Joanna James
As one of Asia's premier honeymoon destinations and beach holiday hubs, Maldives welcomes a plethora of visitors to its sunny shores. Here's a packing list for your next Maldivian getaway.
When travelling to one of the world's most coveted beach vacation hubs, packing your best swimwear is priority number one. Note that although the Maldives is a Muslim country, the confines of Maldives 5 star resorts whether it's venues such as Amaya Kuda Rah or any other hospitality hubs is decidedly more liberal. Bikinis and one-piece suits are equally welcome although it would be wise to pack swimsuits that are on the more modest side to avoid glances from local vacationers and more conservative travellers. Pack at least two swimsuits in case one is rendered unusable due to unforeseen circumstances as swimwear in Maldives is not exactly affordable and you may not have a wide variety of style choices either.
Regardless of the nature of your swimwear, packing a few cover-ups is also essential when vacationing in an Asian beach holiday destination such as the Maldives. Loose fitting and cotton cover-ups that can be easily worn over the bathing suit to head back in to the resort or hang out by the pool bar are ideal while shawls and similar wraps that can be thrown on at a moment's notice will also come in handy when spending hours on the beach or engage in water sports activities or dining in beachfront eateries. A pair of shorts and t-shirts will round up your clothing necessities for a Maldivian getaway while a sun hat and sunglasses are also a must.
There's absolutely no need to pack sneakers and heels for your trip to the Maldives unless one is heading to the archipelago to spend one's honeymoon. A pair of sandals and flip flops will more than suffice for all your travel needs in the Maldives as excursions in the capital Male also do not warrant the wearing of boots or socks. The humidity and heat of this sun-kissed destination should always be in the back of one's mind when packing clothing and footwear.
Tourists who are planning on dining out in Male or enjoying romantic candlelight dinners on the beach should pack a dress or two or a cotton shirt to suit the occasion. Take a pair of small heeled shoes if you wish to dress up for a wedding or a night out in Male as high heels will prove to be highly impractical in settings outside the resort confines as grassy areas and the sand are impossible to navigate on pointy heels.
Avid water sports enthusiasts such as surfers and scuba divers and snorkellers heading to the Maldives can also consider bringing their watersports gear with them on vacation. Whether it's something as simple as your own pair of fins or snorkelling goggles, check with the airline to see what type of sports equipment can be transported from your country of origin to the Maldives as well as the costs involved.
Last but not least, make a medicine pouch and include all your allergy medications and a few medical emergency must-haves in Ziploc bags. Don't forget to include a few antihistamines and plasters while bug spray and suntan lotion are other essentials for a Maldivian holiday.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
