23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 119.
Call 118.
Call 102 or go directly to the hospital.
Call 3322111.
You can also call the tourist police on 979 0070.
Do not travel to Maldives.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Protests and demonstrations have been frequent in Malé since February 2015.
To stay safe:
More information:
Terrorist attacks are possible in the Maldives. Possible targets include:
Since February 2020 there have been several terrorism offences including a stabbing attack on three foreigners in Hulhumalé, where an Australian was injured in this incident. Other incidents including an arson attack on a police speedboat in Laamu Gan in March 2020, and an explosive device was detonated in Malé injuring a high-profile politician and bystanders in May 2021.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Drug-related crime occurs in Malé.
Gang-related violence, including knife crime, has increased in urban areas, including Malé and Hulhumalé.
Petty theft happens on beaches and from hotel rooms.
To protect yourself from petty theft:
Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards.
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
The monsoon season is from mid-May to November. Strong winds, rough seas and torrential rain can happen.
If there is a natural disaster or severe weather:
Tsunamis can occur in the Maldives. These are caused by nearby or distant earthquakes.
If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities, or if you:
Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, check local media.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in the Maldives. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains a risk in Maldives.
For information on Maldives' COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Ministry of Health website. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
There is a risk of insect-borne diseases in the Maldives. These include:
Zika virus is a risk to pregnant women. Read the Australian Department of Health's Zika virus bulletin for advice on how to reduce your risk.
If you're pregnant:
To protect yourself against insect bites:
Waterborne, foodborne and other diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Hospital services, including rescue and emergency services, are limited.
There are two general hospitals in Malé. They offer general medical and some specialist services. There is one private hospital in Malé offering a wider range of services.
It can take several hours to reach a hospital from resort islands.
There are five decompression chambers in the Maldives. It may take several hours to reach these in an emergency. Dive within safety limits.
If you become ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include mandatory jail sentences.
If you're caught with even a small amount of illegal drugs, you can be charged with trafficking. Life imprisonment is a penalty.
More information:
The death penalty can apply for serious crimes, such as murder.
In the Maldives it's illegal to:
It is illegal to:
Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in the Maldives.
More information:
Non-resorts islands
A permit is no longer required to visit a non-resort island.
Provided you have entered the Maldives with a valid visa, you have permission to travel to any part of the country.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
The Maldives doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
More information:
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in most parts of the Maldives.
Dress modestly in Malé and on non-resort islands.
Take care not to offend. Public displays of affection outside of resorts are likely to cause offence.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed in the Maldives. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are.
Resort islands often don't need to follow the rules of Ramadan. Seek local advice to avoid offence.
Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the Department of Immigration and Emigration of the Republic of Maldives for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
There are limited commercial passenger flights returning to Australia. Flight schedules continue to change at short notice. Contact your airline to determine your available options.
You must wear facemasks at airports, during domestic travel and in all enclosed public places. Social distancing measures are in place.
You must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test. The test must be in English and issued no more than 96 hours prior to your departure or you'll be unable to board your flight.
You must fill in a Traveller Health Declaration form 24 hours prior to your travel to Maldives.
Tourists must have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility prior to entering Maldives.
Yellow fever vaccination
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the Maldives if you're coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
You can change money at resorts. You can also change money and use ATMs at banks in Malé and many larger islands.
Carry cash if you're travelling to other areas.
Most hotels and major tourist facilities accept credit cards.
Travel between islands is by boat or seaplane.
To drive in the Maldives, you'll need both:
Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.
There are few roads and vehicles in the Maldives.
More information:
Check with your travel insurer to see if you're covered to use a motorbike.
Always wear a helmet.
Most helmets you can buy or rent in the Maldives don't meet Australian standards.
Only use licensed taxis and limousines. Ask your hotel to arrange taxis.
Many resorts operate water taxis between the airport and other islands.
Always wear a life jacket, even if others don't.
Public transport options are limited on land.
Ferries operate between major islands.
Contact your hotel for details.
More information:
Maldives has introduced additional precautionary measures in response to COVID-19. Cruise ships and foreign flagged yachts arriving in Maldives must adhere to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations and guidelines. Cruise ships and yachts will not be allowed to embark or disembark passengers on or off inhabited islands until 1 August 2020.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Maldives' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 119.
Call 118.
Call 102 or go directly to the hospital.
Call 3322111.
You can also call the tourist police on 979 0070.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in the Maldives.
The Australian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, provides consular services to Australians in the Maldives.
21, Srimath RG Senanayake Mawatha
Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 11 246 3200
Fax: +94 11 268 6453
E-mail: consular.colombo@dfat.gov.au
Website: srilanka.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Twitter: @AusHCSrilanka
Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.