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You’ve booked your airline ticket, made a reservation at a resort or a guesthouse, confirmed a jetboat transfer, and are all set to spend a few days in a tropical paradise named the Maldives.
Now what?
Well, before it’s time to sprint to the airport, the days leading to your island getaway in the Indian Ocean are bound to be full of excitement and anticipation. To make good use of this period and get into the mood for a vacation, start organizing your trip by checking off boxes on the ultimate packing list for the Maldives.
It’s a well-known fact that the archipelago is unique in many ways. Thus, when packing for a trip to the islands, there needs to be a balance between what you take and leave behind.
A packing list for the Maldives consists of a few basic things, clothes, and accessories that one requires for any beachside destination. Then again, the islands are full of laidback moments, gorgeous sights, and surprises that need a few extra moments of preparation, resulting in what will undoubtedly be a carefree and memorable holiday.
Clothes
Packing the right clothes for the Maldives depends on what you intend to do once you reach the islands.
Suppose you aim to spend the entire break at a resort. In that case, it’s a matter of merely carrying a variety of bikinis, colorful kaftans and sarongs, gorgeous skirts, summer dresses, tank tops, and maxis for the women. A lovely risqué dress for an intimate dinner and a light sweater for windy evenings pretty much wraps up the clothing department.
On the other hand, men can lounge around comfortably in shorts, cotton tees, linen shirts and pants, and a pair of evening clothes for resort parties. Remember that many resorts do have a dress code for restaurants that include no swimwear and sometimes no sleeveless shirts for men.
We mentioned that packing for the Maldives is all about balance. Since it is a conservative country, you will need to make slight alterations in your wardrobe when visiting any inhabited island.
Women should look at clothes that cover their shoulders and knees. So, think on the lines of long pants, shirts, long sleeve dresses, and round-neck tops. It would be best to carry a scarf as several religious sites require women to cover their heads. The same is true for men, who are better off in pants and shirts than in shorts and sleeveless tees.
Since being on an island holiday is about enjoying the beach and the water, a rash vest is another essential clothing item. It keeps you safe from sunburn, especially when spending hours on the beach or in the water.
In the end, don’t forget to bring your Instagrammable clothing. The resorts are quite liberal, so you can play around with different bikini types and wear bright flowing dresses without a worry. With backdrops as pretty as sandbanks in the middle of nowhere and azure waters in every direction, your time in the Maldives is a photo-op you do not want to miss.
Footwear
Several Maldivian resorts are famous worldwide for their rather delightful mantra, “no shoes, no news.” Besides helping you “cut off” from the dilemmas of the modern world, you can literally take off your shoes upon arrival at these resorts, wearing them back only when it’s time to depart.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you get extra space in your luggage by leaving out all footwear. Even if your resort promotes itself as a “no shoes” property, carry a pair of flipflops and at least one pair of sandals. These will come in use when taking a boat tour or on hot days when the sand or wooden planks to your water bungalow heat up.
Dive shoes are another necessity, not just for divers but also for casual snorkeling enthusiasts who want to explore their resort’s house reef. While the lagoons around the resorts are safe, some fish tend to nibble on feet, and the corals can often be razor-sharp, resulting in minor cuts if you mistakenly step on them barefoot.
Lastly, if you wish to spend a few days exploring Maldives’ inhabited islands, bring a pair of walking shoes for comfort and ease.
Carry-ons
There’s not much to fret about in the carry-on department, especially on a resort island. A beach bag to keep some of your valuables like mobile phones and jewelry dry is a good idea, as is a book or a Kindle to read and while away the time. A backpack and a water bottle are useful only if you stay on an inhabited island or plan to go island hopping using ferries.
For regular snorkelers, it is advisable to get your own snorkeling gear. This way, the gear will fit well, and you can save money by not having to rent equipment.
Medication
In all honesty, medical assistance can get tricky in the Maldives, especially if you are staying on a faraway island. Resorts do have good medical staff, but for any emergencies, the best option is a transfer to a hospital in Malé.
Therefore, it’s crucial to carry medications for minor problems like cuts and sunburn. When arranging your bag, remember to keep stomach medications such as charcoal pills and Imodium. There is also no harm in packing bandaid and motion sickness pills as you will likely be taking boat trips at some point in time.
Other medicines to bring are Paracetamol for headache, hangover, light fever, sunburn lotion, and a bug repellent band or cream, even though resorts typically spray insecticide daily to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Access to a pharmacy is limited, so you must carry any prescription pills with you, along with a doctor’s note.
Toiletries and Accessories
Bathrooms in resorts and guesthouses are well-equipped, and you usually do not need to pack toiletries, soap, or shampoo unless you prefer a particular brand.
Suntan lotion, though, is recommended, as buying a bottle from a resort shop might be expensive. It is, nevertheless, vital that you choose an eco-friendly suntan brand. Maldives’ marine life is under significant threat, and standard suntan lotion, which wipes off when you go into the water, is harmful to fishes and corals.
As for accessories, sunglasses, and a sun cap are the two must-haves to jot down on your Maldives packing list.
Electronics
Depending on your country of arrival, you may or may not need a travel adaptor. The Maldives typically uses type D and G plugs, which you will find in India, Sri Lanka, and the UK, respectively. With a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50 Hz, take a moment to decide which adaptor is best for your electrical equipment.
In terms of basic electronics, the foremost item to tick on your packing list for the Maldives is a DSLR camera with waterproof casing if intending to dive with it. Moreover, bring a tripod to take spectacular photos of seascapes, unforgettable sunsets, and Maldives’ rustic gorgeousness.
Besides a regular camera, you definitely need a handy waterproof camera, think GoPro, to capture all the underwater action you will encounter while snorkeling or playing in the lagoon. Completing the photography trinity is having the latest smartphone with a good camera, a must for influencers who like to update their social media regularly and on the go.
The islands are undoubtedly ideal for fantastic drone footage, but the country requires that you take special permission before bringing a drone. Also, check with your resort, as some places have a no-drone policy, keeping in mind guest privacy.
Of course, bring a charging bank so you don’t run out of juice in the middle of a fun photo session on a sandbank or during a dhoni excursion.
Travel Apps for the Maldives
Yes, the whole idea of being in the Maldives is to be away from all distractions. But, honestly speaking, we do need our mobile phones; to keep in touch with our loved ones, post jealousy-inducing Instagram photos, or to use apps that can help make our stay better.
An excellent option upon arrival in the Maldives is to buy a local sim with data usage. Most of the islands have excellent mobile coverage, so you can use both online and offline apps whenever you like.
When it comes to packing your phone, install Nakaiy Neki, a user-friendly seasons app, especially for the Maldives. For your day-to-day needs, the Weather Channel app provides week-long, hourly predictions.
While there is much to see in the Maldives’ waters, and having an app for identifying fishes and sharks is an excellent idea, do not forget the StarMap app. With no pollution, the sky above the archipelago twinkles brightly on clear days and invites you to a universe of wonders.
Finally, check to see if your hotel has a resort-specific app. Places like Dusit Thani, Kandima Maldives, and Komandoo have mobile applications for their guests through which they can order room service, make dinner and spa reservations, or book excursions.
Travel and Health Insurance
Due to the country’s secluded location, you will most probably require a few flights to reach the Maldives. With plenty of uncertainty attached to air travel, it is worth investing in travel insurance covering loss of baggage or flight delays.
There are several options to explore the Maldives on a budget, but a vacation on the islands can get expensive during a health emergency. While Malé has top-class medical facilities, they are costly. Thus, buying health insurance covering accidents, transfers via seaplane or jetboat, and medicinal costs comes highly recommended.
What not to pack for the Maldives
Until now, we’ve focused on what to pack for a Maldivian vacation. Therefore, we must also talk about a few items that you should not, under any circumstances, bring to the Maldives.
Heels are of no use in the Maldives since you will mostly be walking on sand or wooden planks, riding the seas on a boat, or enjoying a siesta in your wonderful villa. Even for a romantic dinner, the simplicity of a sandal or the exoticness of going barefoot is wonderful.
With the Maldives being a Muslim country, pork and alcohol are strictly banned. Bags are checked upon arrival, and you will have to either leave behind any alcohol you brought or face a fine.
Similarly, any religious texts or idols are also not allowed, and you should not try to sneak them in.
When going through your Maldives packing list, follow the famous saying that suggests you should first put everything you wish to pack on your bed and then reduce it by half. After all, the whole point of a vacation in the Maldives is to get rid of any extra baggage.
