Maldives
Getting there
All international flights to the Maldives land at Malé
international airport, after a spectacular flight over the deep
blue Indian Ocean, interspersed with vivid turquoise circles and
tiny white dots.
FROM THE UK
British Airways has non-stop flights
from Gatwick to Malé 3 times a week.
Sri Lanka Airlines (tel: 020
8538 2001) which is owned by Emirates Airlines, is the only
scheduled carrier with non-stop flights from Heathrow to
Malé.
Since 2005 Sri Lanka Airlines has more than 2 direct outgoing
flights a week. It also operates indirect flights via
Colombo.
Emirates Airlines (tel: 0870
2432222) flies to Malé, via Dubai, from Heathrow and
Gatwick. There are also direct connections from Manchester and
Birmingham.
Qatar Airlines also flies
from Heathrow to Malé but via Doha in the Middle East.
Charter airlines often offer the quickest, most direct
connections to Malé. Some stop to refuel in the Gulf but you
do not need to disembark.
Monarch flies from Gatwick
to Malé on Sundays (arrival Mondays). Upgrade to Business
Class for extra leg room.
Thomsonfly have flights from
Gatwick and Manchester.
Approximate flying times to Malé:
Due to the stopovers, exact flying times from the UK vary, but
generally reckon on around 13-14 hours (eg if flying Emirates,
flying time to Dubai is approximately 6 1/2 hours, stopover could
be 3 hours and flying time from here to Malé is around 4
hours). Direct charter flights usually take about 11 hours.
FROM EUROPE
There are direct flights to Malé from Zurich
(Edelweiss Air), and
Frankfurt (Condor).
TUIfly also have direct flights
from Dusseldorf and Munich.
FROM THE US
There are no direct flights from North America, so travellers will
need to fly from the US to the UK, and then catch a flight as above
to the Maldives.
back to topGetting Around
With so many islands, spread across different atolls, it is not
that easy to move around the Maldives at a whim. Upon arriving at
the international airport on Malé, your resort (and
certainly the two featured resorts) will generally arrange for
either a speedboat or seaplane transfer, depending on the proximity
of your intended destination. The seaplanes (usually 16 seaters)
are run by Trans Maldivian
Airways and Maldivian
Air Taxi, both using twin otters, float configured. These take
off from the lagoon a short ride from Malé International
Airport and do a circuit of the requisite resorts (more remote
resorts may need to make individual arrangements). It is possible
to charter seaplanes and speedboats for exclusive use, but this is
naturally extremely expensive.
Once ensconced on your island, inter-island transfers are uncommon.
For those travelling between different resorts, it is usually a
case of heading back to Malé and out to the next resort from
here. For day visits to local islands, speedboats are the general
choice – although a more leisurely alternative is the
traditional local form of transport , wooden sailboats or dhonis.
When To Go
The obvious starting point for deciding when to visit the Maldives
is the monsoon periods. For those whose main priority is
sun, October to April are the months when rain is least likely,
with February-April being the hottest and driest period of all.
Unfortunately, this is the key draw for most visitors, so this
inevitably means higher prices during these months. In June to
October, wind and rain are more likely, although the islands are
still warm and weeks can often go by with no sign of the latter.
The European holiday in August can send prices up even during this
time. The Christmas/New Year period of course sees them
rocket.
For diving and snorkelling, there is a slightly different
agenda. May-Nov brings larger swells and strong winds, which can
make diving on exposed reefs difficult (although the many protected
dive sites within the atolls are still a memorable option). It also
brings large schools of pelagics (such as sharks, eagle rays and
tuna) on the western side of the atolls, and the possibility of
diving with mantas on their eastern side. From November the
currents change, and are at their strongest around January. From
here on, they begin to calm – which makes for superb
underwater visibility between Dec-April, all the better to see the
pelagics on the eastern side of the atolls. April-May brings a
current reversal once again, with the most notable arrivals around
this time being sperm whales, pilot whales and huge schools of
dolphins. Mantas move back throughout this time to the
atolls’ western side once more.
On a different note, for those planning on spending any prolonged
time on Malé, it is advisable to avoid Ramadan (see
below), although those staying in the resorts will not be affected
by it.
Generally, visitors in their resorts will not be affected by any of
the key festivals that happen in the Maldives. It is, however,
always worth knowing of their occurrence. As the Maldives is a 100%
Muslim country, Christian celebrations (including Christmas) are
not acknowledged here– although many private island resorts
provide suitable festivities. In addition, no alcohol is permitted
to be consumed in any public places – although, again, most
resorts have special licences that exempt them from this law so
long as the alcohol remains strictly on the island.
Undoubtedly the biggest Islamic festival is Ramadan, the
month of daylight fasting. Its exact dates differ every year - see
below. It will not generally affect visitors to resorts, where life
continues as normal, but if sightseeing away from the resort it is
vital to be respectful of this (there is no food or drink consumed
at all between sunrise and sunset).
Other Islamic festivals include:
Kuda Id: at the end of Ramadan, celebrates the sighting of the new
moon with feasting
Prophet's Birthday: celebrating the birth of Mohammed
Huravee Day: celebrating victory over the Indian Malabars
Martyr's Day: commemorating the death of Sultan Ali VI under the
Portuguese (Aug/Sept)
National Day: on the first day of the third month of the lunar
calendar (March/April)
> Dates of Ramadan
> See
ing.org
for more Islamic holidays and dates.
Other public holidays include:
New Year’s Day – 1 January
Independence day – 26 July
Victory Day – 3 November
Republic Day – 11 November
Fisheries Day – 10 December
Visas/Entry Requirements
Visas do not need to be acquired before arriving in the Maldives – only a valid passport, an onward or return ticket, a completed landing card and evidence of ‘sufficient funds’ to cover your stay are needed. Upon arrival, most visitors are issued with a free 30-day visa – although some entrants from nearby countries and those who apply via a resort or hotel may get an extension for stays of up to 90 days.
back to topOther Essentials
There are no major tropical diseases prevalent in the Maldives, and
no vaccinations are required (although those arriving from a Yellow
Fever-infected area need to have a valid immunisation certificate,
and tetanus, typhoid and Hep A are recommended). Malaria is rare,
with a few cases limited to the outer atolls. Medical care is OK
– there are private clinics - but expensive. Travel insurance
is a must, and be aware that cash is almost invariably required
before any major treatment is undertaken at the hospitals.
The key health hazards are:
Sunburn/UV rays - the sun in the Maldives is fierce, and out
in force most of the time. It is therefore vital to take suitable
precautions when exposed to it for any period of time.
Dive risks - always an issue in a popular dive destination,
although the leading resorts have extremely well-equipped dive
schools with high-tech equipment, where safety procedures are taken
seriously. Should a recompression chamber be required, there are
currently two available in the Maldives: one near Malé, near
Bandos Island, an the other in the North Ari Atoll.
Jellyfish - not overly common in the Maldives, but they do
occur. Many are harmless, or inflict only tiny stings –
however, there are species that can be more painful. Ask the resort
if any have been noted, and just keep an eye out. Do remember,
however, that jellyfish drift with the currents, so will not
‘swim’ to you.
It is also not advisable to drink the tap water – stick to
bottled water, which all resorts should be able to provide.
back to topNeed more Info
National Tourist Board:
Maldives Tourism Promotion Board
4th Floor
Bank of Maldives Building
Malé 20-05
Republic of Maldives
Tel: +960 323228. Fax: +960 323229
Useful websites:
visitmaldives.com
maldive.com
themaldives.com