Travel Tips

Visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following requirement for the grant of an entry permit into the country.

• Possession of a valid international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State.
• Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination.
• Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Following are exempted from this requirement.

• Diplomats
• UN Personnel
• Approved persons for employment
• Technical and other experts attached to the Government
• Those who have confirm bookings in registered tourist resort/hotels etc.
• Those sponsored by Maldivians

No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements.
Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors

• Accommodation bookings

• Vital Information

Some hotels have telescopes but for the nature enthusiast it’s best to bring your own. If you desire, you can bring cigarettes (up to two cartons) and film (up to ten rolls). And don't forget an extra bottle of your favorite suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses, water socks (reef walkers) and any common insect repellent.

An overcoat and overshoes in a tropical paradise island? Doesn’t sound quite right does it? But there are those essentials you will need, depending very much on when and where you find yourself in the Maldives.

First of all, it must be stated that official regulations do not allow public nudity anywhere in the Maldives. Regardless of how private one's tourist resort or cruising vessel is, at least a bikini and swimming trunk is a must.

You are also expected to wear decent swimwear to avoid offending the sensibilities of your fellow holiday-makers when you go swimming or snorkeling. At in-house restaurants, bars etc., casual tropical wear comes highly recommended.

When visiting inhabited islands, it is a must that guests be decently clad in garments that cover one's body from the torso down to the knees. If you envisage making any formal visit locally, do bring along light formal wear.

When is comes to selection of clothing material, do bear in mind that light cotton garments would be the best choice. Also light footwear in the nature of sandals is strongly suggested.

Your arrival in Maldives
Though Male’ is the capital island, it is too small to have an airport. Therefore, your flight would land on the neighbouring island called Hulhule', which looks more like an aircraft carrier from the air, with the only runway in the world that begins and ends in water. You own your first Maldivian memorabilia when you gain an unforgettable image in your mind of the unique landing on the runway. Just as your flight seems about to splash into the greenish blue crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean the wheels suddenly bounce onto the asphalt. The island of Hulhule’ is just over a kilometre from Male' and for years the island served as the holiday destination for the Sultans (Kings who ruled before the country changed into a Republic in the early 1950s).

Cruising in the Maldives
Cruising is probably the most enjoyable activity for most people, as it can be comprehensive enough to include all the popular water-sports activities such as snorkelling and diving, good food and island hopping.
It is certainly one of the best means of letting yourself become part of the natural beauty and witnessing the wonders found above and beneath the Maldivian seas and lagoons. The glowing reefs combined with rich fauna and flora would no doubt leave an indelible mark in your memory for the rest of your life. You would be engrossed in the most cooling and refreshing experience as you spend your days snorkelling, diving, fishing, windsurfing or just sitting on the deck as the blue sea unfolds more of its islands.
The whole experience becomes even more memorable during the sunsets. The colourful sky in the distant horizon with, seabirds flying in the foreground, has never stopped impressing the visitors nor the locals. The moment becomes still special as you dine under the starry sky. The crew would make sure that you are served with fresh tuna or barracuda complemented by salads and fresh fruits, a favourite of many.
Your choice of the right boat is very important to avoid you from ending up with a hectic holiday. A helpful tip for those travelling to join cruises is to travel light. Enough information should be obtained before you finalise your choice of the cruise. Cruises can be arranged in groups of 4 - 6 to larger groups of 10 – 12. Be sure the boat is spacious and contain enough toilets. Established cruising operators will have spares and good equipment and excellent safety measures all for the convenience of the guests. Naturally food accounts for a perfect holiday and be careful not to end up with only spicy food as some people are sensitive to high level of spices. Most cruises however come with a wonderful chef. Experienced diving instructors are found in all safaris and many of them can speak English, Italian and German and few other main languages such as Japanese.
A majority of the cruisers normally use the central atolls located to the North and South of the capital where tourist services are more readily available and at the same time have some of the best and most famous diving spots in the Maldives. Within these atolls are also many virgin uninhabited islands, a dream far away from the modern hectic civilisation. You will get an opportunity to visit fishing villages for some experience in the unique Maldivian culture.

Diving in the Maldives
The Maldives Islands are a paradise for Scuba Diving holidaymakers and a mecca for marine biologists. A majority of the Maldives islands resorts have diving schools and offer you the service of professional diving instructors. There are numerous diving sites throughout the country. Some are ranked among the best in the world. The Ministry of Tourism and your resort itself would be able to give you detailed information on location (including maps), life forms, information on safety and environmental protection and special information on unique sites such as shipwrecks to make your Scuba Diving Holiday in Maldives a memorable one.

Tour of Male', the Capital   
Male', the capital of the Maldives is located almost in the centre of the nation, on the east side of Kaafu atoll. It is the commercial centre and the location of many important historical and religious landmarks. With an area of just over 1.77 square kilometres, it is home to over 80,000 people. It is the busiest and the most populous island in the archipelago. In the past, it has been known as the Sultan's island.

Maldives Liveaboards
If you want to explore the countryside and intend to travel a lot, you would need a vehicle. Similarly if you intend to travel around the Maldives you would need a boat or as it is known locally a “safari boat”.
Safari boats are liveaboard vessels where all your needs are catered. All liveaboard vessels must comply with quite high regulatory standards. Most new generation live aboard vessels are equipped with cabins with attached toilets, air-conditioning in cabins and lounge area, restaurant & bar facilities, sun deck, sound proof generators, video facilities, and diving equipment such as compressors, oxygen cylinders etc. However please make sure you inform us of any specific requirement in order to ensure that your holiday goes as planned.