Maldives

[thesleepyhoglet]

Have a holiday coming up - I've not been abroad for over 5 years!! I think I've got the basics but are there any thing that might be good to take on the trip.

I've got travel adapters, snorkel, clothing sorted I think.

I've been dreaming of the Maldives for years, but the prices are insane. I'm very jealous.

I got savaged by mozzies out there. Also are you transferring by sea plane? Our flight was delayed into Male so we had to wait a few hours for a domestic flight because the seaplane couldn’t fly after 5pm. I wish I’d had some fresh clothing in my hand luggage

enjoy. Maldives are amazing.

Flip flops. DD forgot hers and it cost £100 to buy some in the hotel shop. Needed them due to sharp shells in the sand!

have a wonderful time.

£100 for flip flops. Farking hell.

Tons of sun cream, rash vest for snorkelling, full face snorkel, small dollar bills for tipping, sarong, good sunglasses, underwater camera, light beach dresses, small emergency kit eg paracetamol, etc. everything on the islands costs a ton.

been four times and love it so much.

I went two years ago and it's the best holiday I've ever had. You'll love it.

Don't bother with shoes - you will be bare footed all the time.

Sun cream and insect repellent. Take some pain killers with you just in case as they are expensive to buy over there. Don't buy alcohol if you have a stop over as you're not allowed to take any into the Maldives (we bought some vodka in Dubai in duty free), I'd also take a hat. Tbh you don't need much.

You get cheap accommodation if you don’t stay in a resort. Plenty of guest houses now.

And you don’t need adapters from the UK.

Thank you everyone- this is super helpful!

Are the full face snorkels really worth it? I've got one for my 10 year old but thought I'd be fine with normal snorkel

You will need water shoes as the sand and into the water can be sharp with shells and coral.

Factor 50 suncream is a must, reef friendly and water resistant. If you can get a zinc oxide one for snorkelling then your back will thank you.

Anti humidity hair oil or spray or embrace the frizz lol

No shoes apart from a pair of flip flops as the saying is no shoes, no news.

Other than what others have already said, enjoy!

What clothes would you fly in. I've not been on an airplane for so long. Are they cold? Do I need special socks. Going with a ten year old child as well and hoping she won't get bored. She likes reading, audio books and eager to snorkel

Underwater camera! Tonnes of fun and i'm an adult😃 Relatively cheap from Amazon.

Thanks @LoveToRun866 I bought one for about £50 it's a go pro style thing. Just need to figure it out and buy an sd card

Don’t go massive rip off

For a 10 yr old I’d say normal snorkel & mask rather than full face.

Agree take medical kit- thermometer, ibuprofen, paracetamol, imodium, plasters/micropore, savlon, piriton

Mozzie repellent for evenings maybe but we’ve hardly had any in 4 visits

UV vest yes for snorkelling, and ideally some swim shorts for anyone who is pale or burns easily

She will be old enough to do Junior Padi so budget for that

Def socks, warm cardi or jumper, big scarf for the plane. They often chill them to Arctic temps or if you are near an exit it’s freezing. Also earplugs

Bring tablet with downloads & headphones - in case of poor weather or just needing a break

Strongly suggest packing vitals (including 1x swim kit & sunglasses) in hand luggage in case of mishaps

This is the one place where you will be happy to have a full face one! You can get them cheaper at Decathlon.

She won’t get bored!! My kids loved it.
i assume you will have a pool too, and a lot of islands have excursions, pools, evening entertainment etc.
plus just the snorkelling is amazing. My kids had full face masks too, much easier for them.

Big scarf for thr plane? You won’t need that, you will get a blanket if it’s a night flight.

Love the Maldives. We are considering taking our 10 year old next year. We’ve not been for over 10 years.

Similar to what others have said:

High factor sun cream and after sun.
Hat.
Mozzie repellent.
Water/reef shoes as coral can be sharp.
Snorkelling gear.
Pair of flip flops (sometimes needed if walking on wooden boardwalks…they get very HOT!) but wouldn’t bother with other shoes.
Our cases were delayed once due to not connecting at our layover in Abu Dhabi. Have some essentials (including a small suncream) in your hand luggage.

Have an amazing time!

Absolutely to small suncream, sunglasses, hat etc in your hand luggage. It is very hot as soon as you land and you might have to wait for speed boat/sea plane. Don’t underestimate the sun, 50 only and rash vests for you DD at leadt at the beginning. I always see so many burnt tourists there and it’s not fun to be sun burned! My English kids have super sensitive skin and they wear rash vests the whole time otherwise they would be red within an hour.

I love the idea of the Maldives. I don’t have a romantic partner (sadly) so would either go alone or with my one adult dc. Maybi ask - is it more a couples’ destination? I’d hate to feel uncomfortable. I’m in my 60s too!

A few solo travellers

we took dd (she was 10)

you only live once. Go to the Maldives.

No you wouldn’t. There is a huge mix: families, groups of divers, family groups, couples, etc. like any other holiday destination. Some islands are specifically for adults only so assume more honeymoon couples. But generally the vibe is chill and I doubt anyone would care.

I would think you find more solo travellers in the busier, more lively resorts with sports, spa and entertainment. Some good Maldives facebook groups that can advice.

This is fantastic advice and making me feel much calmer about the stress that is packing. I've bought her and all in one costume which might seem extreme but she is worried about fish touching her !! And also doesn't want to get burnt. I've got a rash vest and shorts. Going to look for factor 50 now