Joanna James
The Maldives, celebrated for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts, is a dream destination for many travellers. While it provides endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure, it's crucial to be aware of certain behaviours to avoid during your visit. Respecting local customs, preserving natural beauty, and honouring cultural traditions are essential for ensuring a smooth and memorable holiday. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to avoid when visiting the Maldives.
While resorts in the Maldives allow for casual beachwear and bikinis, it’s important to dress modestly when visiting inhabited islands or Male, the capital city. The Maldives is a Muslim country, and revealing clothing can be seen as disrespectful. Women should cover their shoulders and knees in local areas, while men should avoid going shirtless.
When in doubt, carry a lightweight scarf or sarong to cover up if needed. Respecting local traditions will ensure a warm reception from the Maldivian people.
The Maldives is one of the most eco-sensitive regions in the world, with its coral reefs and marine life under constant threat from climate change and human activity. Avoid actions that could harm the environment, such as touching or stepping on coral reefs while snorkelling or diving. Always use reef-safe sunscreen to prevent chemicals from damaging marine ecosystems.
Avoid littering at all costs, and if possible, participate in eco-friendly initiatives such as beach clean-ups offered by resorts.
While alcohol is readily available in the best beach villas in Maldives and resorts, bringing alcohol into the country or consuming it on inhabited islands is strictly prohibited. The Maldives follows Islamic law, and alcohol is only permitted on private resort islands. Attempting to bring alcoholic beverages into the country will result in confiscation at customs.
If you plan to visit inhabited islands, enjoy their local non-alcoholic beverages such as coconut water or fresh fruit juices.
Travelling to the Maldives often involves a mix of flights and seaplane or boat transfers. Given its remote location and the activities involved, such as diving and water sports, travel insurance is a must. Accidents, delays, or medical emergencies can happen, and the cost of healthcare in the Maldives can be high.
Skipping travel insurance could turn a small mishap into a significant financial burden, so ensure you’re covered before embarking on your trip.
While most resorts such as The Residence Maldives Dhigurah accept credit and debit cards, some local shops, restaurants, and vendors on inhabited islands may only accept cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) or US dollars. ATMs are limited outside Male, so carry enough cash for smaller transactions when venturing away from your resort.
However, avoid carrying large amounts of cash to minimize risks. Plan ahead and balance your spending options.
The Maldives has two distinct seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October). While the dry season is ideal for sunshine and calm waters, the wet season brings occasional rain and rough seas.
Don’t plan water activities without checking the weather forecast, especially during the wet season. High tides and strong currents can make activities like diving and snorkeling unsafe.
The Maldives consists of 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands, and reaching your resort often requires additional transfers via seaplane or speedboat. Failing to check transfer timings can lead to long waits or missed connections, as most transfers operate during daylight hours only.
Ensure your international flight aligns with your resort’s transfer schedule, and confirm these details with your accommodation in advance.
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.
