Question 1

What is the best time to visit the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, during the Northeast Monsoon (dry season), when skies are clear, seas are calm, and underwater visibility reaches up to 30 metres - ideal for diving, snorkelling, and beach activities. Peak months are December-March, which is also the busiest and most expensive period. If you are on a tighter budget or want fewer crowds, May to October (the Southwest Monsoon or wet season) is a great alternative - prices drop significantly, lush greenery blooms across the islands, surf conditions are at their best, and rain arrives in short tropical bursts rather than all day. The Maldives is genuinely a year-round destination with warm temperatures of 26°C-31°C in every month.

Question 2

Do I need a visa to travel to the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Most nationalities - including visitors from the UK, USA, EU, Australia, China, India, UAE, and over 100 other countries - receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival in the Maldives. No pre-application is required. To qualify, you must hold a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your travel dates), a confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel or resort booking), and sufficient funds for your stay (typically USD 100 per day is cited as a guideline). The visa can be extended to 90 days through the Maldives Immigration Department. Citizens of Israel are currently not permitted entry. Always verify current entry requirements with the Maldives Immigration official website or your airline before travel.

Question 3

What is the capital city of the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Malé is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives, located on a small island in Kaafu Atoll (North Malé Atoll). Despite covering only 5.8 km², Malé is home to approximately 240,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It is the political, economic, cultural, and transport centre of the country, and the main hub for international arrivals via Velana International Airport (MLE), located on the adjacent Hulhulé Island (5 minutes by ferry). Malé's top attractions include the Grand Friday Mosque, the Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy, built 1656), the National Museum, the Malé Fish Market, and the lively local harbour and waterfront. Follow Me To Maldives (FMTM) provides guided tours of Malé City as part of its shore excursion and concierge services.

Question 4

Are there budget-friendly places to stay in the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Yes - the Maldives is absolutely accessible on a budget. Beyond the luxury resort islands, the Maldives has a thriving local island guesthouse sector that has transformed affordable Maldives travel since 2010. Islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Dhigurah, Fulidhoo, Ukulhas, Thoddoo, and Himmafushi offer clean, comfortable guesthouses from as little as USD 40-100 per night, along with cheap local restaurants, snorkelling trips, dive packages, and authentic community experiences. These islands let you eat fresh grilled fish, watch local football matches, explore the real daily life of Maldivians, and still enjoy stunning beaches and house reefs - often at a fraction of resort prices. Budget tip: book a guesthouse package that includes breakfast, airport speedboat transfer, and a snorkelling trip for best value.

Question 5

Is the Maldives good for family vacations?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - the Maldives is an outstanding family holiday destination. Many of the Maldives' best resorts offer dedicated kids' clubs, children's pools, family villas with private gardens, baby-sitting services, junior diving programmes (Bubblemaker/PADI Seal Team for ages 8+), and extensive water sports suitable for all ages. Local islands are also great for families - children love snorkelling directly from the beach, cycling around flat island paths, and experiencing Maldivian village life. The warm, shallow lagoons around most islands are safe for young swimmers. Top family-friendly Maldives resorts include Kandima, Kurumba, Amari Havodda, Centara Grand, and Kuramathi. FMTM's guided snorkelling and cultural shore excursions are also designed to be family-friendly and safe for children of all ages.

Question 6

Is alcohol allowed in the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol availability in the Maldives depends entirely on your location. The Maldives is a Muslim country, and the consumption and possession of alcohol is strictly prohibited on local inhabited islands and in Malé City. However, alcohol is freely available at all private resort islands, liveaboard dive vessels, and tourist hotels/guesthouses on designated "tourist zones" - resorts are on private islands where normal resort rules apply. If you are staying at a luxury resort, you will have full access to bars, poolside cocktails, wine lists, and sundowner experiences. If you are staying on a local island, you must refrain from alcohol during your stay on that island, though some guesthouses are located near "bikini beaches" with slightly more relaxed rules. Always respect local customs and Islamic law when visiting inhabited Maldivian islands.

Question 7

What are the top things to do in the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

The Maldives offers an extraordinary range of activities for every type of traveller. Top Maldives activities include: scuba diving and snorkelling on world-class coral reefs with manta rays, whale sharks, and reef sharks; staying in overwater bungalows at luxury five-star resorts; island-hopping between local Maldivian islands for cultural experiences and affordable beach stays; surfing at legendary breaks like Cokes (Pasta Point) and Chickens in Kaafu Atoll; sunset dolphin-watching cruises departing from local islands; private sandbank picnics on uninhabited desert islands; night fishing with local Maldivian fishermen; kayaking and paddleboarding on crystal-clear lagoons; exploring Malé City's historic mosques, markets, and waterfront; visiting the National Museum and local handicraft markets; experiencing Bodu Beru traditional drumming performances; and using the FMTM Maldives Airport Concierge Service (MACS) for a seamless, stress-free arrival. The Maldives is also one of the best destinations in the world for underwater photography.

Question 8

What kind of food can I expect in the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Maldivian cuisine is built around fresh tuna, coconut, and rice - a reflection of the country's ocean-dependent culture and South Asian heritage. Must-try traditional Maldivian dishes include: garudhiya (light tuna broth served with rice, lime, chilli, and onion); mas huni (shredded smoked tuna with fresh coconut and onion, typically eaten at breakfast with roshi flatbread); rihaakuru (a thick, rich tuna paste used as a condiment); kulhi boakibaa (spiced tuna cake); and hedhikaa (traditional Maldivian short-eats/snacks served at sai hotels). Luxury resorts offer world-class international dining ranging from Japanese teppanyaki and Italian to fresh seafood tasting menus and overwater restaurants. On local islands, small local restaurants (hotaas) serve generous Maldivian rice and curry meals from as little as USD 3-6. Fresh tropical fruits (papaya, watermelon, banana, mango) are available year-round. Traditional Maldivian tea (sai) with condensed milk, served hot and sweet, is a staple enjoyed across the islands.

Question 9

Is the Maldives a good honeymoon destination?

Accepted Answer

The Maldives is widely regarded as the world's #1 honeymoon destination - and for very good reason. The combination of total seclusion on private islands, turquoise waters visible right from your overwater villa deck, spectacular sunsets, bioluminescent beaches, and world-class hospitality creates an unmatched romantic atmosphere. Iconic Maldives honeymoon experiences include: breakfast delivered by boat to your overwater villa; sunset dolphin cruises; private sandbank dinners under a canopy of stars; couples' spa treatments in over-water treatment pavilions; underwater dining at the world-famous Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (Conrad Maldives); and simply lying on your own stretch of powder-white beach with no other guests in sight. The Maldives suits all honeymoon budgets - from ultra-luxury private island resorts to charming, romantic guesthouses on local islands. FMTM specialises in creating customised Maldives honeymoon itineraries combining shore excursions, transfers, and curated island experiences.

Question 10

How do I get around in the Maldives?

Accepted Answer

Getting around the Maldives is a unique travel experience in itself. The main modes of inter-island and inter-atoll transport are: Speedboat transfers - the most common way to reach local islands and many resorts from Malé/Velana Airport (typically 20-90 minutes depending on the atoll; FMTM MACS can arrange this for you); Seaplane flights - the most scenic and efficient way to reach remote resorts, offering breathtaking bird's-eye views of the atolls (operated by Trans Maldivian Airways and Manta Air; 25-45 minute flights; seaplanes only operate in daylight hours); Domestic propeller flights - for atolls with an airstrip such as Addu, Haa Dhaal, Dhaalu, and Lhaviyani; Public ferry network - the cheapest option (USD 2-10) connecting inhabited islands, though schedules are infrequent; and Dhoni charter - renting a traditional Maldivian wooden boat for private island-hopping and sunset cruises. Within islands, travel is by foot or bicycle - most inhabited islands are small enough to walk end-to-end in minutes. FMTM's Maldives Airport Concierge Service (MACS) at Velana International Airport coordinates all arrivals, transfers, and island connections for a seamless Maldives journey.