Maldives

Maldiveshttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldivesMaldiveshttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/latest-travel-alerts-and-warnings-for-the-maldivesWhat are the issues affecting travelers in the Maldives? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.2020-11-09T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/latest-travel-alerts-and-warnings-for-the-maldiveshttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions in the Maldives – updated 13 October 2021</h2> <p>Commercial flights and the <a href="https://immigration.gov.mv/tourist-visa/">visa-on-arrival service</a> have resumed for international tourism to the Maldives.</p> <p>Check with your airline to see if travel from your country of origin is permitted, as restrictions may be imposed with little notice.</p> <h2>Requirements for entry to the Maldives</h2> <p><strong><a href="https://www.tourism.gov.mv/circulars/negative_pcr_test_result_requirement_for_tourists_arriving_to_the_maldives">All tourists and short-term visitors must present a negative PCR test for COVID-19</a>, conducted within 96 hours of departure to the Maldives.</strong></p> <p>Eligible travelers must fill out a <a href="https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/create">health declaration form</a> 24 hours before departure, and complete an immigration arrival card which will be handed out by the airline crew.</p> <ul> <li>Travelers must have a confirmed booking at a <a href="https://www.tourism.gov.mv/en/registered/facilities">registered tourist facility</a></li> <li>Visitors are encouraged to install the contact tracing app ‘Trace Ekee’</li> <li>Temperature checks and health screenings are in place on arrival</li> <li>Travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be subject to a PCR test at their cost, and quarantine facilities are available to isolate any suspected cases of COVID-19</li> <li>Health authorities may conduct random testing, at no cost to travelers.</li> </ul> <p>For the latest information, stay up to date with the <a href="https://www.tourism.gov.mv/">Ministry of Tourism in the Maldives</a>, and check your government's travel advice before booking a trip.</p> <p>Non-tourists arriving in the Maldives by air (such as returning residents) must self-isolate for 14 days, and register on the <a href="https://haalubelun.hpa.gov.mv/eng/Identity/Account/Login/?ReturnUrl=/">Haalubelun portal</a>. This does not apply to tourists.</p> <h2>Local measures in the Maldives</h2> <p>A Public Health Emergency is in place until 4 January 2021 including restrictions and curfew hours. A curfew in the Greater Male’ area (which includes Male’, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’) is in place from midnight to 4am.<br /><br /><span>Visitors can travel between islands and resorts that do not have COVID-19 cases and are not subject to monitoring for COVID-19, but need prior approval for inter-island travel from<span> </span></span><a href="mailto:splitstays@tourism.gov.mv">splitstays@tourism.gov.mv</a><span>. If you have stayed at a guesthouse (as opposed to a resort island), must get a PCR test 72 hours before your departure from Maldives.</span></p> <p>Cruise ships, safari boats, yachts and other passenger vessels are still banned from entering or docking in the Maldives from an overseas location.</p> <p><strong><a href="/help/insurance/recent-events/coronavirus-faqs" target="_blank" title="Coronavirus FAQs">Wondering how your travel insurance might be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak? Find answers to some of our common questions about COVID-19</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.</em></p>Photo by Shifaaz shamoon on Unsplash 0AAFH_AADpRg Unsplash COMO Cocoa Island, The Maldives, South Malé Atoll, Maldives

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/health-maldivesIs the water safe to drink in the Maldives? What other dangers might this island paradise harbor? Avoid getting sick and keep mosquitoes at bay with these tips from nomad and former Maldives resident Sarah.2021-10-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/health-maldiveshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The Maldives is an enticing destination for jetsetters, divers, and backpackers. Adventure beckons, with coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, turtles, sharks, and rays, plus scuba diving and surfing. But even if you’re planning on a "fly-and-flop" vacay, it’s a good idea to be aware of any potential hazards in these remote tropical islands.</p> <p>The capital, Malé, has two main hospitals plus several private clinics offering basic medical facilities. Other islands sometimes have limited medical facilities. Should you require complex care, such as surgery, neighboring India’s top hospitals (or heading home) are recommended.</p> <p>Whether you're island hopping or relaxing at a resort, it's important to take out <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/">travel insurance</a> and to take steps to prevent unwanted injuries or illnesses. Here are five essential things to know about the Maldives.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#water">Tap water in the Maldives </a></li> <li><a href="#sun">Stay sun safe</a></li> <li><a href="#mosquito">Mosquito-borne diseases</a></li> <li><a href="#hazards">Water hazards</a></li> <li><a href="#scuba">Scuba diving safety </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="water">Can I drink tap water in the Maldives?</h2> <p>Water sanitation varies greatly from island to island in the Maldives. In the capital, the tap water is desalinated sea water, and while it doesn’t taste great, it’s safe to drink. Local (desalinized) bottled water, or international brands such as Fiji Water, are available everywhere, but you might want to consider the carbon footprint and plastic waste involved – <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/pack-your-bags-reduce-your-travel-footprint">a reusable bottle</a> with a filter would be more responsible.</p> <p>Resort staff will tell you if their tap water is safe or not.</p> <p>Tap water on inhabited islands may be desalinated, come from treated rainwater, or be treated groundwater. But the standard of water treatment on these islands varies enormously. To avoid traveler’s diarrhea or parasites, stick to bottled water or read our <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/bottled-vs-filtered-water">guide to water sanitation</a>.</p> <h2 id="sun">Sun safety tips</h2> <p>The Maldives is an archipelago straddling the equator – the sun is very intense and the average burn time is just 10 minutes. It's critical to stay well-hydrated, wear a hat, and apply sunscreen regularly. Wearing a rash shirt helps prevent sunburn from sneaking up on you, particularly if you’re snorkeling or kayaking. You’ll be able to find sunscreen, calamine, painkillers, rehydration drinks, and aloe vera in most grocery stores.</p> <h2 id="mosquito">Mosquito-borne diseases in the Maldives</h2> <p>Dengue fever is present in the Maldives, and there are also occasional cases of chikungunya fever. Both are carried by <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/chikungunya/index.html">tiger mosquitos</a>, which can bite during daytime but are most active at dawn and dusk. Only strong insect repellent containing DEET will repel these big suckers. Resorts regularly conduct “fogging” (a technique used for killing insects that involves using a fine pesticide spray directed by a blower) to reduce mosquitos, but inhabited islands do it rarely, so your risk is higher there.</p> <p>Mosquito nets aren’t used in the Maldives and you won’t find hooks for hanging them, so buy a plug-in mosquito-killer from the grocery store. Check out this <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/mosquitoes-and-bite-prevention">informative article</a> on mozzies and the <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever">lowdown</a> on Dengue Fever.</p> <h2 id="hazards">Water hazards</h2> <p><a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">Diving</a> and snorkeling in the Maldives is some of the best in the world. Two things you’ll notice – the huge amount of fish, and the sharks. Reef sharks are the most common of the 25 species in the Maldives. They aren’t an aggressive or large species and attacks are extremely rare, and normally related to fish feeding.</p> <p>Thousands of people safely swim alongside reef sharks every day in the Maldives. Only pole and line fishing are permitted here, so the sheer volume of fish keeps the sharks well-fed.</p> <p>The golden rule is to touch nothing, and make sure you don’t swim too close to or step on rocks and coral. This way, you’ll avoid coral rash as well as any potential stings or bites from anything lurking in the rocks, such as well-camouflaged anemones, morays, stonefish, lionfish, and scorpionfish (the latter four are the most serious).</p> <p>Most divers know that it’s a good idea to steer clear of triggerfish during nesting season (April-May), particularly Titan Trigger Fish. They are territorial and may chase you, but their territory extends in a cone shape up from the seabed, so if one follows you, kick it away with your fins and swim horizontally (not up).</p> <h2 id="scuba">Scuba diving safety in the Maldives</h2> <p>Many novices are tempted to try Discover Scuba dives or getting certified in the Maldives. Most of the dive centers are excellent, but it doesn’t hurt to check recent Google and Facebook reviews before booking.</p> <p>You must have insurance to dive in the Maldives, and Maldivian operators are very cautious about safety standards such as bottom time and surface intervals. No decompression dives are allowed – every diver must dive with a dive computer and no one can dive less than 24 hours before a flight. Should the worst happen, the Maldives has four decompression chambers, but due to the geography of the Maldives, they could be hundreds of miles away. See our <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/safe-scuba-diving">comprehensive guide</a> to diving safely.</p>Getty Images/Federica Grassi 11085056698 Getty Images Paddleboarders in the Maldives

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/travel-safety-guide-to-the-maldivesFrom local laws and customs to island hopping and transport safety, here's everything you need to know before you go to the Maldives.2021-10-13T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/travel-safety-guide-to-the-maldiveshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Thousands of people visit this <a href="/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/health-maldives" target="_blank" title="How to stay healthy in the Maldives">Indian Ocean paradise</a> each year, but safety should always be your number one priority. The relaxed atmosphere can lull visitors into forgetting their common sense. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your holiday in the Maldives.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#islam-&-the-law">Islam in the Maldives</a></li> <li><a href="#civil-unrest-in-the-maldives">Civil unrest in the Maldives</a></li> <li><a href="#maldivian-island-hopping">Island hopping safety tips</a></li> <li><a href="#maldives-transport-safety">Transport safety</a></li> <li><a href="#yacht-arrivals-into-the-maldives">Yacht arrivals into the Maldives</a></li> <li><a href="#beach-and-bag-security">Keep your belongings safe</a></li> <li><a href="#choose-your-maldives-souvenirs-wisely">Ethical souvenir shopping</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="islam-&-the-law">Islam in the Maldives</h2> <p>The Maldives is a Muslim country, and if you are not staying on a resort island, you should be aware of local laws and etiquette as not observing certain rules can carry a fine or prison time.</p> <p>It is illegal to import explosives, weapons, firearms, ammunition and drugs, but in addition, the importation of material deemed contrary to Islam – such as pornography, pork and pork products, alcohol, idols for worship, bibles or any non-Islamic religious text – is also illegal. Although in practice tourists traveling to the resort islands are usually allowed to bring in religious material for private use… but that means one bible, a whole crate-load will raise some suspicions about your true intent.</p> <p>Public observance of any religion other than Islam is illegal, although the non-Muslim religious practice is allowed in private residences. However, it is illegal to either invite or encourage Maldivian citizens to attend such practices, and you could jail, face deportation or fines. </p> <p>Alcohol is generally prohibited under Islamic law, and in the Maldives, it is only allowed in resorts.</p> <p>Islamic law encourages modesty of dress so, nude or topless sunbaking is prohibited everywhere in the Maldives, including on resort islands. Bikinis are fine in the resort areas.</p> <p>Homosexuality is against the law and if you're convicted of this offense you may face a lengthy prison sentence, fines or deportation. However, there have been no issues with LGBTQ+ couples checking staying in resorts.<br /><br />Be extra respectful during the holy month of Ramadan when locals avoid eating, drinking, or smoking from dawn to dusk, and it's rude to ignore this custom.</p> <p>When in the capital Malé, or on non-resort islands, locals are not as accustomed to men's legs in board shorts or women's uncovered shoulders, so dress conservatively. Likewise, public displays of affection, including holding hands and kissing are likely to offend people.<br /><br />Drug enforcement in the Maldives is strict and penalties severe, including mandatory prison time for anyone caught with drugs. Possession of even minor amounts can be considered trafficking, which comes with a life sentence penalty.</p> <h2 id="civil-unrest-in-the-maldives">Civil unrest in the Maldives</h2> <p>There was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/30/terrorism.travel" target="_blank" title="The Guardian: Bombing in Maldives">terrorist bombing in 2007</a> that injured 12 foreign tourists but is considered an isolated incident. </p> <p>Since then there has been a smattering of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/safety-advice-civil-unrest" target="_blank" title="Civil unrest safety advice">civil unrest</a> incidents largely isolated to the capital, Malé, after the arrest of the Maldivian President in February 2015. Most travelers tend to arrive in Malé and then travel onwards to the islands. But, if you do find yourself in Malé and a public demonstration breaks out, stay well clear and listen to media reports for more information.</p> <h2 id="maldives-transport-safety">Transport safety in the Maldives</h2> <p>Travel to and from the different islands is by either boat or seaplane. Safety standards are often different from what you may expect back home. Most of the boats and planes are in fairly good condition, but some of them… well, unless you're a licensed marine or aviation engineer and have brought your coveralls and a flashlight, you'll have to use 'gut feeling'. If it looks leaky or in disrepair, it probably is.</p> <h2 id="beach-and-bag-security">Keep your belongings safe</h2> <p>Crime rates are low but <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/9-tips-for-keeping-your-luggage-safe" target="_blank" title="Luggage safety tips">theft of belongings left unattended</a> either on the beach or in hotel rooms does happen. Use the safe-deposit boxes back at the resort.</p> <p>The Maldives is experiencing a growing drug problem amongst its youth, and petty crime has risen as a result, although from a very low base. If it's going to happen it's most likely to be in the capital Malé, so move your <em>care factor</em> up a notch (from zero) and know where your wallet is at all times.</p> <h2 id="choose-your-maldives-souvenirs-wisely">Ethical souvenir shopping</h2> <p>During your visit, you might admire some nifty handicrafts made out of <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shopping" target="_blank" title="The Ethical Traveler's Guide to Souvenir Shopping">coral or turtle shells</a>. The material used in those bangles or fridge magnets was once a turtle's home. </p> <p>The export of tortoiseshell and coral is forbidden. Some turtle species are also protected under international conservation law. Even if you do manage to get this unethically crafted souvenir home, it could be seized on arrival by quarantine in your home country. </p> <p>For some quick health tips before you travel to the Maldives, <a href="/travel-safety/southern-asia/maldives/health-maldives" target="_blank" title="Staying Healthy in the Maldives">read our guide to staying healthy and safe</a>.</p>Getty Images/Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeg 1159618430 Getty Images Water bungalows and palm trees in the Maldives