TIPS AND ADVICE

What to pack

A high-factor, preferably coralfriendly, suncream. Riemann P20 is the only one I’ve found that actually stays the course.

A waterproof cover for your phone to take underwater snaps.

Casual, lightweight clothing. Leave your wedges at home; most people tend to go barefoot.

Refillable toiletry bottles to avoid leaving behind plastic rubbish. The Maldives’ “Trash Island”, Thilafushi, is growing at a horrifying 500 tons every day.

Insider tips

The Maldives is ideal for a twin-centre holiday. Combine a high-octane few days in Dubai or a culture-packed stint in Sri Lanka with a week on the beach. Kuoni (kuoni.co.uk), Travelbag (travelbag.co.uk) and Scott Dunn (scottdunn. com) all offer twin-centre breaks.

If you’re travelling during the May-to-November low season, it’s worth looking at resorts in the north, where it rains less than the rest of the country.

Bag five-star accommodation for four-star prices at new hotels in “soft opening”. Eight new resorts opened in 2023 alone, and while the hotels might still be finessing their service and slowly opening their facilities, savings can be as much as 30 per cent, with many also offering free transfers.

Nature fans should bear in mind the lunar cycle. Manta rays are at their most active during the full moon. Bioluminescence is at its brightest a few days either side of the new moon, when there is little lunar light.

Know before you go

The Foreign Office deems the Maldives a safe destination. British travellers do not need a visa; however, everyone has to complete an online pre-arrival form (travel.immigration.gov.mv) within 72 hours of departure. It requires uploading a passport scan and photo, so technophobes may need some help. The British High Commission is located in Malé and can be reached for urgent assistance on 0094 1153 90639. More information at visitmaldives.com.