The Maldives is a tropical archipelago of more than a thousand islands, and connectivity centres on the capital Malé and the scattered resort islands. Mobile data is noticeably pricier here than in most of Asia, and coverage depends heavily on your resort’s location — inhabited islands and the Malé area are well served, while some far-flung atolls rely on resort Wi-Fi.
Networks & coverage
Two operators dominate: Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives. Both run extensive networks reaching most inhabited and resort islands, with 4G as the workhorse and 5G now live around Greater Malé. Before relying on a SIM at a remote resort, it is worth checking which operator your specific island favours.
eSIM or physical SIM?
Both Dhiraagu and Ooredoo sell tourist SIMs right at the exit from international arrivals at Velana International Airport (MLE), making a physical SIM easy to grab on landing. Travel eSIMs from global brands are convenient too, though Maldives eSIM data tends to be expensive; some global plans piggyback on Ooredoo’s network.
Data, calls & messaging
Local tourist packs bundle generous data with local minutes, SMS and starter credit — useful for confirming seaplane and ferry transfers. Travel eSIMs are usually data-only, so travellers handle calls through WhatsApp or similar apps over the data allowance.
How much data do you need?
With resorts offering Wi-Fi, many visitors get by on 10–20 GB for a week of messaging, maps and the occasional upload. If you plan to video-call home daily or tether, the 50 GB monthly tourist packs are the better value. Note that even modest allowances cost more here than elsewhere in the region.