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Maldives SIM card: Providers, prices & where to buy
Don’t overpay at the airport. Compare Maldives local SIM & eSIM prices, activation requirements, and top providers so you get connected right upon arrival.
Lead: You can get a Maldives SIM card from Dhiraagu or Ooredoo Maldives, with tourist plans from about $40, sold online and at Velana International Airport, or skip registration with an eSIM.
Roaming in the Maldives can easily set you back $100 for 1 GB, and once you leave your resort, the WiFi goes with it. On a trip where the cost of traveling to the Maldives already adds up, that’s a bill worth avoiding. A Maldives SIM card is a cheaper way to stay connected, but you’ll need your passport to register it and a trip to the airport counter to pick it up.
This guide covers the Dhiraagu and Ooredoo tourist plans, what each Maldives SIM card price includes, where to buy one, and other options, such as the Holafly eSIM for the Maldives.
TL;DR: SIM card for the Maldives
The Maldives has two mobile operators, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, and both sell traveler-tailored prepaid plans online for pickup at Malé airport. Only Dhiraagu also sells its tourist plan as an eSIM. If you want unlimited data with no pickup or registration, the Holafly eSIM is the simpler option.
Here’s how the options compare:
| Provider | Best for | Data | Price | Registration | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly eSIM | Resort stays and island hopping with no pickup | Unlimited | Depends on trip length | No | Online, before you travel |
| Dhiraagu | Widest coverage and an eSIM option | 20 GB to 100 GB | From $40 | Yes, passport | Online, Velana airport, Dhiraagu stores |
| Ooredoo | Heavy social media use and calls | 20 GB to 100 GB | MVR 616.80 to MVR 771 (about $40 to $50) | Yes, passport | Online, Velana airport, Ooredoo stores |
Prices were checked on each provider’s website at the time of writing and may change.
Top 3 SIM card providers in the Maldives
We researched the tourist plans from both Maldives mobile carriers and compared them with the Holafly eSIM. Here’s what you should know about each.
1. Holafly eSIM
If you don’t want to rush to pick up a Maldives SIM card, or if local mobile carrier plans don’t meet your needs, you can use the Holafly eSIM instead.
With the eSIM for the Maldives, a digital SIM that works as an international SIM card for the Maldives, you don’t need to go through the pickup process at Malé-Velana Airport, and you can enjoy an internet connection as soon as you land. Here’s what you get compared with a local SIM card:
- No registration: No passport scan or counter visit. You install the eSIM by scanning a QR code before you fly.
- Unlimited data: Local tourist plans cap your data, while Holafly gives you unlimited data with customizable plans.
- Best local networks: Holafly connects to local networks and switches between them for the best coverage, with 5G data speeds where available.
- Dual SIM: Keep your primary SIM active for calls and 2FA codes while you use Holafly for data.
- Hotspot data: Up to 1 GB of daily hotspot data to share with your other devices.
- Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data so you stay connected when you need it most during your trip.
Staying longer or traveling often? The Holafly Plans subscription gives you data in more than 170 destinations without buying a new eSIM for each trip.
Note: The only requirement is an eSIM-compatible phone. Check if your phone is eSIM compatible before you buy, or see our list of eSIM-compatible phones.
2. Dhiraagu
Offer: Dhiraagu offers two traveler-tailored prepaid packages, available as a physical SIM or an eSIM when you buy online:
| Plan | Price | What’s included | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler Lite | $40 | 20 GB, $6.50 allowance, 150 local minutes, 150 local SMS | 10 days |
| Traveler Premium | $50 | 30 GB + 70 GB social data, $9.50 allowance, 300 local minutes, 300 local SMS | 30 days |
Prices include 8% GST. If you’re traveling as a group, Dhiraagu also offers a Traveler MiFi pack with 125 GB of data and a pocket WiFi device.
Coverage: Dhiraagu is the country’s largest operator, with 4G across inhabited islands and up to 5G in Malé and larger islands. Coverage can drop on boats and during seaplane transfers between atolls. Check the nPerf coverage map for your resort’s atoll before you choose.
Registration: Yes. Present your order confirmation email and passport at the Dhiraagu Airport Business Centre. For the eSIM, you register online and receive a QR code by email, valid for 48 hours. You need a stable WiFi connection and a second device to scan it.
Top-up process: If your plan is running low, you can add a tourist add-on by SMS, such as 100 GB for 7 days (MVR 225, about $15) or 100 GB for 15 days (MVR 400, about $26).
Best for: Travelers who want a local number and the widest coverage, or who want a local eSIM. Since orders are non-refundable, it suits travelers with fixed plans.
3. Ooredoo Maldives
Offer: Ooredoo sells two tourist plans you can buy online and collect in minutes at Velana Airport Terminals 1 and 2:
| Plan | Price | What’s included | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist $40 | MVR 616.80 | 20 GB, 150 minutes, MVR 100 credit, pay-as-you-go texts | 30 days |
| Tourist $50 | MVR 771 | 30 GB + 70 GB social data (WhatsApp, Instagram, Viber, TikTok), 300 minutes | 30 days |
Coverage: Ooredoo covers the main inhabited and resort islands with 4G, with 5G in Malé. Signal can be weaker on remote atolls, so check the nPerf coverage map for your area.
Registration: Yes. You show your passport at the Ooredoo airport outlet to register and collect your SIM card. We found that Ooredoo doesn’t sell its tourist plan as an eSIM online.
Top-up process: You can recharge whenever you need it, online or at Ooredoo stores.
Best for: Travelers who spend a lot of time on social media and want more call minutes for the price, with a full 30 days on both plans.
Where to buy a SIM card in the Maldives
Both mobile carriers allow you to purchase your preferred package online and then proceed with the pickup at the airport. Here’s where you can buy one:
- Velana International Airport: At Malé-Velana International Airport, you can purchase a SIM or eSIM if you didn’t buy one online. This is also the main pickup point for Dhiraagu and Ooredoo SIM cards, at the Dhiraagu Airport Business Centre by the arrivals exit and the Ooredoo outlet. Expect queues when several international flights land together, and plan around your seaplane or speedboat transfer time.
- Provider stores in Malé: Both carriers have stores in Malé. Stores are rare on resort islands, so buy before your transfer and add your SIM to your Maldives packing list as a reminder.
Either way, make sure you double-check the instructions you receive after completing your purchase of a Maldives SIM card or eSIM. Dhiraagu orders expire if you don’t collect them within 30 days.
Note: Your phone must be unlocked by your home provider to use a Maldives SIM card. If you have a SIM-only phone, getting a local SIM card is practically mandatory.
Can I get a SIM card in the Maldives as a foreigner?
Yes. Both Dhiraagu and Ooredoo sell tourist plans only to visitors, and you can get a SIM card in the Maldives as soon as you land. Here’s what you need:
- A valid passport for the mandatory SIM card registration
- Your order confirmation email, if you bought online
- An unlocked phone, or an eSIM-compatible phone for the Dhiraagu eSIM
If you’d rather skip the counter and the paperwork, the Holafly eSIM needs no registration. You can install it at home and be online as soon as you land. Not sure which suits you? Compare an eSIM vs a SIM card or see which eSIM carriers support the technology.
A local SIM card is still the better pick if you’re staying for several weeks, need a local number for bookings, or want the lowest price per GB on a long stay.
Frequently asked questions about SIM card for the Maldives
Neither Dhiraagu nor Ooredoo sells an unlimited tourist plan, so the biggest local option is 100 GB, including 70 GB of social data. For truly unlimited data, the Holafly eSIM for the Maldives is the better choice.
Dhiraagu’s Traveler MiFi pack gives you 125 GB on a pocket WiFi device the whole family can share. If everyone has an eSIM-compatible phone, a Holafly eSIM for each person avoids sharing one connection.
Contact your home provider and ask them to unlock your phone before you travel. Most carriers do this for free once your contract or device payments are complete.
Staff at the Ooredoo airport outlet register the SIM with your passport and activate it before you leave the counter. Insert it, restart your phone, and turn on mobile data to start using your plan.
A Maldives SIM card costs from about $40 to $50 USD for a tourist plan with Dhiraagu or Ooredoo (MVR 616.80 to MVR 771 with Ooredoo). Data add-ons start at MVR 225 (about $15).
Yes, resorts in the Maldives offer free WiFi to their guests. Signal is often strongest in lobbies and restaurants, and you’ll lose the connection if you leave the resort on an excursion.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
