Bookings: Make your reservations at a Maldives hotel well in advance. The Maldives do now enjoy an all year round booking season. Please be patient with your booking request. To arrange Maldives hotel and transport arrangements may take a few days. Please also take note that in the Maldives Friday is a non-working day!
Visa requirements: No prior visa arrangements are required. A tourist visa of 30 days will be issued upon arrival.
What to bring: Do bring casual clothes. In particular when travelling by seaplane or by boat. Seaplanes (or water taxis) have no air-condition and it can get hot. Travel light with only a single handbag if possible. Also in many resort no shoe wear is required, so forget the formal wear and enjoy.
Arrival: Bring USD or EUROS. Note that the airport currency exchange does not accept non-major currencies. Plus tipping is expected in most Maldives hotels and resorts, so bring USD notes in small nominations (best is USD 1 notes). Credit cards are accepted. In case you need to withdraw cash (USD) via your credit card a 6% surcharge applies (VISA/Master).
Please note that Male International Airport is situated on Hulhule Island, just over a kilometer or about ten minutes by boat from Male, the capital. There is only a single hotel at Male Airport, the Hulhule Island Hotel. In case you arrive late you may want to stay at the airport hotel, or in case of non-availability, at alternative Male hotels. Contact our Customer Service Agents for details.
Once you arrived at Male airport our local ground operator will welcome you. Pending on your arrangements you may continue your journey by boat or seaplane. In either case you will find that our local operators are very helpful and willing and assist you in all Maldives travel matters. In case your plane arrives early DO wait for our ground operators. In case of assistance you are also welcome to contact our offices by phone. We are happy to assist 24x7 and can be reached at +66-76-254766-8. We then will liaise with our Maldive ground operators.
Seaplanes: Seaplanes or Water Taxis are a unique way to fly. You will most likely fly with Maledivian Air Taxi. This company operates a fleet of DeHavilland Twin Otters and flies to over 30 Maldives hotels and resorts. There are NO flight schedules. Planes will take off pending weather and booking situation. Our local agents will brief you on flight times.
The Resort: Once you arrive the hotel staff will welcome you. Please note that tipping is expected, so please have USD notes ready. After exploring your island you will settle for your first meal. Many Maldives hotels/resorts offer full board. This means that all meals are included and served buffet style. However soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be billed separate. Usually all bills are settled at the end of your stay (when you check-out).
Things to do: Well, in fact not too much. Just relax and enjoy. Meals are the highlights of the day, so buffet offerings change daily. In case you feel restless you may want to go snorkeling, wind surfing or scuba diving. Our Maldives Sports and Leisure Activities will help you decide. The diving is outstanding. Expect big fish such as whale sharks, mantas, sharks and turtles. Diving certification cards and log books are required (PADI, NAUI, CMAS, BSAC).
Maldives Hotel/Resort check out: The check out time is 12:00 noon sharp. You may want to clear your bill (for drinks etc..) the night before. Our local operators will inform you about the seaplane departure time. Be flexible. The seaplane may arrive early or late. So be ready with all your luggage packed.
Return trip to Male: In case your outbound plane departs late in the day we strongly recommend that you book a hotel for day use. The Male Airport hall is non air-conditioned (except business class) and can be very crowded. Travellers with business class tickets have access to the Business lounge which is air-conditioned, but at times hopelessly overcrowded. The only hotel at Male Airport (about 50 meters from the airport) is the Hulhule Island Hotel. This Maldives hotel, as you may expect, is usually fully booked. To get a room you must book early. If the hotel is fully booked we can provide an alternative Male hotel for you, a short boat ride away from the airport.
Wired Destinations provides all the Maldives info you need for unsurpassed Maldives travel. Also check out Maldives Culture, Maldives Sports and Leisure Activities, Maldives Travel Tips and our Maldives Spa Guide. For online travel and to find the perfect Maldives hotel, think Wired Destinations.
