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A couple enjoy the sunset at Maafushi, Maldives

Dress Code for Women in Maafushi, Maldives

Posted on April 21, 2014November 18, 2021

Maldives is a beach destination. And you need to read no further if you are visiting a resort island. At a resort island there are just tourists and no restrictions on dress. However, I was visiting a budget island, Maafushi and Maldives is a Muslim nation. On Maafushi there is a local population. So, I was wondering about the dress code before I left.

What I read on the internet about dress code for women in Maafushi, it felt like I should be conservative. It felt like even a swimsuit would be frowned upon so I left it behind. Well, it is another matter that I bought another swimsuit at Maafushi. I am from India and I anyway wear single piece swimsuits so I was fine with what I got in the local store. But now that I am back let me dispel a few of the myths about the dress code for women at Maafushi Island in Maldives. You can easily wear a bikini on the tourist side of the beach at Maafushi. Here is what I saw.

And not only just one or two women, a majority of the women on the tourist side of the beach wore bikinis. So, next time someone tells you you can’t wear a bikini on the beach, show them some pictures! Having said that people would wear a sarong or a t-shirt or a wrap when they would start walking to their guesthouses. People would generally not walk on the village roads in a bikini. But make no mistake, on the tourist beach you can be in your swimwear. Do not leave your swimsuit behind like me.

Short Shorts, Maafushi, Maldives
Short Shorts, Maafushi, Maldives #Canon550D

This is a picture of two people walking back from the beach. Generally people covered up a bit more, but even if you did not and wanted to wear short shorts, that was perfectly fine.

Local Women at Maafushi Beach, Maldives
Local Women at Maafushi Beach, Maldives #Lumia1020

On the other side of the island is the beach frequented by the locals. This is how local women at Maafushi go to the beach. If you plan to walk on this side it would be easier if you covered up a  bit. I have no idea why this distinction is maintained but this side of the beach was quieter. There were hardly any tourists and who were there like me walked around in Capris and t-shirts in general, even though shorts were fine as well.

Bare Shoulders, Maafushi, Maldives
Bare Shoulders, Maafushi, Maldives #Canon550D

Before going I read something about not baring your shoulders at Maafushi. Well, I clicked this picture on the local side of the beach. The girl was having a photo shoot with her friend and no one bothered them. So, I figure that baring shoulders is not such a big deal on the Maafushi Island.

The Beach at Maafushi Island, Maldives
The Beach at Maafushi Island, Maldives #Lumia1020

On the beautiful tourist side of the beach at Maafushi you can see people having a good time in the beautiful blue waters. As I said before on this side of the island wearing a bikini was common.

People at Maafushi Beach, Maldives
People at Maafushi Beach, Maldives #Canon550D

However, in the end it is your choice, women would wear what they wanted to wear, including a shorts and t-shirts. I wonder why there is so much on the internet about Maafushi that does not meets the ground reality when it comes to the dress code of women and beachwear.

A Local Family at Maafushi, Maldives
A Local Family at Maafushi, Maldives #Canon550D

Even though it makes for a huge contrast with the locals, I never felt any hostility directed at me for dressing differently. I always thought that the people were friendly and generally left you to your own whims and fancies. So, next time you head to Maafushi, click some more pictures of the beach and spread the word around that there is no need to leave behind your swimsuit.

dress-code-women-maafushi-maldives

I would end this post with a word of caution though. This post is a result of my personal experiences at Maafushi only. I am not sure how other budget islands are. But anyway don’t leave your beach wear behind, in the other scenario it will just not come out of your bag.

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14 thoughts on “Dress Code for Women in Maafushi, Maldives”

  1. Vinesh Balan says:
    April 21, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Beautiful pics 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mridula says:
      April 22, 2014 at 5:24 pm

      Thank you Vinesh.

      Reply
  2. divrj says:
    April 21, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Maldives is soo beautiful…like you said its like a dream. i was there for my honeymoon. And at the end of it was arguing with my husband on why did he decided on just 4-5 days here and not more… Theres so much to see and explore.

    The pictures are too good.. i could see the people in one of the fishing village we visited dressed conservatively too while the tourists in bikini and shorts..it was quite a contrast. nevertheless…Maldives was truly a paradise…thanks for taking me back there.. 🙂

    http://www.dwindowseat.wordpress.com

    Reply
    1. Mridula says:
      April 22, 2014 at 5:23 pm

      Since I came back I have been scheming how to go back. As a honeymoon trip it would have been extra special.

      Reply
  3. Rachel of Hippie in Heels says:
    April 21, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Good to know! Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Mridula says:
      April 22, 2014 at 5:25 pm

      I wish I knew before I went Rachel. I started doing this series after I had such experiences at a few places. 😀

      Reply
  4. Lady Fi says:
    April 22, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    So very lovely – would really love to visit.

    Reply
    1. Mridula says:
      April 22, 2014 at 5:25 pm

      Try and go Lady Fi, even though it is far off for you.

      Reply
  5. Preethi Venugopal says:
    April 22, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    🙂
    Nice photos..

    Reply
    1. Mridula says:
      April 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Thank you Preethi.

      Reply
  6. Raj shekhar says:
    September 15, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks Mridula for the clarification. much appreciated. However, I have few other queries regarding my travel to maldives. I am landing in maldives on friday and I will be staying in maafushi island but i heard there is no communication on friday from male to maafushi and speed boats are a costly affair .Could you advice me of some cheaper mode of communication to maafushi island.

    Regards,
    Raj

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      September 15, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      Hi Raj, as ferry, speedboat and sea planes are only modes of transfer from island to island. On Friday there are no ferries. So either you stay at Male for a night and take the ferry the next day. Or you find people to share the speedboat. That way the cost goes down.

      Reply
  7. Rondrita Roy says:
    August 9, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    This post of yours is a savior to me. As I am planning my vacations to Maldives, I was more anxious about the dress code as Internet is full of these. Even people who blogged about it & stayed in local Islands posted pictures in swimwear & shoulder-offs. I was so confused & apprehensive about the same till I find this post of yours. Thanks for clarifying the doubts. It is Indeed a very informative post. & lovely pictures too. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Mridula Dwivedi says:
      August 9, 2017 at 5:55 pm

      Happy to hear that the post helped you plan your holiday better!

      Reply

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About Me

I am Mridula Dwivedi and I started this blog in 2005. It has been an amazing ride. I have visited 33 countries till date! I have worked with many tourism boards and prominent travel companies. My blog was featured on the BBC and the Guardian.

I did my Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur. I worked full time in academics till 2015! I quit my job as a professor, thinking I will take a break for one year, which turned into five.

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