5 Things You Must Know Before Travelling to the Maldives

The best time to visit the Maldives can vary based on what you might be hoping to do. If sunny days full of diving snorkelling adventures are a part of your travel checklist, it might be wise for you to travel during the dry season between November and April, as this is when the seas are at their calmest. On the other hand, the wet season from May to October brings with it an abundance of marine life during your snorkelling expeditions and higher discounts at resorts. However, bear in mind that there is a greater risk of storms. The peak tourist season, which runs from December to March, is when the weather is at its best although you will need to be prepared for higher prices.

To ensure that your stay is everything you hoped it would be, it is important that you check whether your place of accommodation has amenities suited to your needs. While most top resorts in Maldives offer Wi-Fi, the connection can vary, especially on remote islands. Make sure that you find out whether you will have a stable internet connection if you are hoping to work while on vacation. For those travelling with kids, it would be helpful to know that your hotel or resort contains kid-friendly amenities like play areas and activities. For example, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has a ‘Kids Stay & Eat Free’ Programme.

If you plan to visit local islands or interact with Maldivian people outside the resort areas, it is important that you respect their culture while doing so. As the Maldives is a Muslim country, dress modestly and avoid drinking alcohol in public. During the holy month of Ramadan, which runs from March to April, do not eat, drink or smoke in front of locals during daylight hours as they fast from dawn to sunset. Muslims also pray five times a day, so be mindful of this when they pause their activities for prayer and try to avoid making any loud noise disruptions.

As a visitor, you can contribute to conservation by practicing responsible tourism. You could use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid single-use plastics and by not touching or disturbing marine life. While selecting a tour operator, you could also check whether they follow ethical practices. Another thing you could do is check whether the resort you are lodged in offers opportunities for guests to be involved in restoration projects, which will allow you to actively engage in conservation.

The Maldives is made up of many small islands, which means you would require a boat or a seaplane transfer to hop from one island to the next. Coordinate in advance with your resort or guesthouse as these transfers can be expensive, and also limited.