Paradise with a twist: Why you might want to rethink your bikini in the Maldives

Known for his clear, cobalt blue waters, white sandy beaches and coral reefs, the Maldives paint a picture of an idyllic getaway, a tropical paradise - over a thousand fantasy desert islands spread over 871 kilometers in the Indian Ocean.

Only 200 of the islands are inhabited, with a total population of just over half a million which makes it the continent’s second least populous country, after Brunei.

At the height of its popularity, the Maldives attracted over 1.5 million visitors a year - although numbers have dropped sharply in recent years. More than half of the tourists that visit the islands are from European countries with different sociocultural backgrounds and traditions.

Dress code when out in public in the Maldives

While many visitors travel to the Maldives to savor the dreamlike, untouched beaches and crystalline waters, it may come as a surprise to some that there are dress code restrictions which beachgoers must adhere to in public areas.

While tourists are able to dress as they please on private resort islands such as Soneva Fushi and Anantara Veli, that is not the case in the rest of the country.

Visitors to the local islands must dress conservatively - bikinis and revealing swimwear are mostly prohibited and only permitted on designated bikini beaches, such as Maafushi.

Appropriate clothing in the Maldives

The shoulders and knees must be covered at all times, so women are advised to wear long dresses, sarongs or trousers and long-sleeved tops or shirts - even while sunbathing on the beach. Light, breathable clothing is acceptable as long as it shows respect for the local community.

Buddhism was the predominant religion in the Maldives until the late 12th Century when Maldivians converted to Islam. So visitors are asked to follow the country’s dress code which means modesty when in public - no bare chests or flashy, figure hugging clothes. One simple way of respecting the island’s culture and traditions will ensure you have a trip of a lifetime without any hassle or misunderstandings.

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