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Travel Guide
Visiting Maldives
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Top Attractions in Maldives
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
Hanifaru Bay
Hanifaru Bay sits within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll and hosts one of the largest known aggregations of manta rays on the planet. Between June and November, tidal currents funnel zooplankton into the shallow bay, drawing hundreds of manta rays and occasional whale sharks into a natural feeding spectacle. The site is managed as a protected marine area, with visitor numbers controlled to preserve the ecosystem.
Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque)
Hukuru Miskiy, built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, is the oldest surviving mosque in the Maldives and the finest example of coral stone architecture in the country. Its walls, columns, and ceiling are adorned with intricate hand-carved coral reliefs, lacquer work, and Arabic calligraphy produced by Maldivian craftsmen of the 17th century. The adjacent minaret, raised in 1675, and a graveyard bearing elaborately carved tombstones complete the complex.
Banana Reef
Banana Reef in North Male Atoll is one of the first dive sites to be discovered in the Maldives, identified in the early 1970s, and was declared the nation's first protected marine area in 1989. Its distinctive curved shape drops from five to thirty metres, revealing dramatic overhangs, caves, soft coral gardens, and dense schools of blue-lined snapper. The reef attracts a wide range of reef fish, Napoleon wrasse, and patrolling reef sharks.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in the Maldives. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
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4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for the Maldives.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
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4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 102 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Maldives see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on t
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police119
Ambulance102
Fire118
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Maldives
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Maldives page at Yoogo.
The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), though US dollars are widely accepted at resorts and many tourist-facing businesses. Major credit and debit cards are accepted at resorts and upscale establishments in Male, but cash in small denominations is useful on local islands where card facilities can be limited.
Resort islands have very low crime rates and the Maldives is generally regarded as a safe destination for travellers. Petty theft can occur in busy areas of Male, and visitors should be aware of strong ocean currents when swimming or snorkelling outside designated areas.
Inter-island transport relies on speedboats, seaplanes, domestic flights, and public ferries, as the country consists of more than 1,000 coral islands spread across 26 atolls. Resorts arrange their own transfers by speedboat or seaplane from Velana International Airport, while government-operated MTCC ferries provide an economical option for travelling to inhabited local islands such as Maafushi.
The dry northeast monsoon season, from December to April, brings calm seas, low humidity, and the clearest conditions for diving and snorkelling, and is widely considered the peak travel period. The wet southwest monsoon from May to November brings occasional heavy showers and stronger winds, though it also coincides with the manta ray and whale shark season at Hanifaru Bay and typically offers lower accommodation rates.
The national language is Dhivehi, a unique language with its own Thaana script that is spoken across all inhabited islands. English is widely understood in resorts, hotels, and tourist areas in Male, making day-to-day communication straightforward for most international visitors.
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry to the Maldives, but health authorities commonly recommend being up to date with hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations for those planning to eat outside resort environments. Travellers should also ensure their routine vaccinations, including measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus, are current before departing.
Most resort bills already include a service charge of around 10 to 12 per cent, so tipping is not obligatory. Leaving an additional gratuity for dive instructors, boat crews, or hotel staff who have provided exceptional service is a welcome gesture and is generally appreciated.