Maldives travel guide

The Maldives is a small island nation of 1,192 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, and has become the pinnacle of honeymoons, anniversaries and luxury getaways.

This page covers the key information for anyone looking at a resort-based trip for the first time, from water villas, beach villas and all-inclusive packages to speedboat and seaplane transfers, snorkeling and diving. It is based on information from Visit Maldives (MMPRC).

The best season is November to April (dry season, 28–32°C, little rain). May to October is the wet season, 30–40% cheaper, though some activities may be limited.

Visa and entry requirements for the Maldives

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

Maldives Immigration requires a machine-readable passport with at least one month of validity, a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid confirmed booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds for your stay, and every traveler must submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival. The Maldives is a Muslim country, and dress and alcohol rules apply on local islands outside the resorts.

• Maldives Immigration (Maldives Immigration)
• Tourist visa on arrival: entry requirements (Maldives Immigration)
• IMUGA traveller declaration (Maldives Immigration)

• Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), though resorts almost always charge in USD or by card
• Time zone: MVT (UTC+5)
• Best season: November to April (dry, 28–32°C); May to October is the wet season, 30–40% cheaper
• Electricity: 230 V, 50 Hz, Type G (British three-pin) plugs
• Internet: free resort Wi-Fi plus airport SIMs (Dhiraagu, Ooredoo). Wi-Fi is weak in some water villas.
• Safety: resorts are very safe; on some local islands, mind the alcohol and dress rules

The Maldives is a rare destination where the resort is almost the whole trip. Each resort usually occupies an entire coral island and offers distinct stay types: water villas (bungalows over the sea), beach villas (straight onto the sand) and all-inclusive (meals and drinks included). Opening your door straight onto the Indian Ocean is why it tops the list for honeymoons, anniversaries and relaxation.

The Maldives also has some of the world's best snorkeling and diving. Coral reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins and sea turtles are everyday sights, so it suits everyone from non-certified snorkelers to advanced divers. Luxury experiences abound too: sunset dolphin cruises, traditional dhoni boats, underwater restaurants and underwater villas.

North Malé Atoll

The closest area, 20–50 minutes by speedboat (or by car) from Malé International Airport. Low transfer hassle makes it ideal for short trips (five days, four nights). It has many five-star resorts such as Kuda Huraa, Banyan Tree and Soneva, and is the safest choice for a first visit.

South Malé Atoll

Forty minutes to an hour from Malé by speedboat. Five-star and luxury resorts such as Anantara, Olhuveli and Coco Bodu Hithi are concentrated here, along with many good-value five-stars, making it a top choice for honeymoons and anniversaries. It is also a diving hotspot in the manta and whale shark season (August to October).

Ari Atoll

25–30 minutes by seaplane from Malé (daytime only). The seaplane is an experience in itself, so the extra cost is usually worth it. It is popular with divers for manta and whale shark sightings. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a signature luxury resort.

Baa and Noonu Atolls

Baa is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with mantas gathering in Hanifaru Bay from May to November. Luxury villas such as Soneva Fushi and Amilla Fushi are here. A 30–40-minute seaplane flight makes it costly, but the photos and diving are unbeatable.

The Maldives has a very deep five-star and luxury lineup. Entry-level five-star (such as Kuda Huraa and Aqua villas): KRW 700,000–1,500,000 per night (water villa). Mid-range luxury (such as Anantara, Kuramathi and Angsana): KRW 1,500,000–3,000,000 per night. Top-end luxury (such as Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Conrad Rangali): KRW 3,000,000–8,000,000 per night.

All-inclusive packages cover meals, drinks and some activities, keeping extra costs on site to a minimum. For honeymoons and anniversaries, water villas with honeymoon decoration, dhoni dinners and sunset cruises are popular. Beach villas are 30–50% cheaper than water villas, with excellent reef and beach access.

Transfers from Malé International Airport (MLE) depend on where your resort is.
Speedboat: for the nearby North and South Malé atolls, 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, USD 100–250 per person return, running day and night.
Seaplane (Trans Maldivian Airways / Maldivian Air Taxi): for mid- and long-distance atolls, 25 minutes to an hour, USD 400–700 per person return, daytime only (sunrise to sunset).
Domestic flight plus speedboat: for the most distant atolls, a 35–45-minute flight plus a speedboat transfer, USD 350–600 per person.

Resort bookings state the transfer options, and you should always include the return transfer in price quotes for an accurate comparison.

• All-inclusive vs full board: all-inclusive covers meals, soft drinks and alcohol, while full board covers three meals only. Choose by schedule, taste and how much you drink.
• Traditional Maldivian food: mas huni (tuna, coconut and onion), roshi (a flatbread), garudhiya (fish soup) and fish cakes. Some resorts hold Maldivian nights.
• Underwater restaurants: dine 6–10 m below the surface, such as Ithaa at Conrad, USD 200–400 per person, advance booking required.
• Dhoni dinners and beach dining: a meal on a traditional boat at sunset or a private table on the sand, USD 400–800 per couple.
• Eating outside your resort: almost impossible; moving to another resort or a local island takes extra time and money.

November to April (dry season, best, 28–32°C): clear skies and all activities possible. Flight and hotel prices peak December to February.
May to October (wet season, 27–31°C, 30–40% cheaper): squalls are frequent but all-day rain is rare, and the gentler sun makes being outdoors easier. It is manta and whale shark season (especially August to October in Baa Atoll), actually the best time for divers.
Ramadan (expected around 17 February to 19 March 2026): resorts are not affected; on local islands, food and drink are restricted in the daytime.
Sunrise and sunset photos: January to March has the best chance of clear skies.

We estimate, excluding international flights, a water villa at KRW 700,000–1,500,000 per night at an entry-level five-star resort, transfers of USD 100–250 per person, and KRW 500,000–1,500,000 for activities and dinners on a five-day, four-night trip. Peak season (December to February and the year-end holidays) costs 1.5–2 times more than the regular season; book water villas six to nine months ahead. Wet-season departures (May to October) are 30–40% cheaper, but seaplanes may be cancelled.

• Dress: anything goes at resorts. On local islands (including Malé), shoulders and knees must be covered; no bikinis or revealing clothes.
• Alcohol: legal only within resorts. Local islands and Malé are alcohol-free.
• Visiting local islands: on some islands such as Maafushi and Guraidhoo you can stay in guesthouses. Prices and experience are very different from resorts.
• Schedule changes: seaplanes and speedboats are affected by weather. Leave plenty of margin for flight arrival, transfer and connection times.
• Import rules: alcohol, pork and religious materials are banned and will be confiscated or fined.
• Environment: do not take coral or touch marine life. Some resorts run their own conservation programs (turtle hatcheries, marine research centers).