Maldives Dress Rules: Travellers Must Cover Up Outside Beach Zones Under Local Law

Maldives Police have warned foreign visitors and residents that wearing revealing clothing in public places outside tourist-designated areas could lead to legal action. In a statement issued on 2 October 2026, police said some foreign nationals had been seen dressed in revealing clothing on streets and in other public spaces.

Key facts

• Warning issued by Maldives Police on 2 October 2026
• Applies to streets and public spaces outside areas designated for tourists
• Action can be taken under Law No. 11/2010 over violations of public social standards
• Nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited throughout the country, including resort islands
• Swimwear should be kept to areas where it is allowed on inhabited islands

What has the police said?

Police asked foreigners living in or visiting the Maldives to respect Maldivian culture and customs. The statement said action can be taken under Law No. 11/2010 when someone breaches the country's public social standards, and that legal action could follow for people who do not follow those standards.

Police also addressed employers and sponsors of foreign workers, asking them to make sure the people they are responsible for understand what is expected of them in public.

Where does this apply?

The warning covers streets and other public spaces outside areas designated for tourists. The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs says dress is generally casual, but it advises women to wear modest clothing in Malé and on other inhabited islands. The ministry notes that formal dress is not required in those places — the advice is simply to dress modestly.

What are the swimwear rules?

The Foreign Ministry states that nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited throughout the Maldives, including on resort islands. Swimwear has also caused problems on inhabited islands in the past, and police have asked tourists on those islands to keep swimwear to the areas where it is allowed.

What this means for travellers

Visitors should plan to cover up when leaving beaches, resorts and other designated swim areas, particularly on streets and in public places on inhabited islands. Women travelling to Malé and local islands are advised to pack modest clothing, and swimwear should be worn only where it is permitted.

Has this happened before?

Police made a similar request in February 2020, after a complaint about a tourist walking along the main road on Maafushi. Police said she was wearing inappropriate clothing and asked her to follow local regulations; she was detained after police said she refused and resisted officers, then released a little more than an hour later without charges. Police later apologised for how the incident was handled and opened an inquiry, and asked tourists on local islands to be mindful of local sensitivities and restrict swimwear to designated areas.

No start date applies to the latest warning, which is already in effect as a police statement.