WanderSafe — LGBTQ+ Travel Safety

Maldives

The Maldives is a 100% Sunni Muslim nation where Sharia law is a constitutional foundation of the legal system. Same-sex sexual conduct is criminalized under both the Penal Code and Sharia-based regulations, with penalties including flogging (up to 100 lashes), banishment to a remote island, and imprisonment. The Maldives presents a unique paradox for LGBTQ+ travelers: it is one of the world's premier honeymoon and luxury resort destinations, attracting millions of visitors to its private resort islands, while simultaneously maintaining one of the harshest legal environments for LGBTQ+ individuals in South Asia. Resort islands operate as isolated enclaves largely separated from local communities and domestic law enforcement, creating a de facto bubble of tolerance driven by tourism economics. However, this bubble is not a legal shield, and travelers should understand the risks, particularly when visiting Male (the capital) or inhabited local islands.