Maldives

Discover the beauty of the Maldives with our simple travel guide. Learn about the weather and find out the best months to plan your trip. Get tips on moving between islands and the easiest ways to explore. Find information on must-visit spots, delicious local foods to try, and secret places most tourists never see. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to this paradise, our guide has everything you need to know.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Northern Atolls (North Male, Baa, Raa): Visit from December to April for the clearest waters and peak visibility for diving and snorkeling. January and February offer the driest conditions with minimal rainfall.

Central Atolls (South Male, Ari): Excellent from November to April with sunny days, calm seas, and temperatures around 29-31°C (84-88°F). February and March provide the most consistent weather.

Southern Atolls (Gaafu, Addu): Best experienced from December to March when humidity is lower and skies are the clearest. These atolls receive slightly more rainfall year-round but offer more secluded experiences.

Surfing Regions (North & South Male): March to October brings the best swells, with June to August offering the most consistent waves.

The southwest monsoon, from May to October, brings more rain and wind across all regions, while November to April offers the most reliable sunshine.

How to Get to Maldives

Velana International Airport (MLE) serves as the primary entry point to the Maldives, located on Hulhulé Island near Malé. This is where most international travelers first arrive before continuing to their destination resorts or islands.

In the southern region, Gan International Airport provides access to Addu City, offering visitors a chance to experience local Maldivian life in a less touristy area.

Several domestic airports connect travelers to different atolls across the country:

• Hanimaadhoo Airport serves Haa Dhaalu Atoll
• Villa Airport Maamigili connects to Alif Dhaal Atoll
• Dharavandhoo Airport provides access to Baa Atoll, often requiring an additional boat transfer

These airports form a transportation network across the Maldives' 1,200 islands, allowing visitors to travel efficiently between different regions of the country.

How to Get Around

The Maldives are scattered across the Indian Ocean like pearls on blue silk, creating a transportation puzzle for travelers. The island nation works on its own rhythm, with local ferries by MTCC connecting islands at prices that won't empty your wallet, though they run on island time rather than strict schedules.

When resort guests arrive, speedboats often whisk them across turquoise waters, the wake trailing behind as fish dart beneath the surface. For those heading to distant atolls, seaplanes touch down on water runways, offering passengers window seats to coral patterns and island formations that resemble natural artwork.

Once on an island, feet become the primary mode of transport — most islands take only 15-30 minutes to circle completely. 

On larger islands, transportation options include:

• -Bicycles for pedaling along sandy paths under palm shade
• -Taxis in Male and on more developed islands
• -Wooden dhonis — traditional boats that have transported Maldivians for generations

Most visitors find that arranging transportation through their accommodation or operators like ICOM Tours or the government's MTCC saves headaches. The boats, planes, and vehicles aren't just moving people — they're connecting dots on a living map, each journey becoming part of the Maldives experience.

Food Scene

In Maldivian kitchens, the daily catch meets coconut and spices in dishes that tell stories of island life. Early mornings in Malé, locals gather at small cafés, where mas huni — shredded tuna mixed with fresh coconut — starts the day alongside hot cups of tea.

The narrow pathways of Malé Local Market fill with islanders selecting fresh produce while conversations flow about the day's news. Along Majeedhee Magu street, small shops sell afternoon snacks that workers line up for, like crispy kulhi boakibaa fish cakes and gulha, little dumplings packed with fish and onions that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand.

Island cooking changes as you travel south through the atolls, where cooks add extra chilies to their pots. A bowl of garudhiya — clear fish broth that tastes of the sea — served with warm roshi flatbread, offers comfort after a day of swimming.

As evening falls across the islands, the smell of grilling fish draws people to the shore. A seafood barbecue on the beach, with your feet in the sand and stars appearing overhead, creates memories that last long after returning home.

Hidden Gems

1. Mathiveri Island, Alif Alif Atoll

On Mathiveri, the morning sun wakes locals before tourists. Children play along shorelines where footprints remain few. The island sits quietly, waiting for travelers who seek something real. Walk its entire perimeter in under an hour, stopping to watch fish dart through clear waters along the house reef. Local families run small guesthouses where guests become temporary neighbors rather than anonymous visitors. At the bikini beach, the sand feels cool between toes, even at midday.

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• Best time: December to April for dry weather and optimal visibility for snorkeling.
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• Getting there: Take a 30-minute domestic flight from Male to Rasdhoo, then a 20-minute speedboat ride to Mathiveri. Or there are direct ferries from Male to Mathiveri. 

2. Felidhoo Island, Vaavu Atoll

Fishermen return to Felidhoo at sunset, their boats slipping into harbor as they have for generations. This capital of Vaavu Atoll moves to the rhythm of daily life, not tourist demands. Night brings a different world beneath the waves. Nurse sharks glide through dark waters, swimming close enough to hear your heartbeat quicken. Morning reveals beaches where you might be the first person to leave footprints that day.

• Best time: January to April for calm seas and excellent underwater visibility.

• Getting there: Public ferry from Male (3.5 hours) or speedboat (1.5 hours).
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Scenic Routes

The Maldives waters tell stories of their own as boats glide between islands. Each journey becomes part of the vacation itself, with blue waters stretching to the horizon and fish darting beneath the surface.

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• Male to Hulhumale: This 15-minute ferry connects the busy capital to the more relaxed Hulhumale. From the upper deck, passengers watch Male's buildings recede while Hulhumale's shoreline approaches. During December and April, the calm sea makes for a smooth crossing, with morning light bringing out the water's natural colors.

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• Velana Airport to Resort Islands: Seaplanes transform travel into an adventure. Like birds, these aircraft soar over rings of coral and sandbanks. Between January and March, the water appears so clear that the shapes of the reef become visible from above. Morning flights offer the sharpest views when sunlight penetrates deepest into the water.

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• North Male Atoll to South Male Atoll: The wooden dhoni boats that cross between these atolls follow routes fishermen have used for generations. In November, dolphins often swim alongside these vessels, arcing through the waves as if racing the boats. The wooden vessels themselves carry the scent of the sea in their timbers.

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• Male to Guraidhoo: Public ferries connect these points, stopping at islands where local life continues unchanged by tourism. From February through April, afternoon departures mean arriving as the sun drops toward the horizon, painting the water in deepening shades of blue. Passengers might spot fishermen returning with their day's catch.

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• Male to Ari Atoll: Yacht journeys to Ari Atoll cross deeper waters where larger sea creatures live. Between May and October, the gentle giants of the ocean — manta rays with their graceful movements and whale sharks with their distinctive spotted patterns — appear more frequently. The spacious decks give everyone room to watch for fins breaking the surface.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

The Asian Surfing Competition brings professional surfers from every corner of the world to Thulusdhoo each year in August and September. When the waves reach their peak, you can watch athletes tackle Thulusdhoo's famous breaks, showing off skills developed over years of practice.

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• While surfers compete on the water, the beach comes alive with food stands, local musicians playing traditional boduberu drums, and dancers in colorful traditional attire. Tourists sit shoulder-to-shoulder with locals and international surf fans, sharing stories and cheering for their favorite competitors as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
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When the competition ends for the day, take time to snorkel at the nearby reefs or walk through Thulusdhoo's sandy streets, where fishermen grill the day's catch and invite passersby to taste grilled tuna with coconut and lime.

Best Places to Visit

1. Maafushi

Once a quiet fishing village, Maafushi has grown into a popular destination while keeping its local character. The island offers white beaches and clear waters where travelers can experience Maldivian life without paying luxury resort prices.

Between November and April, the weather stays dry with temperatures around 29°C (84°F). During these months, the water remains clear for underwater exploration and beach days.

Along Bikini Beach, locals show off their jet skiing and windsurfing skills in seasonal competitions. In the evenings, guesthouses host cultural nights where drums beat during Bodu Beru performances, and visitors can join in with the rhythm.

How to get to Maafushi

• -Speedboat transfer from Male International Airport (approximately 90 minutes)
• -Public ferry from Male (cheaper option, runs several times weekly)
• -Private boat charter for a more flexible arrival schedule

2. Male

The capital of the Maldives, Male, packs city life onto a small island. Male stands apart from vacation postcards with its packed streets, buildings painted in different colors, busy markets, and landmarks like the Grand Friday Mosque and National Museum.

December through March brings mild weather with little rain. During these months, walking through the city becomes more comfortable, and day trips run more reliably.

Every afternoon at the Male Fish Market, fishermen arrive with their catches, creating a lively scene as people gather to bid and buy. From the harbor, boats head out regularly to spots where dolphins swim, giving people the chance to see them leap and play in the open water.

How to get to Male

• -Direct ferry from Male International Airport (10-15 minutes)
• -Taxi boat services available 24/7 from the airport
• -Domestic flight connections from other Maldivian islands

3. Dhiffushi

In North Male Atoll sits Dhiffushi, an island where daily Maldivian life continues mostly unchanged by tourism. With fewer visitors than Maafushi, the beaches remain quiet, coral reefs thrive nearby, and a calm atmosphere prevails.

From December to April, clear skies and gentle seas make it the perfect time to visit. The weather creates ideal conditions for seeing underwater life and enjoying outdoor activities.

Local guesthouses take guests out on fishing boats each week, teaching traditional fishing methods before cooking the day's catch for dinner. Environmental groups invite tourists to help plant coral, giving them a chance to help rebuild the reefs while learning about ocean conservation.

How to get to Dhiffushi

• -Speedboat from Male (approximately 45 minutes)
• -Public ferry services operate several times per week
• -Combined transfers through resorts in the North Male Atoll
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Tips for Traveling to Maldives

VISA & ENTRY 

• 30-day tourist visa issued on arrival for most nationalities
• Need a passport valid for 6+ months and a return ticket
• No visa fee

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Respect local Islamic customs; dress modestly outside resorts
• Public displays of affection are prohibited
• Alcohol is only available at resorts, not on local islands

MONEY MATTERS

• Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but USD is widely accepted
• Credit cards used at resorts; carry cash for local islands
• 12% GST plus 10% service charge is common

HEALTH & SAFETY

• Emergency: 119 (Police), 102 (Ambulance)
• Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is essential
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent

TRANSPORTATION

• Speedboats, public ferries, or seaplanes between islands
• Taxis are available on Malé; fixed prices
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