Terrified of the ocean in the Maldives

[Orangedoritos]

Hi everyone I'm looking for some advice from users who have been to The Maldives.

I do suffer with anxiety so please understand that. I probably sound completely nuts! I think my fears are a bit extreme but I'm panicking a bit... I will list them below and hopefully someone can reassure me x

Have never flown outside of Europe so this is the first time I will fly over an ocean that has sharks or a vast amount of dangerous marine life for example killer jellyfish. Im terrified of flying.. mainly us crashing or the plane falling... so if we did end up in the Indian Ocean I think I would die of panic rather than the actual plane crash!

Assuming we get there safe... the seaplane! Obviously this worries me as they are so small and flimsy im scared of that too

Im worried about actually going in to the water at the beach because I’ve heard stories about the sting rays hiding under the sand. So people say to shuffle your feet... why? If I shuffle them or not im 100% sure if a sting ray is startled by me it will jab me. Im actually really worried about this. Im trying to find some shoes to wear in the water.

Another thing is there any chance of poisonous jelly fish being close by in the shallow water? I can’t swim much however im scared of being stung. I’ve been stung by a jellyfish in spain but they were tiny and was like a stingy nettle rash. The internet says to avoid them but what if one brushes against me... what if it is a blue ringed jellyfish surely there would be more reports of deaths? Im sure I’ve got nothing to worry about but if these animals are there... why don’t they hurt swimmers more often? Literally if there a dangerous jelly fish how are people not coming into contact with them, I mean unless they stick to the deeper depths or hide under rocks... I don’t know

Any advice would be helpful as I'm wishing i could cancel my holiday and get a refund I think I’ve made a big mistake. Ive spent a lot of money and my anxiety is ruining the holiday before it’s even begun.

Also does anyone have a link to the plug adapter that we need for uk plug to maldives plug? Thank you

I'm currently on holiday in the Maldives and I can honestly say it's like paradise...the water is warm and crystal clear and there are amazing fish swimming on the reef. I've seen turtles, baby reef tip sharks eagle rays, dolphins and nurse sharks all from the comfort of the beach , although going snorkelling to see Manta rays and I've got mask , fins and life vest as I'm not as confident snorkelling as I used to be
The flight to our island (Kandolhu) was incredible and part of the adventure of getting here, but ask for advice re going on a nervous flyer course if you're that nervous..you've never seen water or sand like it!

Oh and plugs in Maldives are 3 pin plugs like U.K. ...and turtles eat jelly fish , so that's a bonus!.... although haven't seen any jelly fish at all ( more likely to see them in U.K.!)
We're having a fabulous holiday and I can highly recommend a visit to the Maldives

Definitely stop Googling else you will scare yourself to death! As others have said, buy water shoes to take with you. I am absolutely petrified of dark water at night and what did we book - an over water bungalow for our first trip to the Maldives that had a partial glass floor. I was really nervous about it but apart from not going out on the deck in the dead of night on my own I was actually fine.

Buy a rash suit for swimming, it will also protect you from sunburn. I was blown away the first time we stepped off the seaplane onto a Maldivian island, so much better than any photograph. The water is crystal clear and you can see whatever is in the ocean when your swimming/snorkelling/diving. We saw a lot of stingrays but never near the shoreline. However a few months ago we did paddle with dozens of stingrays in Australia, they swam round our legs quite placidly and no-one was stung. They only sting if threatened.

Go, maybe get something temporary for your flying anxiety and have an amazing holiday, you will love it.

I have been to the Maldives 6 times and 7 coming up next year. I really would book an island that you can reach by speedboat as that may calm your anxiety. The seaplane though is spectacular (if noisy and hot).

The sea is teeming with fish and creatures but rays are not just found everywhere under your feet so I really wouldn't worry - and sting rays are even less frequent and you may come across small eagle rays for example. you will routinely see lots of small sharks though (black tips) but they are small and completely uninterested in humans. I once watched my 3 year old splash around by the water's edge with 2 baby sharks swimming around (they were just interested in the shoal of fish nearby). Hopefully you can conquer your fear as it is the most amazing experience.