1. Where is the Maldive islands

Maldives is an island nation of a total 1190 islands, formed in 26 natural atolls. Located in the Indian Ocean, south-west of Trivandrum, India and east-west of Sri Lanka (approximately 1 hour flight from Colombo or Trivandrum). The closest neighbors are India and SriLanka.

2. Where is the capital of the nation

The Capital of the Maldives is Male' pronounced "Ma-ley". The population is about 70,000 and is home for almost one-forth of the total  population of the country. This is the base for all the economic activities. The city also has a few places of historical interest.

3. Are there regular flights in and out of the Maldives

Being one of the world's best holiday destination, most major carriers have regularly scheduled flights from top cities in different continents like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysian Airlines, etc. 

4. Will there be WiFi at the resort

How about in my room/villa

Most 5* properties have free WiFi in public areas and in the accommodations. Other properties charge for it and have internet cards available for sale at the resort. Feel free to ask your Destination Specialist to verify for you.

5. Can I bring alcohol

It is illegal to bring alcohol into the country. Resorts have special permits to serve these beverages and most resorts have premium brands from all the over the world.

6. Can I bring my pet

No, unfortunately, your furry little pals are not allowed in the Maldives.

7. What is the water temperature

Being a tropical country with a fairly consistent climate the entire year, the water temperate is usually a balmy 28° – 30°C throughout. Perfect swimming temp any time of the year!

8. How long is the wait time for transfers

As much as possible, your resort will whisk you right away to their island as soon as you land but depending on the proximity of your chosen property there may be some waiting time involved. Speedboat transfers are the best option for people who have no time to waste or are on shorter vacation days since they have their own transfers that can get you – depending on guest arrivals, there might be a wait time of 20 – 30 minutes, but that rarely happens. Seaplane transfers may have a wait time of up to an hour depending on arrivals as well since they group guests going to certain atolls together based on their international flight arrival or departure. 

9. Is there a luggage allowance on the seaplane

Yes, generally it is 5kg for carry on and 20kg for checked-in luggage. No single bag should weigh more than 32kg. A fee of US$4 will be charged for each extra kg above the allowable limit. In some cases, your luggage may be bumped off due to luggage limitations on a certain flight and for safety purposes but rest assured that the seaplane carrier will deliver it via the next available flight.

10. Are seaplanes available all day

No. Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours usually between 6am – 4pm. If your international flight arrives before/after the operating hours, you will need to stay overnight in a nearby hotel and get the earliest flight out the next day. Please make sure to coordinate with your Destination Specialist regarding your transfers.

11. How do I get to my resort

There are 3 ways to get to your resort. A) speedboat transfer for nearby resorts mostly located in the South and North Male atoll, B) seaplane transfer for other outlying islands and C) domestic flight + speedboat transfer for resorts found at the southern or northern most part of the country.

12. Is it possible to do island hopping

In essence, yes, but only to very nearby islands for a local island tour or sandbank dining or picnics. Logistics wise, it won’t be very easy as the islands are very far from each other and it will be very expensive to hire private speedboats to go from one island to another.

13. What other places can I visit aside from the resort I’m at

Resorts have a lot of excursions available (complimentary or paid) for the adventure enthusiasts! You can visit a nearby local island so you can see their lives first hand and buy souvenirs while you’re at it, go on a sunset cruise or a dolphin cruise, go on guided snorkeling trips to the best reefs, go whale shark or wreck diving, go night or big game fishing, and more! Feel free to ask you Destination Specialist for a list of excursions and activities for the resort you are staying at so you can plan your holiday in advance.

14. What should I pack

A valid , sun block, summer clothes, flip flops, and a camera are all you need! There’s no need to bring shoes since you won’t be wearing them once you’re at the resort. Fancy dinners may call for more than your swim wear so do pack a couple of casual clothes. Night time strolls along the beach may get a little nippy so bring a shawl or light jacket if you must. But overall just remember that the Maldives is a tropical country and you are on an island getaway so kick off your shoes, bum under the sun, and have the holiday of your life!

15. Should I take out travel insurance before visiting Maldives

We know that a lot of things can happen from the time you book your holiday to the actual date so whenever you’re travelling, it would be a good precaution to have travel insurance. Most credit card companies have affordable options so feel free to call your bank to ask about those.

16. I’m vegetarian. Will I have good options at the resort

Almost all the resorts have a wide variety of vegetarian options on their menu but, as of this writing, only Atmosphere Kanifushi has a standalone, dedicated special restaurant called “Just Veg” for vegetarian guests. 

17. Are the food in the Maldives halal

Although the Maldives is a Muslim country and a lot of Muslims work at the resorts, not all food are prepared halal since majority of them are exported from non-halal slaughterhouses. The best thing to do is to inform your Destination Specialist about your special requirement so they can pass the information to the resort and the resort can prepare. Most 5* resorts will have no issue with requests such as these. Note that it would be better to be on ala carte meals since buffet meals will be very difficult to control.

18. Do I need a to enter the Maldives

No. You will be issued a free 30-day tourist upon arrival for all nationalities as long as you have the following: - valid , roundtrip , booking confirmation letter or funds enough to cover your expenses.

19. What is the common language spoken at Maldives

Dhivehi is the national language of the country but English is widely used and understood. Shops and most establishments will have local script with English translations written.

20. When is the best time to visit the Maldives

The dry months of December to April are the best period for sun-lovers and beach bunnies. Take note that this is peak season for the resorts so prices will be relatively higher. The months of May to November are considered low season due to the southwestern monsoon but you will get the best rates. Take note that this period will be cloudier with higher chances of rainfall but better visibility for divers, water clarity for snorkelers, and best waves for surfers.