Things to do in Maldives

The Maldives is about 1,200 islands in 26 atolls, strung out north to south across the equator. The highest natural point stands about 2.4 metres above the sea. The map you need shows water, not land.

How the country is arranged

• Malé and the airport. The capital and the airport sit on separate islands, linked by a bridge and by short ferries. Most people arrive here.
• North and South Malé Atolls. The nearest resort islands, reached by speedboat in up to about an hour.
• Ari and Baa Atolls. Farther out, usually reached by seaplane. Ari is known for whale sharks. Baa is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with manta rays gathering in its bays from June to November.
• Local islands. Inhabited islands with guesthouses, the cheaper way in. Alcohol is banned and dress is modest.

Resort or local island

A resort is one hotel on its own island, with its own reef and its own prices. A local island is a village with guesthouses, public ferries and the everyday rules of a Muslim country. The second shows you the country.

Boats and walks from Malé

Everything starts around Malé. Speedboats run out to a sandbank and two snorkelling reefs, with a sunset at the end. A three-stop snorkelling tour leaves from Hulhumalé, looking for turtles and rays.

On land, guides walk the capital and take the ferry to Villimalé, where a local group works on the reef. Resorts arrange their own excursions.

Practical

• Weather. Daytime temperatures hold near 30C and nights near 26C all year. December to April is the dry season. May to November brings the southwest monsoon and most of the roughly 1,900 millimetres of annual rain.
• Seaplanes. They fly only in daylight, so a late arrival means a night near the airport.
• Alcohol. Sold only at resorts and on safari boats. Not on local islands.
• Swimwear. Keep it to resorts and the designated bikini beaches on local islands.
• Money. Resort prices are quoted in dollars and usually carry a 10 percent service charge plus tax. Local islands use rufiyaa.
• Drones. They need a permit from the authorities.
• Sun. Reef-safe sunscreen, and a rash guard for long hours in the water.