Asia · Southern Asia

Maldives

Republic of the Maldives

Flag of Maldives
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+05:00
🏛️ Capital
Malé
👥 Population
515,132
📐 Area
300 km²
💱 Currency
Maldivian rufiyaa (.ރ)
🗣️ Languages
Maldivian
📞 Calling Code
+960
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+05:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Southern Asia

About Maldives

The Maldives is the world's most celebrated island paradise — a string of 1,200 coral islands scattered like turquoise jewels across the Indian Ocean, where overwater bungalows hover above lagoons so clear you can count the fish below your feet. You come to the Maldives to slow down, to feel warm water against your skin, to watch the sun dissolve into the horizon from a private deck, and to discover a marine world of extraordinary beauty just below the surface. Few places on earth deliver on the promise of paradise quite so completely.

Spread across 26 natural atolls, the Maldives has developed a tourism model that ranges from ultra-exclusive private island resorts — where a single villa may occupy its own stretch of beach — to guesthouses on local inhabited islands, which offer a far more affordable and culturally immersive way to experience Maldivian life. The local island experience has grown significantly in recent years, allowing independent travelers to surf, dive, snorkel, and explore without the enormous price tag of a resort stay. This shift has opened up one of the world's most beautiful destinations to a far wider range of travelers.

Beneath the surface, the Maldives is one of the planet's most important marine ecosystems. Its reef systems support manta rays, whale sharks, spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and thousands of species of reef fish. Diving and snorkeling here is genuinely world-class, and even non-divers can simply wade from the beach into the reef for encounters that would be the highlight of a lifetime in most other destinations. Above the surface, the sunsets, the bioluminescent plankton that lights the shoreline on dark nights, and the overwhelming silence of the open ocean make the Maldives a destination that stays with you long after you leave.

History & Background

The Maldives has been inhabited for at least 2,500 years, with early settlers believed to have arrived from South Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For much of its early history, the islands were an independent sultanate, strategically positioned on the ancient maritime trade routes between Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia. Ibn Battuta, the great Moroccan traveler, served briefly as a judge in the Maldives in the 14th century and left vivid accounts of island life that remain important historical records. The islands converted to Islam in 1153 AD, an event the Maldivians attribute to the legendary Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari.

The Portuguese briefly seized control in the 16th century but were expelled in 1573 by the national hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu, who remains one of the most celebrated figures in Maldivian history. The islands then became a British protectorate in 1887 and gained full independence in 1965, becoming a republic in 1968. For decades thereafter, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ruled the country under an authoritarian system before democratic reforms brought multiparty elections in 2008. Today the Maldives faces one of its most existential challenges — climate change and sea-level rise threaten the very existence of these low-lying islands, most of which sit barely a metre above sea level.

Culture & People

Maldivian culture is a distinctive blend of South Asian, Arab, and African influences, shaped by centuries of maritime trade that brought dhow captains, merchants, and settlers from across the Indian Ocean world. Islam arrived in 1153 AD and has been the central organizing principle of Maldivian society ever since — the country is entirely Muslim, the call to prayer defines the rhythm of the day, and Friday is observed as the holy day across all inhabited islands. Visitors to local islands are expected to dress modestly outside resort zones, and alcohol is available only at licensed resorts on uninhabited islands.

The Maldivian people are known for their gentle hospitality, their deep connection to the sea, and their skill in traditional boatbuilding. The dhoni — a graceful wooden vessel used for fishing and inter-island transport — is an icon of Maldivian identity and is still crafted using centuries-old techniques. Traditional music centers on the bodu beru, a large drum brought by African sailors; evening bodu beru performances, with their increasingly intense rhythms and spontaneous dancing, are electrifying cultural experiences offered on many local islands. Lacquerwork, weaving, and reef-fishing continue as important traditional crafts, and the BoduMas fishing culture — communal pole-and-line tuna fishing — remains both economically significant and a source of national pride.

Food & Cuisine

Maldivian cuisine is centered on two ingredients that define island life: tuna and coconut. The skipjack tuna caught daily by local fishermen forms the backbone of virtually every traditional dish, from the famous mas huni — a breakfast of shredded smoked tuna mixed with coconut, onion, and chili eaten with flatbread called roshi — to garudhiya, a clear and intensely flavored tuna broth served with rice, lime, and chili that is considered the Maldivian national dish. Coconut appears in virtually every preparation, whether freshly grated into salads, pressed into rich curries, or drunk straight from the green husks sold at roadside stalls.

Short-eats — an array of fried and baked snacks served in tea houses called sai hotels — are an essential part of Maldivian daily life. Expect to find keemia (spiced fish rolls), gulha (fish-filled dough balls), and bajiyaa (fish pastries) piled high on platters for a few rufiyaa each. These teashop gatherings are deeply social, and joining locals for afternoon tea and short-eats is one of the best ways to experience genuine Maldivian hospitality on inhabited islands. While resort islands offer global cuisine of high quality, making an effort to eat on local islands gives you access to flavors that most resort guests never discover.

Top Attractions

  • Maafushi Island — The most popular local island for budget travelers, offering excellent guesthouses, dive schools, surfing, and easy day trips to uninhabited sandbanks and snorkeling spots.
  • Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll — A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks gather between May and November to feed; one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the ocean.
  • Male Fish Market — The heart of the capital city's daily life, where fishermen unload and sell tuna caught that morning; a vivid, aromatic window into Maldivian fishing culture.
  • Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque) — Male's most important historical monument, built in 1656 from coral stone with intricate lacework carvings; a masterpiece of traditional Maldivian craftsmanship.
  • Vaadhoo Island — Famous for its bioluminescent beach, where microscopic phytoplankton create a stunning blue glow in the waves on dark nights; a magical natural phenomenon.
  • Banana Reef, North Male Atoll — One of the Maldives' most famous dive sites, featuring a dramatic coral cliff, resident Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and consistent reef shark sightings.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Book water transfers or speedboat connections to outer atolls well in advance — inter-atoll transport can book out quickly during peak season and timings are often tied to resort schedules.
  • If staying on local (inhabited) islands, pack modest clothing including cover-ups for beach areas outside designated tourist zones — this is both a legal requirement and a sign of respect.
  • Alcohol is only available at resort islands and the airport transit hotel; do not attempt to bring alcohol onto local islands.
  • Currency exchange rates at the airport are reasonable, but carrying US dollars is universally useful as most guesthouses and dive shops on local islands prefer dollar payments.
  • Apply reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen to protect the coral ecosystems — many resorts and dive centers specifically request this and standard chemical sunscreens cause documented reef damage.
  • Book snorkeling and diving excursions through reputable local operators on inhabited islands for a fraction of resort prices with equivalent quality.
  • The Green Tax and Tourism Goods and Services Tax are added to bills at most accommodations — factor these into your budgeting to avoid surprises at checkout.

Visa Overview

The Maldives offers a free 30-day visa on arrival to all nationalities, making it one of the most hassle-free destinations in the world for international visitors. You will need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a confirmed onward or return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and confirmed accommodation bookings. Extensions of up to 90 days are possible for an additional fee. There are no restrictions based on nationality for the standard tourist visa, though entry may be refused to those without adequate documentation.

Getting Around

Getting around the Maldives is half the adventure. Velana International Airport in Male serves as the main hub, and reaching your island involves a seaplane transfer, speedboat, or local ferry depending on the atoll. Seaplanes are the fastest and most scenic option but operate only during daylight hours. Public ferries connect Male to many inhabited islands on a scheduled basis and are extremely affordable, though journey times can be several hours. Speedboat transfers are arranged by most resorts and guesthouses and offer a balance of speed and cost between seaplanes and ferries.

Safety Notes

The Maldives is one of the safest destinations in Asia for tourists, with very low rates of violent crime. The primary safety concerns are ocean-related — strong currents exist at many dive and snorkel sites, so always dive with a reputable operator who assesses conditions before entry. Sun exposure is intense at this equatorial latitude; use high SPF protection and stay hydrated. The nearest hospital for serious medical cases is in Male, and comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended for visits to remote atolls.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Maldives.

Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) .ރ
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.611856
AAVE 0.000356
ADA 0.240050
AED 0.237554
AFN 4.179344
AKT 0.084524
ALGO 0.503665
ALL 5.305692
AMD 23.401327
AMP 100.877513
ANG 0.116317
AOA 59.251785
APE 0.403733
APT 0.078786
AR 0.014349
ARB 0.317292
ARS 98.315303
ATOM 0.035528
ATS 0.793659
AUD 0.092821
AVAX 0.005697
AWG 0.115785
AXS 0.049391
AZM 549.825421
AZN 0.109965
BAKE 252.010705
BAM 0.112807
BAT 0.613223
BBD 0.129369
BCH 0.000205
BDT 7.951660
BEF 2.326701
BGN 0.112807
BHD 0.024321
BIF 194.339395
BMD 0.064684
BNB 0.000083
BND 0.082763
BOB 0.775947
BRL 0.323340
BSD 0.064684
BSV 0.003239
BSW 157.192629
BTC 0.000001
BTCB 0.925787
BTG 0.098048
BTN 6.236750
BTT 173,991.171247
BUSD 0.064674
BWP 0.890268
BYN 0.197334
BYR 1,267.990806
BZD 0.130087
CAD 0.092296
CAKE 0.026450
CDF 149.485512
CELO 0.621973
CFX 1.178844
CHF 0.053801
CHZ 3.866929
CLP 62.939860
CNH 0.433581
CNY 0.433720
COMP 0.002639
COP 206.902244
CRC 29.598760
CRO 0.952537
CRV 0.175465
CSPR 25.358444
CUC 0.064693
CUP 1.549439
CVE 6.360089
CVX 0.029221
CYP 0.033757
CZK 1.411019
DAI 0.064711
DASH 0.001141
DCR 0.003508
DEM 0.112807
DFI 70.774594
DJF 11.507428
DKK 0.431084
DOGE 0.682197
DOP 3.876611
DOT 0.052280
DYDX 0.442717
DZD 8.695301
EEK 0.902458
EGLD 0.014473
EGP 3.391282
ENJ 1.953929
EOS 0.636520
ERN 0.970267
ESP 9.596715
ETB 10.521697
ETC 0.007289
ETH 0.000024
EUR 0.057677
EURC 0.057670
FEI 0.064713
FIL 0.054190
FIM 0.342934
FJD 0.145546
FKP 0.048952
FLOW 2.044416
FLR 8.973851
FRAX 0.065339
FRF 0.378339
FTT 0.250402
GALA 26.697833
GBP 0.048952
GEL 0.167888
GGP 0.048952
GHC 7,604.729247
GHS 0.760473
GIP 0.048952
GMD 4.787364
GMX 0.007367
GNF 568.716654
GNO 0.000533
GRD 19.653581
GRT 2.221516
GT 0.005778
GTQ 0.493634
GUSD 0.064818
GYD 13.502845
HBAR 0.642552
HKD 0.507608
HNL 1.734438
HNT 0.124658
HOT 141.244871
HRK 0.434571
HT 1.773457
HTG 8.452446
HUF 21.187977
ICP 0.018552
IDR 1,158.837597
IEP 0.045425
ILS 0.197815
IMP 0.048952
IMX 0.352770
INJ 0.008534
INR 6.236750
IQD 84.564481
IRR 116,336.700823
ISK 7.897845
ITL 111.679057
JEP 0.048952
JMD 10.236025
JOD 0.045861
JPY 10.227350
KAS 1.507762
KAVA 0.933056
KCS 0.008521
KDA 6.625353
KES 8.396619
KGS 5.657217
KHR 262.043458
KLAY 1.553109
KMF 28.375430
KNC 0.451590
KPW 58.224088
KRW 86.836558
KSM 0.012626
KWD 0.019994
KYD 0.053773
KZT 29.449466
LAK 1,451.437105
LBP 5,833.413281
LDO 0.141208
LEO 0.007274
LINK 0.004677
LKR 21.335025
LRC 6.300343
LRD 11.038332
LSL 1.076925
LTC 0.000929
LTL 0.199149
LUF 2.326701
LUNA 1.266686
LUNC 1,223.328504
LVL 0.040536
LYD 0.415022
MAD 0.645594
MANA 0.625504
MBX 2.187082
MDL 1.159282
MGA 286.451434
MGF 1,432.257172
MINA 0.480108
MKD 3.548691
MKR 0.000032
MMK 135.783972
MNT 232.551985
MOP 0.522836
MRO 25.897686
MRU 2.589769
MTL 0.024761
MUR 3.066187
MWK 111.957767
MXN 1.169187
MXV 0.132913
MYR 0.264278
MZM 4,128.760226
MZN 4.128760
NAD 1.076925
NEAR 0.012378
NEO 0.025522
NEXO 0.076065
NFT 271,070.814455
NGN 85.515745
NIO 2.378005
NLG 0.127104
NOK 0.620832
NPR 9.983477
NZD 0.115564
OKB 0.000496
OMR 0.024894
ONE 0.441640
OP 0.481183
ORDI 0.014217
PAB 0.064684
PAXG 0.000016
PEN 0.222717
PEPE 14,956.520306
PGK 0.291421
PHP 4.065181
PI 0.741008
PKR 17.885270
PLN 0.252663
POL 0.591507
PTE 11.563284
PYG 377.885907
QAR 0.235451
QNT 0.000250
QTUM 0.065988
ROL 3,083.059342
RON 0.308306
RPL 0.033827
RSD 6.774467
RUB 5.487819
RUNE 0.083316
RVN 26.363923
RWF 95.343006
SAND 0.983667
SAR 0.242567
SBD 0.521919
SCR 0.916174
SDD 3,882.235980
SDG 38.822360
SEK 0.649734
SGD 0.082763
SHIB 11,050.082260
SHP 0.048952
SIT 13.821817
SKK 1.737590
SLE 1.491293
SLL 1,491.293069
SNX 0.258350
SOL 0.000539
SOS 36.802379
SPL 0.010781
SRD 2.438980
SRG 2,438.980396
SSP 370.424333
STD 1,423.110923
STN 1.423111
STX 0.172614
SUI 0.054199
SVC 0.565989
SYP 841.143714
SZL 1.076925
THB 2.177256
THETA 0.279345
TJS 0.595332
TMM 1,135.011024
TMT 0.227002
TND 0.193589
TOP 0.155789
TRL 3,180,896.493208
TRX 0.192493
TRY 3.180896
TTD 0.437962
TUSD 0.064736
TVD 0.092821
TWD 2.055792
TWT 0.113309
TZS 170.662656
UAH 2.913342
UGX 260.040944
UNI 0.007301
USD 0.064684
USDC 0.064702
USDD 0.064730
USDP 0.065069
USDT 0.064717
UYU 2.612999
UZS 760.890078
VAL 111.679057
VEB 5,632,234,595.609896
VED 56.322346
VEF 5,632,234.595610
VES 56.322346
VET 7.412332
VND 1,681.496285
VUV 7.775852
WAVES 0.216820
WEMIX 0.337768
WOO 4.725506
WST 0.180029
XAF 37.833907
XAG 0.001069
XAU 0.000016
XAUT 0.000016
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.175096
XCG 0.116317
XCH 0.041332
XDC 1.924845
XDR 0.047812
XEC 8,111.502227
XEM 103.028804
XLM 0.299717
XMR 0.000115
XOF 37.833907
XPD 0.000055
XPF 6.882747
XPT 0.000038
XRP 0.043052
XTZ 0.193601
YER 15.278321
ZAR 1.076925
ZEC 0.000048
ZIL 17.726203
ZMK 1,278.834425
ZMW 1.278834
ZWD 23.409305
ZWG 1.731702
ZWL 4,327.045223

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Cities in Maldives 148
Browse all cities and towns
Agolhitheemu Alifushi Badidhoo Biledhdhoo Bilehffahi Buruni Dhabidhoo Dharaboodhoo Dharavandhoo Dhiffushi Dhiggaru Dhiyamigili Dhonfanu Eydhafushi Fainu Feeali Feevah Fehendhoo Felidhoo Feydhoo Feydhoo Firubaidhoo Foakaidhoo Fodhdhoo Fonadhoo Fulhadhoo Fulidhoo Funadhoo Fuvammulah Gaadhiffushi Gaadhoo Gaafaru Gamu Gemendhoo Goidhoo Goidhoo Gulhi Guraidhoo Guraidhoo Hebadhoo Himmafushi Hinnavaru Hirilandhoo Hithaadhoo Hithadhoo Hithadhoo Holhudhoo Hulhudheli Hulhudhoo Hulhudhuffaaru Huraa Iguraidhoo Innamaadhoo Isdhoo Kaashidhoo Kadholhudhoo Kaditheemu Kadoodhoo Kalhaidhoo Kamadhoo Kedhikolhudhoo Kendhoo Keyodhoo Kibidhoo Kihaadhoo Kinolhas Kolhufushi Komandoo Kudafari Kudahuvadhoo Kudarikilu Kunahandhoo Kurendhoo Landhoo Lhaimagu Lhohi Maabaidhoo Maaeboodhoo Maafaru Maafilaafushi Maafushi Maakandoodhoo Maakurathu Maalhendhoo Maalhos Maamendhoo Maaugoodhoo Maavah Madifushi Madifushi Maduvvari Maduvvari Magoodhoo Magoodhoo Manadhoo Maradhoo Maradhoo-Feydhoo Maroshi Meedhoo Meedhoo Meedhoo Miladhoo Mulah Muli Mundhoo Naalaafushi Naifaru Narudhoo Nilandhoo Noomaraa Olhuvelifushi Omadhoo Raimandhoo Rakeedhoo Rasgetheemu Rasmaadhoo Ribudhoo Thimarafushi Thinadhoo Thulhaadhoo Thulusdhoo Ugoofaaru Vaadhoo Vaanee Vandhoo Velidhoo Veymandhoo Veyvah Vilufushi ހިތަދޫ ހުޅުމީދޫ ނައިފަރު ނިލަންދޫ ރަސްދޫ ކުޅުދުއްފުށި ކުޑަހުވަދޫ އުނގޫފާރު އޭދަފުށި ވިލިނގިލި ވޭމަންޑޫ މަހިބަދޫ މަޑިފުށި މުލި ފުނަދޫ ފުވައްމުލައް ދިއްދޫ ތިމަރަފުށި ތުލުސްދޫ

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Maldives needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Maldives?
The capital of Maldives is Malé.
What currency does Maldives use?
Maldives uses the Maldivian rufiyaa (.ރ) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Maldives?
The official language(s) of Maldives include Maldivian.
What is the population of Maldives?
Maldives has a population of approximately 515,132 people.
What region is Maldives in?
Maldives is located in Asia, specifically in the Southern Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Maldives?
The international dialing code for Maldives is +960.
What time zones does Maldives observe?
Maldives observes the following time zone(s): UTC+05:00.
What is the current time in Maldives?
The local time in Maldives is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Maldives?
Maldives covers a total area of 300 km².
How many states or provinces does Maldives have?
Maldives is divided into 31 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Maldives in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Maldives in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Maldives?
Visa requirements for citizens of Maldives vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.