Maldives

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:

• avoid protests and large gatherings
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorist attacks are possible in the Maldives. Possible targets include:

• government institutions
• tourist areas and other sites popular with Westerners

On 4 February 2020, three foreigners, including an Australian received stab injuries in Hulhumalé Island near the main airport in Maldives. Maldivian extremists claimed responsibility. 

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorist threats

Drug-related crime occurs in Malé.

Gang-related violence, including knife crime, has increased in urban areas, including Malé.

Petty theft happens on beaches and from hotel rooms. 

To protect yourself from petty theft:

• carry only what you need
• leave valuables, including your passport, in a secure location
• follow local media for new security risks
• avoid trouble spots

Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards.

If you plan to do an adventure activity:

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• check the operator credentials and safety equipment before you book
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

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:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location or carry it on you at all times (in a waterproof bag)
• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media and other sources
• keep in contact with friends and family
• consult your tour operator about disruptions to your travel plans

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:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

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.

This advice pre-dates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. 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:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

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:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health
• Maldives Ministry of Health advice

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:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a risk in Maldives.

More information: 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Insect-borne diseases

There is a risk of insect-borne diseases in the Maldives. These include:

• dengue
• Zika virus
• chikungunya

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:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

To protect yourself against insect bites:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use mosquito and insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other diseases are common. These include:

• hepatitis
• rabies

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with intact seals
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

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.

Drugs

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:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

The death penalty can apply for serious crimes, such as murder.

In the Maldives it's illegal to:

• import alcohol
• drink alcohol — unless you're on a resort island
• import pornography
• import pork products — see Maldives Customs

Religion

It is illegal to:

• publicly observe any religion other than Islam
• import non-Islamic religious material

LGBTI travellers

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in the Maldives.

More information:

• LGBTI travellers

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:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

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:

• Dual nationals

Dress and behaviour

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.

Ramadan

The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan will be from late April to late May in 2020. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

Avoid eating, drinking and smoking around people who are fasting.

Resort islands often don't need to follow the rules of Ramadan. Check with your hotel or with locals.

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.

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:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Validity

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.

Lost or stolen 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.

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

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.

Driving permit

To drive in the Maldives, you'll need both:

• a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
• a current Australian driver's licence

Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.

Road travel

There are few roads and vehicles in the Maldives.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

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.

Taxis and water taxis

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

Public transport options are limited on land.

Ferries operate between major islands.

Contact your hotel for details.

More information:

• Travelling by boat

Sea travel

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:

• Going on a cruise

• Travelling by yacht or small craft during COVID-19

Air travel

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:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

General emergency

Call 119.

Fire and rescue services

Call 118.

Medical emergencies

Call 102 or go directly to the hospital.

Police

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.

Australian High Commission, Colombo

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.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia