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)
Updated: 2026-05-20
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.697030
AAVE 0.000728
ADA 0.258210
AED 0.237774
AFN 4.068860
AGIX 0.766252
AKT 0.081740
ALGO 0.551979
ALL 5.315721
AMD 23.817804
AMP 76.821022
ANG 0.116704
AOA 59.364441
APE 0.442265
APT 0.067632
AR 0.029022
ARB 0.572118
ARS 90.511802
ATOM 0.032162
ATS 0.766443
AUD 0.090487
AVAX 0.006914
AWG 0.115892
AXS 0.053159
AZM 550.326942
AZN 0.110065
BAKE 74.485239
BAM 0.108939
BAT 0.651026
BBD 0.129489
BCH 0.000173
BDT 7.958857
BEF 2.246916
BGN 0.108939
BHD 0.024344
BIF 192.791378
BMD 0.064744
BNB 0.000100
BND 0.082745
BOB 0.447340
BRL 0.324069
BSD 0.064744
BSV 0.004295
BSW 87.320863
BTC 0.000001
BTG 0.202546
BTN 6.259430
BTT 200,833.094570
BUSD 0.064772
BWP 0.878252
BYN 0.177400
BYR 1,774.002031
BZD 0.130359
CAD 0.089027
CAKE 0.044138
CDF 148.587836
CELO 0.791014
CFX 1.090923
CHF 0.050973
CHZ 1.409562
CLP 58.188812
CNH 0.440314
CNY 0.440335
COMP 0.002832
COP 240.322710
CRC 29.278181
CRO 0.934326
CRV 0.269335
CSPR 21.813268
CUC 0.064744
CUP 1.553897
CVE 6.141994
CVX 0.037475
CYP 0.032600
CZK 1.353460
DAI 0.064783
DASH 0.001285
DCR 0.003709
DEM 0.108939
DFI 71.635350
DJF 11.540126
DKK 0.416236
DOGE 0.618948
DOP 3.813113
DOT 0.051699
DYDX 0.423679
DZD 8.592711
EEK 0.871511
EGLD 0.016319
EGP 3.458988
ENJ 1.433034
EOS 0.794370
ERN 0.971165
ESP 9.267632
ETB 10.451194
ETC 0.007131
ETH 0.000030
EUR 0.055700
EURC 0.055658
FEI 0.065135
FIL 0.066761
FIM 0.331175
FJD 0.142514
FKP 0.048165
FLOW 1.792392
FLR 7.748179
FRAX 0.065212
FRF 0.365365
FTT 0.197298
GALA 18.919068
GBP 0.048165
GEL 0.172769
GGP 0.048165
GHC 7,476.367448
GHS 0.747637
GIP 0.048165
GMD 4.766368
GMX 0.009680
GNF 567.986996
GNO 0.000542
GRD 18.979636
GRT 2.562570
GT 0.009143
GTQ 0.493654
GUSD 0.064883
GYD 13.544062
HBAR 0.723422
HKD 0.507142
HNL 1.722185
HNT 0.077983
HOT 160.316065
HRK 0.419669
HT 0.449011
HTG 8.477506
HUF 20.031827
ICP 0.025306
IDR 1,143.097975
IEP 0.043867
ILS 0.188097
IMP 0.048165
IMX 0.374232
INJ 0.012744
INR 6.259430
IQD 84.825720
IRR 85,574.581587
ISK 7.987410
ITL 107.849447
JEP 0.048165
JMD 10.245780
JOD 0.045904
JPY 10.287391
KAS 1.852140
KAVA 1.097064
KCS 0.008076
KDA 7.829651
KES 8.384338
KGS 5.663371
KHR 259.704795
KLAY 1.266007
KMF 27.402403
KNC 0.450462
KPW 58.271101
KRW 96.901060
KSM 0.012918
KWD 0.019997
KYD 0.053842
KZT 30.576875
LAK 1,420.593555
LBP 5,779.780196
LDO 0.178865
LEO 0.006439
LINK 0.006701
LKR 22.310338
LRC 3.842071
LRD 11.851583
LSL 1.066341
LTC 0.001191
LTL 0.192320
LUF 2.246916
LUNA 1.011359
LUNC 843.613007
LVL 0.039146
LYD 0.412154
MAD 0.597249
MANA 0.723891
MBX 1.654616
MDL 1.125452
MGA 271.875751
MGF 1,359.378753
MINA 1.128639
MKD 3.433498
MKR 0.000038
MMK 135.946139
MNT 231.674367
MOP 0.522356
MRO 25.881520
MRU 2.588152
MTL 0.023912
MUR 3.069150
MWK 112.270114
MXN 1.120022
MXV 0.127203
MYR 0.256997
MZM 4,135.064042
MZN 4.135064
NAD 1.066341
NEAR 0.038734
NEO 0.022237
NEXO 0.073267
NFT 229,168.132068
NGN 88.805776
NIO 2.382805
NLG 0.122746
NOK 0.600064
NPR 10.019782
NZD 0.110277
OKB 0.000797
OMR 0.024924
ONE 31.883032
OP 0.497843
ORDI 0.015106
PAB 0.064744
PAXG 0.000014
PEN 0.221323
PEPE 17,277.426142
PGK 0.282348
PHP 3.980990
PI 0.426360
PKR 18.041767
PLN 0.236592
POL 0.711499
PTE 11.166765
PYG 399.374593
QAR 0.235669
QNT 0.000877
QTUM 0.071879
ROL 2,917.639536
RON 0.291764
RPL 0.037016
RSD 6.540416
RUB 4.629292
RUNE 0.146632
RVN 11.743870
RWF 94.772545
SAND 0.891903
SAR 0.242791
SBD 0.520293
SCR 0.946739
SDD 3,885.941050
SDG 38.859411
SEK 0.604653
SGD 0.082745
SHIB 11,134.283396
SHP 0.048165
SIT 13.347850
SKK 1.678006
SLE 1.479403
SLL 1,479.402971
SNX 0.203845
SOL 0.000746
SOS 36.948335
SPL 0.010791
SRD 2.404316
SRG 2,404.315636
SSP 304.781786
STD 1,375.536700
STN 1.375537
STX 0.265532
SUI 0.059993
SVC 0.566513
SYP 7.157451
SZL 1.066341
THB 2.108053
THETA 0.319617
TJS 0.601840
TMM 1,135.896044
TMT 0.227179
TND 0.188150
TON 0.031375
TOP 0.155926
TRL 2,951,223.969263
TRX 0.180690
TRY 2.951224
TTD 0.439054
TUSD 0.064834
TVD 0.090487
TWD 2.045227
TWT 0.139767
TZS 169.199466
UAH 2.866288
UGX 244.225803
UNI 0.017921
USD 0.064744
USDC 0.064778
USDD 0.064782
USDP 0.064845
USDT 0.064821
UYU 2.611025
UZS 782.850872
VAL 107.849447
VEB 3,357,263,009.359780
VED 33.571447
VEF 3,357,144.663142
VES 33.571447
VET 9.697421
VND 1,707.200200
VUV 7.701798
WAVES 0.166579
WEMIX 0.231226
WOO 3.757203
WST 0.175316
XAF 36.536537
XAG 0.000852
XAU 0.000014
XAUT 0.000014
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.175291
XCG 0.116704
XCH 0.017899
XDC 1.847648
XDR 0.047389
XEC 8,900.351824
XEM 96.367507
XLM 0.448281
XMR 0.000160
XOF 36.536537
XPD 0.000047
XPF 6.646729
XPT 0.000033
XRP 0.047027
XTZ 0.189146
YER 15.449149
ZAR 1.066341
ZEC 0.000099
ZIL 16.280923
ZMK 1,229.636295
ZMW 1.229636
ZWD 23.430979
ZWG 1.699199
ZWL 4,245.828403

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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.