Geography, seasons, norms, what to bring.

The Maldives is a chain of 20 administrative atolls running roughly north-south. Each atoll is a ring of coral reef enclosing a lagoon, with anywhere from a handful to dozens of inhabited islands inside. The country has about 1,200 islands total; roughly 200 are inhabited and 130-odd are resort islands. Browse all twenty at /destinations.

• •Northernmost: Haa Alif. Southernmost: Seenu (Addu Atoll). Far southern routing usually requires a domestic flight from MLE.
• •Velana International (MLE) is in Kaafu Atoll — the central, most-trafficked atoll. Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Gulhi are popular inhabited-island stays nearby.
• •Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — Hanifaru Bay is the manta-ray hot spot (peak season June–November).

The Maldives operates two parallel tourism modes. Resort islands are single-purpose private islands operated as licensed tourism establishments — they have bars, served alcohol, swimwear-anywhere, and operate under tourism licensing. Inhabited islands are local-Maldivian communities — Maldives is a Sunni-majority Muslim country, alcohol is not available on-site or for local purchase, and modesty norms apply on local beaches.

• •Most inhabited islands have a "bikini beach" — a signposted section where swimwear is acceptable. Outside that section, knees + shoulders covered.
• •Alcohol on inhabited-island stays: zero. Some tour operators run "booze cruises" to floating bars in the lagoon for half-day trips.
• •Halal food is the default everywhere. Vegetarian-friendly is widely available; vegan-friendly is the operational frontier.

The Maldives sits just north of the equator. Year-round temperature is 28–32°C. The dry season (iruvai, roughly December–March) brings clear skies and calm seas; the wet season (hulhangu, May–September) brings warm storms and choppier transfers. The shoulder months (April, October–November) are mixed and often a sweet spot for value.

• •Dec–Feb: peak season + peak rates. Stable weather. Best month for first-time visitors.
• •Mar–Apr: dry season tailing off. Whaleshark season starts in South Ari Atoll.
• •May–Sep: wet season. Lower rates, more atmospheric weather. Surf season on the eastern atolls.
• •Jun–Nov: manta ray season in Baa Atoll (Hanifaru Bay). Plankton-driven.
• •Oct–Nov: shoulder. Fewer crowds; mixed weather.

Most Maldives stays involve very little walking, lots of swimming, and a relaxed dress code. Pack light: TMA seaplane luggage limit is 20 kg checked + 5 kg carry-on.

• •Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen is restricted on resort islands).
• •Mosquito repellent for the wet-season months on inhabited islands.
• •A swim shirt + leggings for snorkelling — reef cuts and sunburn-through are real.
• •A modest cover-up (knees + shoulders) for inhabited-island days.
• •Cash USD for tips, small purchases, and the occasional inhabited-island stall.
• •Universal plug adapter — Type D and Type G are common.

The Maldives is a low-crime, well-developed tourism destination. Health risks are limited (no malaria, no yellow fever required), but heat + dehydration + reef abrasions are realistic. Medical evacuation insurance is recommended — the nearest tertiary hospital is in Malé.

• •Dengue fever occurs in the wet season — use mosquito repellent at dusk.
• •Reef-safe sunscreen + a swim shirt prevents most of the painful "first day in the water" mistakes.
• •Maldives has strict drug laws — even small amounts of recreational drugs carry severe penalties.
• •Dive certifications: PADI / SSI / CMAS recognised. Maldives Diving Regulation 2003 caps depths by certification level and requires the buddy system.