Indian Ocean

Maldives

Mauritius

Seychelles

Highlights - Essential Info - Hotels

Visa Requirements - Holders of UK passports do not require a visa for entry into the Maldives for stays of less than 1 month. However you should have a full passport with at least six months validity from the date of your return to the UK. Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with their local Embassy or High Commission. Please also be aware that you need to have at least two blank pages in your passport.

Health Requirements - A Yellow Fever Certificate is required if you enter the Maldives from or via an infected country. There are no other mandatory vaccinations required although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis may be recommended. Malaria is not considered to be a risk in the Maldives, but it is still advisable that you obtain qualified medical advice on this issue. We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 606 2782 for all professional medical advice.

Time - GMT + 5 hours (+ 4 hours during British Summer Time)

Money - The currency is the Maldives Rufiya. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be freely exchanged at most commercial banks and hotels. The use and acceptance of credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard is widespread and they are generally accepted in most of the hotels and restaurants.

Flights

Climate - a rough guide
Located some 600km to the south west of Sri Lanka in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, this low-lying chain of over 1150 coral islands, grouped into just 26 atolls, is one of the world's most stunning marine habitats and a tropical paradise with a climate to match. The climate can be split into two distinct periods, late November to March are the driest months whilst May to early November tend to be wetter months with more storms and strong winds. The Maldives has a climate that is tropical throughout the year and is dominated by the trade winds that effectively split the weather into two seasons as described below:

LATE NOVEMBER - APRIL The northeast trade winds blow from December through to March and generally bring slightly less humid weather with temperatures hovering around 85F. This is also the driest period of the year with rainfall being significantly lower than the rest of the year. The transitional periods in April and late November are usually calm with exceptionally clear water, ideal for scuba diving. Fortunately the Maldives lies outside the cyclone belt in the vicinity of the Bay of Bengal. However it should be noted that as the Maldives straddle the equator, the climate is tropical and rain showers can occur at any time.

MAY - EARLY NOVEMBER The southwest trade winds blow from around May to early November and generally bring hot, humid and often stormy weather. The daytime temperatures tend to average around 87F.

When to go - The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures averaging 87F throughout the year. The months from November to April are generally the driest with just the occasional shower. The months from May to early November are affected by the southwesterly monsoon which brings significantly higher levels of rainfall and humidity as well as rougher seas. If you are a keen scuba diver then the best times to go are generally in April or late November as the winds tend to be calmer and the underwater visibility better.

Temp (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures (day/night)
Rain (inches) = Average Monthly Rainfall