The Maldives isn't a high-risk destination health-wise, but a handful of practical basics are worth knowing — most of them tied to sun and reef exposure rather than anything more serious.
Sun exposure
This is genuinely the most common real risk for visitors: near-equatorial sun, reflective water and sand, and hours spent snorkelling or on boats add up faster than people expect. Reef-safe sunscreen (see our packing guide), a hat, and a rash guard for long snorkelling sessions all matter more here than the "beach holiday" framing suggests.
Reef and water hazards
Coral cuts are the most common minor injury — wading in water shoes over a shallow reef at low tide avoids most of them. Jellyfish and stonefish are present but not a constant hazard; ask resort staff about current local conditions rather than assuming either way.
Medical facilities
Serious medical care is concentrated in Malé; most resorts have a basic on-site clinic for minor issues, but anything more serious typically means a transfer. See our travel insurance guide for why medical evacuation cover specifically matters here.
Water and food
Resorts overwhelmingly serve bottled or filtered/desalinated water rather than tap water, and food hygiene standards at resorts are generally high. On local islands, bottled water is the simpler default if you're at all unsure.