Considering a scuba diving trip to the Maldives? Here are the 10 most important facts you should know before getting to the Maldives.
Get acquainted with the Island Nation’s currency, religion, uses and diving regulation to better enjoy your trip.
Enjoy the reading and hassle-free scuba holiday in the Maldives!
Currency: Which Currency Should I bring to the Maldives?
The official currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufyiaa (MRF or Rf).
Iit is in circulation since 1947, substituting the Sri Lankan Rupee. The Maldivian Rufyiaa has been relatively stable since 2010.
However, US Dollars, Euro and British Pounds are widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred by local resorts and guesthouses.
Conversion rate of Maldivian Rufyiaa has been on average 1 Rf = $0.065 and 1 Rf = €0.060.
If you are planning a trip to the Maldives either in a resort or liveaboard you will have absolutely no need to buy some Maldivian Rufyiaa.
I would rather suggest you bring with you some US dollars, Euros, or British pounds as they are widely accepted in all resorts and liveabords.
This will also spare you some money in currency exchange fees and taxes.
Even if you are planning to spend a couple of days in Malé, most restaurants and shops will accept US dollars. I would only recommend buying some Maldivian Rufyiaa in case you are planning a long stay (10+ days) in local islands.
In such case this will be the easiest way to pay for small purchases in street shops or local diving centers for example.
The amount of money you should carry with you depends pretty much on the type of stay.
If you are staying in a resort or liveaboard there is virtually no need of carrying lots of cash as common credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro are widely accepted.
In case you are traveling local, I would plan $70 per day per person for basic needs (e.g. food, restaurants, coffee).
If you are traveling local and are planning to scuba dive or do watersports regularly, I would suggest you first check the prices with the local watersports shop and then decide on the amount of cash you need.
Note that most diving and watersports centers on local islands will still accept credit card payments.
Scuba Diving in the Maldives: facts and regulation you should be aware of.
Scuba diving in the Maldives requires a diving license or certification released by one of the agencies recognized by the local government.
Most of the world-class diving agencies (PADI, SSI, CMAS, INTD) are recognized in the Maldives.
Experiencing diving for the first time is still possible by signing up for a discover scuba diving course.
All resorts in the Maldives offer scuba diving courses and certifications. It is however not the cheapest place on earth to take your diving certificate.
If you want to learn diving in the Maldives, the PADI Open Water diver course is a very good option as you can complete the theory before your holiday. And complete the diveing course in the Maldives.
Maximum diving depth in the Maldives is 30 meters. Although this can look limiting for some divers, you should be aware that there are only three hyperbaric chambers in the Maldives.
Hyperbaric Chambers are located at Bandos Island Resort in Kaafu Atoll, Kuramathi Island Resort in Ari Atoll and Kuredu Island Resort in Lhaviyani Atoll.
Most resorts and liveaboards will require divers to end a dive with 50 bars (700 PSI) residual gas.
Given the depth limitations, technical diving is still relatively niche in the Maldives.
Although most resorts have a PADI dive centers, you will be able to dive if you are certified with any of the world’s renown diving agencies.
Maldives is a perfect scuba diving location for beginners and advanced divers.
The island nation offers all kinds of dives such as drift dives, wall dives, pinnacle dives.
If you are looking for hard coral gardens, the Maldives might not be the best destination for you. Most of the hard coral in the Maldives has “bleached” since 1998.
Although it is now slowly recovering, you will be unlikely to spot the same amount of hard corals as in Indonesia for example.
Night diving is allowed in the Maldives, subject to the rules of each single resort and liveaboard.
Unattended diving is also allowed in the Maldives, subject to the rules of each single resort. Most common requirement is to be certified at least as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent and have at least 50 logged dives.
In all of the resorts and liveaboards I have been to, solo diving was not allowed, despite being solo diver certified and solo diver instructor.
Religion: What is the Most Popular Religion in the Maldives?
Islam is the main religion in the Maldives. Although freedom of religion for tourists has never been an issue, it is worth knowing that the 2008 constitution of the Maldives clearly sanctions Sunni Islam as the state religion.
This implies that Maldivian citizens and residents are required to be Sunni Muslim.
Another important fact to know is that apostasy from Islam is punishable with death penalty since 2014.
If you are traveling to a resort or liveaboard you will most likely not be affected by religious concerns.
Most resorts do sell alcoholic beverages and do not impose any restrictions in terms of dress code.
Additionally, I have never observed serviced disruptions due to prayer time for example.
You should however be respectful and mindful that Islam is the main religion of most resort employees.
In case you are traveling to guesthouses and local islands, then you should pay slightly more attention to possible religious concerns.
For example, you should be aware that nudity is not allowed on all beaches (and yes, bikini is considered nudity), and that there are special beaches called “bikini beaches” where women can freely wear a bikini.
You should also be aware that due to religious constraints, not all food and beverages (e.g. alcohol) might be easy to find in local shops or restaurants.
Capital City: What is the Capital City of the Maldives?
The capital city of Maldives, known as Malé, and also spelled as Male or Male’ is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
With a population of 252,769 inhabitants and an area of 8.30 square kilometers (3.20 square miles), Malé has a population density of 30,454 inhabitants per square Kilometer.
It ranks among the top 25 cities worldwide in terms of population density.
Malé is actually part of a conglomerate of five more islands, including Hulhulé (hosting the Velana International Airport), Hulhumalé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi (infamously known as “waste island”).
In case you are planning a long holiday (more than 15 days) in the Maldives or are a returning visitor, spending a couple of days in Malé is definitely worth your time.
I think Malé is often overlooked by most travelers (including myself) as, once landed in the Maldives, and after taking a first look at all the unspoiled atolls and pristine beaches from the plane, we all want to rush to our resort, liveaboard or local island as soon as possible.
However if you are planning a long trip to the Maldives, you should be aware that Malé also offers some nice attractions such as visiting the Fish Market, the Male Local Market, the Grand Friday Mosque and the Old Friday mosque.
Airports: How Many Airports are there in the Maldives?
If you are wondering which airport you will be flying to reach the Maldives, here is the full list of airports in the Island Nation.
The Maldives has a total 18 airports, of which 2 International Airports and 16 domestic Airports.
If you are planning to travel to the Maldives from Europe, Middle East, Russia, and Asia, you will most likely land in the Velana International Airport, which is Maldives’ main hub.
The Velana International Airport is formerly known as the International Airport of Malé – Ibrahim Nasir and many locals or long-term Maldives aficionados are likely to use both names interchangeably.
The Velana International Airport is situated in the Malé Atoll and has direct flights to the following International Airports (list updated in November 2022).
You should however be aware that some of those are seasonal and not all routes are in place all year round.
· Aeroflot from Moscow (SVO)
· AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
· Air France from Paris (CDG)
· Air India from Bengaluru (BLR) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV)
· Alitalia from Rome (FCO)
· Austrian Airlines from Vienna (VIE)
· Bangkok Airways from Bangkok (BKK)
· British Airways from London Gatwick (LGW)
· Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong (HKG)
· China Eastern from Shanghai (PVG)
· China Southern from Guangzhou (CAN) via Colombo (CMB)
· Condor from Frankfurt (FRA)
· Edelweiss Air from Zurich (ZRH)
· Emirates from Dubai (DXB) and Colombo (CMB)
· Etihad from Abu Dhabi (AUH)
· Korean Air from Seoul (ICN) via Colombo (CMB)
· Lufthansa from Frankfurt (FRA)
· Qatar Airways from Doha (DOH)
· Saudia from Riyadh (RUH)
· Singapore Airlines, Silkair and Scoot from Singapore (SIN)
· SriLankan Airlines from Colombo (CMB)
· Turkish Airlines from Istanbul (IST)
The second international Airport of the Maldives is called Gan International Airport. It is located at the deepest south of the Island Nation, in the Addu Atoll.
Although Gan is an International Airport, it currently offers only one seasonal international route to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines.
All other flights from and to Gan Airport are domestic flights mostly connecting the Addu Atoll with the Malé Atoll.
Besides the Velana and Gan International Airports, there are 16 other domestic airports in the Maldives, serviced either by Maldivian, Flyme or Manta Air and connecting all the Atolls to Malé.
In case you want to check the airport closest to your island or resort, here is the complete list by Atoll:
| Airport | Island | Atoll |
| Hanimaadhoo International Airport | Hanimaadhoo | Haa Dhaalu |
| Maafaru International Airport | Maafaru | Noonu |
| Dharavandhoo Airport | Dharavandhoo | Baa |
| Fuvahmulah Airport | Fuvahmulah | Gnaviyani |
| Maavarulu Airport | Maavarulu | Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll |
| Ifuru Airport | Ifuru | Raa |
| Kaadedhdhoo Airport | Kaadedhdhoo | Gaafu Dhaalu |
| Kadhdhoo Airport | Kadhdhoo | Laamu |
| Kooddoo Airport | Kooddoo | Gaafu Alifu |
| Dhaalu Airport | Kudahuvadhoo | Dhaalu |
| Villa International Airport Maamigili | Maamigili | Alifu Dhaalu |
| Thimarafushi Airport | Thimarafushi | Thaa |
| Kulhudhuffushi Airport | Kulhudhuffushi | Haa Dhaalu |
| Madivaru Airport | Madivaru | Lhaviyani |
| Funadhoo Airport | Funadhoo | Shaviyani |
| Hoarafushi Airport | Hoarafushi | Haa Alifu Atoll |
Marine Life: Is Marine Life Dangerous in the Maldives?
The Maldives have one of the most diverse and rich marine environments on Earth.
From the giants of the ocean to small sea critters, there is really plenty of marine life to explore and stare at for hours.
Despite most of the Maldives has been hit by el Nino in 1998 which has caused widespread coral bleaching, coral reefs have recently started to regain life.
This is also thanks to large scale conservation activities lead by the most eco-aware resorts and several NGOs.
Despite the variety of sea life, including several giants of the ocean such as white tip, black tip, lemon, and tiger sharks, you are unlikely to experience any related accident. In fact, no human accident related to marine life has ever been reported in the Maldives.
You heard it right! There is no record of anyone ever being attacked by sharks in the Maldives.
Actually it is quite common in the Maldives to swim among small sharks that are learning to hunt smaller fish close to shore.
That said, whenever swimming, snorkeling or diving in the Maldives, you should always be respectful of the marine environment.
In general, even the most feared aquatic creature will be harmless if left undisturbed.
As tempting as it may be to get close to fish, turtles, mantas, and moray eels to get your perfect picture, I always suggest to pay attention and to maintain a safety distance.
In fact, although there hasn’t been any reported accident in the Maldives linked to sea life, this doesn’t mean that all Maldivian marine life is harmless.
Some of the species that may actually harm if provoked are: Lionfish (venomous), Stonefish (venomous), Blue-ringed octopus (venomous), Blue-spotted ray (venomous), moray eels, sea urchins and triggerfish (aggressive when protecting its eggs).
Getting to your Resort: Should I book a Seaplane in the Maldives?
When thinking about the Maldives, the typical images we have in mind are pristine waters, unspoiled atolls and white sand beaches with a seaplane nicely parked on the shore.
Seaplanes are in fact one of the quickest and most comfortable way to travel across the more than 1,200 Maldivian atolls.
Seaplanes routes are booked directly by resorts for their guests, and there are no predefined schedules or timetables.
Routes are worked out daily based on the number of reservations.
This is why when booking a holiday in the Maldives you will almost certainly not receive a seaplane ticket in advance. You will merely a confirmation from your resort.
When booking your flights to and from the Velana International Airport, you should be aware that seaplanes are allowed to fly in the Maldives only between 6:30 AM to 4:30PM (local time).
In fact, seaplanes cannot fly at night and if you are planning to reach your resort on the same day, you should make sure to be at the Velana International Airport by 3:30 PM at the latest and book your return flight from Velana International Airport only after 09:00 AM.
In case you are planning a long stay in the Maldives plan carefully your luggage.
You should be aware that the luggage allowance on Maldivian Seaplanes may differ from the luggage allowance of your international/intercontinental flight.
The standard allowance on Maldivian Seaplanes is one checked in luggage of 25Kg and one hand luggage not exceeding 5Kg.
I honestly traveled with heavier luggage many times without issues but suggest you don’t take this risk.
In case you are traveling with heavy duty sport equipment such as surf tables, you will in most cases requested to charter a private flight as there is virtually no space in a seaplane to store oversize objects without foregoing passenger space.
Scuba diving luggage that remains within the checked luggage weight limits is definitely not an issue.
Unless you are traveling to one of the uber luxury resorts, that have their own seaplane, you will be flying with a seaplane operated by Trans Maldivian Airlines.
Trans Maldivian is the world’s largest seaplane operator that began its activity in 1993 with only two aircrafts and now has a fleet of 57 de Havilland Twin Otters seaplanes.
Season: What is the best Season to visit the Maldives?
The Maldives are located just south of the Equator, making them one of the closest countries to the equatorial region.
In fact, they are located just 192 kilometers (119 miles) from the Equator!
This puts them in a unique geographical position, and also means that they experience some pretty interesting weather patterns.
Owing to their location, the Maldives experience warm weather all year round.
The average temperature in the Maldives is around 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, the temperatures can range from 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). It is therefore important to know what to expect before you travel.
The Maldives have two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The wet season runs from May to October, while the dry season runs from November to April.
The wet season is also known as the monsoon season. During this time of the year the country experiences heavy rains and strong winds.
Traveling during this time can be difficult, so it is important to plan ahead.
The dry season is the best time to visit the Maldives. This is when the weather is at its finest, and the country experiences little to no rain.
If you are looking for a relaxing vacation in a tropical paradise, then the dry season is the best time to travel to the Maldives.
So, when is the best time to visit the Maldives? The answer depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.
If you want warm weather and sunny days, then the dry season is the best time to travel.
However, if you don’t mind a little rain and are looking for cheaper travel rates, then the wet season may be a better option for you.
I have been to the Maldives many times in all seasons for some diving holidays and I was lucky enough to find extremely good weather.
Traveling with Family: Is Maldives a Family friendly destination?
Maldives is a great place to visit with your family.
There are plenty of activities and attractions that will keep the whole family entertained.
The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling. And there are also plenty of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a meal or drink.
The resorts in Maldives offer a wide range of services and facilities that cater to families.
Many of them have kids clubs where your children can participate in fun activities while you can enjoy some amazing dives.
So if you ‘re looking for a family-friendly destination, Maldives should definitely be on your list.
Safety: Is Maldives a Safe Travel Destination?
Crime rate in the Maldives is relatively low and mostly confined to local islands or to Malé.
According to the World Bank, the average crime rate in the Maldives from 2008 to 2019 has been 2 (crimes) per 100000 inhabitants.
This compares to 40 per 100000 inhabitants in the USA.
Although the crime rate in the Maldives is relatively low, there are a couple of things you should consider.
Crime rate on diving resort islands and liveaboards is close to zero.
This can change substantially if you are planning to travel to local islands or to Malé.
If that is the case, it is really important to check up your local island destination before booking your trip.
Maldivian economy is mostly centred on tourism, crimes against tourists are therefore lower than crimes against locals.
If you are traveling to Malé, it is always a good idea to check with your hotel whether it is safe to go out at a certain time of the day. Same for local islands.
All in all, I find Maldives a safe travel destination and have never experienced a single problem.