Maldive spiders

[FionaS]

My boyfrtiend and I are thinking of gouing to the Maldives but he is scared of spiders and someone has told him that the Maldives are crawling with them - is this true?

[incitatus]

There really isn't anywhere on earth that doesn't have spiders.....the Maldives have the normal quotient of large, tropical species. They will be more commonly seen, as there are more insects in a hot climate, but it isn't plague proportions.
For totally spider-free holidays you are limited to Antarctica and some of the very small Australian Reef islands.

[andy hughes]

The essential thing to remember about spiders is that they are as keen to avoid your boyfriend as he is to avoid them. I speak as a confirmed arachnophobic, but I've never let it stop me visiting hot countries, and I've never seen one in the 'cultivated' areas, i.e. indoors in hotels and restaurants. If the problem is so bad that he must get rid, then take a good spray with you, and keep it near the toilet, which is where we spider-haters feel especially vulnerable!

[scubadiver]

I was in the Maldives in November - on two islands, one in North Male Atoll & one in Soth Ari Atoll. I can honestly say that I didn't see a single spider the whole two weeks. They must be there, but certainly not in any great numbers.