The Australian government just gave out a new travel warning for the Maldives. It’s not saying "don’t go," but more like, “be extra careful, especially if you're not staying in one of those resort islands.” Most Aussies heading to Maldives are after the usual—blue water, peaceful vibes, overwater villas—but yeah, outside of that, things might not be so chill.
Honestly, if you're planning to walk around in places like Malé or some of the local towns, the advice is to stay alert. There have been a few scary things in recent years—like tourists being attacked, and even a small bomb blast a while back. It’s nothing too widespread, but enough for Smartraveller to say: keep your eyes open.
Resort areas are still okay, but stay aware
Now, don’t freak out—this isn’t about the resorts. Those places are still known to be safe and well-protected. It’s more about stepping into public areas or exploring beyond the beach. Like, if you’re taking a day trip to Malé or hopping between local islands, that’s when you need to be more cautious. There’s been stuff like:
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Violent protests (sometimes out of nowhere)
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Gangs and street crimes in non-tourist parts
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Isolated attacks tied to extremist groups
It’s rare, but it has happened. So the government’s just saying—if you’re heading out of the resort, just be smart about where you’re going.
What Aussies are being told to do
Smartraveller didn’t say cancel your trip. They’re just being upfront. Here’s what they recommend:
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Don’t go to political protests, even if they look peaceful
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Stay in tourist-safe areas, especially after dark
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Be alert in cities like Malé
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Keep up with local news or alerts from your hotel or embassy
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Know what to do if things go sideways (have backup contacts, keep your phone charged, etc.)
This warning’s not meant to ruin your holiday—it’s more like, “don’t take risks just because the beach looks nice.”
