The big day is approaching and you couldn’t be more excited to get to the departure gate and board the plane to absolute paradise, also known as The Maldives.
This feeling is absolutely priceless, and we want everything to go as perfectly and smoothly as possible.
Packing for the Maldives should be taken seriously, after all, you’l be staying on a tiny, remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean with limited access to shops... But do not worry, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to packing for your once-in-a-lifetime getaway to the Maldives, so you can travel in confidence.
Suncream & After Sun Lotion
With the sea and sunshine all day, every day in The Maldives, you will be exposed to plentiful sun rays during your holiday. Protect your skin from sun burn and heat rashes with reliable and reef-safe suncream. It’s super important to choose suncream that is reef-safe in order to protect the ocean, corals and marine life from harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to the ecosystem.
Sunglasses & Sunhat
Protect your eyes and face with these essential items! Why not go for some eco-friendly options too? Did you know you can find bamboo sunglasses and sunhat? Make sure that they are polarised (meaning the lens adapts to the strength of the rays) and also ensure that they have a high UV protection rating. Any type of straw hat looks amazing in the tropics and will add to your fashionable resort look whilst protecting your face from the sun.
Hand sanitiser & Face Masks
Oh yes, the Covid days are still among us so make sure to sanitise and maintain safe distancing. Your airline should provide you with these hygiene items for your safety, but you should always travel with some spare ones just in case!
Bags: Beach Bag & Waterproof Bag
Bags are super useful when going abroad... where else to carry your book, sunscreen, glasses, towels and hat? You will need a beach bag to help you transport your items when going on an excursion or a tanning session on the beach. If you have expensive equipment, why not purchase a waterproof bag to avoid damaging any expensive items - especially when going out to the ocean.
Swimwear & Beachwear
You may have guessed it already, but this is an absolute essential for The Maldives! Don’t forget to bring some cover up when dining in restaurants at lunch time or dress modestly if you're going on a local island for instance.
Pack multiple pairs of swim suits - if you're into taking photos for Instagram, bring along some bright coloured, tropical swimwear that will look incredible with the turquoise sea backdrop. If you plan on doing a lot of snorkelling and ocean activities then a rash vest is a very good idea to protect your skin.
Light clothing for during the day &
smart, casual clothing for evening, dinners or events
Light, loose, comfortable and airy summer clothes are what you should be wearing in The Maldives. Dresses, flow trousers and long skirts are convenient while exploring the islands and they also look beautiful, elegant and will keep you cool.
For men, a couple of t-shirts, swim shorts, smart trousers and perhaps a light jumper for cooler, if you get cold during the windier evenings by the beach.
Bear in mind whilst packing, that The Maldives is a Muslim country and if you are planning to take a tour of Malé, the capital city, you should dress conservatively covering your knees and shoulders. If you pack a light scarf and light trousers that will suffice. This also applied for local islands.
Sports Wear
If you're swimming every day, there isn't much need to hit the gym but we would definitely recommend attending a sunrise and sunset yoga class. This is a whole other experience in The Maldive, with the ocean breeze, pastel colours on the sky and the sound of the waves washing up on the shoreline - make sure to attend a class whilst you’re there.
Flip flops & Sandals
Leave behind the shoes and heels - most people actually navigate around the islands completely barefoot! So enjoy the feeling of reconnecting with nature, feet immersed in the sand. Just pack a casual pair of sandals, flip flops and dive shoes if needed. Dive shoes are very comfortable to put on for water activities such as diving, snorkeling or swimming.
Waterproof Camera
If you’re a diver, swimmer, marine life lover or simply adore the ocean - it’s definitely worth bringing along a waterproof camera. The Maldives has the clearest sea in the world and you will be astonished by the amount you can see just by snorkelling above the reef.
Camera or Drone
On that note, if you’re into photography then don’t hesitate to bring along your camera or drone for some truly incredible shots and perspectives of The Maldives islands.
Mosquito Repellant
You will find a few mosquitoes in The Maldives, just bring along some repellant and you’ll be fine. If you get bitten, avoid scratching the bites!!
Diving Log & Certificate
If you’re planning on visiting some of the world’s best dive sites, don’t forget to bring proof that you're a certified diver along. If you’re interested in learning how to dive and obtaining your license, you can also do this. Check out our trip: 6-night Padi Course Trip
Snacks for the long journey
Chances are you will probably be travelling for quite some time in order to get to The Maldives. Even once you get there, you will then take a seaplane or ferry to get to your resort or local island. So it’s great to be prepared for the long-haul travel. Take a few snacks with you that you can take on the plane and stock-up on some entertainment, magazines, music, podcasts, audiobooks and more. Bring along a reusable water bottle too that you can fill up regularly with clean water stations.
Chargers & UK-type adaptors
If you’re planning on doing some work, editing photos and blogging - don’t forget all your equipment and chargers! Note that the sockets used in Maldives are British standard sockets and you must bring a UK-type adaptor to charge your items. The electricity supply in the Maldives is 220V to 240V, 50Hz AC. The standard socket is the UK-style three-pin, although there are some variations, so an international adaptor can be useful.
Toiletries
When it comes to packing your toiletries, try to make eco-friendly decisions. The Maldives has a very delicate ecosystem which can be heavily damaged by plastics and chemicals from the products that you are using. So, if possible, always choose to take natural products which are green and eco-friendly.
The same applies for sunscreen: you will need to bring some high-quality reef-safe sunscreen, as most are full of chemicals that leave a toxic layer on the ocean that can affect marine life. So do a little research and choose to invest in a natural sunscreen that offers protection as well as a blend of natural ingredients that wouldn’t be dumping chemicals in the sea.
A great option for hair oil is coconut oil. Coconut oil is actually extremely versatile, you can use it to smooth down hair, as a body lotion or a moisturizer, and it even helps to nourish your nails. Regular coconut oil application after you get home will also help to prolong your beautiful tan.
Now that we have spoken about what to bring, let's discuss what not to bring on a holiday to The Maldives!
A list of items not to bring to The Maldives
Alcohol: Alcohol is strictly prohibited in The Maldives. Do not purchase it from the duty free or else it would be withheld by the airport authorities. Beer, wine and spirits are always available in the resorts, but you cannot import them.
Pork: Again, strictly forbidden in The Maldives but you will find in resorts.
Religious Materials: It’s also illegal to bring any items that are considered to be contrary to Islam, including other religious texts such as the Bible, so be mindful of this when you are packing for your trip.
High Heels: Heels are a big no, as you will be spending most of the time barefoot.
Warm Clothes: The Maldives is a tropical, humid destination, so you should not be bringing warm, wooly or heavy clothes with you.
Jewellery: If you want to accessorise, just bring some light and basic jewellery to glam up your outfit during the evenings when you won’t be at the beach.
Hair dryer: It will be provided by the hotel.
Thats sums it up! We are sure you are going to have an amazing time at this exquisite, beautiful paradise of a country.
We hope this helps and please let us know if you have any other questions!
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