You’re packing your suitcase for a week of relax under the sun but still not sure about what to bring? Here’s a quick list of things to bring on a trip to the Maldives to have it all!
Sunscreen
The Maldives are on the equator, and the sun can really harm you. High-protection creams are essential even for the most resilient, and should not be underestimated even when clouds come and go, as reflected light increases exposure. Put cream on your ears too!
If you run out of sunscreen while you’re there, don’t worry: you’ll find some in shops on the islands, even with protection factors I had never seen before (60–100).
Rush guard shirt
A rush guard like this one is a great purchase for the Maldives for at least three reasons:
- it acts as a SPF 50 sun protection, important if you’re snorkelling or swimming since sunscreen is less effective in water (and might harm the coral); same goes for boat excursions (to find out which ones you might enjoy or not, check out the guide to excursions in the Maldives);
- it’s useful against scratches or bumps in the water; if you accidentally hit corals they’re sharp and it also protects against rare small bites from curious fish;
- to stay on “no bikini” beaches where being covered is essential, since it’s a Muslim country.
You may like: Habits and rules in the Maldives
Bucket hat
It may not be the latest fashion, but it’s very practical: with a hat like this one you won’t have to remember to put sunscreen on your ears every time (because yes, with the overhead sun, they’ll get burned too), and it won’t fly off in the wind on the boat. It’s also foldable.
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UK plug adapter
A vital thing to bring on a trip to the Maldives is a power adapter. The sockets are British-style, although some hotels already have universal sockets in the walls.
Insect repellent
This aspect should not be overlooked. In the Maldives, mosquitoes are not too much, but the problem is that they may transmit Dengue. So apply repellent, especially in the evening on ankles and exposed areas, or even during the day if you’re near dense vegetation or standing close to grass areas.
Water shoes
The beaches are almost entirely sandy, but sometimes they’re made of crushed coral fragments, which might not feel pleasant underfoot, especially in the water.
Waterproof backpack and/or dry bag
During boat excursions, between dives, climbing up, and disembarking to reach the shore (even in beautiful spots like the one in the photo below), your backpack will probably get wet. To protect its contents, consider a waterproof backpack or bringing a dry bag on the boat with just the essentials; it’s also good for any kayaking trip.
Waterproof pouches
Optional, but if you prefer to be sure that your phone and wallet (or power bank) don’t get wet during boat trips, it can be a handy extra.
There are bags suitable for clothes or wet swimsuits, useful when repacking your suitcase, or you can use pouches like these: you’ve probably come across the second type among packaging from various purchases, so if they’re not perforated, keep them instead of buying new ones! 😉 Just blow into them and seal to test if they’re intact.
Snorkelling mask
If you already have one and your suitcase isn’t full, bring it. The excursions you’ll join will provide mask, snorkel, and fins usually for free, but I always have the impression they aren’t cleaned between usage. 😆
Also have a look at my guide to Maldives excursions to better understand which ones there are and which are worth doing.
Underwater phone case
When you go snorkelling at the coral reefs (and if it’s not near the shore, take a boat tour to get there—in my opinion, it’s the one excursion you absolutely shouldn’t miss!), a case like this will help you bring home some memories to look back on.
Obviously, don’t spend the whole time filming, but enjoy the fish and marine life with your own eyes too! 😉
Get one with a secure strap to avoid losing your phone in the ocean. If you’re planning far enough in advance, check AliExpress too to see if it’s chaeper.
Emergency poncho or raincoat
A sudden rain (or rather, a downpour) is likely to happen in the Maldives. An emergency raincoat is great for not getting soaked to the bone. Prefer reusable ones so you only need one, instead of wasting money and polluting with single use ones.
Alternatively, a hooded k-way is fine too if you still have space in your suitcase. Just a light one, as you’ll never feel cold there.
What NOT to bring to the Maldives?
E-cigarettes and vaping products. A recent law bans them throughout the country, so even bringing your own from home puts you at risk of having them confiscated at the airport. For more info, read the rules and habits of the Maldives.
Now that your suitcase is ready, also check out the other guides on the Maldives and discover which islands are best to stay on! 🙂
Sim or eSim for data traffic
If you have a phone that supports eSims, getting one is definitely the most convenient option. Airalo or Yesim are two examples among cheap available providers. If your phone only supports classic SIM cards, you’ll have to spend a bit more with a local sim purchased at the airport starting from 40$ (traffic included).
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