On the reef
Look, and leave everything as it is. Do not stand on, touch or take coral, and do not feed the fish or the rays.
Choose a reef-safe sunscreen, such as one made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Whale sharks, sharks and turtles
Whale sharks are a protected species. If you swim with one, stay at least 3 metres from its body and 4 metres from its tail, and do not touch it or hold on. Flash photography and bright lights are restricted.
Reef sharks are protected from fishing. The Maldives banned shark fishing in 2010; since November 2025 a small licensed fishery for one deep-water species, the gulper shark, has reopened, and no other shark may be targeted.
Five of the world’s seven species of sea turtle are found here. Keep at least six feet, about 2 metres, from a turtle, and never swim above, chase, touch or feed one. Keep at least 3 metres from rays.
What stays in the Maldives
Leave coral and shells where you find them, and do not buy anything made from turtle shell. Taking most coral, turtle shell and some shells, such as triton shells and giant clams, out of the Maldives is against the law without a permit.
Plastic
The Maldives has banned the import of a list of single-use plastics, from drinking straws and cotton buds to small toiletry bottles. Bring a refillable water bottle.
Visiting a local island
Life on inhabited islands follows local custom, which is different from life on a resort island.
- Wear swimwear only at the resort, or on a beach set aside for it, often called a bikini beach.
- Keep public displays of affection to a minimum.
- Alcohol is not sold on local islands; resorts serve it.
- In some places it is against the law to photograph certain buildings.