Top Tips for First-Time Travellers Visiting Maldives—Prepare for an Awesome Adventure

As an all-Muslim nation, the Maldives adheres to conservative laws but that does not mean they hinder you in any way from enjoying a holiday of sun, sand, and surf. While on your private island resort in the Maldives, you can dress as you please, enjoy your favourite drinks, and be yourself. However, when out and about exploring, it's respectful to pay attention to the nation's customs and not offend the friendly locals, or break the law. You cannot take alcohol or pork into the nation. Likewise, you cannot indulge in alcoholic beverages when you are on local islands, nor must you appear intoxicated outside of your private resort island. The islanders are conservative and you must be mindful to dress accordingly when outside exploring the capital Mále or other public areas. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, and if you are sea bathing outside of your resort, make sure the beach allows bikinis before you wear one—not all public beaches allow bikinis. When visiting the shrines, cover your shoulders and wear clothing that goes below your knee; carrying a simple shawl or long-sleeved shirt will make it a hassle-free experience. To be doubly sure about the laws, you can check out the Maldives travel advisory website.

The private island resorts in the Maldives are pretty awesome, and those like Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas offering all-inclusive holiday packages make it hard to leave the place. However, as fabulous as your resort stay in the Maldives will be, make sure to ask about tours exploring the capital Male, and other local and uninhabited islands. There is so much to experience and see on the archipelago that it would be a shame to miss out on exploring the exotic culture, history, markets, and iconic sites.

The Maldives is packed full of experiences. It's also not the type of place to try and save a few pennies, so save up, research, and go there with an itinerary. If you book your stay at international hotel chains in the Maldives, the experiences they offer will be limitless, so try and indulge in as much of the excitement as you can. You can easily take on snorkelling, diving, island hopping, and other water sports when in the Maldives. They are thrilling and rewarding experiences you don't want to skimp on.

This is not so important as the archipelago is exposed to only a wet and dry season; it's basically sunny all year round, even during the rainy season as it rarely rains all day. However, if you are on a budget, booking your stay during the off-season or within a shoulder season, which is the time frame in between the high and low seasons, will make the most of your money and experience in the Maldives. November to April is the dry season; it's the ideal time to visit the islands without compromising on your outdoor experiences. The wet monsoon season is from April to May and can at times go on until October, although heavy rainfall is common during this time, it rarely rains all day.

It's sunny and warm in the Maldives, so pack loads of comfy cotton clothing. Three-quarter pants and a long skirt plus a shawl will be ideal for exploring outside of your resort; a kaftan too serves well to double up as a coverall, when going from chilling on the beach to sightseeing, and also for evening dining as most resorts require smart casual attire for dinner. You will need shades and a hat to shield your eyes and head from the strong sun when travelling across the ocean or exploring the islands. Take sandals and flip-flops as there is sand everywhere. Pack practical swimwear because you will spend a lot of time actually swimming and in the water. Don't forget the sunscreen, you will need plenty and your preferred type may not be available on the islands. Take bug spray too, it's a tropical archipelago, and perhaps a tote bag with a book. Also, pack a dry bag to keep your tech dry and sand-free. Enjoy!