villa may be better for you, as water villa decks, while beautiful, can be very exposed and punishingly hot, even with a sun umbrella. Beach villas are usually set back behind/under palms, with outdoor space that offers more shade and makes things a bit cooler in the heat of the day.
No 05 – Ambience :Understand what kind of atmosphere your resort/guesthouse provides, what kind of guests stay there, and how big is the resort, there’s nothing worse than having your romantic getaway disrupted by loud crowds, or on the flip side, to be stuck on a remote, quiet island if you’re looking to party and socialize! The Maldives has a variety of resorts that cater to different audiences – from younger partying crowds to quiet honeymooners and family travelers, choose yours accordingly.
Overwhelmed by the choices, consider speaking with our travel experts at +91 887917009 who can make a great recommendation after understanding your needs
Inspired , check out these stunning local islands of Maldives where you can holiday on Budget
4.Maldives Travel Guide on Things to Do
Activities are a big part of any trip to the Maldives, the lack of traditional sights in this unique country means that once you’ve enjoyed the beach for a couple of hours, you’ll be wanting to get active, whether it be over or below the azure blue waters. Check the list below to know what’s on offer
- Diving & Snorkelling: Unless you take some time to explore the magical world underneath the water in Maldives, you’re seeing just one part of this incredibly diverse country. Glance into the deep blue all around and you’ll see why Maldives is a favourite destination for divers from around the world. Be conscious of your safety and only use recommended operators.
2. Surfing:Surfing as a sport has taken off only recently, particularly since the advent of independent tourism, there’s been a strong growth in surfer numbers. There’s some great surf throughout the country, although breaks are generally only surfable from March to November
3. Fishing: There is plenty of fish in the Maldivian sea. But the challenge is to catch the big ones. So spend some time honing your skills, hope for some good luck, and compete with your loved one. The one who gets the bigger fish gets to choose how it’s prepared. Sounds fun, right?
4. Paddleboarding & Wind Surfing: For those seeking for some adrenaline rush, plenty of resorts and local islands now offer parasailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding, you can enjoy the warm waters here, get your fix of adventure and create memories of a lifetime
5. Sunset Cruise: Unwind with your loved ones on a sunset or sunrise cruise, you have plenty of options, be it a local dhoni boat, speedboat, or perhaps a luxurious yacht. It is absolutely a breathtaking experience to watch the hue of colors spreading across the width of the sky and reflecting upon everything in view. The world around you changes color for that brief moment. Sighting dolphins during this cruise is nature’s reward, and they are a delight to watch at such close reach.
Read about these 5 uniquely Maldivian experiences you just can’t afford to miss while travelling here.
5.Maldives Travel Guide for Eating & Drinking in the Country
Your culinary experience in the Maldives is highly dependent on where you stay, you can get anything from Michelin starred cuisine to a menu you’ve discussed with the chef in advance or the all-you-can-eat buffet in the resort restaurant.
Depending on the resort you are choosing, you can expect to have at least 01 Restaurant, with many top-end resorts normally having at least 6 restaurants on site. Most resorts will be able to cater to your special dietary needs, many even have Indian chefs and are extremely familiar with Indian vegetarian and Jain meals.
If you are staying at local islands, almost all guesthouses have restaurants that offer meals to in- house guests and welcome outsiders as well. Vegetarian meals are easily available as well and they cater to any specific needs, just be sure to inform them before arrival. This is also where you can try local food.
Read more about the food culture and top dishes to try when in Maldives here.
6.Maldives Travel Guide - Practical Travel Tips
- The only vaccination officially required by Maldives is one for yellow fever if you’re coming from an area where yellow fever is endemic. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary. Basic traveller vaccinations such as jabs against hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid and cholera are always a good idea, however.
- Maldives offers visa on arrival, you will be issued a 30 day visa upon landing at Velana Airport, the only things you have to ensure is that yours passport has a validity of 6 months and a valid ticket out of the Maldives
- The Official currency of Maldives is the Maldivian Rupee (MVR) (INR 5 = MVR 1). Credit cards can be used in resorts and most guesthouses. ATMs can be found in Male and the bigger inhabited islands.
- Ensure to carry plenty of sunscreen and after sun products as these cost a fortune in resorts or local shops.
- If you absolutely need to be connected, buy a local Sim card at the airport, as data fees at the resorts or guest houses, if not included in your tour, can be prohibitively expensive. ( Check this link for more information https://www.dhiraagu.com.mv/dhiraagu_Prepaid.aspx )
- If you are staying in a local island, you may be able to get a day pass to the nearby resort islands usually including transfers and unlimited food, drinks and activities for the day starting from around USD 100.
- Alcohol is only available on resort islands and prohibited on local islands.
We bet you did not know these 9 Incredible Facts about the Maldives
7.Maldives Travel Guide - Tips for Responsible Travel
The waters of Maldives are pristine but, like everywhere else, development and commercial activities have inevitably had adverse effects on the marine environment. We suggest you to follow the below guidelines for a sustainable and eco-friendly experience while traveling here.
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- Avoid touching living marine organisms with your body or dragging equipment across the reef. Polyps can be damaged by even the gentlest contact.
- Never stand on corals, even if they look solid and robust. If you must hold on to prevent being swept away in a current, hold on to dead coral.
- Collecting lobster or shellfish is prohibited, as is spearfishing. Removing any coral or shells, living or dead, is against the law. All shipwreck sites are protected by law.
- Take home all your rubbish and any litter you may find as well. Plastics in particular are a serious threat to marine life. Turtles can mistake plastic for jellyfish and eat it. Don’t throw cigarette butts overboard.
- Do not feed fish. You may disturb their normal eating habits, encourage aggressive behaviour or feed them food that is detrimental to their health.
That’s all folks . This was our Maldives Travel Guide . We have hoped to cover as much information as we possibly could about all that you would need to know when planning a trip to this nation.
Do you think we have missed out on anything , let us know in the comments below and we will ensure to update this blog.