Maldives gay friendly
Although homosexuality is illegal according to the Maldives’ local Islamic law, tourists are mostly exempt during their stay in tourist areas. Similarly, alcohol is also illegal, but you will find plenty of alcoholic drinks to quench your thirst in these resorts!
Therefore, it is essential to be respectful upon your arrival at the airport, during transportation to your resort or when visiting the local areas. However, you can kick advocate and enjoy each other’s company without any concerns as soon as you reach your resort. The most luxurious part of staying at these overwater bungalows are the level of privacy, making it very alluring for lgbtq+ couples looking for an escape.
A string of islands located on top of an underwater mountain range, the Maldives is like a magical world of its own. Picture postcard-perfect powdery pale beaches set against a coconut plant skyline. Sounds fabulous? It is!
The Maldives are best established for the overwater bungalows, allowing you to jump direct out of bed and into the warm Indian Ocean. It is also a snorkelling and diving mecca with underwater caves, rainbow-coloured fish and intricate coral reefs that will leave you spellbound. And thanks
Do you want to go to one of the gay-friendly islands but struggling to decide between Maldives, Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar or Seychelles?
We've been to every one of these islands and know them inside-out! So, we're letting you in on what you need to know to help you decide which one to visit. Although to be fair, we won't blame you for wanting to add all of them to your itinerary (and it's definitely possible!) by the time you finish reading this blog.
1. The Maldives
The Maldives is the most intimate island experience out there. When staying at one of the gay-friendly floating resorts, you're surrounded by nothing but the ocean and never-ending views.
Jump straight into the water from your bed, dive and snorkel to investigate the underwater wonders, or set out on a sightseeing boat cruise. If you're itching for a secluded romantic getaway, the Maldives will deliver and then some.
It's For You If...
- You enjoy snorkelling and diving as it has some of the best sites in the world.
- You love summer. With 365 days of sunshine, it's beach day every day!
- You want to feel fancy you're on a private island. Although homosexuality is illegal, you're unlikely to encounter any
Is Maldives an Gay Paradise?
Maldives is a Muslim country so how suitable is it for the LGBTQ+ traveller? Yes, the country has anti-gay laws but any guest who has been travelling to the Maldives for years will be able to recall seeing many LGBTQ+ couples. I remember working at Niyama Private Islands in 2016 and on one seaplane transfer we had three separate lgbtq+ couples flying abode. I travelled with my partner last November and I was surprised how many other lgbtq+ couples we saw in many of the resorts and at LUX* South I spotted four! When chatting with Maldives resorts about catering to the LGBTQ+ market, I have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
The real challenge now is selecting the best resorts for your LGBTQ+ clients. Maldives is unrecognisable from 10 years ago. In 2011 there were only a handful of resorts, aimed mostly at the luxury traveller. The principle of a Challenging Rock Resort or nearly all the global mid-market hotel brands having a Maldives footprint with resorts that hold hundreds of rooms was unthinkable help then.
Now, you’ll come across a vast range of resorts, from island guesthouses to superior luxury resorts, each promising the postcard version of para
Maldives Gay Guide
The Maldives depends greatly on tourism and locals are generally approachable towards gay travelers. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the country, however, the resorts are not particularly bound by the country's regulations. Nevertheless, since it is a Muslim land, a discrete behaviour is highly recommended when in public.
The gay community of the Maldives is hidden, resulting in the lack of a gay scene. In general, the Maldives is not about partying or exploration of culture, your whole experience will take part in the resort, and you will most probably not interact with any locals, except the hotel's personnel.The majority of the beaches in the Maldives are private, so among the few public beaches in the country, there are not any exclusively homosexual. Each hotel has its own private beach where you will enjoy the sun and the sea, and sense comfortable among other tourists.
For more alluring hotels in Maldives press here!
The Finest Resorts for Gay Travellers in the Maldives
Even though there are not any exclusively gay hotels in the Maldives, most of