If you are looking for beautiful beaches and crystal clear water, the Maldives is right for you! Located in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, the Maldives archipelago is comprised of 1,192 islands that form 26 atolls lying southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The smallest country in Asia by population and landmass, the Maldives is also one of the most geographically dispersed countries. Located on the top of a large submarine mountain range known as the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, the Maldives gets the prize for the world’s lowest country (with an average elevation of 4 feet above sea level, and the highest point in the country measuring just under 8 feet). The Maldives has an estimated population of around 445,000 people, with about 41% of the population living in urban areas, with around 133,000 people living in the capital city of Malé alone.
Straddling the equator, the temperature in the Maldives stays consistently warm year round. Due to its close proximity to the landmass of South Asia in the north, the Maldives does experience monsoon seasons (particularly the north atolls, while the southern atolls are more influenced by the equatorial currents). Experiencing the drier northeast monsoon between November and April, and the wetter southwest monsoon between May and October, the wettest months in the Maldives tend to be between May and July. If you are looking to visit during the drier months, consider visiting between December and March.
The following are a list of recommended vaccines from the CDC. However, it is always recommended that you check with your primary care physician to meet your specific needs and ensure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations before you travel.
Hepatitis A: can be transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B: transmitted through sexual contact, blood products, or contaminated needles.
Typhoid: can be transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Yellow Fever: there is currently no risk for yellow fever in the Maldives, however the government does require you to have proof of the vaccine if you are coming from an area where yellow fever risk exists.
The following are a list of preventable disease that currently do not have vaccines available.
Zika: transmitted by mosquitoes, care should be taken to avoid getting bitten. Zika can cause serious birth defects, therefore pregnant woman or those planning to get pregnant should not travel to the Maldives.
Chikungunya: transmitted by both day and night biting mosquitoes, care should be taken to avoid getting bitten.
Dengue: transmitted by mosquitoes and tends to have a higher risk in urban and residential areas than other mosquito borne diseases. Care should be taken to avoid getting bitten.
With a tropical climate and monsoon seasons, the Maldives is often prone to heavy rains and flooding. Travellers should bring appropriate rain gear and wear appropriate footwear. The sun can also be very hot and raises concern for heat stroke and dehydration. So remember to drink plenty of water and wear protective clothing during the day and sunscreen with at least 15 SPF with both UVA and UVB protection. Consisting of many small islands, life around the Maldives is based around the ocean. An abundance of sea life (such as a year round population of whale sharks!) and coral reefs exist in the Maldives, so respect the local wildlife and environment by utilizing a hands-off approach during your travels. Be aware of currents when swimming and practice water and boat safety (such as wearing a life-jacket) when travelling around the Maldives. Almost all transport around the Maldives is by boat, so if you are prone to motion sickness remember to travel with a medical kit stocked with appropriate medications.
Can I drink the water? It is generally not recommended to drink the water in the Maldives, as all the water comes from treated rain water. Consider buying bottled water or utilizing a method to treat water before drinking it. Use caution with fruits or vegetables washed in tap water.
Is it wheelchair accessible? Wheelchair accessibility is limited, particularly as most forms of transport in the Maldives are by boat, and roads on many islands are not paved.
How do I best avoid mosquito bites? It is recommended that you wear repellant with at least 30% DEET, wear clothes treated with permethrin, utilize a bed net, and stay in accommodation with screened windows. To avoid bites it is best to stay inside during dawn and dusk when, and wear long clothes to limit exposed skin.
What medications should I bring? Bring any prescribed medications with you as many of the islands are small and may not carry the medications you need. Furthermore, if a medical need arises, the major hospitals are in the capital city of Malé and your only transport option to get there may be a long boat ride. So it is also recommended to travel with a small medical kit, and a healthy travel packing list can be found here.
Important Numbers:
Police: 119
Ambulance: 102
Fire: 118
Maldives country code: +960
Hear from a local
Read what locals have to say about health in their country here.
*The content above is for informational purposes only and reflects my own personal opinion and experiences. Other sources for information utilized in creating this content include the CDC, WHO, and Yellow Book. Please refer to your attending physician for all health advice
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