When to go
There are two monsoon seasons, the drier Northeast monsoon from December-March, and the Southwest monsoon from May-October, which brings a little more clouds and a slightly greater chance of rain. The average daily temperature ranges from 25ºC to 30ºC and it is generally warm and humid with gentle sea breeze. The calmest seas and bluest skies are generally around April, while the roughest seas are in June and October with water temperatures ranging from 25ºC to 30ºC throughout the year. Take a sweater with you for the evenings, regardless of the time of year.

Getting there
There are 5 flights per week with Emirates Airways via Dubai or 5 flights per week with Sri Lankan Airlines, returning via Colombo. The flight to Male from London takes about 9 hours.

Getting around
Nothing on any of these islands is more than a 15-minute walk away, often even less!

Entry Requirements
Most European community nationals only require a valid passport and a return ticket. No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry.

Local Airport Tax
US$10.00 on all international flights, which is payable upon your departure from Mahé.

Language
Dhivehi is the official language in the Maldives, but English is widely spoken and in the resorts a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

Money
The official currency is the Rufiyaa, but the US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in cash in most hard currency, travellers' cheques and with all major credit cards.

Health
Some health authorities advise visitors to take preventive medication against malaria, but the incidences of malaria are extremely rare and in our opinion not worth the side effects of preventative medication.