Due to the hot weather all year around, t-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. Dress is generally casual. In Malé and other inhabited islands it is recommended that women wear modest clothing. Nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited in the Maldives, including on resort islands.

• Take the prescription medicines you need and enough hair care and beauty items, cosmetics, contraceptives, feminine hygiene products etc to last for your trip as you might not visit a proper shop unless you visit Malé. Resort-island shops stock basic supplies and souvenirs.
• If you have a spare pair of glasses, take them as replacing a lost pair would be difficult.
• Sunglasses.
• Plenty of good quality, high factor sun cream.
• A torch may be useful to walking back to your room at night.
• Photocopies of your personal travel insurance policy, air tickets and passport details. If you plan to take part in a spot of scuba diving, make sure your insurance policy covers it.
• Seasickness pills if you are likely to suffer from seasickness
  Diving equipment can be bought in Malé or hired on resort islands.
  If you do forget anything, the shops in Malé are well-stocked and shopping locally helps the Maldivian economy.

• If you are coming from a yellow fever area such as sub-Saharan Africa or South America, you should be able to prove you have had a yellow fever vaccination. Although none of the following vaccines are essential for entry to the Maldives, it is recommended that the following vaccines should be taken at least two weeks prior to travel if there is sufficient time: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A.
• It is wise to use an insect repellent and cover-up clothing from dusk until dawn as, like most tropical countries; the Maldives is home to mosquitoes. Also, the Maldives is a very sunny country, so give some thought to packing sun cream and consider the following advice:
  • Keep out of the sun during the middle of the day.
  • Build up your sun exposure gradually from 20 minutes per day.
  • Be careful of the sun reflected off water.
  • Wear a t-shirt and waterproof sun cream when swimming.
  • Cover up with long loose clothes and a hat when you can.
• Remember to always swim responsibly, especially when in the sea. Beware of currents which may take you further away from the shore than you intended. Always wear a lifejacket when doing serious snorkelling far from the island or out of your depth. Always observe proper safety procedures and follow your instructor’s instructions when diving.
• It is recommended that visitors stick to drinking bottled water.
• Bring whatever prescription medicine and contraceptives that you will need throughout your trip as if you are staying on a resort, your resort shop may not stock what you need.
• Holiday medical insurance is essential during your trip as any medical treatment must be paid for and if you are taken sick on a resort, a transfer to Malé may be necessary.
• Health service in the Maldives is provided through regional hospitals and primary health care centres and there is a doctor available in each atoll. Private medical care is available in Malé at the ADK Hospital, which also has a pharmacy open 24 hours a day. Every resort and guesthouse will have a contact telephone number in the event that you should need a doctor, urgent medical attention or a dentist. Some resorts even have regular visits by doctors or resident doctors and nurses.
• If you experience symptoms of infectious disease, such as a high fever, diarrhoea with vomiting or skin rashes, report it immediately.