Resort Wi-Fi in the Maldives ranges from excellent to “one bar in the lobby”, and international roaming here is among the most expensive in the world. A local SIM or eSIM fixes both for the price of a cocktail. This guide compares Dhiraagu and Ooredoo — the only two networks in the country — plus travel eSIMs, with 2026 prices and where to buy.
Quick answer
| Option | Typical cost | Where to get it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhiraagu tourist SIM | USD 25–55 for 7–30 days (15–40 GB) | Arrivals hall counter, Malé shops | Widest coverage, remote atolls |
| Ooredoo tourist SIM | USD 20–50 for 7–30 days (12–35 GB + social data) | Arrivals hall counter, Malé shops | Best value, most popular atolls |
| Travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly etc.) | USD 9–35 for 1–20 GB | Online before you fly | Short stays, no queue, data only |
| Home-network roaming | USD 10–15 per day typical | Automatic | Nobody, honestly |
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Dhiraagu vs Ooredoo: which network?
Both run 4G across the whole country and 5G in Malé, Hulhumalé and the airport. On the popular islands — Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Dhigurah, Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, Fulidhoo — and at every resort, you will not notice a difference.
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- Dhiraagu is the older, state-linked operator with the most towers. If you are heading to far northern or southern atolls (Haa Alifu, Addu, Fuvahmulah) or doing a liveaboard dive trip, Dhiraagu is the safer pick.
- Ooredoo is usually a few dollars cheaper, bundles extra data for social apps, and its tourist plan is simple: one price, 30 days. For a typical 7–14 day holiday in Kaafu, Ari or Baa atoll it is the better deal.
Locals in Malé are split roughly down the middle; neither is a bad choice.
Buying at Velana Airport
Both operators have counters in the arrivals hall, right after customs, open for all international arrivals including late-night flights. You cannot miss them. Bring your passport — SIM registration is mandatory and they photograph it. The process takes 5–10 minutes and staff will install and test the SIM for you. Pay in USD, rufiyaa or card.
Two things to know:
- Airport tourist packs cost a little more than the same operators’ shops in Malé (Dhiraagu and Ooredoo both have stores near the fish market and in Hulhumalé). The difference is USD 5–10. For most people the convenience is worth it.
- Tourist SIMs are prepaid and expire at the end of the plan period. Top-ups are possible at any island shop (ask for a “reload”) or through the Dhiraagu / Ooredoo apps with a foreign card.
eSIM: skip the queue
If your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung and Pixel phones from 2020 on), you can buy a Maldives data plan online before you leave and be connected the moment you land. Travel eSIM providers such as Airalo, Holafly, Nomad and Saily all use the Dhiraagu or Ooredoo network underneath, so coverage is identical; you simply pay a bit more per GB for the convenience. Ooredoo and Dhiraagu also sell their own eSIMs through their apps and websites, which can be the cheapest route if you set it up in advance.
Travel eSIMs are data only — no local phone number. That is fine for WhatsApp, maps and bookings, but if you want to call a speedboat operator or guesthouse directly, a physical tourist SIM gives you a Maldivian number.
How much data do you need?
- 7 days, light use (maps, WhatsApp, a few photos): 5–8 GB
- 7–10 days, normal use (Instagram, video calls home, streaming in the evening): 15–20 GB
- 14+ days or working remotely: 30 GB or more — and ask your guesthouse about Wi-Fi quality before relying on it
Resorts almost all include Wi-Fi; on local islands most guesthouses offer it but speeds vary. Boats and the open sea between islands have coverage for most of the journey on both networks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my passport to buy a SIM?
Yes. All SIMs in the Maldives must be registered to a passport or national ID. There is no way around this.
Is there signal on the resort islands?
Yes, every resort island has 4G from at least one operator, often both. Overwater villas occasionally have weaker signal than the main island — the resort Wi-Fi covers that.
Can I use my SIM as a hotspot?
Yes, both operators allow tethering on tourist plans.
Is Wi-Fi calling or VoIP blocked?
No. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom and Teams all work normally in the Maldives.
Prices are typical airport counter rates as of October 2026 and change with promotions. TopTravelSky is based in Malé — if you find a better deal, tell us and we will update this.
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