What Maldives travel risks might you face if planning to travel to one of the Maldive islands for a dream holiday or romantic honeymoon this year? The answer is similar to that of other years but does come with an added warning from authorities like the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in 2025.
As we head towards the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence from Britain (July 26), Europesure is taking a look at what the added risk is and focusing on other things you need to factor in, which make travel insurance for the Maldives a must.
Maldives travel risks overview
In general, the Maldives is known for being a calm and tranquil holiday location, keen to attract tourists and continually expand tourism facilities. The locals are often described as warm, friendly and eager to help. These factors underpin a relatively low crime rate, with offences largely relating to pickpocketing and theft. The risks here can be reduced by not leaving items unattended on the beach, using hotel safes and taking good care of possessions. Not flashing valuables around also makes perfect sense.
Maldives natural travel risks overview
Other risks to the traveller to the Maldives are the forces of nature. The islands – of which 188 are populated and around 120 boast holiday resorts – are susceptible to tropical storms and flash flooding, particularly in wet monsoon season. The wet monsoon season is mid-May to November[1], when large amounts of rainfall can be experienced on land.
There is also a tsunami risk, particularly as the Maldives is the lowest-lying nation in the world. When in resort, it is important to find out what the local emergency arrangements are and what steps would need to be taken. Noting down the new emergency number of 911, introduced in 2024, is also advisable.
The sun can be extremely strong in the Maldives, so it is essential to use sun protection, applying coral-friendly sunscreen, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, wearing sunglasses with good UV protection and staying in the shade, as much as possible, at the hottest times of day. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and do not fall asleep in the sun. Check out some sun safety tips here and get advice on sunglass protection here.
The travel risks surrounding activities in the Maldives
Crystal clear waters in the Maldives are sure to tempt you into the sea but is it safe to swim? Eight Brits alone have lost their lives through drowning in the Maldives since 2021. Strong currents exist around the islands and nobody should swim unless it is in a designated area, preferably with a lifeguard in attendance, and if the warning flags indicate it is safe. Follow sea safety tips, which you can find here.
Then there is scuba diving – hugely popular in the Maldives but again coming with some risk. It is essential that you check that your travel insurance covers scuba, before you take a dive, as not all policies will. Europesure Travel Insurance’s policy automatically covers scuba diving up to 10 metres, if under the direction of an experienced and qualified instructor.
There is another risk attached to scuba diving in the Maldives, as many resort islands are an hour away from the nearest hyperbaric chamber, of which there are only three. Check with your instructor what they would do to help you, if you were suffering decompression sickness.
Maldives travel risks – healthcare facilities
The Maldives is a truly idyllic location but healthcare facilities are limited. Many of the local islands do not have full medical facilities and there are only three hospitals across the island group, only two of which are fully equipped (in Male and Hulhumalé).[2] Resort islands tend to have a clinic, manned by two doctors, or on a rota basis by doctors from the Tree Top hospital on Hulhumalé island.[3] Whilst island clinics can offer consultations and offer some simpler treatments, they do not have the facilities to handle more serious conditions.
If you were to fall seriously ill or have a specific problem that required treatment elsewhere, your options would probably either be to be flown or transferred to Male or to Hulhumalé (if you were not already in these locations). Alternatively, if those hospitals could not treat your condition, you might be left facing medical evacuation to India, Sri Lanka or Singapore, or even all the way back home. It is also worth noting that the Hulhumalé hospital is a private hospital, where treatment is more expensive than would be the case in a public hospital in Malé.
How travel insurance can be a financial life-saver in the Maldives
The cost of an air ambulance and the medical team who could get you to these hospitals and medical specialists would be astronomical, unless you had a travel insurance policy that could pick up the cost for you.
Finding English-speaking doctors may also be difficult in the Maldives. This is again where travel insurance can assist you. It will provide access to experts with the linguistic expertise you need when trying to explain your situation to medics and comprehend their feedback.
Cultural expectations and local laws in the Maldives
As well as the risks already discussed, travellers to the Maldives should have an up-to-date childhood vaccination record and also have a tetanus vaccination prior to travel. There are risks from diseases from insect bites, so strong bite prevention is necessary, as there is no vaccine for diseases such as Zika virus. If you have travelled via a country that has a yellow fever risk, you will also need to show evidence of yellow fever vaccination certification.
Abiding by local cultural rules is also extremely important. Bikini wearing is prohibited on all but tourist beaches, of which each local island has one. Dressing modestly is required on many local islands, which means being considerate by covering shoulders, not wearing skimpy or tight-fitting shorts and other things. Check with any local guesthouse about such rules before you travel, so you can pack accordingly. In a tourist resort, you will probably have much more flexibility but there is still no nude or topless bathing permitted.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in the Maldives and public shows of affection can also cause offence. There are very strong anti-drug laws and the drinking of alcohol is only allowed within the confines of the resort, not outside of it. It is also illegal to leave the Maldives with any items, including jewellery and ornaments, made from coral or tortoiseshell.
The enhanced risk in 2025 – terrorism
The cultural sensitivities in the Maldives often emanate from this being a Muslim country and this also influences the degree of risk from terrorism. Whilst all holiday destinations come with a terrorism, particularly if western travellers frequent them, there have been a few terror attacks disrupted in the Maldives in recent years.[4]
In response to the war in the Middle East, terror groups Al-Quaida and Daesh have called upon their supporters to carry out terror attacks, putting this risk firmly in the spotlight.
Ramadan is a key time in which to exercise caution and a time at which travellers should not eat, drink or smoke in public during the daytime, if they are outside of their holiday resort. In 2026, Ramadan will start on either February 18 or 19 and continue for 29 or 30 days. This is during the period deemed best for Maldives travel – December to April.
Terrorism is a risk not automatically covered on the majority of travel insurance policies but terrorism disruption covercan be added as an extension to a Europesure Travel Insurance policy. No matter where you are travelling, having this extra cover may be advisable, given the current world situation.
Other extended cover options
If you are planning to travel to the Maldives for an overseas wedding, you may also want to consider the Wedding Cover extension, which can offer protection for aspects such as wedding attire, rings, gifts, and videography and photography.
You may also be wishing to capture your dream holiday to the Maldives with expensive gadgets or cameras. Whilst there is some cover available for these through your standard baggage insurance cover on a Europesure Travel Insurance policy, if you select that cover, you may be well advised to increase your cover limits through a gadget insurance add-on.
Summing up Maldives' travel risks
Take the right precautions and be aware of various Maldive travel risks and you should be able to enjoy a sensational vacation in this island paradise. Just make sure you pack the right travel insurance to support your trip, whether you opt for single trip insurance or an annual travel insurance policy, also sometimes called an annual multi-trip policy.
Whether you are travelling to the Maldives from the UK, EU, EEA, Monaco or Gibraltar, Europesure can have you covered, regardless of whether you are an expat, a European resident or someone else wanting to have first-class travel protection with policy terms in the English language.
With the option to pay in both Sterling or Euros depending on where you live, what are you waiting for? The minute you book your Maldives trip is the time at which you should also buy your travel insurance policy. That way you will also have full cancellation benefit for the dream-holiday financial commitment you have made.
[1]https://www.meteorology.gov.mv/climate#:~:text=Climate%20Of%20Maldives&text=The%20southwest%20monsoon%20(wet%2Dseason,as%20the%20monsoon%20transitional%20periods.
[2] https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives/health#:~:text=Healthcare%20in%20Maldives,are%20in%20Malé%20and%20Hulhumalé.
[3] https://mfr.mv/travel-and-tourism/how-are-the-healthcare-services-at-your-resort
[4] https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives/safety-and-security
