required
Hepatitis A
Recommended for all travellers. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Even at resort destinations, risk exists from locally sourced produce and beverages. Two-dose series provides lifetime protection.
TRAVEL HEALTH GUIDE
Travel Vaccines for Maldives
Everything you need to stay healthy in the Maldives โ from Malรฉ to luxury resort atolls and diving sites. About 8,000 Canadians visit the Maldives each year.
~8K
Canadian Visitors/Year
2-3
Recommended Vaccines
None
Malaria Risk
Last updated 2025-02-05. General information โ advice for your particular trip comes from our pharmacist, in person.
recommended
Typhoid
Recommended if you plan to eat or drink outside of major resort properties. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water. Oral or injectable vaccine available โ get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel.
recommended
Hepatitis B
Recommended for travellers who may be exposed through medical treatment, tattoos, piercings, or sexual contact. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. Three-dose series provides long-term protection.
recommended
Routine Vaccines
Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your annual flu shot. COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended.
Dengue Fever
Dengue is present in the Maldives, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that bite during the day. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, and rash. Outbreaks can occur during the rainy season (MayโNovember).
Prevention: Use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin, wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants during the day, and stay in accommodations with air conditioning or screened windows. There is no preventive medication for dengue.
Sun & UV Exposure
The Maldives sits near the equator with extremely intense UV radiation year-round. Sunburn can occur within 15-20 minutes of unprotected exposure. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are also risks, especially during water activities when sun exposure is prolonged.
Prevention: Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming. Wear UV-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and quality sunglasses. Seek shade during peak hours (10 AMโ3 PM). Stay well hydrated with bottled water.
Marine Hazards
Coral cuts, jellyfish stings, and sea urchin injuries are common in the Maldives. Coral cuts can become seriously infected in tropical waters. Stonefish and lionfish are present in reef areas. Strong currents in channels between atolls pose drowning risks.
Prevention: Wear reef-safe water shoes or dive booties when walking near coral. Never touch or stand on coral. Carry vinegar for jellyfish stings. Dive and snorkel with experienced guides who know local currents. Ensure your travel insurance covers diving accidents and medical evacuation.
Traveler's Diarrhea
Traveler's diarrhea is the most common travel illness, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites in contaminated food or water. Risk is lower at international resorts but increases when eating at local restaurants in Malรฉ or on local islands.
Prevention: Drink only bottled or purified water. Avoid ice from unknown sources. Eat thoroughly cooked foods and peel your own fruit. Wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Pack oral rehydration salts and consider carrying a course of antibiotics prescribed by your travel health provider.
Malaria risk
Risk: noneThe Maldives is malaria-free. No antimalarial medication is required for travel to the Maldives. The country was certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization in 2015. Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya are still present, so insect precautions are still recommended.
Sun & Dive Safety
- Apply reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours โ UV is extreme near the equator
- Wear a rash guard or UV-protective swim shirt for snorkelling and diving
- Allow 18-24 hours after your last dive before flying to prevent decompression sickness
- Stay hydrated โ dehydration increases risk of both heat illness and decompression sickness
- Get a dive medical clearance if you have any pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart disease
- Carry a basic first aid kit with after-sun gel, hydrocortisone cream, and antihistamines
Marine Safety
- Wear reef shoes or dive booties to protect against coral cuts and sea urchins
- Never touch, stand on, or break coral โ it causes injury and is illegal in the Maldives
- Shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stepping on stingrays
- Carry vinegar for jellyfish stings โ do not use fresh water which can worsen stings
- Only snorkel and dive with reputable operators who provide proper safety briefings
- Ensure your travel insurance covers scuba diving, water sports, and medical evacuation by seaplane
Food & Water
- Drink only bottled water โ desalinated tap water on islands is generally not safe to drink
- At resorts, food standards are typically high, but still avoid raw shellfish
- On local islands and in Malรฉ, eat at busy restaurants with high turnover for fresher food
- Carry oral rehydration salts and anti-diarrheal medication for emergencies
- Wash hands thoroughly before eating โ hand sanitizer is useful when soap is unavailable
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and raw salads from street vendors
Do I need vaccines if I'm staying at an all-inclusive resort in the Maldives?
Yes. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers to the Maldives, even those staying exclusively at luxury resorts. Food and water can be contaminated regardless of accommodation quality. If you plan to eat only at your resort and not visit local islands, your risk is lower, but the Hepatitis A vaccine is still strongly recommended. Ensure your routine vaccinations are also up to date.
Is the Maldives malaria-free?
Yes. The Maldives has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization since 2015. You do not need antimalarial medication for travel to the Maldives. However, other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya are still present, so you should still use insect repellent and take mosquito precautions, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
What health precautions should I take for scuba diving in the Maldives?
Get a dive medical clearance before your trip if you have any pre-existing conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or ear problems. Ensure you are certified by a recognized agency (PADI, SSI). Allow at least 18-24 hours between your last dive and your flight to prevent decompression sickness. Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol before diving, and make sure your travel insurance explicitly covers scuba diving and emergency medical evacuation, which in the Maldives often requires a seaplane transfer.
How do I prevent severe sunburn in the Maldives?
The Maldives is located near the equator where UV radiation is extremely intense year-round. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours and immediately after swimming. Wear a rash guard or UV-protective clothing during water activities. Seek shade between 10 AM and 3 PM. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and quality UV-blocking sunglasses. Be especially careful on your first few days while your skin adjusts, and remember that UV penetrates through clouds and reflects off water.
Is the drinking water safe in the Maldives?
Tap water in the Maldives is desalinated and is generally not recommended for drinking, even at resorts. Drink only bottled water or water provided by your resort's purification system. Most resorts provide complimentary bottled water in rooms. When visiting local islands or Malรฉ, always purchase sealed bottled water. Avoid ice in drinks unless you are confident it was made from purified water.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives for health and safety?
The dry season from November to April (northeast monsoon) offers the best weather with lower humidity, calmer seas, and better underwater visibility. The wet season from May to November (southwest monsoon) brings higher humidity, more rain, rougher seas, and increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. For diving, visibility is generally best from January to April. Regardless of season, book a travel health consultation at least 4-6 weeks before your trip.
Maldives Travel Consultation
Free โ No Consultation Fee
Book a free travel health consultation with our pharmacist to discuss recommended vaccines, sun and dive safety, and health precautions for your Maldives trip.
Book now