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: 2026-07-08
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.918036
AAVE 0.000730
ADA 0.374947
AED 0.237558
AFN 4.138852
AGIX 0.883707
AKT 0.109059
ALGO 0.757148
ALL 5.320321
AMD 23.755791
AMP 145.919543
ANG 0.116805
AOA 59.396637
APE 0.447146
APT 0.104275
AR 0.032844
ARB 0.845831
ARS 96.516666
ATOM 0.041106
ATS 0.779662
AUD 0.093123
AVAX 0.010056
AWG 0.115787
AXS 0.066444
AZM 549.827392
AZN 0.109965
BAKE 86.998076
BAM 0.110818
BAT 0.756152
BBD 0.129371
BCH 0.000271
BDT 7.984573
BEF 2.285670
BGN 0.110818
BHD 0.024322
BIF 192.992347
BMD 0.064686
BNB 0.000113
BND 0.083576
BOB 0.640463
BRL 0.334356
BSD 0.064686
BSV 0.004849
BSW 193.429002
BTC 0.000001
BTCB 1.275012
BTG 0.248769
BTN 6.156364
BTT 241,725.095632
BUSD 0.064678
BWP 0.875588
BYN 0.185106
BYR 1,267.308083
BZD 0.130350
CAD 0.091806
CAKE 0.046738
CDF 149.067770
CELO 0.930736
CFX 1.521984
CHF 0.052284
CHZ 3.808661
CLP 59.988598
CNH 0.439962
CNY 0.439645
COMP 0.003707
COP 215.848607
CRC 29.465096
CRO 1.146416
CRV 0.311224
CSPR 36.607035
CUC 0.064659
CUP 1.713452
CVE 6.247929
CVX 0.054313
CYP 0.033162
CZK 1.373413
DAI 0.064678
DASH 0.001877
DCR 0.005861
DEM 0.110818
DFI 93.712160
DJF 11.506788
DKK 0.423552
DOGE 0.886289
DOP 3.828424
DOT 0.077293
DYDX 0.507052
DZD 8.611117
EEK 0.886543
EGLD 0.023896
EGP 3.157078
ENJ 2.240524
EOS 0.866789
ERN 0.970284
ESP 9.427477
ETB 10.360982
ETC 0.009381
ETH 0.000037
EUR 0.056660
EURC 0.056670
FEI 0.064704
FIL 0.084537
FIM 0.336887
FJD 0.144803
FKP 0.048422
FLOW 2.414828
FLR 9.719274
FRAX 0.065371
FRF 0.371667
FTT 0.290475
GALA 29.925167
GBP 0.048422
GEL 0.170197
GGP 0.048422
GHC 7,379.808446
GHS 0.737981
GIP 0.048422
GMD 4.779564
GMX 0.011286
GNF 568.049203
GNO 0.000620
GRD 19.306990
GRT 3.635566
GT 0.009620
GTQ 0.493916
GUSD 0.064746
GYD 13.561507
HBAR 0.916302
HKD 0.507259
HNL 1.733340
HNT 0.288237
HOT 195.466266
HRK 0.426907
HT 1.955879
HTG 8.481207
HUF 20.143907
ICP 0.029364
IDR 1,164.103364
IEP 0.044624
ILS 0.196949
IMP 0.048422
IMX 0.473538
INJ 0.013695
INR 6.156364
IQD 84.938472
IRR 88,905.541501
ISK 8.136753
ITL 109.709600
JEP 0.048422
JMD 10.210026
JOD 0.045862
JPY 10.498254
KAS 2.219304
KAVA 1.465974
KCS 0.009374
KDA 10.971278
KES 8.360520
KGS 5.657600
KHR 260.583186
KMF 27.875030
KNC 0.599185
KPW 58.192741
KRW 97.598059
KSM 0.020145
KWD 0.020038
KYD 0.053793
KZT 30.433226
LAK 1,462.817062
LBP 5,818.524345
LDO 0.199161
LEO 0.006853
LINK 0.008366
LKR 21.705343
LRC 5.993914
LRD 11.732071
LSL 1.051655
LTC 0.001483
LTL 0.195637
LUF 2.285670
LUNA 1.285808
LUNC 1,056.682729
LVL 0.039821
LYD 0.415837
MAD 0.605741
MANA 0.952810
MBX 2.532922
MDL 1.140598
MGA 274.699913
MGF 1,373.499565
MINA 1.391313
MKD 3.492768
MKR 0.000048
MMK 135.801064
MNT 231.829440
MOP 0.522477
MRO 25.969924
MRU 2.596992
MTL 0.024324
MUR 3.044590
MWK 112.381115
MXN 1.131434
MXV 0.127838
MYR 0.263714
MZM 4,128.273703
MZN 4.128274
NAD 1.051655
NEAR 0.033473
NEO 0.033740
NEXO 0.087712
NFT 242,266.537092
NGN 88.771625
NIO 2.379678
NLG 0.124863
NOK 0.632897
NPR 9.854800
NZD 0.113371
OKB 0.000821
OMR 0.024888
ONE 53.784470
OP 0.646240
ORDI 0.018764
PAB 0.064686
PAXG 0.000016
PEN 0.220323
PEPE 24,650.516734
PGK 0.284792
PHP 3.979046
PI 0.613459
PKR 18.014117
PLN 0.243705
POL 0.845697
PTE 11.359366
PYG 394.636471
QAR 0.235456
QNT 0.000981
QTUM 0.095303
ROL 2,965.534114
RON 0.296553
RPL 0.037473
RSD 6.649213
RUB 4.946384
RUNE 0.167998
RVN 17.500265
RWF 94.976097
SAND 1.349226
SAR 0.242571
SBD 0.523433
SCR 0.945406
SDD 3,882.320893
SDG 38.823209
SEK 0.626250
SGD 0.083576
SHIB 14,958.661590
SHP 0.048422
SIT 13.578069
SKK 1.706948
SLE 1.480656
SLL 1,480.656201
SNX 0.299398
SOL 0.000816
SOS 36.964188
SPL 0.010781
SRD 2.433145
SRG 2,433.145174
SSP 308.035366
STD 1,402.469471
STN 1.402469
STX 0.398340
SUI 0.089967
SVC 0.565999
SYP 7.146848
SZL 1.051655
THB 2.157883
THETA 0.467110
TJS 0.599845
TMM 1,130.977185
TMT 0.226195
TND 0.190824
TOP 0.155788
TRL 3,030,739.984599
TRX 0.195645
TRY 3.030740
TTD 0.439635
TUSD 0.064771
TVD 0.093123
TWD 2.069533
TWT 0.194936
TZS 169.859245
UAH 2.877455
UGX 237.074539
UNI 0.020138
USD 0.064686
USDC 0.064644
USDD 0.064701
USDP 0.064765
USDT 0.064690
UYU 2.609460
UZS 779.426010
VAL 109.709600
VEB 4,382,207,588.808464
VED 43.853237
VEF 4,385,323.718114
VES 43.853237
VET 13.764834
VND 1,700.925257
VUV 7.787476
WAVES 0.251289
WEMIX 0.228477
WOO 5.590077
WST 0.179079
XAF 37.166707
XAG 0.001068
XAU 0.000016
XAUT 0.000016
XBT 0.000001
XCD 0.175085
XCG 0.116805
XCH 0.041710
XDC 2.373537
XDR 0.047613
XEC 12,696.059277
XEM 140.993043
XLM 0.347292
XMR 0.000195
XOF 37.166707
XPD 0.000051
XPF 6.761370
XPT 0.000039
XRP 0.058679
XTZ 0.247748
YER 15.329570
ZAR 1.051655
ZEC 0.000133
ZIL 21.738463
ZMK 1,196.733150
ZMW 1.196733
ZWD 23.409724
ZWG 1.733593
ZWL 4,331.771163

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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.