Maldives
Coral reefs with over 2,000 fish species, and resort islands reached by boat or seaplane from Malé.
The Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka, with Malé as its capital. It is a chain of 26 atolls stretching across the equator. About 1,190 coral islands make up the country, and around 200 of them are inhabited. Land covers only about 298 square kilometers, spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers of sea, so the islands sit far apart. Most visitors fly into Velana International Airport on Hulhulé Island, next to Malé, and continue by domestic flight, seaplane or boat.
Many trips center on one resort island, usually reached by speedboat or seaplane. The reefs hold over 2,000 fish species, along with reef sharks and whale sharks, which draws divers and snorkelers. Scheduled ferries from Malé and the traditional dhoni boat are cheaper ways to reach islands outside the resort areas. The dry season falls in the winter northeast monsoon. The wetter southwest monsoon runs from early June to the end of November. Allow extra days for transfers, since each move between islands adds travel time.
Five things to know before Maldives
- Submit the IMUGA traveler declaration within 96 hours
Every traveler files the free IMUGA declaration online within 96 hours before arrival. Tourists get a visa on arrival (30 days for UK citizens) with a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid booking and enough funds. IMUGA
- Check the transfer before you book the resort
Speedboats serve atolls near Malé; farther resorts need a seaplane that flies only in daylight, or a domestic flight and a boat. Late arrivals may need a night in Malé or Hulhumalé. Getting around
- Leave alcohol and pork out of your luggage
Importing alcohol and pork products is prohibited, and customs checks bags at Velana airport. Resorts serve alcohol; local inhabited islands do not.
- Dress modestly on local islands
Outside resorts, cover shoulders and knees in villages and swim in shorts and T-shirts except on designated bikini beaches. Local islands follow Islamic law.
- Expect taxes and service charges on every bill
Resort prices usually exclude a service charge, tourism tax and a daily green tax, which together add a large share to the room rate. Check whether a quote is inclusive. Money on the road
Maldives travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The free visa on arrival, IMUGA and what customs bans.
Read the guideGetting aroundSpeedboats, seaplanes and domestic flights by atoll.
Read the guideWhere to stayResort islands against guesthouses on local islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsGreen tax, service charges and paying in dollars.
Read the guideTravel insuranceDiving cover and evacuation from remote atolls.
Read the guideTop places to visit in Maldives
See all attractions in Maldives
Destinations in Maldives
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- MVR 600
- Food
- MVR 250
- Transport
- MVR 30
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- MVR 1,200
- Food
- MVR 700
- Transport
- MVR 100
- Sights
- MVR 1,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- MVR 2,500
- Food
- MVR 1,500
- Transport
- MVR 300
- Sights
- MVR 2,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, sunnyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°DriestFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Dry, calmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hot, calmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, calm
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Rains beginMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Wet, windyJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°ShowersJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°ShowersAugustRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°ShowersSeptemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°WetOctoberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°WettestNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 294 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry beginsDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 273 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry begins
Average daily high and low in Malé, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Maldives
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Male
02:13 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°27°37%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Wed29°28°31%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Thu29°29°25%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 29°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri29°28°39%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sat29°26°57%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun29°26°61%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 61%.
Updated 10:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 15.45 MVR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Maldives FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
No advance visa for tourists. A visa is granted on arrival (30 days for UK citizens) with a valid passport, a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid booking at a registered facility and enough funds. Submit the free IMUGA declaration within 96 hours before you land.
Can you drink alcohol in the Maldives?
At resorts and on licensed safari boats, yes. Alcohol is not sold on local inhabited islands, and bringing it into the country is prohibited.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
December to April, in the drier northeast monsoon, has the calmest seas and most sunshine. May to November brings more rain and wind, lower prices and good manta season in some atolls.
Can I visit the Maldives on a budget?
Yes, by staying in guesthouses on local islands and using public ferries. You trade resort facilities for village life, modest dress rules and no alcohol.
How long is the seaplane from Malé?
Usually 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the atoll. Seaplanes fly only in daylight, so late international arrivals may need a night near the airport.