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Maldives packing list: What to take on your honeymoon or tropical holiday
Whether you're planning for a tropical getaway or enjoy your honeymoon, a packing list for the Maldives from Holafly will be your best ally!
The time has come. Your bucket-list trip to the Maldives is fast approaching. Whether a romantic getaway or family holiday, you’ll soon be surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters and pristine beaches.
From island hopping across the Indian Ocean to lounging in the sun, a Maldives packing list is the last thing to consider before you can give yourself to that holiday feeling. So, what should you take? We cover the clothes, personal care items, tech, documents, and other essentials you’ll need to deliver the trip of a lifetime – for all the right reasons.
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Download your Maldives packing list with Holafly!
If you’re the type of traveller who likes to download, print, and follow a guide when preparing the luggage, take a look at our Maldives packing list PDF!
Things to know before planning your packing list for Maldives
Here are some things to remember before traveling while preparing your Maldives packing list:
- Religion: The main religion in the Maldives is Islam. So, when visiting Malé or going to your resort, make sure to dress somewhat conservatively to respect the local religion. A sarong or a pashmina scarf should be included on your clothes list.
- Weather: The weather in the Maldives is pretty hot, ranging from 29°C (84°F) during the dry season to 31°C (88°F) in the wet season.
- Season: Visiting the Maldives is better from December to April, when the Iruvai, or dry season, occurs.The Hulhangu, or wet season, takes place from May to November.
Clothes
While the Maldives is a Muslim country, it doesn’t mean you can take a nice outfit on your trip, especially if you plan to celebrate your honeymoon, as those pictures you’ll take will mean a lot in the future!
This is due to resorts allowing visitors to dress more relaxedly. But when hitting Male or local islands, make sure to respect the Islam traditions.
Lightweight clothes
Whether you visit the Maldives during the dry or wet season, the hot weather will remain part of the experience.
So, among the Maldives outfits on your luggage, add some longboard shorts and some quick-drying t-shirts.
Women can wear a mix of long, airy dresses, quick-drying t-shirts, and light trousers. But avoid adding short skirts to your Maldives packing list because of local religion – while what you wear is a personal choice, choosing clothes that extend below your knees and over your shoulders is a must to respect the local culture and way of life.
And, if you want to live the local experience and take some cute photos, using a kaftan can make a difference during your trip!
Swimwear
While planning your Maldives clothing list, remember that while at the resort or hotel, women are allowed to wear swimsuits and bikinis, but this changes while visiting local islands.
Some islands accept a bikini, but since locals consider it delicate, it’s better to take a full-body swimsuit that covers your shoulders and knees.
For men, there are fewer rules on what to wear in the Maldives. Just add your nicest swimming trunks to your suitcase, as there’s no need to worry about taking a full-body swimsuit with you.
Evening clothes
While your resort has most of the facilities for a night out, chances are you will want to visit a local restaurant at night.
For women, long dresses, knee-length shorts, or light trousers will keep you fresh while walking and enjoying your evening entertainment. If wearing a long skirt or shorts, make sure to pack tops that cover your shoulders and your torso.
Men can combine knee-length shorts or trousers with a nice long-sleeved shirt to stay fresh.
Once again, while at the resort, things are more relaxed, so feel free to bring any outfits you want to wear that won’t work at a local restaurant.
Footwear
Footwear is a funny topic to discuss when thinking about what to pack for the Maldives. Some resorts have no-shoes policies, and others allow shoe usage. So, make sure to ask where you’re staying and what they allow.
Still, you’ll need a comfortable pair of shoes for walking around the Maldives and going on excursions. And for the honeymooners, you’ll need a nice pair of dress shoes or flats for those memorable photos, right?
On the other hand, you’ll be enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean, so consider adding a pair of sandals and water shoes that match your outfit.
Note: Using heels is not advised in the Maldives, so leave them out of your luggage to save some extra space for other items.
Accessories
If you’ve prepared nice outfits for your trip to the Maldives, adding accessories will give your outfit that extra touch and improve the outcome.
Consider adding a sun hat for excursions and trips to the beach, sunglasses to chill next to the pool or in the sand, and a beach bag to carry your belongings, including sun cream, phones, cameras, your reusable water bottle, and insect repellent.
Also, while resorts will give you beach towels, taking your own is better as you won’t have to worry about where and when you use them.
Personal care items
Personal care items are a must for any packing list for the Maldives. But which creams, toiletries, and medicines do you need for this part of the world?
Sun cream
While in the Maldives, you’ll spend most of your time on the beach or walking around with your loved one, exploring the different islands.
So, adding sun cream is a must. You don’t want to get sunburnt and spend most of your trip lying in bed, and you’ll protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. It’s a win-win item!
Insect repellent
The tropical climate in the Maldives makes it the perfect place for travellers to find mosquitoes around the archipelago.
Dengue fever is somewhat common, especially during the rainy season, so remember to add insect repellent. Even cover-up clothes won’t help.
Personal toiletries
Rather than buying these items at the resort, which can be expensive, pack them in your luggage before taking a seaplane transfer to the Maldives.
Depending on what you and probably your loved one use, consider adding body lotion, shower gel, face masks, cotton pads, cotton buds, hair brushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, perfumes, and any other important personal toiletries.
Medicines
Prepare a basic first aid kit for your trip. Include diarrhoea, pain, fever, and other medicines you might need while visiting the Maldives. Aloe vera gel, bandages, and hand sanitiser are great additions to your kit.
Also, if you take prescription medicines, make sure to add the prescription to your packing list, as it can be requested while going through customs.
Travel essentials
What are the travel essentials for your trip: your camera, phone, and travel documents? Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need to take with you to the Maldives.
Camera
Whether you’re planning a chill vacation or taking your honeymoon in the Maldives to the next level, a camera will be your best ally. Beautiful sunsets with turquoise water are the best scenarios for some memorable photos.
You get extra points if you add a waterproof camera to your packing list, or at the very least a waterproof bag to protect your camera from damage!
Phone
Of course your phone will be with you in your pocket as you touch down in the Maldives – so there’s no need to add it to your packing list. But there are several extras not to forget:
- Phone charger
- Headphones
- Waterproof bag
- eSIM to stay connected in the Maldives
Note: Most of Maldives resorts use 230V plugs, so ensure you have a compatible plug or consider buying a travel plug to avoid connectivity issues.
Travel documents
You can’t forget your travel documents to enjoy your Maldives honeymoon or vacation trip. So, here’s a list of documents for your trip.
- Passport: A valid passport for at least six months after you enter the country is required.
- Travel insurance: Make sure to purchase travel insurance. Even though you might not need it, staying safe while abroad is always better.
- Flight tickets: A round-flight ticket with a travel period not exceeding 30 days is required to enter the Maldives.
- Hotel reservations: Upon arriving, make sure you have your reservation, including your travel itinerary and information of your tour guide or host, if you have any.
- Visa: All visitors can enter the Maldives for 30 days with a tourist visa, which can be extended to 90 days in the Immigration Office.
Cash and credit cards
While US Dollars are mostly accepted, if you’re travelling from the UK, relying on a credit or debit card is the ideal solution for paying at resorts and restaurants around the Maldives. But you can always exchange your pounds if needed.
So, when thinking about what to pack for Maldives, add some cash to exchange for Maldivian Rufiyaa; you’ll need some for small purchases.
Vaccination records
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking your vaccination records is necessary.
So, prepare your International Certificate of Vaccination, especially for yellow fever and polio.
Note: These records are mostly necessary if you’re visiting the Maldives from an endemic country where yellow fever and polio are common diseases.
What you should not pack for the Maldives
Struggling to fit everything in your suitcase? Here’s a list of some items you can take out to free up that vital extra space:
- Warm clothes: Taking warm or heavy clothing to the Maldives is a no-no. The only thing you might need to add is a sweater for the flight, but you’ll take it off as soon as you arrive at Male Airport.
- Expensive jewellery: While taking your engagement or wedding rings is ideal for the trip, you can leave your golden earrings and bracelets at home as it’s quite uncommon due to the local religion.
- Alcohol: The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in public areas of the Maldives, so it’s best not to pack your own. This won’t be an issue once you are at the resort, where you can get your fill of pool-side cocktails.
Stay connected in the Maldives with an eSIM
Are you wondering how you can show your vacation or honeymoon photos back home? Or maybe you’re looking for information about how to move around the Maldives and the best sites to visit.
If that’s the case, there’s something to include on your packing list, such as an eSIM to stay connected while in the Maldives. And you’ll only need an eSIM-compatible phone to get one.
That way, you will avoid high data roaming charges or other expensive services, like pocket WiFi; the more money you save, the better your trip will be!
Arguably, the best eSIM for the Maldives is the one from Holafly. In addition to helping you get connected as soon as you land with Holafly, you’ll get:
- 6 GB of mobile 4G/LTE data for 15 days
- 24/7 customer support in 19 languages
- Easy activation and installation process on Android and iOS devices
- Simple top-up possibilities to add more data or days for your trip
- A quick purchase process on the website and app
So, if you’re ready for the trip, add an eSIM to complete the packing checklist for the Maldives!
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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.
