Imagine being lost in a dreamy paradise where time stops for you, and the rhythm of waves and the call of birds are the only sounds you wake up to. Welcome to the Maldives, where the sky melts into the sea and the palm-fringed islands take you to another realm. Be it Male, the bustling capital, the crystal-clear waters of Fulhadhoo, or the powdery beaches of Cocoa Island, make the most of your visit to this idyllic holiday destination with our inclusive Maldives itinerary.
Visit Maafushi for a taste of local island life, gaze upon the glowing bioluminescent shores of Vaadhoo Island, or head to the luxurious resorts, where you can dive into turquoise lagoons and discover vibrant coral reefs. Stay at a private overwater villa in the resort of Hulhumale or Baa Atoll. Banana Reef and Manta Point offer marine encounters with sharks and manta rays. Explore the natural wonders of this archipelago as you go island-hopping with this perfect seven-day Maldives itinerary.
Get started with this selection of 2024’s best hotels, pools and spas in the Maldives.
The best time to visit Maldives
The best time to visit Maldives is during the dry season from November to March when there are fewer rain showers. The islands welcome you to experience the beaches with bright blue skies, calm oceans, and balmy evenings. It’s the perfect season for water sports and outdoor activities. The peak tourist season between December and January gets very crowded though. The shoulder season from April to October attracts budget travellers due to great deals and discounts. Divers throng the shores from August to November for sightings of sharks and manta rays.
Also read | What Does a Marine Biologist in the Maldives Do All Day? It’s Even Better Than You Think
Maldives itinerary: Seven days in paradise
Days 1-3: Arrive in Male, visit Hulhumale, Maafushi
On day 1 arrive in Malé, the archipelago capital, and take a seaplane to the private island, where your resort is located. Alternatively, take a ferry to Hulhumale, one of the closest islands also accessible by road. After check-in, explore the island on a cycle and soak in the natural beauty. You can explore Malé at your own pace and visit markets, museums, and mosques. It is advised to be traditionally attired in Malé. Besides the National Museum, Islamic Centre, and the Friday Mosque, Male is a haven for street food enthusiasts. While there are azure beaches with golden sands in the Maldives, Malé has only an Artificial Beach where bikinis are not allowed.
On day 2 of your Maldives itinerary, take a ferry to Maafushi, one of the popular islands with gorgeous beaches with golden sands and a deep blue ocean. The Bikini Beach here is always crowded, and as the name suggests, there are no dress restrictions as you will find on the public beaches; Coral Beach is another favourite. Experience parasailing, jet skiing or kayaking on the Water Sports Beach. Maafushi is also a diving destination and you can book your tours at any of the local diving shops. On day 3, visit the popular snorkelling and diving hotspots, including Banana Reef, Vilivaru Corner, and Maafushi Corner. You can also go on a dolphin safari or relax in the Sandbank feasting on the gorgeous views. Spend a couple of days here to enjoy excursions to the nearby islands or just have lazy days on the beaches.
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Maldives itinerary days 4-6: Island-hopping in Gulhi, Fulidhoo, and Filhalhohi
Start day 4 with an excursion to the quaint fishing island of Gulhi, a popular destination in the Maldives where postcards come alive and time stands still. While most of the Bikini Beaches are pretty crowded, Gulhi offers seclusion besides being a haven for watersports like snorkelling and diving. Located close to Maafushi, Gulhi is just a ferry ride away. You can also head to Guraidhoo.
On day 5 of your Maldives itinerary, take a speedboat or ferry from Maafushi to Fulidhoo, a tiny piece of paradise. While the beach is the star attraction, diving and slow kayaking in the lagoon are other activities available on the island.
Also, check out our selection of the best family-friendly resorts for your Maldives itinerary.
Another popular destination to include in your Maldives itinerary is Fihalhohi in South Male — visit this tropical paradise on day 6. Here you will find luxury resorts with palm-thatched sloping roofs, private lodges and lavish bungalows built over water. Spend a night here or head back to Maafushi to take a ferry to Male.
Maldives itinerary day 7: Discover Dhiffushi
On day 7, visit the charming Dhiffushi, a popular fishing island populated with barely a thousand people. Located in the Malé North Atoll and part of Kaafu, a group of four naturally-formed atolls, the beaches here are all classified as bikini beaches — called North, South, and Sunrise Beaches. Besides snorkelling and diving, you might encounter dolphins and turtles on your excursions. Go on a fishing expedition at night for some pure thrill.
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Top restaurants and hotels in Maldives
With eco-luxe hotels located on private islands, to floating villas pampering you with state-of-the-art spas and underwater restaurants, Maldives indeed defines the very paradigm of luxury, style, and elegance. For an excellent experience, stay in Soneva Jani, a dreamy fantasyland located on a lagoon in Noonu Atoll, or at Soneva Fushi, the eco-luxury retreat. Other ultra-luxury and eco retreats you can consider in your Maldives itinerary include Six Senses Kanuhura at Lhaviyani Atoll, Ritz Carlton at Fari Islands, and Jumeriah Olhahali Island. Kudaloo Maldives, Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru, and St Regis Vommuli Resort are among several other luxury hotels in Maldives.
From beachfront restaurants to exclusive tables for fine dining, Maldives has several choices for the epicurean traveller. Some of the favourite restaurants include Reethi Restaurant, Pebbles by Royal, The Cloud Restaurant, Maaniya, and Gili Lankanfushi (for plant-based cuisine) among others.
For fine dining experiences, head to Shades of Green at Soneva Fushii, Fenesse, Glow, Terra at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali, Aragu, Velaa Private Island, Le 1947 Cheval Blanc Randheli and The Market at Dusit Thani. Enjoy the myriad flavours with the most breathtaking views as you savour the gastronomical delights of the island.
Book your stay at Six Senses Kanuhura via Booking.com
Book your stay at Six Senses Kanuhura via Agoda.com
Diving sites in Maldives
The islands are one of the five best places in the world for scuba diving and snorkelling. Besides sharks and manta rays, there is a wealth of marine life around the incredible coral reefs, underwater caves, and shipwreck sites. Some of the popular atolls and diving hotspots are Ari Atoll, Bae Atoll, Malé Atoll especially Cocoa Atoll, and Rashdoo. Ukulhas and Maayaa Thila are for night dives while the less crowded spots include Gnaviyani Atoll and Fuvahmulah.
Also read | 19 Beautiful Destinations With The Best Scuba Diving In The World
Maldives itinerary: Important points to remember
Visa: All nationalities are granted a tourist visa on arrival in the Maldives, which is currently free of cost. The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry. However, you need to have a valid passport and travel documents like hotel reservations and tickets. In case you would like to extend your trip, it costs SGD 47 (HKD 283) for 60 days.
Local commute: While there are seaplanes that will transport you to the luxury resorts and private islands, you can also choose speedboats, ferries, and the traditional Maldivian wooden boats called “dhoni”. There are buses and taxis on the mainlands or you can also opt for cycling.
Air travel: Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé serves as the primary gateway to the Maldives, offering connections to major countries across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, India, and Sri Lanka. Singapore Airlines and low-cost carriers like Scoot operate regular direct flights between Singapore and the Maldives. Additionally, there are direct flights from Dubai and chartered flights from Europe and China. Some seaplanes will take you to private islands, depending on which hotel you are staying in.
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All currency conversions were done at the time of writing
(Feature image credit: Asad Photo Maldives/Pexels)
Related | This Pampering Mother-Daughter Trip to the Maldives Sets a High Bar for Family Bonding
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
While you can spend anywhere between three to five days in Maldives, a week is recommended ideally if you want to relax and experience the islands.
You can go island hopping in the Maldives by ferries or speedboats or take a seaplane to a private island, where the luxury resorts are located. The North Male Local Island Hopping Tour is a fan favourite. Some of the popular islands are Fulhadhoo, Fihalhohi, Gurhi, , Dhiffush, iBaros, and Bodufolhudhoo among others.
Carry beach and swimwear, hiking shoes and gear, hats, sunscreen, and of course pretty summer dresses for your trip to Maldives. When you are in Male, you have to dress a little conservatively, and not all beaches allow you to wear bikinis, especially in the Public Beaches. There are separate beaches where you can wear bikinis as well.
You can take ferries, speed boars, taxies around Maldives although you can also rent a car or a bike as well. There are sea planes that will take you to the private islands.
Indian travellers can get a visa on arrival in Maldives, which is currently free of cost.. The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry. However, you need to have a valid Indian passport, and travel documents like hotel reservations and tickets. In case you would like to extend your trip, it costs Rs 3045 (SGD 47) for 60 days.
Beaches, water sports, diving and snorkeling are some of the favourite family-friendly activities in Maldives. You can also go on dolphin cruises, picnic on sandbanks, play games on beaches, dine underwater, experience the Whale Submarine Tour, go island hopping on speedboats, jet skiing, and kayaking among others.
From beachfront restaurants to exclusive tables for fine dining, Maldives has several choices for the epicurean traveller. Some of the favourite restaurants include Reethi Restaurant, Pebbles by Royal, The Cloud Restaurant, Maaniya, and Gili Lankanfushi for plant-based cuisine among others. For fine dining experiences, head to Shades of Green at Soneva Fushii, Fenesse, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Terra at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, Aragu, Velaa Private Island, Le 1947 Cheval Blanc Randheli and The Market at Dusit Thani.
There are several activities in Maldives like adventure and water sports, snorkeling, and diving.
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture ..Read More
