Australia’s Smartraveller issued a heightened terrorism warning for the Maldives on June 5, 2025, urging travelers to exercise high caution due to risks in tourist hotspots. With recent attacks and global tensions rising, here’s what Aussies need to know for safe travel.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller raised its travel advisory for the Maldives to Level 2: Exercise a High Degree of Caution, citing an ongoing threat of terrorism that could strike anywhere, including resorts and tourist areas. With over 34,000 Australians visiting the tropical paradise in 2023, the warning fresh off incidents like a 2020 stabbing of an Australian has travelers on edge. Here’s the latest on the Maldives terrorism warning for Australians, packed with must-know safety tips.
Why the Warning Now?
The Maldives, a bucket-list destination known for crystal waters and luxury resorts, faces a persistent terrorism risk, per Smartraveller. “Terrorism can occur anywhere in the Maldives at any time,” the advisory states, highlighting potential targets like government buildings, hotels, and tourist-packed areas. Recent incidents include a February 2020 knife attack in Hulhumalé that injured an Australian, a March 2020 arson attack on a police speedboat in Laamu Gan, and a May 2021 improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Malé that wounded former President Mohamed Nasheed and a British national. Global tensions, especially the Israel-Palestine conflict, have fueled calls from groups like Al-Qaeda and Daesh for attacks, raising the stakes, according to the UK’s Foreign Office.
What’s the Risk?
While no terrorist attacks were reported in the Maldives in 2024, the country remains a hub for extremist activity, per intelligence sources. A January 2024 report flagged the Maldives as a base for Islamic State (IS) operatives, Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), and narcotics smugglers with global ties. In 2019, police estimated 1,400 locals adhered to IS ideology, with 423 attempting to join conflicts in Iraq and Syria. The 2022 arrest of Hood Mohamed Zahir, a suspected IS operative, and 17 men charged for disrupting a yoga event in Malé show the Maldives’ ongoing battle with extremism. Resort islands are generally safer, but Smartraveller warns the security environment could shift fast.
Safety Tips for Aussie Travelers
Smartraveller urges Australians to stay vigilant and take these steps:
Avoid crowds: Public protests in Malé or inhabited islands can turn violent. Steer clear of demonstrations, even if they seem peaceful.
Stay informed: Monitor on social platforms and Nuzpost for updates.
Secure valuables: Petty theft is common on beaches and in hotel rooms, even at resorts. Use hotel safes.
Be cautious in water: Strong currents and rips cause drownings yearly. Obey lifeguard warnings and avoid unsupervised beaches.
Check operators: Ensure tour and transport providers meet safety standards, as some fall below Australian norms.
The advisory also notes the monsoon season (May to November) brings rough seas and flash flooding, while tsunamis are a risk. Keep in touch with airlines and local authorities.
What Aussies Are Saying
The warning, shared widely on social platforms, has sparked concern. One user posted, “Maldives was on my honeymoon list, but this terror alert’s got me rethinking,” reflecting the buzz around the advisory. Another said, “Resorts feel safe, but I’m sticking to my hotel after dark.” The sentiment shows Aussies are weighing dream vacations against safety fears.
With 34,000 Australians flocking to the Maldives in 2023, the terrorism warning is a wake-up call for a destination often seen as a carefree escape. The Maldives’ government has cracked down, arresting suspects and disrupting plots since 2017, but the threat lingers, per the UK’s similar April 2025 advisory. For Aussies planning trips, Smartraveller’s Level 2 status doesn’t mean “don’t go,” but it screams “be smart.” The advisory’s timing, amid global unrest, makes it critical for travelers to stay sharp.