Information for backpacking in the Maldives. Whether you need information about the Maldives entry visa, backpacker jobs in the Maldives, hostels, or things to do, it's all here.

Backpacking Maldives

Looking for important travel information while backpacking the Maldives? Here you will find information on working in Maldives, entry visas, Maldives hostels, and much more.

Table of Contents

Facts About the Maldives

The Republic of the Maldives has an area of 90,000 square kilometres, the majority of which is covered by the sea. The area, set in the Indian Ocean, is made up of atolls rings of coral which grow close to the surface of the water) creating a unique lagoon environment. Unlike the sparsely inhabited open ocean, the lagoons created by the rings of coral are rich in sea life owing to the accumulation of nutrients undisturbed by the ocean currents.

The varying depth of the water within the lagoons creates an unbelievable range of colours which take pride of place on the Maldives’ postcards. To take in the views first hand, small planes can easily be chartered either specifically for sightseeing, or to travel between the islands. There are 26 different atolls and almost 1200 islands, only 200 of which are inhabited.

The Maldives Atoll

The republic’s economy depends on agriculture, fishing and tourism. The resorts, therefore, have some of the world’s most idyllic settings with specialist surf resorts dotted alongside the areas used for drying fish and cultivating fruit. This juxtaposition of the local culture and western luxuries makes the area a favourite for international travellers made up predominantly of honeymooners and wealthy sports enthusiasts.

Local Culture in the Maldives

The exact history of settlement in the area is not known, but the earliest settlers are thought to have been from Sri Lanka and Southern India. Although the most common religion is now Islam, the earlier Buddhist and Hindu influences are still extant today in many aspects of the culture.

Dhivehi, an Indo-Indian language, is the most widely spoken, although there are many different dialects spoken across the different atolls. In summary, the Maldives has a great deal to offer in terms of both historical and cultural interest as well as the natural beauty of the area.

Climate in the Maldives

The Maldives enjoys a climate that could easily be described as an eternal summer. The average minimum temperature for the coolest months, December to January and July to September, is only just below 25oC and even during these months temperatures are usually in the high twenties. The variations in temperature are due to the two monsoon seasons, but the country’s close proximity to the equator means that even these changes are only slight.

The average annual rainfall is below 2 metres, with the wettest months seeing up to 300mm. The Southwest monsoon occurs from May to October and the Northeast from November to April. The Southwest brings the slightly more extreme weather conditions with the highest rainfall and strongest winds in June and July, but even with this in mind, you would only need to pack a light waterproof for these months with light summer clothes remaining adequate for the majority of the time.

The best time to visit the Maldives is between December and April, making it peak season when you will be hard pushed to find any room in the already limited budget accommodation.

Things to do in the Maldives

Diving and Snorkelling

Crystal clear waters in The Maldives

Crystal clear waters in The Maldives

The vast majority of the Maldives’ land mass lies a fraction below the water level, and is probably the main attraction of the region. It can be explored extremely cheaply and easily with a snorkel, with the shallow waters offering a vast range of marine activity to take in. Snorkel trips are organised by most hostels and hotels, and in addition, there are plenty of local guides operating their own boat tours to the most productive and more inaccessible spots.

For those interested in diving, there are plenty of sheltered areas ideal for learning, as well as more open areas affected by currents. The latter has a higher flow of nutrients and so sustain more sea life, meaning that you are likely to come into contact with the larger marine animals such as sharks and rays.

Independence Day

The Maldives were a British Protectorate from 1887 to 26th July 1965, during which time they were forced to consult the British on all foreign affairs in exchange for protection from other colonies. Every year, the end of this era is celebrated in the form of national parades, street parties and dancing. Schools spend a good deal of time preparing for the event and there are also demonstrations by the security forces.

Many people see the celebration of independence at a personal level rather than at a national level. Many believe the country is far from achieving independence from the political powers that be, which is illustrated by the fact that the parades and celebrations are sometimes cancelled at the last minute by the government.

Malé Fish Market

In stark contrast to the white sand beaches and beach huts, is the capital Malé which is home to roughly 75,000 people. The city contains the majority of the country’s official buildings and has an impressive skyline of towering skyscrapers.

Despite the concrete roads and shopping centres, the city maintains a green atmosphere with streets lined with trees and tropical gardens, and creepers sprouting from many of the buildings in the suburbs. The shops and restaurants in Malé reflect the country’s vast cultural influences.

The Fish Market is located at the beach in Republic square. The pace of life there is incredibly relaxed and so this market offers a vibrant alternative. The market is in full swing throughout the day with shops and stalls selling various goods and produce, and with all types of material being traded between people from the surrounding atolls. The busiest time is mid-afternoon when the fishermen bring in the day’s catch, which is promptly laid out on the floor and sold.

Unique activities in the Maldives

Try jet skiing or other water activities in The Maldives

Try jet skiing or other water activities in The Maldives

Another good way to get an idea of things to do in the Maldives is to scan the activities offered by Viator. They work directly with local tour operators, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.

How to Travel Around the Maldives

Air travel in the Maldives

Malé International Airport sees about 700 scheduled flights per month with only a small proportion of passengers coming through on transit. Major airlines fly directly from a great range of international airports across Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur.

Other international destinations include Johannesburg, London Heathrow, Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (Sri Lanka), Dubai and Milan Malpensa (Italy). Flights are available from other main international destinations but will usually involve a stopover or transfer. Gan International Airport currently only sees domestic commercial flights, although there are plans in place for it to become a fully operational international airport.

There are also domestic airports at Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Hanimaadhoo. Tickets for domestic flights can be booked in advance or may come as part of a tour package. They can also be booked from travel agents or flight company outlets once in the country, and this may indeed be the cheapest way to travel between islands.

The only disadvantage in buying the flights directly is that you will need to organise your own transfers to the airport, and this can be tricky with only limited public transport. Sightseeing tours of the islands also operate from these domestic airports.

If you’re flying to the Maldives or plan to take short flights within the country, we recommend using a few different flight comparison search engines. Kiwi is a new favourite among travellers. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to the Maldives with them compared to the other websites out there.

Of course, it is always worth checking Skyscanner to guarantee you’re getting the best deal. Both websites offer great flexible search options, allowing you to search the whole country of the Maldives to find the cheapest airport to fly into, and also see prices for a full month if you’re flexible on travel dates.

Travel by Boat in the Maldives

Travel by Boat when backpacking in The Maldives

Travel by Boat when backpacking the Maldives

The only other option for travelling between the islands is by sea. Going with a tour operator means that this will probably be included in the cost of the trip. If you wish to organise things independently then there are several options. Small boats can be chartered or hired from the main ports and jetties. Travelling between the smaller, less populated islands is also possible by ferry and can be done relatively cheaply, although you may find yourself sharing the vessel with all sorts of cargo rather than passengers.

Travelling independently from resorts or without the aid of a tour organiser is almost impossible, especially if you wish to visit island communities. If you want to try and do this, you will need to get in contact with the local authorities and inquire about getting a permit, although you will most likely be redirected towards the tour operators.

Small Group Backpacking the Maldives

Though part of the fun of backpacking the Maldives is exploring on your own, there are situations, especially when venturing off the tourist trail, when it does make sense to go with a guide or a small group. For these times, a popular option among backpackers is G Adventures. They hand-select local guides to ensure authenticity and quality. This is especially a good option for those travelling the Maldives alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travellers. Their most popular trips in the Maldives are their 14-day Sri Lanka and Maldives Adventure, and their 8-days Maldives Island Hopping tour.

Maldives Hostels and Budget Accommodation

Budget travel and hostels in Maldives including: Haa Dhaalhu Atoll hostels, and North Male Atoll hostels.

 

The attractive climate and increasing number of people who can afford to go on holiday in the area, means that the Maldives’ islands are readily being converted into exclusive resorts. The number of resorts is rapidly approaching a hundred, although they do not differ massively in terms of standard and services offered. Most provide relatively basic accommodation: a bar, restaurant and tours around the surrounding area with a few extra touches such as flower arrangements on the bed and themed nights.

Prices are quoted per night, and you should expect to pay at least a hundred US dollars a night, with a discount for couples or those sharing (although do not expect much dorm-style accommodation: rooms rarely cater for more than two).

Hotels in the capital Malé are not much cheaper, and the setting is somewhat less idyllic. The facilities are slightly better, with most rooms having satellite television, a mini-bar and room service. Most people, however, choose not to stay in the capital for more than a few days to stock up on souvenirs. Some good hotels in Malé are:

The Relax Inn – Being the tallest hotel in the area, this offers some of the best views in the capital, although the most obvious sight is the nearby airport. It has all the basics you would expect from a hotel in the city centre such as a restaurant and tour booking services. Beyond this, it has little to offer apart from the view.

Kai Lodge – This is a small hotel which offers some of the cheapest accommodation in the city. Rooms are very basic but do offer a reasonable choice for those on a tight budget wishing to share a triple room.

Hotels can be booked through tour operators in advance or directly from an agent at the airport. Failing that you can simply walk into a travel agent and they will most likely be able to sort out some sort of discounted room for you. At the time of writing, there are no designated “hostels” as such in the Maldives but this may change if it becomes more established on the backpacker/gap year route.

We have had good experiences finding hostels in the Maldives on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.

Another good way to find accommodation in the Maldives is by checking hotels.com and  booking.com. With both sites, you’ll not only find hotels, but also homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodation. We have discovered some great finds and have appreciated the ability to book ahead.

You can use their advanced filtering to narrow your results by budget, location score, overall review score, and amenities. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip.

Entry visa requirements for the Maldives

Citizens of most countries (including the UK and US) do not need to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia providing the trip is for tourist purposes and the length of stay no more than 90 days.

In all cases, a valid passport is required with at least six months remaining beyond the date of entry. Also, all travellers must be in possession of a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds (at least Rf250). It is advised that you enter Malaysia on the passport on which you exited your last country of departure, as dual nationality is not recognised.

Unless flying from Malaysia (where it is already tacked onto the ticket price) you will have to pay an Rf20 departure tax when flying internationally.

Health and Safety in the Maldives

Hepatitis A vaccines are recommended for all visitors and should be taken at least 2 weeks before you travel. Hepatitis B vaccine may be necessary if you are planning to come into direct contact with members of the local population, for example, if you’re planning on doing some sort of volunteer work.

However, the main health concern is diarrhoea. This can be avoided by drinking bottled water that has not been tampered with and being careful with food preparation and hand washing. Water on the resorts is usually safe to drink. However, it is not always possible to ensure the cleanliness of your food, meaning that you may come into contact with bacteria that your body is not used to and so you should ensure that you carry a good supply of anti-diarrhoea medication and rehydration sachets.

Rabies is present in the Maldives but you don’t need to be vaccinated unless you are planning to be away from access to medical care for long periods of time. If you are unfortunate enough to need medical attention at one of the hospitals on Malé you will face a fairly hefty bill unless you have comprehensive health insurance.

The Abduarahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADK) is the only hospital that will accept insurance plans. The standard of service at the hospitals is somewhat limited. Most resorts have basic first aid facilities.

Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital Kanbaa Aisa Rani Hingun, Male Tel: +960 316647 Fax: 330049

Useful Links for Backpacking the Maldives

  • Kiwi or Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to the Maldives and within the country
  • Viator – a collection of local tours and activities in the Maldives. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
  • Tiqets – Website selling entrance tickets and skip the line tickets for major tourist attractions in the Maldives
  • G Adventures – guided backpacking tours in the Maldives, great for solo travellers or for those interested in a more adventurous trip which would require a guide
  • HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find budget accommodation while backpacking the Maldives. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
  • Booking.com – commonly used booking site for accommodation in the Maldives. Hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
  • Travel Insurance – read our comprehensive overview of Travel Insurance and some recommended providers for your trip to the Maldives

There you have it, the ultimate Maldives backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around the Maldives.

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A guide for backpacking around Maldives. Get important travelers information when it comes to Maldives including visa requirements, employment opportunities, common Dhivehi phrases and translation, as well as Maldives hostels.

 

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