Climate. The islands are subject to changeable climatic conditions. The weather is near perfect for most of the year, with daytime temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and evening temperatures rarely falling below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. During the southwest monsoon, from April to October, rainfall increases considerably, especially in June, July and August when strong breezes may blow. November to March is hot and sunny with the occasional tropical shower.

Clothing
The Maldives is hot throughout the year. Light, summer cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, light skirts, cotton shirts, slacks and shorts. At the resorts where you’ll have to walk on soft sand most of the time, going barefoot may be ideal for some. However on visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or Male’ where most of the streets are paved, casual shoes or sandals are easy to walk on.

Regulations and norms
It must be said that official regulations do not allow public nudity anywhere in the Maldives. Even at the beach on your resort or swimming or snorkelling around your cruise boat. At least bikinis or swimming trunks is a must. Most resorts do not allow swimwear inside the restaurants, to avoid offending fellow holidaymakers. At the in-house bars or restaurants casual cotton tropical wear is highly recommended. Visiting inhabited islands or Male’ the capital requires paying a little attention to what you wear. Most resorts would advice you on this before you leave on excursions. Please be sensitive to local norms, culture and traditions. On such visits it is important to be clad in a decent garment, which covers one’s body from the shoulders to the knees. If you envisage attending a formal meeting or making a formal visit, do bring along light formal wear.

Health Facilities
All resorts have first aid facilities and on some you can get the services of a resident doctor and facilities for minor treatment. Some have clinics with separate observation rooms and small pharmacies. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and the ADK Hospital are the two major hospitals in Male’. In addition there are a number of smaller clinics where you may consult a doctor. In both the IGMH and ADK doctors are on duty 24 hours of the day. Both conduct surgery and offer a number of specialist services.

Personal Medical Requirements
If you suffer from a permanent disability or chronic illness it is advisable to inform your resort before arrival and find out whether they can cater for your specific requirements. Most resorts cater for special dietary requirements without additional charges. If you are dependent on any medications please bring along an ample supply, together with a valid prescription in case you are required to produce it at Customs.

Health and Diving
If you are planning to take up diving during your visit, it is a good idea to consult your physician and do a medical check-up to see if you are fit enough.

For safety, when diving it is important to exercise caution; follow the right procedures, use proper equipment and most important follow the directives of your instructor or guide. This is important even if you are an experienced diver. As one would understand instructors and guides working here are well versed in the subtleties of the local conditions, be it currents or tides. A decompression chamber is available, in case of a diving emergency.

Take care
Be careful where you eat and drink when in the Maldives. Registered outlets are usually safe. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables from dubious sources or of unknown nature without consulting someone you can trust. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Use sun creams of a high factor especially during the first few days. A variety of sun creams and lotions are available in all resort shops and boutiques.

Currency and credit cards. The local unit of currency is the Rufiya. However, all transactions for foreign visitors are conducted in US dollars (US$). Do not exchange travellers cheques for local currency on your arrival. We strongly recommend that you take most of your money in US$ travellers cheques in small denominations, as you may be given change in Rufiya. It is also useful to take a small amount in US$ cash, again in small denominations (one-dollar bills), for tipping the airport porters, room boys and boatmen, and so on. American Express and Visa cards are accepted on all islands. Other credit cards may be used, but it is best to check with the resort.

You must reserve US$ in cash to pay the airport tax on departure. Avoid accumulating local currency, as you may have problems at the airport on departure in reconverting Rufiya.

Electricity. 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round- and square-pin plugs are used.

Telephone. All resorts have International Direct Dialing facilities. Some resorts provide access to Internet /E-mail. GSM Mobile phones are available for rent from Dhiraagu - The National Telecom Company.

Time. GMT +5.

Water. The water provided in resort areas is generally safe to drink. In other places, water for drinking or brushing your teeth should be boiled or sterilized, or use bottled water.