Omg! Just mentioning the Maldives is enough to transport us into a fantastic world of white sandy beaches, blue seas filled with brightly coloured fish, cocktails at sunset and palm trees swaying under a tropical sky. And it’s all true! ! !
The Maldives promises – and delivers – everything our vision of tropical perfection offers us. A maritime nation of atolls in the Indian Ocean, it straddles the equator and has 1,190 coral islands in 26 natural atolls with plenty of sun, sea and sand.
The Maldives are often considered a honeymoon destination simply because they have become so popular among couples looking for a little luxury away from prying eyes. This is easy to achieve as many islands have been “transformed” into exclusive resort islands with their own bar restaurant, gym, water sports facilities and boats. Most tourists never feel the need to leave their little island paradise, and with the exception of a few major islands, there are very limited opportunities to pack back. About 90 of the 200 inhabited islands are resort islands. In any case, most people pre-book their trip to the Maldives of a lifetime, whether it’s a week of life on a surf or dive boat, or two on a luxurious island with all the knobs and whistles, palm trees and hibiscus week.
Don’t be without the world’s #1 travel insurance policy
The Maldives is a vast area consisting of isolated atolls and small islands in the azure sea. That means getting medical care — and getting medical care — can be very expensive in times of trouble. If you are seriously ill, you may have to evacuate by seaplane to the capital Male, or even to India or Sri Lanka. In very serious cases, flying you home may be the best option. And it all costs a lot of money.
Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you are well prepared and have the right travel insurance at the right price. We offer a wide range of policy options to provide you with all the benefits and coverage you need to travel – whether it’s a stop on a backpacking world trip, a week of surfing or just two weeks of luxury island living.
If you are getting married, we can provide enough coverage to ensure that your dream wedding goes smoothly. We can cover your rings, gifts, photography, clothing and flowers in case something catastrophic happens while you’re out and about.
Our exclusive policy covers up to £10m for emergency medical care, £10,000 cancellation charges and coverage for all luggage and valuables. We will cover you with bodyboarding, diving 30m, jet skiing and snorkeling for free.
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Quick Guide to Maldives
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Language: Your English will be good
The official and lingua franca is Dhivehi, which is partly derived from the ancient Sinhala language, which is still spoken in Sri Lanka. As anywhere, locals may be happy to hear that you are struggling with basic questions like hello, thank you, and goodbye.
However, English is widely spoken in resorts and businesses and is the unofficial second language in the country. It is increasingly taught in government schools.
Weather: Totally tropical.
The Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons. The dry northeast monsoon lasts from December to March, while the wet southwest monsoon lasts from May to November with more wind and rain. April is a transition period for water to clear heat.
Temperatures remained remarkably consistent around 30°C. The sea temperature remains fairly stable at a mild 29°C.
Weather: When to go.
It’s a good time to visit the Maldives, but with four distinct seasons, European winters are most popular with those looking for sunshine in harsh winters. Christmas and New Years are especially expensive. May to November is the time when rain and clouds are most likely to spoil the landscape (though not entirely), which is considered the low season.
Diving is good all year round, but due to the monsoon season, the west side of any atoll from May to November and the east side of any atoll from December to April tend to be better.
The surf season runs from March to October, which is when the resort is cheapest.
Weather: Natural disaster.
The Maldives was hit by the December 2004 tsunami that killed more than 90 people and severely damaged several islands, including 19 resort islands. Most of them are working fine now.
Weather: How low can you go?
The Maldives is the lowest country on earth, with an average elevation of just over 4 feet. The highest point in the entire archipelago is only 7 feet 10 inches. As a result, locals are very concerned about the potential impact of global warming and rising sea levels. For short-term visitors, this shouldn’t be a concern, but it’s worth remembering when you see how easy it is to engulf an entire country.
Nature: coral reefs and diving
Maldivian waters are home to several ecosystems, but are best known for their colorful coral reefs. They are an important part of the formation of atolls. Coral reefs protect islands from being washed away by waves and storms.
Due to these wonderful ecosystems, the Maldives has long been popular with divers, and most resorts will be able to offer diving, dive sites and facilities, including mask snorkels and fins for snorkeling. Although the El Niño year of 1998 destroyed about 95 percent of the region’s corals, they are now making a remarkable comeback, and marine life remains abundant.
Maldives is home to 1100 species of fish, 5 species of turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins, 187 species of coral and 400 species of mollusks.
There are 3 decompression chambers in the Maldives.
Entry requirements: Visa-free.
British nationals can obtain a tourist visa for up to 30 days upon arrival in the Maldives, provided you hold a valid onward or return ticket and sufficient funds to cover your accommodation costs. It is illegal to stay for more than 30 days without proper authorization. UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from the Maldives.
passport expiry date
Your passport should be valid for the period of your proposed stay. No additional validity period is required otherwise.
Shipping: No license required.
You may not need a driver’s license! Driving is not one of the main ways of getting around. For this you need a boat, plane or sea plane. If you book resorts – which can be hundreds of miles from the airport – then your transfer will be arranged for you, either by seaplane and then by speedboat to the door. There are local ferries that operate traditional boats called donis, but they may not even be close to your resort.
Healthcare: Medical Expenses
Your resort should have a resident doctor or be able to provide you with one if you are sick. If the situation is more serious, then you may need to go to one of the two hospitals in Malé as there are limited facilities outside the capital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital or the private ADK private hospital. Keep in mind that evacuation and transfer to Male by seaplane or speedboat can be very expensive, so make sure your travel insurance meets the requirements.
The capital island of each atoll has a government hospital or at least a health centre, however, these do not replace the care you can get in Male’. If you need specialist care then you may have to be evacuated to Colombo or Singapore or brought back to the UK.
If you need emergency medical assistance while traveling, please call 102 and call an ambulance.
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Crime: Watching Your Valuables
There isn’t much crime in the Maldives, however, petty crime can happen with unattended luggage in a hotel room or on the beach. So take good care of your belongings, especially if you travel to Male, the capital of the island. Use a safe at your resort.
The FCDO said of the situation: “There has been some recent gang-related violence in local populated areas including Male’. There is no evidence that British nationals have been targeted. Caution should be exercised when travelling to areas outside the resort. “
Laws and customs: Diving to buy souvenirs is prohibited
The country has strict drug laws, and importing or possessing drugs can result in very severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
The Maldives is Islamic, so openly practicing any religion other than Islam is prohibited. Serious violations of local laws can result in jail time. Alcohol is only allowed on the resort islands and it is illegal to import.
Also, exporting coral or tortoiseshell is prohibited for obvious reasons, so don’t consider diving for the mantel. It might get you into hot water.
Dress code is informal, but pay attention to local standards when visiting non-resort islands.
Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including resort islands.
Same-sex relationships are illegal and convicted criminals can face long prison terms.
Electricity: if you must!
Why do you need to bring a laptop or tablet when all island life is outside or under the sea? Well, if you do bring a charger for your phone or digital camera, the voltage is the same as in the UK. However, be prepared to plug into various outlets as they could be anything. When in doubt, consult your resort.
Currency: take more
Island resorts are expensive, so bring enough money to pay your bills or make sure you have enough credit to put it on plastic. There are no ATMs outside the capital, and travelers’ checks are not widely available. Most resorts and hotels accept major credit cards.
Smoking: ask first
From January 1, 2013, the Tobacco Free Zone Determination Regulations prohibit smoking in cafes, tea houses, restaurants, public places where people usually gather, parks and all government buildings. Owners wishing to apply to allow smoking areas can do so – but don’t assume your resort will have one. If you want to smoke, please check first.
Maldives: Know Before You Go
For the latest travel news that doesn’t make the headlines, check out the website of the Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development. Their Know Before You Go website provides information on all risks for all travelers in over 255 countries and territories around the world.
See here for the latest information before you go.
follow FCDO on Twitter here.
Of course, if you have any questions about our Maldives travel insurance, please call 0345 90 80 161 or email in**@wo*********.uk.
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