The Maldives are without doubt the jewel in the vast blue expanse that is the Indian Ocean.
Located in the tropics the Maldives enjoy a great deal of sunshine and are warm all year. The weather is largely influenced by the Southwest monsoon from May to November and the Northeast monsoon from December to April. The Maldives are home to some of the most diverse marine life in the world – with literally thousands of reefs made up of over two hundred different species of coral, it is renowned not only as a magnificent place of natural beauty but also as one of the greatest dive destinations on earth.
Getting There
Although relatively isolated, the Maldives is easily accessible by air from anywhere in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe. Colombo is an hour’s journey away by air, and from Singapore and Dubai it takes four hours and from Europe it takes nine to eleven hours to reach Male’. Male’ International Airport is on an island that only houses the airport and related facilities. Located on Hulhule Island the airport is modern and well-equipped with all the facilities and services one would expect from an international airport. The airport complex houses terminals for arrivals and departures, landside shops and airside duty free shops, restaurants, medical facilities, bank, post office and other services.
Do’s and Dont’s to Enjoying your Holiday in the Maldives
- Cover yourself properly when visiting inhabited islands and Male’. For men shorts and a shirt are acceptable. Women are expected to cover their bodies and thighs.
- While swimming trunks, bikinis and other beachwear is the norm on the resort, they are not acceptable on inhabited islands.
- Remember that nudism in public places is prohibited.
- Traditionally Maldivians eat with their fingers. If yo uwish t ofollow the local tradition keep in mind that it is considered unhygienic to touch food with the left hand. If in doubt use a spoon.
- Be conscious of the delicate local environment. Do not touch or pick corals when diving or snorkeling.
- The Maldivians use the Islamic greeting “Assalaam Alaikum” to greet friends and strangers alike. “Shukuriyya” means thank you.
Immigration/Customs
Tourists are issued a maximum of 30-day tourist visa on arrival and visa extensions can be granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé. The import of firearms, drugs, pornography and idols of worship are prohibited. Dogs, pigs, and pork products are also prohibited. Alcohol is imported under a special license and is available in all the resorts. Prohibited products such as alcohol brought in by passengers are bonded and released at departure.
Resort Transfer
If you have a booking with a resort, transfer is usually arranged prior to your arrival via either speedboat or seaplane. The Maldives has one of the largest seaplane fleets in the world, and it needs them with more than a thousand islands. The low altitude seaplane journey offers you the additional opportunity to experience a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the country.
Hospitals
Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)
Kanbaa Aisa Rani Higun, M, 20402 , Male’ Tel: +960 3316647
Maldives Holidays – Flight Information:
Scheduled Flights
Air Sahara Paradise Holidays PSA 3312090
Austrian Airlines Universal Enterprises GSA 3334004
Bangkok Airways Surf Travels GSA 3317117
Condor Universal Enterprises GSA 3334004
Emirates Universal Enterprises PSA 3315466
Indian Airlines Go Maldives GSA 3330099
Indian Airlines Cyprea PSA 3310111
Kuwait Airways Villa Travels and Tours PSA 3330088
LTU International Universal Enterprises GSA 3334004
Malaysian Airlines Villa Travels and Tours PSA 3332555
Qatar Airways Cyprea GSA & PSA 3334777
Singapore Airlines Sunland PSA 3310031
Srilankan Airlines Galaxy Enterprises GSA 3320002
Charter Flights
Air Tours Crown Tours Local Agent 3329889
Belair Voyages Maldives Local Agent 3327737, 3323617
Blue Panaroma Villa Travels & Tours Local Agent 3330088
Britannia Inner Maldives Local Agent 3326309
Czech Airlines Villa Travels & Tours Local Agent 3326143
Edelweiss Air Voyages Maldives Local Agent 3327737, 3323617
Eurofly VillaTravels&ToursLocalAgent3326143
First Choice Voyages Maldives Local Agent 3327737, 3323617
Hungarian Airlines Villa Travels & Tours Local Agent 3326143
Monarch Airlines Voyages Maldives Local Agent 3327737, 3323617
Neos Spa Sky Tours Local Agent 3324881
Transaero Airlines Universal Enterprises Local Agent 3326309
Other Carriers
British Airways Voyages Maldives GSA 3327737, 3323617
Cathay PacificUniversalEnterprisesPSA&GSA3334004
Ethihad Airways Air Travels Maldives Pvt Ltd PSA 3333883
Gulf Air Expo Investments PSA & GSA 3315435
KLM Royal Speed Travels GSA 3323069
Dutch Airlines
Lufthansa Universal Enterprises PSA & GSA 3334004
Swiss Voyages Maldives GSA 3327737, 3323617
Thai Airways Cyprea PSA 3310111