13 Must-Know and the Best Time for the Maldives

The Maldives are definitely on most travellers' bucket lists, and you can visit these fantastic islands without breaking the bank. However, to be best prepared, there are things you should know before you plan your vacation, and this starts with the clothes you can leave at home if you plan to stay on local islands. You do not need to buy a guidebook just read my three Maldives Guides and start planning your best journey ever. Everything is written from my own experiences. I travelled to the Maldives with my husband Markus and my brother René (pictures of all of us are added to my articles).

Check out my Table of Contents for a quick overview, and you are able to jump to the topics you are most interested in.

1 Are there mosquitoes in the Maldives?

Yes, there are. Usually, the luxury island resorts are treated with spray, and mosquitoes are not an issue. It depends on the nature of each island. If there is a huge forest, there is usually a high number of mosquitoes, like in Dhigurah. We experienced mosquitoes on all islands in the Maldives. It was bearable on most islands but an issue on Dhigurah. I highly recommend a DEET insect repellent.

It was the first time that my biodegradable repellent was inefficient. The small local shops sell a spray for roughly 100 MVR-6 Euro. Nevertheless, my favourite island is Dhigurah, and if I could, I would be there again in a second.

2 Money in the Maldives

Most hotels accept a credit card but request a 3,5-4% fee. If you stay in a luxury hotel, you are able to pay all of the costs by credit card. If you are travelling on a budget to different islands, you need a mixture of local currency (MVR), US Dollar, and Euro as well. Most restaurants accept cash only, the three mentioned before. In small grocery stores, it is best to pay with MVR (Malediven Rufiyaa 10 Euro=167 MVR). If travelling by ferry, you need the local currency and the US dollar on speedboats.

Most hotels provide airport staff who assist you in reaching your speedboat or plane. They often offer currency exchange services, allowing you to convert dollars and euros into local currency at favourable rates. However, on most islands, you’ll find an ATM at the harbor, where you can conveniently withdraw Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). Keep in mind that there’s typically a withdrawal fee of around $5 at the ATM. 

If you travel to a resort island you are able to pay with credit card, dollars and euros and you do not need the local currency.

3 Best time to visit the Maldives - Climate

The dry season, from roughly mid-December until April, is the best time for diving and snorkelling with the best weather conditions. This is also the best time to visit the South Ari Atoll to see manta rays and whale sharks during a tour. During the dry season, diving and snorkelling are excellent because of the calm sea and the great visibility in the water. Some diving companies and liveboards do not operate in the wet season.

• A tropical climate determines the weather in the Maldives.
• Average temperature is around 30°C/86°F
• February to June is slightly warmer
• Water temperature is constantly warm between 28-30°C/82-86°F.

However, we are facing climate change around the world. The last two years have been markedly different - unusual, even. Hotel owners and guides have told me about the "new normal". Usually, the sea is calm, and the sky is clear blue during the dry season, but we also encountered rain and rough seas with high surf. Our boat rides between Male and the local islands were bumpy. Several people threw up or struggled with seasickness.

4 Maldives Rainy Season and Dry Season

• Dry Season: mid-December-April—most sunshine hours—southwest monsoon
• Drier months, although rainy season: June-August (in the last years, probably caused by climate change)
• Rainy Season: May-mid-December—dry northeast monsoon
  However, the monsoon season brings heavy rain showers and periods of dry weather. Due to the choppy sea, visibility is often reduced, but it is as good as during the dry season on certain days. Plankton blooms during the wet or southwest monsoon season and also impacts visibility. Despite the reduced visibility, many divers prefer this season because of marine life's greater abundance and diversity.
  Hanifaru Bay is best from Juni-October.
• The northern Maldives are dryer than the southern ones, so the south experiences more rain.

5 Maldives time difference

There is no daylight saving time. Therefore, the time difference between Central European Winter Time is four hours and Summer Time is three hours. Please note that some islands have introduced a particular time for their guests for longer daylight hours in the evening. Why is that? The Maldives are close to the equator. As a result, sunrise and sunset times are similar throughout the year, so there are no significant differences—Sunrise around 6 am and sunset 6 pm.

Note that speedboats, ferries, flights, and boat tours start early in the morning because of the early sunset—12 hours of daylight. We got used to this time pretty quickly. We were always in bed by ten o'clock and got up between six and seven.

Packing List Maldives - 5 Essentials

1. fins, mask and snorkel - The house reefs at each island are amazing. Some people use a full face mask, but keep in mind they are not suitable for diving a few meters down. You cannot equalize the pressure in your ears!
2. swim shoes or Teva for a beach walk because most islands have coral pieces in the sand and water.
3. sun protection: 1) I use my special SPF 50+ sunscreen for exposed areas like my arms and face. I have never gotten sunburnt since I started using this cream. 2) UV protective water shirt for snorkelling and for beach walks. I have never experienced such an intense sun before. 3) sunglasses
4. one lightweight towel is usually sufficient - Most tour companies and hotels offer beach towels, but they are heavy.
5. waterproof bag - This is a must for boat tours, especially on speedboats, to protect your valuables and mobile.

6 Religion and Ramadan - Islam Maldives

Religion plays a significant role; it is the state religion and impacts travelling during Ramadan and on Fridays. During Ramadan, life moves at a slower pace. Boats usually leave an hour later, and restaurants on public islands may be closed during the day. However, resorts on private islands operate as usual. Friday is the holy day like our Sunday, and opening hours may vary, and fewer boats operate, and ferries don't.

No alcohol is offered in the Maldivian villages but in the luxury island resorts. Shoes and slippers are expected to be left outside in tiny guest houses and private accommodations. Shoulders and legs until the knees should be covered. Swimwear is permitted at the beaches only. 

• Ramadan in 2024 - 10. March - 9. April
• Ramadan in 2025 - 28. February - 30. March

8 Muezzin Maldives

The muezzin’s call at 5 a.m. can be annoying if your hotel faces a mosque or a loudspeaker is opposite your accommodation. However, you won’t encounter this issue on private resort islands. If you’re travelling on a budget, it’s advisable to check the mosque's location beforehand. How long and often the muezzin call takes place on local islands totally differs from our experience. Sometimes, earplugs are a great solution.

9 Maldives entry form - IMUGA and departure tax

All travellers to the Maldives must fill out the Traveller Declaration Form "IMUGA" (link to this required form) within 96 hours of arrival and departure!

We frequently heard about a departure tax being required, payable in cash—$60. However, upon our departure, we discovered that this tax was already included in the cost of our return flight. So, you don’t need to carry $60 in your purse. It would be far too much of an administrative burden if this tax had to be paid at this small airport.

10 Service water from the tap

The tap water is non-potable, which means it’s unsafe to drink. To address this, the hotel provides kettle water specifically for drinking purposes. By washing our hands frequently, our fingers began to peel. However, bottled water is available in local stores on all islands. On speedboats, bottled water is free for customers. There is no need to transport bottles from one island to the next.

11 Whale sharks and Manta Rays

In the Maldives, encounters with whale sharks and manta rays are possible, and we were fortunate enough to spot them. However, the most promising tour ended up disappointing because the mantas were nowhere to be found. This is nature, and it is not guaranteed to spot what you seek.

The tours are named "Searching for Whale Sharks/Manta Rays", and require payment regardless of whether you spot these gentle giants. At least tour companies offer the chance to snorkel or dive at a beautiful reef.

My Underwater Camera

I have been using the Olympus TG for years already and am super happy about the photo quality. It is essential to clean the camera with fresh water to remove the salt or use an underwater chassis (more details about the new TG 7 at my affiliate partner Amazon). You need an underwater chassis for depths higher than 15 meters. 

12 How do you find a tour company or dive centre?

You can book your dives or snorkel tours through your accommodation or just pop into one of the dive centres after arrival in the evening. However, there is one thing you must know. On some islands, you are forced to book tours with the tour company your accommodation works with, and there is no other option! These companies come to your hotel in the evening. 

The price for a whale shark or manta ray tour at the South Ari Atoll is around $75. Some ask for $100, but this is a rip-off - more about prices in my additional article, "Travelling the Maldives on a Budget". You can rent all the diving equipment, and many hotels and resorts offer snorkelling gear for free or a small fee. We always travel with our own masks, snorkels and fins.

13 What kind of shorty do I need for the Maldives?

Selecting the right diving gear in the Maldives depends on several factors, starting with your personal preferences and the depth of your planned dives. The tropical waters are warm, typically ranging between 28°C to 30°C at the surface. A neoprene shorty wetsuit with a 1 to 2mm thickness is suitable for most divers.

• Frequency of Diving
  If you plan to dive multiple times daily, especially if you tend to feel cold quickly, I recommend a shorty wetsuit.
• Men often prefer thinner shorties, while women may choose thicker ones based on their comfort.
• Diver Preferences:
  Interestingly, there’s a split among divers: approximately half opt for shorty wetsuits, while the other half prefer bathing trousers. This is what we experienced during our vacation and tours.
• Sun Protection: 
  At least protect yourself from the intense sun. The highest sun intensity is 12 UV in the Maldives, so consider wearing a sun protection shirt.  

My Maldives Guides

• How to travel the Maldives on a budget - South Ari Atoll with hotel recommendations
• When and where to spot whale sharks and manta rays in the Maldives
• My food guide and restaurant recommendations will follow soon
• Snorkelling the Maldives - Top Spots and What to See