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For years, the Maldives was seen as a luxury reserved for celebrities and billionaires. However, the Maldives is now one of the most accessible international destinations for every traveller.
This Maldives travel guide covers how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for navigating the archipelago.
Maldives Travel Guide
Navigating an archipelago of over 1,192 islands requires more than just booking a flight; it requires a strategic approach to geography and local laws.
This Maldives travel guide is designed to take you from the local streets of Malé to the most secluded islands in the Ari Atoll.
Before diving into the details, it is important to remember that the Maldives is a 100% Muslim nation. While resorts offer a westernised experience, visiting local islands offers a rich cultural immersion that most luxury travellers miss.
1. Where is the Maldives located, & How to get there?
Located 700 kilometres southwest of India, the Maldives is an independent nation situated in the central Indian Ocean, composed of 26 atolls stretching over 800 kilometres.
If you are researching how to get to the Maldives, the answer is by air. Major Indian cities like Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), and Kochi (COK) offer frequent direct flights.
- Bengaluru: 2 hours
- Chennai: 4.5 – 7 hours
- Kochi: 1.5 hours
- Mumbai: 3 hours
- Delhi: 4 – 4.5 hours
Arrival: You will land at Velana International Airport (MLE), located on Hulhulé Island. From here, your journey to your specific island is via speedboat for nearby resorts, seaplane, or domestic flights for remote atolls.
Important note: Seaplanes operate only during daylight hours, roughly from 06:00 AM to 02:30 PM. So, plan your arrival accordingly. Budget travellers can use public ferries between local islands for as little as 200 – 500 INR, though schedules are limited and slower.
2. What is the Maldives Visa Process for Indians?
One of the biggest advantages for Indian tourists is the ease of entry. The Maldives Visa for Indians is free for 30 days.
However, you need to complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration online at least 96 hours before arrival.
Filling out the declaration form is simple, and you can find complete details in the blog post, “Maldives Visa for Indians.”
To clear immigration smoothly, you must submit:
- A passport with at least 6 months of validity.
- A confirmed hotel or resort booking for your entire stay.
- Confirmed return or onward flight tickets.
- IMUGA Traveller Declaration.
Once these are verified, you’ll receive a simple passport stamp, and you’re free to explore the Maldives.
3. Best time to visit the Maldives
Timing is everything in island life, and the best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season (November – April). This period brings clear skies, low humidity, and the best underwater visibility for diving and snorkelling.
The “Wet Season” (May to October) shouldn’t be overlooked. While it brings intermittent rain and occasional thunderstorms, it also brings the best deals on flights and hotels.
Choose the Maldives season based on your needs
- Peak Season (Dec – Mar): Perfect weather for every island’s activities like sunbathing, water sports, fishing, snorkelling and so on, but prices are at their highest. You might find luxury resort deals if you book 3 – 4 months in advance.
- Shoulder Season (Apr, May & Nov): A balance of good weather and moderate pricing.
- Wet Season (May – Oct): Tropical showers are common, and water activities may get cancelled due to weather. However, this is the best time to visit for surfers and for marine life enthusiasts. The season also offers better flights and accommodation deals and fewer crowds.
4. Things to Do and Places to Visit in the Maldives
There are so many things to do in the Maldives that cater to people of all ages. While relaxation is a priority, many travellers come for the adventure that starts underwater.
Must do things in the Maldives
- Manta Ray & Whale Shark Spotting: Head to the Baa Atoll (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) or the South Ari Atoll for whale shark sightings.
- Sandbank Picnics: Many local guesthouses offer trips to sandbanks where you can enjoy a private lunch.
- Fishing: Try your hand at traditional line fishing. Most boats will even cook your catch for you the next day.
- Glowing Beaches: Visit Vaadhoo Island to witness the bioluminescent beaches of the Maldives, also called Sea of Stars, which make the shoreline glow at night when the water is touched.
- Water Activities: The islands offer excellent water sports, including jet skiing, scuba diving, parasailing, flyboarding, surfing, catamaran sailing, and much more to keep your days adventurous.
Must visit places in the Maldives besides resort destinations
- Malé: The capital city features the Friday Mosque, Tsunami Monument, National Museum, and diverse dining options.
- Maafushi Islands: One of the inhabited islands in the Maldives that offers insight into the local culture. Walk on the streets, visit the markets, lounge in the hammocks, and swim with wild dolphins at one of the most affordable of all the islands.
- Vaadhoo Islands: Known as the Sea of Stars, this magical island comes alive at night when the sea plankton and microorganisms here emit a blue glow.
5. Where to stay in the Maldives?
The Maldives offers two distinct accommodation types: private resort islands and local inhabited islands.
- Private Resorts: Each resort occupies its own private island. These offer peak luxury: overwater bungalows, fine dining, and unrestricted alcohol service.
References: Cheap overwater villas, family resorts & luxury resorts
- Local Islands: Inhabited islands like Maafushi, Thoddoo, and Fulidhoo offer guesthouses and boutique hotels. These are significantly more affordable and allow you to interact with locals.
You must follow rules when on a local island: no alcohol and modest dress in public, though every local island has a dedicated “Bikini Beach” for tourists.
|
Feature |
Private Resorts |
Local Islands |
|
Price (per night) |
Approx. 45,000 – 2,00,000+ INR |
Approx. 5000 – 10,000 INR |
|
Alcohol |
Freely available |
Strictly prohibited |
|
Dress Code |
Relaxed (Swimwear anywhere) | Modest (swimwear allowed at Bikini beaches only) |
|
Transfer |
Seaplane, domestic flights, & speed boat |
Ferry or speed boats |
Note: For both authentic local experience and secluded luxury stays, try a split-stay Maldives itinerary. Spend three nights on a local island for activities and then splurge on two nights in an overwater villa at a private resort.
6. What to Eat in the Maldives?
You cannot truly understand the culture without tasting some of the Maldives’ famous food. Traditional cuisine, known as Dhivehi Kaana (Maldivian Food), is primarily built on fish (mostly tuna) and coconut.
Must-try dishes in the Maldives include
- Mas Huni: The ideal Maldivian breakfast. It is shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, chilli, onion, and lime, served with fresh Roshi (flatbread).
- Garudhiya: A clear fish broth made from fresh tuna, salt, and curry leaves.
- Bis Keemiya: A delicious pastry snack similar to a samosa, filled with hard-boiled eggs, sautéed cabbage, and spiced tuna.
- Mas Riha: A flavorful tuna curry cooked with thick coconut milk and aromatic spices.
If you are staying on a local island, eat at a hotaa (tea shop) for the most authentic experience. For those seeking luxury dining, there are underwater restaurants such as 5.8 Undersea, Ithaa Undersea, and Subsix that offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience surrounded by coral reefs.
7. How Many Days are Enough for the Maldives?
The sweet spot for staying in the Maldives is generally 4 – 6 days.
A simple Maldives itinerary for 5 days looks like this
- Day 1: Arrive at Male airport, take a speedboat to your island, and enjoy a sunset dinner.
- Day 2: Morning snorkelling excursion to the house reef, an afternoon spa session, and end your day with a romantic private candle-lit dinner by the beach.
- Day 3: Full-day excursions, which include island hopping, a sandbank picnic, or swimming with nurse sharks.
- Day 4: Switch your accommodation to a local island. Start with water sports at Maafushi Island for a lower price than on a private island. By evening, stroll to the local Maldivian markets to shop for souvenirs such as miniature dhonis, lacquerware, coconut-shell bowls, hand-made shell bracelets, and more.
- Day 5: Final sunrise swim, breakfast at your favourite local spot, airport shopping, and departure.
8. Budgeting for the Maldives
Is the Maldives expensive? For a local island stay in the Maldives, you can expect to spend approximately 90,000 INR per person for 5 days.
However, if you choose a private island, you can expect to spend approximately 1,50,000 INR per person for 5 days. This applies to budget overwater villas with limited water activities.
Major expenses for your Maldives trip
- Flight: Approx. 26,000 INR (round trip)
- Speed boat: Approx. 17,000 INR per person for a shared boat ride to private islands
- Shared seaplane: Approx. 44,000 INR per person
- Public ferry: Approx. 200 INR per person
- Local island stay: Approx. 10,000 INR per night
- Private island stay: Approx. 45,000 INR and goes up to 2,00,000+ INR per night
- Food at public island: Approx. 500 INR per meal
- Food at a private island: Approx. 1,500 INR per meal
Conclusion
The Maldives is no longer a luxury destination for celebrities. It has evolved to cater to every budget and travel style.
Before visiting the Maldives, understand the IMUGA digital entry and the etiquette on local islands with this guide.
You can plan an exotic or affordable Maldives trip with Dimaak Tours. We can assist you with flights, an itinerary, a stay, activities and much more.
