Current entry requirements, visa policy, health mandates, flight status, and on-ground advisories for Indian travellers planning a Maldives trip.
As of May 2026, the Maldives operates without any COVID-related travel restrictions. Entry is by free 30-day visa on arrival for all nationalities, paired with the free online IMUGA Traveller Declaration. Tourism is running at full capacity.
The Maldives is open to all nationalities with a free 30-day visa on arrival — no advance visa, no fee. Just complete the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration online before you fly. No quarantine or COVID test required.
Zero COVID-related health mandates at the border. No vaccination proof is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended but not compulsory.
All India–Maldives direct routes (IndiGo, Air India and others) are operating at full capacity. Domestic flights (Maldivian, Manta Air) and seaplane transfers (Trans Maldivian) are running normally.
May is the start of the wetter south-west monsoon, with short showers between sunny spells. It is excellent for manta-ray snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay, and offers lower prices than the December–April peak.
Our advice: the Maldives is a safe, welcoming and fully operational destination in 2026. The only paperwork is the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration (within 96 hours before each flight) — there is no paid visa. Book resorts and liveaboards early for the December–April peak season.
The Maldives grants a free 30-day visa on arrival to every nationality, including Indians — no advance visa, no fee, no agent. The only requirement is the free online IMUGA Traveller Declaration submitted within 96 hours before you fly.
Warning: the Maldives has no paid e-visa. Any website charging a "Maldives visa fee" is not official. The genuine, free IMUGA portal is imuga.immigration.gov.mv.
Every traveller completes a short, free online declaration within 96 hours before both arrival and departure. On submission you receive a QR code to show at immigration.
Land at Velana International Airport (MLE) with your passport, IMUGA QR code, confirmed booking and return ticket. Immigration stamps your free 30-day visa — no fee and no application desk queue.
Complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration online within 96 hours before each flight (arrival and departure). Save the QR code on your phone or printed. It takes only a few minutes.
Need longer than 30 days? You can extend your stay up to 90 days in total by applying at Maldives Immigration in Malé before your initial visa expires. Most holidaymakers never need this.
Maldives has removed all COVID-era health requirements. There are no vaccination mandates, no testing requirements, and no health declaration forms needed at the border as of 2026.
Travel insurance is non-mandatory but essential: A policy with minimum ₹50 lakh medical evacuation cover protects you against accidents, medical emergencies, and flight cancellations. Do not travel without it.
These are recommended by travel doctors for India–Maldives travel. Consult your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before departure:
Malé and Hulhumalé have good hospitals (IGMH, ADK), and most resorts have a clinic or on-call doctor. Serious cases are evacuated by speedboat or seaplane to Malé — so medical-evacuation insurance is essential.
Recompression (hyperbaric) chambers are located in several atolls. Leave 18–24 hours between your last dive and flying, dive within your limits, and make sure your insurance covers diving and water sports.
The biggest health risks are sunburn and dehydration. Use reef-safe SPF 50+, wear a hat and rash vest, stay hydrated, and always snorkel or dive with a guide and buddy. There is no malaria and dengue is uncommon.
Direct flights to Malé (Velana International Airport, MLE) operate from several Indian cities, taking roughly 3.5–4.5 hours. IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express lead the routes, with more services added each season.
Our recommendation: We coordinate international flights and all on-the-ground transfers for our package bookings. Contact us before booking independently — we can match flight times to your resort transfer and may have better rates.
The Maldives has just two monsoons and no typhoons. Temperatures are stable year-round at about 26–31°C, with a warm sea of 27–30°C. May marks the start of the wetter south-west monsoon — sunny spells with short showers, and superb marine life.
The dry north-east monsoon is the sunniest, calmest period with the clearest water — ideal for beaches, snorkelling and diving. It is the peak (and priciest) season, especially over Christmas, New Year and Easter.
May begins the south-west monsoon: humid, with brief showers between plenty of sunshine and lower prices. It is prime time for manta rays at Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll), and South Ari Atoll has whale sharks year-round.
The sea stays a balmy 27–30°C all year, so swimming, snorkelling and diving are excellent in every season. Plankton blooms in the wet season bring mantas to Hanifaru Bay, while South Ari Atoll offers whale sharks throughout the year.
Pack a light rain jacket. Showers are usually short and there is plenty of sunshine in between, so excursions rarely get cancelled. Lower prices and fewer crowds make May–November great value — and ideal for snorkelling with mantas.
Baa Atoll — Hanifaru Bay manta and whale-shark season is starting. South Ari Atoll — whale sharks year-round. North & South Malé Atoll — reliable reefs close to the airport, perfect for a first trip.
The Maldives lies near the Equator, outside the cyclone and typhoon belt, so it is not affected by typhoons. The only variation is the two monsoons, making it a dependable year-round destination — even occasional squally days rarely disrupt a holiday.
The Maldives observes Islamic holidays (which shift each year with the lunar calendar) plus national days. Resort islands run as normal throughout, but on local islands some shops and offices close on public holidays and during Ramadan.
Ramadan
The Islamic holy month of fasting (dates shift each year). Resorts operate fully, but on local islands cafés may keep limited daytime hours; avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight out of respect. A peaceful, atmospheric time to visit.
Eid al-Fitr (Fithuru Eid)
Marks the end of Ramadan — one of the biggest celebrations of the year, with feasting and family gatherings. A public-holiday period; local islands are festive while resorts run as usual. Dates depend on the moon sighting.
Eid al-Adha (Bodu Eid) & Hajj
The "Greater Eid", and the largest celebration in the Maldives, featuring traditional cultural performances on many islands. A public-holiday period; expect a festive atmosphere on inhabited islands. Exact dates follow the Islamic calendar.
Independence Day
Commemorates Maldivian independence in 1965, with parades, music and ceremonies in Malé. A national public holiday — a lively time to be in the capital, with little impact on resort stays.
National Day (Qaumee Dhuvas)
Honours the hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu and the liberation of the Maldives, celebrated on a date set by the Islamic calendar. Cultural events take place in Malé and on local islands. Public holiday.
Republic Day
Marks the founding of the Maldivian republic in 1968, with official ceremonies and parades in Malé. A national public holiday that does not affect resort or liveaboard holidays.
India–Maldives Peak Travel Season
The dry north-east monsoon (December–April) is the busiest and most expensive period, peaking over Christmas, New Year and Easter when school holidays in India overlap. Book resorts and liveaboards at least 3 months ahead.
Note on dates: Islamic holidays (Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and National Day) follow the lunar calendar, so they move roughly 10–11 days earlier each year and depend on the official moon sighting. We confirm exact dates when planning your trip.
The Maldives is one of the world's safest holiday destinations. Resort islands are private and secure, and crime against tourists is very rare. The main things to mind are local customs on inhabited islands and sensible sun and sea safety.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has the Maldives under standard advisory — exercise normal travel precautions. No heightened alert and no specific security concerns for Indian nationals.
🕌 Local-Island Customs
Inhabited islands are conservative Muslim communities. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) away from designated "bikini beaches", avoid public displays of affection, and respect prayer times. Resort islands have no such restrictions.
🍹 Alcohol Rules
Alcohol is served only on resort islands and liveaboards, never on inhabited local islands. Don't bring alcohol or pork through customs — both are prohibited and will be confiscated on arrival.
🌊 Sea & Reef Safety
Currents can be strong at channels and drop-offs. Always snorkel and dive with a guide and buddy, never touch coral or marine life, and follow safety briefings. Taking coral, shells or sand from the reef is illegal.
💱 Money & Pricing
The Maldives prices in US dollars and cards are widely accepted, so cash scams are rare. Settle resort bills by card, keep a little USD for tips, and only draw Rufiyaa from bank ATMs in Malé or Hulhumalé if you need it.
Indian High Commission — Malé: +960 332 3015
Book Maldives Holiday 24/7 support: +91 79062 01939
Police (Maldives)
Emergency Police
119
Ambulance (Maldives)
Medical Emergency
102
Fire (Maldives)
Fire & Rescue
118
Coast Guard (Maldives)
Marine Emergency
191
Indian High Commission — Malé
High Commission of India
+960 332 3015
Book Maldives Holiday
24/7 Traveller Support
+91 79062 01939
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), pegged at about 15.4 to the US dollar — but the tourism industry prices and bills in US dollars (USD). For a resort or liveaboard holiday you barely need cash; cards and a little USD cover everything.
| US Dollars (USD) | Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| $1 | 15.4 MVR | ≈ ₹84 |
| $5 | 77 MVR | ≈ ₹420 |
| $10 | 154 MVR | ≈ ₹840 |
| $50 | 770 MVR | ≈ ₹4,200 |
| $100 | 1,540 MVR | ≈ ₹8,400 |
| $500 | 7,700 MVR | ≈ ₹42,000 |
Rates shown: USD 1 ≈ 15.4 MVR (pegged) and USD 1 ≈ ₹84 (indicative — verify before travel).
In short: bring a Visa/Mastercard and some US-dollar cash, and you're set. There's no need to exchange INR to Rufiyaa in advance — most guests never handle local currency at all.
Get personalised itinerary advice, up-to-date visa guidance, and on-ground support from our Maldives specialists. We’ll handle everything so you just show up.
