Packing lists

What to pack for the Maldives in February

February is the heart of the dry season in the Maldives, and one of the best months to go. It is hot, sunny and calm, the sea is very warm, and the visibility for snorkeling and diving is excellent. Rain is rare and brief.

So the list is mostly swimwear and light, easy clothes. Resorts are relaxed during the day and a little dressier at dinner. If you visit a local island, though, the rules change: the Maldives is a Muslim country, and away from the resorts, modest dress is expected and swimwear is allowed only on designated beaches.

Checked

The weather

Daytime high
86°F
30°C, with a light sea breeze.
Overnight low
78°F
26°C. Warm all night.
Sea temperature
82°F
28°C, and very clear.
Daylight
12 h
Sunset around 6:15pm.

The capsule

A week, one traveler, Orchard palette. Olive, ivory and rose for days in the water and dinners on the sand. A capsule is a few clothes in one palette (a base color, a neutral and an accent) that all go together. The full list below adds what sits outside it.

Orchard palette · 10 pieces · 9 outfits

Tops

  • Linen camisoleLinen camisole
  • Linen shirtLinen shirt
  • Halter topHalter top

Bottoms

  • Linen shortsLinen shorts
  • Drawstring linen pantsDrawstring linen pants

Dresses

  • Kaftan cover-upKaftan cover-up
  • Slip dress, for dinnerSlip dress, for dinner
  • Tiered maxi dressTiered maxi dress

Shoes

  • Flip-flopsFlip-flops
  • Water shoesWater shoes

Three days from this capsule

Snorkeling off the jetty
Dinner on the sand
Local island visit

Shown for one traveler. Packlier packs a capsule like this for each person on the trip.

The full list

Clothes

  • Three or four swimsuits
  • Two cover-ups
  • Three or four light tops
  • Shorts and light pants
  • Two dresses or outfits for dinner
  • Rash guard for snorkeling
  • Modest clothes for a local island visit
  • Light scarf for covering up on local islands

Shoes

  • Flip-flops or sandals
  • Water shoes or reef shoes
  • Dressier sandals, if you want them for dinner

Sun and sea

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Your own snorkel mask, if you have one that fits
  • Dry bag
  • Underwater phone pouch or camera

Documents and tech

  • Passport, valid for six months
  • Return ticket and resort booking confirmation
  • Online traveler declaration, completed before arrival
  • Travel insurance that covers diving, if you dive
  • Some US dollars in small notes for tips
  • Type G plug adapter (230V); many resorts have universal sockets

Health and toiletries

  • After-sun lotion
  • Seasickness remedy for boat transfers
  • Any prescriptions, in your carry-on

Gear worth the space

  • A rash guard

    Long-sleeve sun protection for hours in the water, and it saves reapplying sunscreen while snorkeling.

  • A snorkel mask that fits

    The house reef is the highlight of most resorts. A mask that does not leak makes every swim better.

  • A lightweight kaftan

    On over a swimsuit for lunch, and elegant enough for a sunset drink.

  • An underwater phone pouch

    Turtles, rays and reef sharks are common. A good pouch lets you photograph them without a camera.

Swimwear at the resort, modest dress on a local island. Packlier packs both into one bag.

Tell it where, when, why, which bag and which palette, and it packs the capsule, checks it against the bag and adds everything that is not clothing. Launching this year on Android, with iOS to follow.

One email at launch, nothing else.