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Maldives
Lagoons, reefs and white sand
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
- Currency
- MVR
- Time zone
- UTC+5
- Country
- Maldives
Coral islands in turquoise lagoons, with world-class snorkelling from the beach.
- Malé
- Addu City
- Fuvahmulah
- Kulhudhuffushi
Quick facts
- Country
- Maldives
- Capital
- Malé
- Population
- 520,000
- Country area
- 298 km²
- Official language
- Divehi
- Currency
- Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) · 1 USD ≈ 15.45 MVR
- Time zone
- UTC+5
- Calling code
- +960
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 1 m
- Plugs
- G / D · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 119 · 102
- Best time to visit
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 30° | 31° | 31° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° |
| Low | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$60
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$205
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$640
Top things to do
- Free
Snorkel the house reef
Most islands have a reef a few metres from the beach; ask where the safe entry points and currents are.
- Half day
- Your island or resort
- Good for kids
- ≈ $50
Sandbank and snorkelling trip
A boat trip to a strip of white sand in the middle of the lagoon, with stops at coral reefs.
- Half day
- Open ocean
- Good for kids
- ≈ $45
Sunset dolphin cruise
Spinner dolphins often follow boats in the late afternoon; sightings are likely but never guaranteed.
- Half day
- Open ocean
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Malé city walk
The capital's Old Friday Mosque, the fish and fruit markets and the seafront, on one of the world's most crowded islands.
- Half day
- Malé
- ≈ $90
Scuba diving
Channels with manta rays, reef sharks and turtles; beginners can take a supervised try-dive at a licensed centre.
- Half day
- Open ocean
- ≈ $30
Day on a local island
A public ferry or speedboat to an inhabited island, with guesthouses, a bikini beach and village life; dress modestly away from the beach.
- Full day
- Local islands
- Good for kids
- Free
Hulhumalé beach
A long public beach close to the airport, handy on an arrival or departure day.
- Half day
- Hulhumalé
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Before you go
Entry and visas
All nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, with a valid passport, an onward ticket and confirmed accommodation. Every traveller must submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before the flight, on the official site imuga.immigration.gov.mv.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Velana International Airport is on its own island next to Malé. Resorts arrange speedboat or seaplane transfers; seaplanes fly only in daylight, so late arrivals may need a night near the airport.
Getting around
Between islands you travel by public ferry, speedboat or seaplane. Book transfers with your accommodation before you arrive.
Local tips
- Alcohol is only served at resorts and resort-style boats, not on local islands.
- On inhabited islands, cover shoulders and knees away from designated tourist beaches.
- Resorts and guesthouses add taxes and a nightly green tax to the room rate; check the final price.
- Never touch or stand on coral, and use reef-safe sun cream.
Areas worth knowing
- Malé
- Your island or resort
- Open ocean
- Local islands
- Hulhumalé
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 12, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKSources: Maldives Immigration: IMUGA Traveller Declaration · Maldives Immigration: visa on arrival · Visit Maldives (official tourism board)