How Island Stay works

For travellers

• Read an island guide: what it's known for, facilities, local rules and how to get there.
• Choose a place to stay, an experience, a transfer or a restaurant on that island.
• Send a request with your dates, group size and questions. We write it out with a reference number, and you send it to the owner on WhatsApp, Viber or email in one tap. It's also saved in their dashboard.
• The owner replies by email, WhatsApp or phone, as you prefer, to confirm availability, the rate and how to pay.

We never take payments or card details, and sending a request doesn't commit you to anything.

For businesses

Create a free account, add your listing under your island and wait for our team to approve it. Guests message you directly and every request is saved in your dashboard, where you can mark each one as replied, confirmed or declined.

Verified hosts

Businesses with this badge have shown our team a valid Ministry of Tourism licence or business registration. Every listing is reviewed before it goes live; verification is an extra check. As with any travel arrangement, agree rates and payment terms in writing with the host.

Staying on a local island

• Local islands are home to Maldivian communities, and Islam is the state religion. Dress modestly in the village: cover shoulders and knees.
• Swimwear is fine on designated bikini beaches, on excursions and on resort day trips.
• Alcohol isn't sold on local islands. Resorts, liveaboards and some floating bars serve it.
• Friday is the weekly day of rest: public ferries run less and shops close around midday prayers.
• Transfers are by speedboat, public ferry, seaplane or domestic flight. Your host can usually arrange them.

Sources and photo credits

Island populations are from the 2022 Maldives Population and Housing Census, as published by the National Bureau of Statistics and summarised on Wikipedia and citypopulation.de. Distances, areas and history come from the Wikipedia article for each island, which is linked at the bottom of every island guide.

Island photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. The photographer and licence are shown on each photo. Business photos are supplied by the businesses themselves. Icons are from Lucide (ISC licence).