26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, most nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route 26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, most nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route
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DEPT · NEWS 📰

News & updates

Rules, taxes and entry requirements change more often than the guides above suggest. This is where we track what's actually shifted, with dates and sources.

News & updates
Environmental regulation

Maldives changes single-use plastics timetable: what is banned now and what moves to 2029–31

Maldives changed its single-use plastics timetable on 19 September 2026, with an immediate sub-250ml beverage-bottle ban and other dates deferred.

Taxes & fees

Green tax & resort taxes, explained

How much green tax, GST and service charge actually add to a Maldives bill — and how the rates changed in 2025.

Entry rules

Visa & entry: what's changed recently

A running note on Maldives entry-rule changes, including the 2025 restriction on Israeli passports.

Sustainability

Sustainable tourism in the Maldives

Coral restoration, plastic-reduction targets and what 'sustainable' actually means across different resorts.

Flights

Flight connectivity: what's changing

The general direction of travel on international routes into Velana International Airport — and how to check current specifics.

Airport infrastructure

Velana Airport's new terminal, explained

Velana International Airport's new Terminal 1 opened in July 2025 — what it means for arriving passengers, and how the old building is used now.

Resort industry

New resort openings — how to keep track

The Maldives resort count keeps growing every year — how to find genuinely new openings rather than outdated "coming soon" lists.

Reef conditions

Coral reef health and bleaching, explained

Why Maldives reefs periodically bleach, what recovery looks like, and how it actually affects a typical snorkelling or diving trip.

Environmental regulation

Single-use plastics rules, explained

The Maldives' phased single-use plastic restrictions — what's actually banned, and what it means for resort stays and packing.