Maldives tourism: Complete Maldives Travel Guide

The Maldives is a remarkable destination with idyllic beaches, diverse marine life and adventures around every corner. Whether your ideal holiday involves scuba diving around colourful reefs or basking on the shores of a private island, the Maldives offers something for every kind of traveller to enjoy. 

Why Choose Maldives for Your Holiday?

If you’re wondering why you should choose the Maldives for your next getaway, then you’ve come to the right place. Our Maldives island tourism guide showcases the most important information you need to know when visiting the islands to ensure you get the most out of your escape to this spectacular destination. We cover everything, including how to arrive, what you can expect from the all-inclusive resort experience, and which activities to add to your itinerary.

Essential Maldives Tourism Information

When should you book your holiday, and how do you get there?

Getting To Maldives

If you’re interested in Maldives tourism near India, it helps to understand where this island destination is on the map. The Maldives is located in the north-central Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka. Due to its location, travellers typically arrive by plane. 

To get to the Maldives, book an international flight to Velana (Malé) International Airport on Hulhulé Island. Once you’ve landed in Malé, you can arrange transportation to your resort, which may involve hopping over to another island by seaplane, ferry, taxi boat, or speedboat. 

Best Time to Visit Maldives

Next, it’s time to figure out when you’d like to visit. The islands once had a very drastic wet (low) season from May until around October and November, followed by a dry (high) season from December to April. However, with the recent climate changes, the weather has become less predictable. That said, perhaps the best part about Maldives tourism is that because the weather is always warm year-round (typically 26 to 29 degrees Celsius), there’s never a bad time to visit!

If you’re wondering when the best times to visit are in terms of price, travellers tend to find that the summer months are less expensive. 

Top Attractions in the Maldives

The Maldives has 26 atolls and 1,200 coral islands, meaning the opportunities for adventure and exploration are practically endless. While Maldives island tourism certainly offers a lot for travellers to experience, some of the most popular islands include Noonu Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll and South Malé Atoll, all of which are home to Sun Siyam Resorts. 

These islands invite you to explore the incredible islands above and below the water’s surface. For instance, when you stay at Sun Siyam Olhuveli on South Malé Atoll, you can swim around a hidden shipwreck at Vaavu Atoll and watch magnificent manta rays feed at Manta Point. Meanwhile, a stay at Siyam World on Noonu Atoll invites you to scuba dive around some of the most fascinating reefs at Raa Atoll, Baa Atoll and Lhaviyani Atoll, and spend the day relaxing on the deserted beach at Loabi Fushi. 

Accommodations and Dining

The beauty of staying in the Maldives is that there are so many accommodations to suit every preference. You’ll come across everything from budget-friendly hotels with standard rooms to all-inclusive resorts featuring suites and villas. 

If you’re interested in staying at one of the Sun Siyam Resorts, you’re spoiled for choice, as these accommodations offer spacious suites, beachfront villas and overwater villas with the most stunning views. For instance, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dazzles with its Celebrity Retreat, a two-story, three-bedroom villa with a pool and private beach, while Sun Siyam Iru Veli impresses with its overwater villa with a private plunge pool overlooking the lagoon and Indian Ocean. Whether you’re looking for romantic accommodations for you and your partner or a roomy villa for your entire family, you’ll find exactly what you had in mind at a Sun Siyam Resort. 

The culinary scene is another big draw of Maldives tourism. Given this country’s location in the Indian Ocean, fresh seafood is a major staple in traditional Maldivian cuisine. Sampling authentic fare, such as Garudhiya and Mas Riha, is a must during any trip to the islands. If you’re staying at one of the Sun Siyam Resorts, such as Siyam World, you can dine on Maldivian food at Kaage, but you also have the option of enjoying international buffets, Spanish offerings, Thai cuisine, Indian dishes and even Japanese meals. All of the Sun Siyam Resorts offer elaborate destination dining experiences to make your meals even more memorable, like the private terrace dining and lunch on the lagoon options at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. 

Activities and Experiences

There is no shortage of activities and adventures to enjoy in the Maldives. When staying at one of the Sun Siyam Resorts, you have endless opportunities for fun and relaxation, as you can spend your days snorkelling and scuba diving through the reefs, swimming with whale sharks, visiting deserted islands and even horseback riding on the beach. You can also book a rejuvenating massage at the on-site resort spa, swim in your private pool, kayak around the lagoon, enjoy private dining on a floating platform and watch movies under the stars. 

Our Sun Siyam Resorts also encourages you to explore our various other experiences, like our ecotourism activities and cultural tours. From coral planting and walking the nature trails to visiting the local villages and cruising around aboard a traditional dhoni, there are so many ways to embrace island life during your stay. 

Practical Tips for Travellers

When it comes to other important Maldives tourism information, it’s essential to understand the country’s customs and culture. 

To start, the Maldives is a Muslim country with a predominantly Islamic culture. While there are some Muslim rules locals follow, like dressing conservatively and not drinking alcohol, these practices typically don’t apply to the resorts. Travellers are welcome to dress in swimsuits and resort wear and drink alcohol within their resorts. 

The national language is Dhivehi, but the majority of locals speak English. It’s not uncommon to find resort workers who are fluent in other languages, too, like French and German. Because of this, travellers shouldn’t have any trouble with language barriers. However, it's always a thoughtful gesture to learn a few words in Dhivehi when interacting with the locals. For instance, you might practise saying “As-Salaam-Alaikum,” which means “hello.”

Maldivian Rufiyaa is the national currency, but most resorts accept Euro and US dollars. While it’s not required to tip, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip in Euro, US dollars or Maldivian Rufiyaa is always appreciated. 

The Evolution of Maldives Tourism

If you look at the history of Maldives tourism, it’s still relatively new, as travellers only began visiting the islands roughly 50 years ago. Before the Maldives became the coveted travel destination we know today, it was a little-known collection of islands inhabited by fishermen. 

It wasn’t until an Italian travel agent visited the Maldives and opened the country’s first resort in 1972 that international travellers took notice of the islands and began visiting. By 1977, the Maldives had its first travel agency. Over the next five decades, the Maldives focused on embracing tourism as it built out its infrastructures with the hopes of encouraging more travellers to visit. 

Today, Maldives tourism is responsible for roughly 58% of the total economy, with more than 70% of all jobs relating to the tourism industry.

Sustainability and Tourism in Maldives

Maldives tourism and climate change are impacting this region in many ways, highlighting the importance of engaging in sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices. 

When travelling to the Maldives, familiarise yourself with local green efforts. For instance, stay at one of our Sun Siyam Resorts, as they’re committed to eco-conscience practices, such as conserving energy, using renewable energy when possible, reducing water usage and implementing waste management systems. Our resorts also focus on reducing carbon emissions, promoting conservation efforts and offering eco-friendly activities. 

During your stay, you can further engage in sustainable tourism in the Maldives by choosing ecotourism activities that protect and preserve the environment. Also, properly dispose of your waste and make ethical souvenir choices that don’t exploit coral or turtle shells. Furthermore, only wear reef-safe sunscreen that won’t harm marine life. 

Plan Your Visit to Maldives Today

The Maldives is an undeniably incredible holiday destination, where you’re invited to enjoy the lovely flora and fauna, dine on delicious cuisine, make friends with the locals and immerse yourself in the island culture. 

With a better understanding of Maldives tourism, you’re all set to plan your next holiday here to experience the many treasures of this island destination. For a truly unforgettable getaway, book your stay at a Sun Siyam Resort, and be sure to look into our offers for special perks and discounts.