Island Adventures Await In Maldives

The Maldives has a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures between 26°C and 32°C year-round. The dry season from November to April is the most popular time to visit, with calm seas, clear skies, and excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving. This is also the peak season, so resorts and flights book quickly. The wet season runs from May to October, bringing short tropical downpours but also quieter resorts and great value. Divers often favour April and November, the transitional months, when manta rays and whale sharks are more commonly seen thanks to nutrient-rich waters.

Most travellers do not need to arrange a visa before travel. On arrival, visitors are issued a 30-day tourist visa free of charge, provided they have a valid passport (with at least six months remaining), proof of onward or return travel, and confirmation of accommodation. For longer stays, extensions can be arranged through Maldivian immigration once in-country. Travellers should also be aware that the Maldives is a Muslim country, so alcohol is only permitted on resort islands, not in Malé or local inhabited islands.

International flights arrive into Velana International Airport (Malé), after which transfers are arranged directly through your resort. Depending on your chosen island, this may be a speedboat ride (common for resorts close to Malé) or a seaplane transfer offering breathtaking aerial views of the atolls. Some outer islands are reached via a short domestic flight followed by a speedboat. Once you arrive at your resort, the island is typically small enough to explore on foot, with bicycles or buggies available at larger properties. Transfers are always arranged in advance to make the journey seamless.

The Maldives is regarded as one of the world’s top diving destinations, with warm waters, high visibility, and a wealth of marine biodiversity. The atolls are ringed by coral reefs and channels where nutrient-rich currents attract large pelagic species. Divers can encounter manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, turtles, and schooling fish throughout the year. Popular dive sites include Ari Atoll (renowned for whale shark encounters), Hanifaru Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famous for seasonal manta ray gatherings), and Vaavu Atoll (home to the Maldives’ legendary night dives with nurse sharks). With dive schools based at most luxury resorts, both beginners and advanced divers can explore safely. For those who prefer snorkelling, house reefs often lie just a few metres from the shore, offering spectacular underwater experiences without the need for tanks.