I have been keen to visit the Maldives for a holiday until recently someone told me that a friend of theres had had mentioned the large spiders on the island. Apparently they are harmless but hung around above the doors to the bungalows and were often found in the outside bathrooms. This has worried me as I am an arachnophobic. I know that whenever you travel to different places you have the accept things that are unpleasant to you along with all the great things but I would not want to be worrying for my whole holiday everytime I went to the loo! They also mentioned the large sand spiders. Ugh. Anyone had any experience of this or got any advice or suggestions for me please.

We were at Full Moon and I haven't seen one single spider during our holiday, not even a small one and no sand spiders. <BR>We have seen a few ghekko's, more scared of us than we of them! And lots of flying dogs (kind of large bats) high in the trees. <BR>If you're really so scared, then book a room with an "inside" bathroom, or, even better, a water bungalow (spiders don't like water). <BR>F.y.i. there is fumigation on (most of) the islands during the night.

We stayed at the 4 Seasons and Banyan Tree 6 months ago. Did not notice any spiders while we were there.

Also stayed in the Full Moon Resort -last November/December (2000) and noticed no spiders. I was told by an islander that generally speaking, if there are flying foxes (lovely big bats) then there won't be any spiders because the bats keep the insects at bay (none left to feed spiders!)

Thanks a lot for everyones help. Can't think where this person must have stayed but he was adament and unfortunately I have lost contact with him. I guess outside bathrooms are always a bit dodgy if you have any insect phobias. I think gekkos are cute so they're okay. I was really pleasantly surprised to find no insects whatsoever in our bungalow on phi phi island in thailand.

Have not heard about the spiders but have heard from a friend that the ants in the Maldives are a problem. Is this true??

Just returned from Hilton on Rhangali Island in Maldives. Didn't see any spiders but lots of geekos and lizards. We had outside bathroom. Big black ants would come out in bathroom in every evening but never came inside the bedroom. Truly paradise. I'm ruined for all future beach vacations.