Maldives Packing List: Don’t Forget These 10 Essential Things!
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I know that the Maldives are on pretty much everyone’s bucket list due to its crystal blue waters, dreamy overwater bungalows, and soft white sand beaches. At the same time though, all those expectations can set a destination up to disappoint a visitor once they finally make it over. Let me be the first to tell you that the Maldives….DEFINITELY LIVES UP TO EXPECTATIONS YALL ITS EVERYTHING YOU IMAGINE. It can be pricey though, so I decided to make a lil Maldives packing list to help save you some coin once you finally visit.
Take it from me, it sucks to visit somewhere remote and realize you forgot something and you have to shell out $35 USD for a small squeeze tube of sunscreen…I’m looking at you Varadero, Cuba – loved the town, but mannn will the sticker price shock you in Cuba.
Anyways, not to get sidetracked but the Maldives is inherently a pretty expensive place. Unless you are geographically within a short distance, the flight alone could set you back a few thousand dollars. Then there’s the accommodation. Then the food. Then the activities…
It adds up.
While I saved A TON on my Maldives trip by getting my flights with miles and booking my full stay at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort using points, we still had to pay for…well, everything else. One of my biggest budget tips for the Maldives is to save where you can, and the easiest area to do that in is to limit buying items once you get there.
Ta-daaa!! That’s where this handy dandy Maldives packing list comes into play!
Maldives Packing List
So of course, there’s always the usual items that you bring along with you on every trip, like underwear, and a daily set of clothes, and your toiletries. There’s also the usual “warm/beach/water” add-ons like a swimsuit, comfortable flip flops, and sunglasses.
Definitely make sure you bring those things – especially underwear. I might even make a separate post that incorporates all of these “standard” beach-vacation items, but chances are you probably already have these things at home. But for a few of the items on this Maldives packing list may be new to you, so make sure you stock up before your visit!
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be at the TIPPITY TOP of your Maldives packing list. I know I probably seem scarred and traumatized by my experience in Cuba but…I AM. Don’t forget your sunscreen! In store, I saw sunscreen bottles for about $30 USD, which is double if not triple what you would pay at home.
On that note, make sure your sunscreen if reef safe – meaning NO petrolatum/” mineral oil”, NO titanium dioxide, and NO oxybenzone/octinoxate. Choosing ocean and reef safe sunscreen is the easiest thing you can do to help protect our planet’s most precious resource.
Plus, you’re protecting yourself too!
I don’t care if you have a deeper skin tone or if you hate wearing sunscreen, your body will thank you immediately AND in the future for using sunscreen. I’ve even compiled a list of my favorite sunscreen brands for darker skin tones that won’t leave a white cast! No need for us to be out here lookin ashy on an expensive vacation.
Snacks
Food in the Maldives can be really expensive, especially if you’re staying at one of the more luxurious resorts. For that reason, I’d recommend throwing snacks on your Maldives packing list. Grab your jerky, trail mix, protein powders, candy, and whatever else you like to munch on to keep you satiated between your expensive meals.
Or maybe even replace a meal if you’re on a budget (leave room in your suitcase for a few Cup of Noodles if you’re penny pinching – no shame in the budget game)!
Since we were diamond members at Hilton, our breakfast buffet was included and you bet your bottom dollar we STUFFED ourselves. Then we would take a nap through lunch and make a protein shake instead of spending money on a mid-deal meal. As diamond members we also got a complimentary “happy hour” that had snacks and small bites, so all we really had to spend in terms of food was dinner.
Since dinner averaged about $100 USD at our resort for two people…that was all we wanted to spend anyway haha.
UV Umbrella
As someone traveling with hypothyroidism, I am very sensitive to sun exposure. You can imagine that it makes traveling to a destination all about the beach can make things challenging. Honestly, it’s challenging even without additional conditions.
My ultimate survival hack – adding a UV blocking umbrella to my Maldives packing list. This baby has traveling with me from the deserts of Jordan to the belly of the Grand Canyon and has prevented heat stroke probably more times than I can count. Since I am a land baby, I like to just sit on the beach and look at the water, and having my own personal – and portable – shade device is NECESSARY.
UV Rash Guard
Howeverrrr, if you are a water person, I’d recommend investing in UV rash guard pieces to protect your skin while you’re out in the ocean and reapplying sunscreen can be challenging. Personally, I like the brand lemlem because they’re very sustainable, but I know they aren’t the most affordable or size inclusive to pick something that works for your body and budget (but still protects)!
Reef Shoes
Again, for you water folk, get some good reef shoes to add to your Maldives packing list. NO – they’re not for stepping on coral reefs, but there’s all sorts of things in the ocean just waiting to catch your foot, like sharp rocks, shells, and even fish who like to nibble on toes.
Personally, I have the same affordable pair I bought in like 2015 to go club hopping in Cancun during a tropical storm (long story for another time). If possible, I’d recommend going to your local outdoor store to try some on and make sure they’re comfortable because you’ll likely be wearing them without socks.
Unless…you like to wear socks while swimming. In which case…more power to ya.
Light Jacket
Once the sun goes down in the Maldives…it actually gets pretty chilly!! This was something that surprised me because I thought it would be similar to like…Singapore and be hot every single hour of every single day of every single year. But nooo at nighttime I had goosebumps heading back to my villa after dinner!
Thankfully this probably isn’t something you have to buy, but make sure to put a light jacket or cardigan on your Maldives packing list so you can be comfortable.
Breathable Gym Clothes
Speaking of clothes, this next one may not make it into everyone’s Maldives packing list but I’d recommend bringing along some light breathable gym clothes! If you’re not much of a water person or if you just want to switch up your activities, most resorts in the Maldives have a gym and maybe even a tennis, basketball, or pickleball court! Our resort also had a soccer field!
In the mornings, there was complimentary yoga at sunrise which was both peaceful and…challenging. If you’ve never taken a yoga class by a South Asian instructor…it’s a different ballgame! Again, you probably don’t need to buy anything here if you have something at home, but if you’re curious my favorite athletic brand is Popflex Active, super cute and size inclusive and honestly pretty revolutionary in the athleisure realm considering it is a small but mighty business.
Entertainment
If you are a busy body like me, you should probably add some form of entertainment for your Maldives packing list. I’m not typically someone who can sit still for 4 days on a beach, so I was very worried about getting bored in the Maldives haha, especially since I don’t like water activities. Thankfully, along with the yoga and daily resort events, I was kept sufficiently busy enough to stay engaged with the trip.
That said, make sure to load up your e-reader, borrow some audiobooks from your local library, and dust off that Nintendo Switch game you’ve been meaning to play and bring them all with you.
Universal Adapter
This is more so a reminder for ME because I always forget my universal adapter. If you already have one from your travels, no need to buy one for your Maldives packing list, but if not then this is the universal travel adapter I use!
Now if only I could remember to bring it tsk tsk.
USD for Tips
And last but not least, bringing some cash for tips is not at all REQUIRED (in fact, many resorts automatically charge for gratuity on top of the room), but it is as always greatly appreciated.
The best currency to tip in is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), but since so many tourists usually land at the airport and go straight to the resort, it’s understandable to tip in widely accepted currencies such as the United States Dollar (USD) or Euros (EUR), however it goes a LONG way if you could take MVR out from an ATM when you arrive.
In lieu of tipping though, another amazing way to show your appreciation is to mention your host/tour guide/waitstaff by name when you leave a review!
Conclusion: Maldives Packing List
Alright, we’ve come to the end of this Maldives packing list! Were there any surprises you may not have expected? If you’ve visited, did I leave anything off? Let me know what you would add to your perfect Maldives packing list!
Thanks for reading everyone!
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