A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to identify disaster preparedness behaviour among rural people in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives by interviewing 213 people. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from ten islands from 15-20 January 2008. A Chi-square test was performed to find the association among related factors and disaster preparedness behaviour. The results revealed that more than half of the respondents had a good level of disaster preparedness behaviour. In terms of the related factors towards disaster preparedness, it was found that the following factors have statistically significant association with preparedness behaviour: gender (p<.001), occupation (p=0.023), income (p<.001), education (p<.001), types of houses lived in (p<.001), knowledge (p<.001), perception (p=0.038), tidal flood experiences (p=0.030), experience of tsunami (p=0.010), frequency of tidal flood experiences (p=0.037), involvement in community-based tidal flood disaster preparedness activities (p<.001), availability of information on tidal flood disaster preparedness (p=0.006) and accessibility to information on tidal flood disaster preparedness (p=0.017). It is recommended that sustaining a good level of knowledge and preparedness behaviour is paramount for disaster preparedness in rural areas. Further enhancement and strengthening of community-based awareness activities must be emphasized and implemented. Disaster preparedness must be kept as a priority at national and atoll (provincial) level planning for development and improving the quality of life for people.