Travel Guide to the Maldives: How to plan a Trip from Dubai?

The Maldives has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with pure white sands shaded by palm trees and crystal-clear seas surrounded by magnificent coral islands. It draws all types of tourists, including solo travellers, honeymooners, and families looking for a relaxing vacation in the vast Indian Ocean. While sitting on the beach, take in the splendour of marine life and enjoy the sea wind and sound of the waves.

Some of the best beaches to visit include Hulhumale Beach, Taj Exotica Beach, Veligandu Island Beaches, Reethi Beach, Cocoa Island Beaches, Vabbinfaru Island Beaches, and Nika Island Beaches.

The best time to visit The Maldives

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April. The climate is warm and tropical. January through April are the driest months, with minimal rain and low humidity, making this the peak season for resorts. Temperatures remain mild from May through December, although rain is more common, and storms are possible, even during this time, there are extended periods of pure sunshine. It is also recommended that you take your vacation at the end of December because the weather is dry and there is less chance of rain, making travelling even more exciting and straightforward.

Visa Requirements

United Arab Emirates nationals can get a visa upon arrival in the Maldives for up to a 30-day stay, which can be extended there. Applicants must confirm round-trip transportation, verified hotel reservations, or sufficient finances.

Things to keep in mind

First, make sure your passport is still valid. Every traveller must have a passport valid for at least 90 days after their date of departure from the Maldives. However, it is highly advisable always travel with a passport that is valid for at least six months.

Second, confirm that your passport has empty Visa pages. The majority of places, including the Maldives, demand that you have enough unused pages in your passport to accommodate any essential stamps at both your entry and exit points. Before any overseas journey, it is advised that you have at least two empty pages in your passport’s visa section.

About Flights from Dubai to the Maldives

The country’s primary international airport is Valena International Airport in Male and there are several airline options to the stunning Maldives, making travel there from Dubai simpler and more comfortable. A direct flight from Dubai to the Maldives would only need to go around 3000 kilometres or about 5 hours. Booking a vacation to the Maldives, even at the last minute, is simple in the case of Dubai due to several large airlines operating between the nations.

Getting Around in the Maldives

Boats, seaplanes (air taxis), and private yachts are the three modes of transportation available in the Maldives. In the Maldives, boats are the equivalent of a car, although private jets and yachts are used mainly by visitors. There are cab services to get around the island of Male and the other bigger populated islands.

A Maldivian dhoni, a wooden boat that is often painted blue, departs from the airport jetty every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. Dhoni’s are a delightful mode of transportation while on vacation in the Maldives and chartered to surrounding islands. The resort employees can provide you with a lift in buggies, although walking is the best method to move around the resort islands.

Things to know before travelling to the Maldives

Islam is the nation’s official religion, and Muslims make up 100% of the population. There are strict laws that must be followed on the nearby islands. For example, Male and the nearby islands do not allow the consumption of alcohol or pork products.

In the Maldives, most resorts and hotels have their private island, so visitors who stay at a private resort on the island get the entire island to themselves. Tourists are not subject to any local cultural restrictions on these private islands. Visitors are free to eat pork, drink wine, and dress in bikinis and shorts.

Some Maldives resort islands have their time zone, so don’t be surprised if you realise you’ve lost an hour or two when you explore around. Many resorts set their clocks one or two hours ahead of local time to take advantage of the sunlight, giving you extra time to enjoy your day.

The government makes significant measures to safeguard the archipelago’s biodiversity. As a result, taking seashells, turtle shells, and corals home is prohibited.

Before visiting the Maldives, you must get tested for COVID-19. An RT-PCR test must be performed at least 96 hours before travel. Children under the age of one are not required to participate. Please keep in mind that your passport number must be included in your test.

Top resorts in the Maldives

The best places to stay in the Maldives are the following:

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

Kudadoo Maldives, located in Lhaviyani Atoll, provides an exclusive private island experience with luxurious rooms and various recreational amenities. This eco-friendly resort emphasises the use of sustainable wood and other materials in its structures, the most striking of which is the amazing overwater bungalows, which rank among the greatest in the world.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort

The resort, which is located on Villingili, a secluded island in the Maldives, is a nature-inspired resort with lush greenery. The resort also provides visitors with stunning views of the ocean and convenient access to the beach. The resort arranges various water activities for individuals interested in adventure sports such as kayaking, diving, and windsurfing. Guests can also enjoy a spa treatment.

Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences

Amilla Maldives, located in the Baa atoll, provides a magnificent island house in the Maldives for couples, group getaways, and families. The resort has a lot to offer from high-design and imaginative dining options to elegant villas. The resort has a variety of water sports activities, including snorkelling, jet skiing, diving, and paragliding.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

The luxurious Lily Beach Resort & Spa is located in the South Ari Atoll on the private island of Huvahendhoo. This lovely location is well renowned for its delicious meals. Spend a day on the water discovering the most beautiful reefs, and hundreds of fish, sharks, and turtles patrolling the lagoon. Water skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, and other watersports activities are available.

Baros Maldives

Baros is a beautiful beach resort in the North Malé Atoll, roughly a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé Airport. With a variety of cottages to select from on a gorgeous private island with a crystal blue coral lagoon, this is the ideal island escape for couples. Children over the age of eight are welcome, but this is a romantic getaway resort, there are no particular facilities for families. An additional bed for a child with two adults is charged.

Pullman Maldives All-Inclusive Resort

This high-end resort is surrounded by vegetation and is located on a secluded tropical island, Maamutaa Island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll. The staff at this amazing resort are so friendly and attentive that you won’t lack anything. If you’re too exhausted to go to another part of the resort, they’ll even pick you up in a buggy. The resort offers a two-level Aqua villa with a submerged master bedroom, which means you’re sleeping in the water. Tennis, golf, snorkelling, paragliding, beach volleyball, and diving are all available at the Pullman.

Best places to visit in The Maldives

Male City
Artificial Beach
National Museum
Addu Atoll
Maafushi Island
Grand Friday Mosque
Fulhadhoo Island
The Muraka – Conrad
Vaadhoo Island
Whale Submarine

Top activities to do

Dive into the pristine waters of the Banana Reef

Dive into the stunning blue waters of the Banana Reef, one of the world’s best diving locations, during your Maldives vacation. It is the Maldives’ first official diving area, with stunning marine life, thrilling cliffs, overhangs, tunnels, and massive reefs.

Try the delicious cuisine

The Maldives’ cuisine, known as Dhivehi cuisine, is based on three main ingredients: fish, coconuts, and starches. The Maldives’ national dish is gulha, a deep-fried pastry ball packed with smoked fish or tuna, desiccated coconut, and onions. Other delectable dishes are Garudihya (fish soup), Mas huni (breakfast), Masroshi (snack), Kulhimas (fish dish), Mas Riha (fish curry), and Kukulku Riha.

Whale Submarine

Take this fantastic submarine adventure if you want to view the country’s aquatic richness without getting wet during your Maldives vacation. The Whale Submarine dives every 90 minutes, allowing tourists to observe the beautiful aquatic life that thrives in the blue waters of the Maldives.

Water sports

The Maldives is an excellent place for water sports. Water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, canoeing, and kayaking remain the most exhilarating. Surfers particularly like the consistent waves of the Laamu Atoll. Snorkelling is the ideal way to explore the Maldives’ underwater life.

Dolphin Watching

Dolphin watching is another wonderful activity to do while on vacation in the Maldives, especially for children. Cinnamon Hakurra is well-known for its spectacular dolphin encounters.

Are you all excited about the beautiful Maldives after reading about it? If so, plan a trip to one of the stunning beach destinations of the world.