What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Maldives, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 12 August 2026
Latest change, in the source's words: Updated information about swimming safety ( 'Safety and security’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2 of 4
Updated 7 October 2025
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Exercise a high degree of caution
Level 2 of 4
Updated 24 September 2026
Latest change, in the source's words: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
From the section “Emergency services in Maldives” of the UK government's travel advice for Maldives, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 102
Fire: 118
Police: 119
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Maldives, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Maldives is an Islamic country. It is illegal to publicly observe a religion other than Islam. Make sure that your actions do not offend, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas around mosques. If you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence.
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2026, it began on 17 February and finished on 19 March. In 2027, it may start on 7 February and last for 29 or 30 days.
During this time, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime, outside of holiday resorts.
Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands. Do not take any alcohol out of your resort. You can be arrested and deported for possessing and drinking alcohol, or being intoxicated outside resorts and on inhabited islands.
Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Maldives and penalties can be severe. This includes cannabis, even small quantities can lead to arrest.
British nationals have been caught carrying controlled drugs while transiting Maldives.
International airports in Maldives have advanced scanning systems and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal substances, including cannabis. This includes all carry-on and checked-in baggage of transiting passengers.
The Maldivian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences. Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:
You are strongly advised:
It is illegal to take tortoiseshell jewellery or ornaments, or pieces of coral out of Maldives.
Same-sex relations are illegal and if you are convicted, you could get a fine or a lengthy prison sentence.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
You should be sensitive to local dress standards when outside holiday resorts, including on beaches used by locals. Men and women should:
Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Maldives, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Maldives, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Flash flooding can affect low-lying islands during periods of heavy rain. Follow the advice of the local authorities.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Rainfall Average temperature
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs. For seasonal hazards such as storms, floods or extreme heat, read the official section Extreme weather and natural disasters.
A general list for any trip. Ticks are not saved.
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Maldives.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.