PLANNING YOUR HOLIDAY

 

Visa & Entry Requirements

Almost all visitors to the Maldives arrive by air. Male' international Airport, situated in Hulhule island, is just over a kilometer or about ten minutes by boat from Male', the capital. All visitors must have a valid passport. For visitors coming from yellow fever infected areas, an international certificate of inoculation is required. No visa is required in advance. A tourist visa of 30 days will be granted to all visitors with valid travel documents.

During the period December to March when most of the resorts islands are full, it is advised that all visitors have confirmed hotel reservations before arrival. However, for the convenience of visitors without advance bookings, Tourist information Counter is provided at the arrival hall through which a booking may be make. Hotel information is also required for immigration clearance. All visitors who enter the Maldives should be in possession of a return air-ticket and at least US $25 per intended day of stay in the Maldives.

 

Transport in Maldives   

The tourist resort islands or safari vessel have their own transfer boats to carry their clients. Visitors with confirmed reservations are normally met on arrival at the airport and transferred by boat, helicopter or sea-plane to the resort island of their choice. Transport and communication services provided for tourists are generally of a high standard. Minimum standards of service and safety also apply.

There is no regular inter-island transportation system between inhabited islands. The ad hoc transportation system is serviced mainly by local boats called Dhoni or Baththeli which average a speed of about 8 miles per hour. A lager number of dhonis plow the Male' International Airport and Male' route as ferries. Dhonis and even modern speed boats are also available for hire. Air Maldives, the national carrier, operates regular flights to the domestic airports at Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo and Gan.

Health

It is recommended that your polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A are up to date. Once in the Maldives, the most common problems for tourists are sunburn and dehydration. The tropical sun is very intense in the country. It is advisable to wear a T-Shirt while snorkeling and to drink plenty of fluids. Most resorts have a clinic and an in-house doctor (check with resort details)

When To Go

 

If you're looking for a few extra hours of sunshine, you should go between December and April, which is the dry season with lower humidity. February to April is the hottest, most popular period. May to November is the period when storms and rain are more likely. It still remains warm but the skies can be cloudy with higher humidity. The temperature however remains consistently in excess of 30degc all year.

 

Climate

 

Generally, the year is divided into two monsoon periods - the north-east monsoon or iruvai from December to April, which are the drier months, and the south-east monsoon, or hulhangu, from May to September which are wetter with stronger winds. The average maximum temperature is remarkably consistent throughout the year ranging from 30degc to 32 degc with nights ranging from 25degc to 27degc. The sea temperature remains fairly constant at around 27 degc. It has to be said that the weather patterns cant always be relied upon and heavy rain can fall at any time in the dry season, and you can have clear sunny days in the wet season.

 

Flights

Direct schedule flights and Charter Flight are operated in the Maldives from globally.

 

Schedule Flights

 

Name of Airlines

Country of Origin

AEROFLOT

RUSSIA

AIR EUROPE

ITALY

AIR SEYCHELLES

SEYCHELLES

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES

AUSTRIA

CONDOR

GERMANY

EMIRATES

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

EUROFLY SPA

ITALY

EXPO AVIATION (CARGO FREIGHTER)

SRILANKA

IBERWORLD AIRLINES

SPAIN

INDIAN AIRLINES

INDIA

KUWAIT AIRWAYS

KUWAIT

LAUDA AIR ITALY

ITALY

LTU

GERMANY

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

SINGAPORE

SRILANKAN AIRLINES

SRILANKA

QATAR AIRWAYS

QATAR

 

Charter Flights


Name of Airlines


Country of Origin

AERIS

FRANCE

AIR 2000 LTD

UNITED KINGDOM

BELAIR

SWITZERLAND

BLUE PANORAMA

ITALY

CORSAIR INTERNATIONAL

FRANCE

EDELWEISS AIR

SWITZERLAND

MONARCH AIRWAYS

UNITED KINGDOM

MY TRAVEL AIRWAYS

UNITED KINGDOM

SRILANKAN AIRLINES (CARGO FREIGHTER)

SRILANKA

TRANSAERO AIRLINES

RUSSIA

 

 

 

 

 

Customs

 

Strict laws prohibit the import of pornographic materials, weapons and drugs and the penalties are severe. Alcohol cannot be imported and duty-free items should be declared at the customs and will be returned to you on departure. The export of coral, shells and other objects removed from their marine habitat is prohibited in the Maldives.

 

Culture  


A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with hand beating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent’s tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society - not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.


Language


Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island. In the resorts, varieties of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

 

What to Wear

Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Male’, the capital island and other inhabited islands it is recommended that women wear modest clothing without baring too much.

Population

About 270,000 according to 1998 estimates. Origins of the Maldivians are lost in antiquity, but history reveals that the islands have been populated for over 3,000 years ago. Early settlers were travelers on the Silk Route and from the Indus Valley Civilization. Inherently warm, friendly and hospitable by nature, it is easy to feel comfortable and relaxed with a Maldivian.

 

Local Currency

The local currency is the Rufiyaa. US dollars are mostly used and hotels can be paid in sterling by Travelers Cheques or by major credit cards.

 

Transfers

 

Owing to the nature and number of islands, it is not possible, nor is it really necessary to have a representative at each resort. The local management at each resort will help you at any time if you experience problems. Our Representative, who will assist you in the transfer from the airport to your resort, will meet you at Male airport. Depending on the location of your chosen resort, the transfer may be by speedboat or by seaplane. In planning your flights please be aware that seaplanes cannot fly after 5:30pm. During unsettled weather (May-July) sea conditions can be rough, especially between the atolls. If you are unsure about your sea legs, please choose a resort closer to Male or select transfer by seaplane at an additional cost.

 

Language

 

The language of the Maldives is Divehi, also written as 'dhivehi'. It is related to an ancient form of Sinhalese, a Sri Lankan language, but also contains some Arabic, Hindi and English words. On top of all this there are several different dialects. English is widely spoken in Male and the resorts. It is also spoken on the Addu Atoll, where the British employed many of the islanders on the air base for 20 years. For more information sample our Dhivehi dictionary which has translations for over 500 common words.

 

Local Time

GMT + 5 hours

Business Hours

From Sunday to Thursday 7.30 - 14.30 in the government sector and generally from 9.00 to 5.00 in the private sector, although most offices in the private sector open for a half day on Saturday. Weekend falls on Friday and Saturday

 

Cuisine

Although a Muslim nation, wide ranges of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in the resorts. Duty-free liquor cannot be imported. Maldivian cuisine does provide excellent seafood and barbecues but one should not expect a great level of sophistication unless you are prepared to pay. Remember that virtually all provisions are imported.

 

 

Water Supply

Most islands have a desalination plant and offer fresh water. Some islands store rain during the wet season as a back up which is adequate for washing in periods of peak consumption. Bottled water should always be drunk and is readily available at all resorts.

 

Electricity

 

With no national grid, all resorts use diesel-powered generators which operate 24 hours/day. The supply is 220-240volts at 50MHz. Most resorts have the British square 3-pin plug. It is useful to take a universal adaptor.

 

Water sports

 

Under good weather conditions water sports in the Maldives are amongst the best in the world. All featured resorts have a diving school and other water sport activities are as listed in the resort details. However please note that if water sport staffs are temporarily absent, there is not always a standby.

Most of these are independently operated and we cannot guarantee that they are maintained or operated with the customer's safety in mind. We would advise that you take all responsible precautions to protect yourself and your party while on holiday and only use companies who demonstrate good safety practices. You should ensure that the water sports and sporting activities

 

 

You wish to take part in are covered by your own holiday insurance. Some activities such as parasailing maybe considered being hazardous pursuits by some insurance companies. All water sports are carried out at your own risk.

 

Diving

A medical certificate of physical fitness may be required and qualified divers must bring their test certificates and logbooks. Divers must strictly observe the safety procedures and instructions laid down by the instructors of each resort's diving school, who are experts with experience of local dive sites and conditions.

 

Fishing

 

Fishing is not only the lifeblood of the Maldivian economy; it is also a popular pastime among locals as well as visitors. Maldivians enjoy a variety of different types of fishing. The most popular among these in night fishing. The boat leaves the island and anchors at a reef before the sunsets and darkness sets in. the lines are tethered with hooks and sinkers and dropped overboard from both sides of the dhoni. If the fishing is good it gives a lot of excitements to everyone. If not it gives you an excellent opportunity to relax under the night sky as the boat gently rocks with the waves.
Morning fishing or big game fishing involves trolling, usually outside the atoll along the reef. Fishing enthusiasts may prefer to bring their own equipment if they wish to experience the excitement during their visit. Almost all the resorts organize night fishing trips at least once a week. Big game fishing or morning fishing, if not included in the resorts weekly program, may be organized on request.

 

Surfing 

 

Maldives is fast establishing itself as a destination for surfers. Surfing is relatively new to the Maldives, especially compared to more established activities such as scuba diving. However, the recent O’Neil Deep Blue Contest held in this year has placed Maldives firmly on the world’s surf map. While most of the recognized surf breaks are in Male’ Atoll, there is certainly more to be discovered. For resort based surfing it is advisable to choose one of the resorts on the eastern side of North Male’ Atoll where you could get access to a number of excellent breaks.

 

Shopping

Shopping is limited although a market in Male is a good source of local handicrafts. Souvenirs include sarongs, onyx ornaments, wood crafts and jewelry. Many of the resorts also have gift shops for those last-minute buys

 

Tipping Policy

If the service is good, and it usually always is, it is customary to tip room staff and waiters at the end of your stay. In the restaurants seating is normally organized so that you have the same waiter for the duration of your stay. US$10 per couple per week is a suitable amount.

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition where blood clots develop in the deep veins of the legs. In the event that a blood clot breaks off from the DVT, it can travel to the lungs causing significant illness and on rare occasions, death. Prolonged sitting is generally thought to be the common underlying risk factor and thus any travel involving lengthy periods of sitting can result in DVT. People over 40 years of age who have already had blood clots, or with a family history of blood clots are most at risk. However, DVT is still not fully understood and you are advised to contact to take medical advise if you believe you are in the high risk category. For more information on VT, click her(http://www.doh.gov.uk/dvt). The important thing to remember is that the vast majority of air passengers do not need to take medication on long haul flights to prevent DVT.

 

Arrival/Departure

Your resort accommodation is usually reserved for you from 12.00 noon and access to your room will not be available until this time. (From 2.00p.m. in some resorts or Safari). Rooms are typically vacated at the internationally recognized time of 10.00a.m. On the day of your departure, giving resort staff sufficient time for cleaning. On occasions, there may be several hours to wait for the departure for your flight home, in such cases a room may be made available for storing your luggage. Sometimes hotels will let you keep your room but they are entitled to make a charge for this service.

 

All Inclusive Holidays

 

All inclusive holidays are becoming increasingly popular in that they avoid unplanned bills upon your return from holiday. When you arrive at your resort you are likely to be provided with some form of identification which will have to be shown when ordering drinks, meals and other included facilities. Ensure you take care of this as a penalty charge may be imposed if lost. Freely available alcoholic drinks throughout the day can be a temptation to overindulge. Please consider your fellow guests and bear in mind that the resort management have every right to refuse service to guests they believe to be intoxicated and being a nuisance. Drinks included are generally only locally produced brands. International and premium brands and cocktails are not generally available unless stated.

 

All sports are naturally subject to availability. You may be required to pay a deposit for some sports facilities which will be refunded upon return of the undamaged equipment. Age restrictions may be applied by the resort for certain activities and facilities. For safety reasons some sports are not available to children without adult supervision. Also for safety reasons, guests maybe denied the use of sporting equipment if the sports instructor deems them incompetent.