Agoda.com Save up to 75%, Don't miss! Live support, Instant confirmation.
Book now for big savings!
Hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.
Sponsored Links
Reviews from VirtualTourist Members
Strict customs
by shawncastellino
Everyones bags are checked at customs physically, if you are carrying any alcohol,pork, religious articles of other faiths, souveniurs of other faiths, many tourist from sri lanka had Budha souvenirs, all these would be taken from you at the airport, however you will be able to collect them on leaving the Maldives
You want it bad you get it bad: Maldives
by lifepro
The local agencies offered speedboat transfer to Club Med as much as 300 US dollars per person. They did not bother to answer if this is one way or return. Club Med charges about 50 Euro per person return. I gave this as an example to what happens if you try to make a deal with local Maldive tour agents or resorts. This is not a place to try to organize a custom trip. From the airport resorts come and pick up their own guests. Very riski try to find your own way to go to an island. I contacted with all Tourism Offices and Tourism Ministry in Maldives to get their recommendations. Made no difference. Make sure you have a good legal back up before you make any payment.
CORAL !
by DAO
The Maldives is blessed with beautiful coral reefs. Unfortunately its beaches are plagued with broken bits of coral that you can step on. Watch you step and/or wear some footwear if you can. These nasty bits of nature can ruin your holiday with a gashed foot or cut toes. It’s a shame really. Just be careful and you should be fine.
4 more images
"Tropical Cruise":a Maldives bad trip!
by neill74
NEVER GO BY "TROPICAL CRUISE".I've just back from a Maldives surfary with the boat "TROPICAL CRUISE". Don't go TROPICAL CRUISE!!! The boat is a little old, slow and dirty trick. Our cabins were full of big black beatles. They were everywhere. Bathroom were little bad smelling, third-world style boxes. The boat was the last to leave in the morning and the first to go away from the spots. Everymorning the battery was out of charge and we could not move to go surf. We had to stop for 3 whole days in south Malè where flat, cause we had to waiting for the new captain, and while our friends on the other boats were surfing perfect waves in th north, we had to wait 3 days in a little port where maldivians used to burn trash all the day. A lot of time lost because the vessel sail no more than 3 knots (not 9 knots as thei site says). The boat at 5:00 pm must stop in a port and this is not...
Titan Trigger Fish
by Russ60
I read about these bad tempered fish before I went to Kuredu, they can be particularly viscious during the nesting season. There are plenty of trigger fish around the Island, I swam into (without realising) a few nests near the jetty around the shipwreck, one gave chase but luckily I realised and swam away quickly!!!!!
1 more image
Booze
by Emichelle
No boozing is allowed in the capital Male, so don't even think about taking any booze in there. The penalties are severe. If you want have a drink the resorts are all yours, the regulations don't apply to the resorts.
Be careful: strong clothing conventions!
by Fam.Rauca
Because the Maldives are an Islamic state, there are strong clothing conventions for the women. The guest ladies have the obligation, to heed these regulate, and, to have a decent clothing. The kerchief and the tall gown are the outfit only for the women on the island. However, the guests must be careful to not carry to short skirts and sleeveless shirts on the street and in restaurant.
Be careful, to corals on the underwater ground
by Fam.Rauca
Numerous corals are on the sea ground. Be careful, with the touch of the ocean earth!If you are without shoes, the split ends of the corals can you wound, and with shoe, you can shatter them. Avoid as much as possible the contact with the underwater ground!
1 more image
Customs
by Myndo
The strict laws of Customs on the Maldives prohibit the importation of pornographic material (that does also mean nude or semi nude pictures on magazines such as cosmopolitan), firearms, alcohol and illegal drugs (also marijuana) into the country. Exports of coral, shells and other object removed from the marine environment is also prohibited. (see my tip on tourist traps)The Maldives are a muslimic country and as such they do not drink alcohol - nor are you allowed to bring alcohol with you, when you enter. If you do and they catch you, they will at least take it away from you (I saw that happen). They can also send you to jail for this, so don't try it. You will find enough alcohol in the touristic resorts - although for a high price.
Currents
by Myndo
Helengeli is located at the outer reef, which is one of the reasons it is such a good place to snorkel and dive and see some of the big animals you can find iin the sea. It is a lso the reason why there is a current here that has to be considered when going into the water.The current is not the same on all times of the day. It is a good thing never to go snorkeling alone and know from where to where the current goes. That is easily determined, you can feel it when you go into the water, often you can also see it on the surface. If unsure, ask the staff.The picture was taken while we were out snorkeling. Looks like we were out very far, but the current was going towards the island in that case, so no problem.
Comments