Do I need mobile data at all?
Not always. If your resort has good free Wi-Fi, a 1 GB plan covers the airport, the transfer and messages on the beach. Heavy users or remote workers need more.
Prices in pounds · for UK travellers
eSIM for the Maldives from the UK
A resort island, a seaplane and a lot of sea. Most of the time you’ll be on resort Wi-Fi, so here is when mobile data helps, and the smallest plan that does the job.
Photo: laura adai on Unsplash
- QR code by emailinstall before you fly
- Keep your UK numberdata-only eSIM
- 24/7 live chatin the Graba SIM app
- Pay your way
Before you buy: straight answers
Why does Maldives data cost more?
Mobile data in the Maldives is priced higher than in most destinations by every provider. That’s why we suggest the smallest plan that covers your time away from Wi-Fi.
Will it work during the seaplane transfer?
In the airport and the seaplane lounge, yes. Over open water, signal comes and goes, so message your resort before you board.
What your trip to the Maldives costs
Set your trip length and how you use your phone. eSIM bars are data-only plans that cover the whole trip; UK network bars use your UK allowance and include calls and texts. EE and O2 and Vodafone and Three don’t publish a price for the Maldives that we can check, so they aren’t charted.
Sources: Airalo fixed-data plans (checked 9 November 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Maldives eSIM
How long is your trip?
Pick the trip that sounds most like yours. Every plan is data only, paid once, with no contract.
Prices in GBP
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questionsWe’ll show the maths behind our suggestion.
Swipe to compare plans
On every plan here
- Uses Dhiraagu
- Starts when you first connect, so you can install it before you fly
- QR code by emailInstall it in minutes
- Keep your numberData only, your SIM stays in
- 24/7 live chatIn the Graba SIM app
- Pay onceNo contract, guest checkout
More options
Other sizes for different kinds of trip.
Only need a day?
A day pass gives you full-speed data for one day, then slower data for the rest of the day.
1GB to 3GB a day
From £21.75
See day passesHow we choose these plans
For each trip we pick the current plan that costs the least while lasting the whole trip and gives about 0.3 to 0.7 GB a day, enough for maps, messages and social media. A plan may last longer than the trip. Everyone uses data differently, so check your phone’s recent data use. “Best value” only appears when that plan also costs the least per GB of all the plans that fit.
Arriving in the Maldives
- MLE Velana International, Malé
Every international flight lands at Velana (MLE) in Malé. Transfers are by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight, and you may wait at the airport or seaplane lounge first.
Signal where people go
- Malé and the airport
- Strong signal at the airport and in Malé.
- Resort islands
- Most resort islands have mobile signal near the main buildings; the reception in water villas varies.
- Seaplane and speedboat transfers
- Signal comes and goes over open water.
- Local islands
- Maafushi and other guesthouse islands have signal in the village.
Networks our Maldives plans use: Dhiraagu
Your UK network in the Maldives
The Maldives is outside the EU, so Europe roaming deals on UK plans don’t cover it. What each network publishes for the Maldives, and a week of it:
| Network | What it charges | 7 days | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
 EE | Varies by plan EE doesn’t publish one price for every country: it prices roaming by destination, plan and start date. Check EE’s roaming tool for the Maldives. | No published price | EE roaming |
| O2 | Not in O2 Travel The Maldives isn’t on O2 Travel’s destination list, so O2’s standard roaming rates apply. Check them on O2’s website. | No published price | O2 roaming |
| Vodafone | Check Vodafone Check what Vodafone charges in the Maldives in its roaming charge checker. Its European roaming passes only cover Zone B. | No published price | Vodafone roaming |
 Three | Not in Go Roam The Maldives isn’t one of Three’s Go Roam destinations, so Three’s standard roaming rates apply. Check them on Three’s website. | No published price | Three roaming |
Sources: EE (checked 29 October 2026) · O2 (checked 29 October 2026) · Vodafone (checked 29 October 2026) · Three (checked 29 October 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Know before you go
- Mobile data in the Maldives costs more than in many places, on every provider. If your resort includes Wi-Fi, a small plan for the transfer and the beach may be all you need.
- Ask your resort whether Wi-Fi is free and reaches your villa. That decides how much data you need.
- The Maldives is outside the EU, so Europe roaming deals on UK plans don’t cover it. Turn data roaming off for your UK SIM.
Crossing a border from the Maldives?
A Maldives plan covers the Maldives only. This is what your UK network charges next door:
| Going on to | O2 | Three | Vodafone | eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lankaa twin-centre trip with Sri Lanka | £7 a day | £8 a day (Go Roam Around the World) | Check Vodafone | Sri Lanka plans |
Set it up before you fly
- Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM on our compatibility page.
- Install the plan at home on Wi-Fi with our iPhone or Android guide.
- When you land at Velana International, Malé, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for it only.
Questions about the Maldives
Is resort Wi-Fi enough in the Maldives?
Often, yes, for browsing and calls in your room. Mobile data helps at the airport, during transfers and on the beach, and as a back-up if the Wi-Fi is slow.
Does the eSIM work on resort islands?
Usually, near the main buildings, on the Dhiraagu network. Coverage over the water and in some villas varies by resort.
What do UK networks charge in the Maldives?
EE: EE doesn’t publish one price for every country: it prices roaming by destination, plan and start date. Check EE’s roaming tool for the Maldives. O2: The Maldives isn’t on O2 Travel’s destination list, so O2’s standard roaming rates apply. Check them on O2’s website. Vodafone: Check what Vodafone charges in the Maldives in its roaming charge checker. Its European roaming passes only cover Zone B. Three: The Maldives isn’t one of Three’s Go Roam destinations, so Three’s standard roaming rates apply. Check them on Three’s website.
What if something goes wrong?
Live chat in the Graba SIM app is open 24/7. Email and contact-form requests are answered Monday to Friday.
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