Dhiraagu and Ooredoo both sell tourist SIMs in the Velana arrivals hall, with passport registration in person: Ooredoo's USD 40 pack is 20 GB over 10 days, and USD 50 buys 30 GB plus 70 GB of social data. Dhiraagu has the better coverage on the outer atolls. Roaming is prohibitively expensive.
- Roaming here is completely unsuitable because of extreme data charges - keep it on only to receive free authorization SMS.
- A physical SIM at the airport means passport registration in person, and at peak arrival times the queue runs 30 to 50 minutes.
- Dhiraagu and Ooredoo both sell 20 GB for 10 days at about 40 USD, from kiosks in the arrivals hall that match their hours to the flight schedule.
- Staying more than 10 days or heading to remote atolls? Buy Dhiraagu, which has the most stable infrastructure in the outlying regions.
- International eSIM plans for the Maldives are small and dear - useful as a bridge for the first hour, not as a replacement for a local pack.
SIM and eSIM: what to buy right after arrival
Get a local tourist SIM at Velana. Both national operators sell one in the arrivals hall, and their plans are sized for a diving holiday rather than a city break. An international eSIM bought before you fly is the alternative if you would rather not queue, but the Maldives catalogue for those is thin and expensive per gigabyte.
- International travel eSIM - bought and configured before departure, live the moment you land, with no passport scan at a counter. Maldives plans from the international providers are small and priced per gigabyte well above the local tourist packs, so treat one as a bridge for the first hour rather than a replacement.
- Physical SIM at the airport - technically the most stable option, with full access to the local 4G and 5G networks. It pays off for longer stays, but registration is in person with a passport at the counter, and at peak arrival times the queue runs 30–50 minutes.
- Roaming - completely unsuitable in the Maldives because of extreme data charges. Keep it active only to receive free authorization SMS messages.
Comparison table
The following table compares the most relevant mobile plans available to tourists as of July 2026:
| Operator / Provider | Tourist package | Price | Data | Validity | Where to buy | Passport registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ooredoo | Tourist Pack $40 | 40 USD (~617 MVR) | 20 GB | 10 days | Airport, brand stores | Yes, in person at the counter |
| Ooredoo | Tourist Pack $50 | 50 USD (~771 MVR) | 100 GB (30 GB standard + 70 GB social media) | 30 days | Airport, online | Yes, in person or online |
| Dhiraagu | Traveler Lite | 40 USD (~617 MVR) | 20 GB | 10 days | Airport, brand stores | Yes, in person at the counter |
| Dhiraagu | Traveler Premium | 50 USD (~771 MVR) | 30 GB | 30 days | Airport, online | Yes, in person or online |
| Saily (eSIM) | Maldives 1 GB | 14.99 USD (~231 MVR) | 1 GB | 7 days | Online (Saily app) | No |
Where exactly to buy
- Velana International Airport (MLE) - the official sales stands are in the arrivals hall immediately past the customs zone. The Ooredoo kiosk sits in the central part of the hall; the Dhiraagu kiosk is to the right of the exit. Both airport branches match their opening hours to the flight schedule and serve late-night arrivals, and you can pay in USD, MVR or by card.
- Brand stores in town - the flagship Experience Centers are in the capital Malé on the Majeedhee Magu shopping street and on the neighbouring island of Hulhumalé. Buying there takes longer because of resident-registration paperwork, but standard non-tourist plans can be cheaper.
- Online eSIM platforms - buy directly through the Saily app or website. A configuration QR code arrives by e-mail after payment.
Short verdict
- Staying up to 7 days: an international eSIM bought before departure, e.g. Saily. It removes the queue after a long flight and lets you reach your hotel or transfer immediately.
- Staying more than 10 days, heading to remote atolls, or a demanding user: a physical Dhiraagu SIM bought at the airport. It has the most stable and fastest infrastructure in the country's outlying regions.
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