Maldives

Staying connected in Maldives

The Maldives is a favourite for honeymooners, families and groups of friends after an overwater villa, coral reefs, manta rays and whale sharks. The dry season, roughly December to April, brings clear skies and calm seas and is the peak period; May to November is wetter but quieter.

Most resorts occupy an island of their own and are reached from Velana Airport in Malé by speedboat or seaplane, while travellers on a tighter budget stay in guesthouses on local islands such as Maafushi. Mobile data matters most during transfers, on diving trips and for sending photos and videos home when the resort Wi-Fi falls short.

Coverage and networks

There are 2 eSIM options for Maldives. Each network belongs to the option it is listed with, so compare them before choosing.

According to the plan information, the option (Maldives – TikTok) roams from a Singapore home network: your phone connects to the networks above, but some apps and websites may see your location as Singapore.

“TikTok” is part of an option’s name. If you rely on a particular app, check the conditions of that exact plan; the label alone does not guarantee access to any app.

Signal and speed depend on where you are, your device and network conditions, and can differ between plans.

Choosing a data allowance

eSIM plans for Maldives currently last 1 to 30 days and come in these types:

• Daily data (500MB, 1GB, 2GB and 3GB per day): suits a steady routine. Check when the daily allowance resets and what happens once it is used.
• Total data (3GB to 50GB): one allowance for the whole trip, handy when some days are heavier than others.
• Unlimited: always read the fair-use policy; after a set amount, speed may be reduced.

Suggestions for this trip

• Four or five nights at a resort, mostly on room Wi-Fi: 1GB of daily data, or 5GB of total data for the trip, is enough for messaging and backup.
• Posting underwater clips or livestreaming sunsets from the beach: 2GB or 3GB a day, or an unlimited plan (fair-use policy applies).
• Seven to ten days in a local-island guesthouse with unreliable Wi-Fi: 10GB or 20GB of total data.

Count your arrival and departure days. Before paying, check the exact plan for when validity starts, how days are counted, and whether hotspot, calls or SMS are included; these differ between plans.

Before you go

• Transfers: Seaplanes fly only in daylight, so if you land in the evening you may need a night in Malé or Hulhumalé; stay in touch with your resort by WhatsApp or email so they can arrange it.
• Wi-Fi: Most resorts offer Wi-Fi, but quality can differ between villas, beaches and restaurants.
• Payments: Resorts bill in US dollars and take cards; on local islands carry cash in rufiyaa or small dollar notes.
• Local islands: The Maldives is a Muslim country; alcohol is not sold on inhabited islands and modest dress is expected away from designated tourist beaches.
• Local SIM: Counters are in the arrivals hall at Velana Airport; you need your passport.
• eSIM setup: Before buying, make sure your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Install the eSIM before you fly, on a stable Wi-Fi connection, following the instructions sent with your plan.
• On arrival: Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and follow its roaming instructions. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges.