travel between islands in maldives

How to travel between islands in the Maldives – 5 ways to get around

Exploring the magical beauty of the Maldives is an unforgettable experience. With over 1,200 islands scattered across 26 atolls, you can easily get lost in its stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. But how do you make your way around this paradise? Well, I wondered the same before I went there and used both a private ferry and a private speedboat to get to the islands. But hey, at least now I know and can help you as well.

How to travel between islands in the Maldives? From ferries to seaplanes and speedboats, there are many ways to travel between the different islands – each one offering unique experiences that will stay with you long after your trip ends. Read on for all you need to know about transportation in the Maldives!

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Table of Contents

A bit about the maldives.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls, which are giant coral formations that have fragmented into countless islands. Each atoll has a traditional Dhivehi name as well as a code name like Baa (which is just an abbreviation of the Dhivehi alphabet) and an easy name for tourists to remember.

The specificity of the country will, of course, affect the means of transportation available. As everything happens on the water, there are just a few options available for most situations. It’s not like you can just walk, you know?

Now let’s get business and find out how you can get around the Maldives.

Maldives transportation from the airport

Getting to the Maldives is pretty much done by air, as the area cannot be easily covered by boats. If you’re flying into the country, the main gateway to the island nation is Velana International Airport in Male. From here, you need to find a solution to get to your final accommodation, and this will depend greatly on where you’re staying. Check out each item below to see what would be your best option to travel between islands in the Maldives.

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Getting around in the maldives.

If we don’t take into account how you get here (by plane, most probably, as most boats cannot get close enough) or how you can get around on islands where there’s road infrastructure, you have these options travel around in the Maldives.

• Internal flights
• Scheduled speedboat

Private ferry

Public ferry.

Internal flights: For the more remote islands or atolls, internal flights are a great option. There is an extensive network of domestic airlines that make it easy to explore even the furthest corners of the country.

Seaplanes: If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious and romantic, seaplanes are an amazing way to get from one island to another. They offer spectacular views of the islands as you fly by, and it’s a great way to enjoy your journey. Plus, they will take you straight to your resort so you can enjoy your vacation right away.

Scheduled speedboats: How about a fast and exciting ride? Scheduled speedboats are an excellent way to get from one island to another at a fairly reasonable price. The downside is that they can get a bit cramped, so it’s best to book your tickets well in advance. Read below how you can do this.

Private ferry: For bigger groups or those who want more privacy, private ferries are an excellent option. You can either rent the entire boat or just charter one for a few hours and enjoy being on the water with your own group of friends or family.

Public ferry: Finally, there is the public ferry system which offers a cheap and easy way to get around. The downside is that it can be slow and uncomfortable, but this also means you have plenty of time to appreciate your surroundings and mingle with the locals.

No matter how you’re traveling between islands in the Maldives, you’re sure to enjoy the experience. Whether it’s hopping on a seaplane for some aerial views or taking a leisurely ride on a public ferry to appreciate the beauty of this magical land, there are plenty of options available. So don’t wait any longer and start planning your visit!

And remember – with careful planning and a bit of research, you can make the most of your trip and experience the best that the Maldives has to offer, and maybe even come back home with both your kidneys.

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There are just a few companies that run internal flights in the Maldives, namely Maldivian Airlines, Trans Maldivian Airways, FlyMe, and Manta Air. You can book your tickets using Skyscanner , or straight from each company’s website.

If you’re going to stay in a resort, they will most probably handle everything for you, and you’ll pay at departure. If you have booked your Maldives trip with a travel agency, you’ll just receive all the reservation details from them.

Airports in the Maldives

The main international airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (also known as Male International Airport). As mentioned before, it’s the main gateway to the country, and it’s most probably your airport of arrival and departure.

Other international airports are Gan Airport (GAN), Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Maamigili International Airport (VAM), and Kadhdhoo International Airport (KDO). You can use these airports if coming from Sri Lanka or India.

As far as domestic airports go, they’re scattered all around the country so you can easily get to any part of it. Check out the list below and the very helpful map, to have an idea of how good the coverage is.

• Hoarafushi airport
• Huvarafushi airport
• Kulhudhuffushi airport
• Funadhoo airport
• Ifuru airport
• Madivaru airport
• Dharavandhoo airport
• Dhaalu airport
• Thimarafushi airport
• Kooddoo airport
• Kaadedhdhoo airport
• Maavarulu airport
• Fuvahmulah airport

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Seaplane transfer in the maldives.

The most exciting way to get from one island to another in the Maldives is by seaplane! There are three main companies that offer this service: Trans Maldivian Airways , Maldivian Seaplane , and Manta Air , the latter being the newest company, flying since 2019.

These seaplanes leave from the TMA terminals at Velana International Airport and usually take around 20 to 45 minutes. The prices vary depending on the distance between islands, so make sure to check before booking your tickets. As a rough idea, the price is usually at least $200 per person per leg, and oftentimes it’s even higher than that.

Seaplane transfers are usually taken care of by the resort or the travel agency you booked your trip with, so you shouldn’t need to book them yourself. If you’re traveling DIY, you can book the flights yourself on their website, but please be aware that your inbound flight might be delayed and you’ll miss your booking, so plan for this as well.

Unfortunately, seaplanes cannot operate once the sun goes down, so if you arrive at the airport after sunset, it’s best to spend the night in Malé City, Hulhumalé, or a hotel in Hulhule. To avoid this, you can book a private transfer from your hotel, which is more expensive but much faster and more convenient. In any case, take this into account if you’re going to need late-night or early-morning transportation from Male.

Scheduled speed boats

For those who are looking for a more affordable way to travel between islands, there are scheduled speed boats operated by several companies in the Maldives. Atoll Transfer and ICom Tours , offer transfers from Velana International Airport to various resorts and islands around the country.

They also provide day trips to nearby islands for people staying on local islands but wanting to taste a bit of the luxury from nearby resorts. ICom Tours has a wide list of day trips you can try, all of them having a starting point in Maafushi.

Again, if you’re going to a resort island, this will be taken care of for you. If you’re booking everything yourself, you can easily book the transfers online from their website or buy them at the ticket desks at the airport, if you’re brave enough. The prices vary depending on the destination, so make sure to check before you buy. A rough estimation of the cost is between $50 and $150 per person per leg, so a bit cheaper than a seaplane, but still not an amount to ignore.

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Charter speedboats.

If you need to get anywhere, anytime, charter speed boats are the way to go. They are much faster than public ferries and they’ll leave when they’re full. This is how you will need to get around if visiting any resort islands.

Charter speedboats come in all shapes and sizes depending on the quality of the resort you stay in. The more luxurious resorts can have large enclosed motor cruisers with drinks and food, while the lesser resorts may have open-sided boats.

The booking is handled by the resort, as it’s basically the resort’s boat you’re getting on. You cannot book this yourself so communicate efficiently with them before you arrive (you have to tell them your scheduled flight number and planned date and time of arrival).

As an alternative to speedboats, there are private ferries that run from Malé to Maafushi and other nearby islands. This is a great option if you want to save some money and don’t mind a slower journey. The ferries usually leave once they are full, so you may need to wait a while before they depart.

Getting information on these ferries is a challenge as they are run by and for locals, and hence their little need to put any information on the internet. The best way to find out more about them is to ask locals at the jetty directly – they will be able to tell you when they depart and how many people they can take.

The booking process is not easy either. The only website I could find where there’s an available ferry schedule is this one , but even they say they cannot know for sure what is going to happen as they all depend on the weather and various other factors. This means of transportation is perfect for laid-back travelers who don’t care that much about being on time or have a busy schedule.

Finally, there are public ferries operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). These are ideal for those on a budget, as they tend to be cheaper than speed boats, the price being about $1-$5 per way. However, these services can be very slow, so it is best to check the schedule before you commit. Getting to the further atolls and islands can take up to a day, as they also stop at various places along the way, so be prepared to enjoy a long ride.

Public ferries only run 3-6 times weekly, with no service on Friday. This means that if you are trying to travel over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), you may need to look for other transport options as the public ferries will not run. You can find here the most up-to-date ferry schedule .

Since these ferries are extremely irregular and the information available online is not very up-to-date (they are aimed at local transportation so even if there is information online, it’s not in English), using them for island-hopping can be a challenge, but not at all impossible. The major difficulty is to move from one atoll to the other by ferry, as the ones that spread across multiple atolls are few and far between.

If you’re planning to use public ferries to do island hopping in the Maldives, start by booking your guesthouses (even with free cancelation, if it suits you best). Then, ask the owners how can you get there, and they will tell you all the options. The next step then is to connect the dots by discussing with all the guesthouse hosts who will gladly help you.

Some resorts even allow you to get there by public transportation (sort of). You can, for example, reach Olhuveli Resort from the airport by public ferry until Maafushi ($2 per person) and then get a speedboat transfer with ICom. You will save some money like this, and maybe get to know a bit of the local culture as well.

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Most people reach this tropical paradise by transcontinental flight to the Velana International Airport. Some smaller airlines also use one of the other 5 international airports located all around the archipelago, but these are mostly coming in from Sri Lanka or India.

How many airports are in The Maldives?

There are 6 International airports in the Maldives, and the most important one is known as Male Airport. The islands also have 13 domestic airports where both normal planes and seaplane land and depart.

How much does it cost to travel between islands in the Maldives?

This will depend greatly on the means of transportation available. If you’re using a seaplane transfer, this can cost even more than $500 per person. A private speedboat can cost anything between $50 and $150, and a local ferry ticket is usually around $1-$3 per way. Of course, not all options will be available between every two islands, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Can we do island hopping in the Maldives?

Definitely, with proper planning. While it is not as easy as in other countries, island hopping in the Maldives can be done, especially between inhabited islands. If you want to reach resort islands as well, you’ll have to book one of the pricier options though, so keep this in mind when budget planning.

Can you travel between resorts in the Maldives?

Unfortunately, no. Most resorts will only provide you with transportation to and from Male. So if you want to change resorts, you’ll have to use Male as your hub, even if the two resort islands are close to each other. The only other hub that you might make it work with is Maafushi, a local island that’s been intensively visited by tourists lately.

How to travel between islands in the Maldives – The takeaway

Navigating the Maldives can be tricky, but with a bit of research and planning it is possible to find ways to island hop without breaking your budget. From using private ferries operated by locals, to public ferries run by MTCC, or speedboats from resorts – there are plenty of options available depending on what you need.

With this guide in mind and some help from local guesthouse owners, you should have no problem getting around the islands at an affordable price. I hope that now you know how to travel between islands in the Maldives and that it doesn’t feel complicated anymore. Just remember that each option has its advantages and disadvantages so make sure you choose one that best suits your needs!

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I love “How To” posts, they are so helpful! You’ve really simplified the process, so thank you

A great article full of useful info travelling around the Maldives! Hope to visit one day 🙂

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How to Travel Between Islands in the Maldives: A Complete Guide

World-class luxury, powdery white sands, and a galaxy of underwater worlds to explore, the Maldives is an obvious choice for a vacation of a lifetime. But each island has something different to offer, and you’re probably wondering how to see as much as possible. 

Island hopping has long been popular with visitors to the Maldives, but private speed boats and seaplanes can add up. The Maldives has undergone seismic changes in recent years, and it’s no longer just private island resorts separated from the local population that are on offer for tourists. So is the Maldives becoming more accessible to backpackers? And how can you get around?

From the public ferry routes and domestic flights to the private seaplanes and catamarans, this guide looks at all the ways to travel between islands in the Maldives, no matter your budget. Buckle up, and let’s get started. There’s culture and sun to soak up at every corner. 

Table of Contents

What are the main islands in the Maldives to visit? 

The Maldives comprises around 1,200 islands and 26 coral atolls spanning across the equator in the north-central Indian Ocean. Although only a small percentage of these islands are inhabited, limiting yourself to just a few would be your first mistake when visiting the Maldives.

There are around 200 inhabited islands in the Maldives. Granted, you won’t be able to see it all in just a few weeks’ stay, but you can get a real taste for Maldivian culture if you branch out beyond your island resort. 

Malé Island is home to the capital city of the Maldives of the same name and is located 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka on the Malé Atoll. It’s the most populous region in the country and offers an exciting and surprising look at Maldivian city life. The Maldives is much more than the ubiquitous images of white sands and palm-fringed sandbanks that you see on travel brochures. Malé is home to the busiest international airport in the country, and numerous ferry and speed boat ports for onwards travel, making it a great place to start an island-hopping adventure. 

Biyadhoo , Maafushi , Baros , Veligandu , Filalhohi , and Huvahendhoo Island are among the best honeymoon islands in the Maldives. Each is home to exclusive luxury resorts, world-class spas, fantastic water sports facilities, and a romantic ambiance. But the unique geography of islands like the oval-shaped Thoddo, narrow Maradhoo, immaculate Ukulha , and artificial Hulhumalé make them equally alluring.

There are also several uninhabited islands with diverse marine life and pristine shores that are worth exploring, like Olhuveli Island , Hondaafushi , the Haa Alif Atof , and the Shaviyani Atoll . And for a taste of authentic Maldivian culture, the lesser-known Dhigurah and Thulusdhoo Islands shouldn’t go amiss, as well as the historically significant Utheemu Island and rustic Feydhoo Island .  

This list is by no means exhaustive, and all the islands in the Maldives are worth exploring for their own reasons. Check out this five-day Maldives itinerary for a suggested island-hopping itinerary if you’re undecided on how to split your stay. 

How hard is it to travel between islands in the Maldives?

Traveling between the islands in the Maldives is something most travelers will do on their trip. So it’s surprising that the process can be relatively hectic. If you’re not based on a busy island, like Malé, there is often no scheduled travel between island resorts. This means you often need to arrange private speedboat or seaplanes transfers independently, although most hotels are very accommodating and should help you with the process. They might also offer inclusive travel options in your room price or as optional add-ons.  

Booking your travel between the islands in the Maldives involves advanced preparation. Even though speedboats and air travel are much faster than public ferries, it can still consume a good portion of your day to make the trip across the country, depending on where you’re headed. You need to be strategic about which islands you visit, especially if you only have a short vacation time, and contact your hotel before your trip to inquire about the private transfers on offer.

Once you’ve arrived in Malé, you can book internal flights and speed boats to your onwards destinations on your arrival day. There are several ports on the main island and no shortage of vendors. Still, it’s best to book in advance to avoid higher fees and ensure you guarantee yourself a seat, especially when it comes to domestic flights, as they can get swamped in the high season.  

What is the best way to travel between islands in the Maldives?

Unsurprisingly, traveling by boat is the best way to get around the Maldives. You can hire Dhoni charters and speedboats from Malé and nearby islands, or book onwards travels through your hotel. Taxi boats also take tourists between some islands. If you’ve booked a stay at an island hotel in advance, it is likely your resort with collect you and other guests who arrive the same day by boat from Malé or wherever your point of entry is.

The Maldives spans more than 500 miles from north to south and 80 miles east to west. If you need to get somewhere in a hurry or want to travel a greater distance between islands, a seaplane is your best bet. But bear in mind this will require more advanced preparation and incur higher costs.  

You can also book internal commercial flights. There are five international airports in the Maldives and 13 domestic airports. If you’re traveling by commercial plane to another island, there’s a high chance your journey won’t end there, and you’ll need to take a further boat trip to reach your final destination. 

One of the best ways to travel between islands in the Maldives, especially if you’re only visiting for a short time, is to make the most of your hotel facilities and the day trips on offer. Moving around with all your luggage can be a hassle, but nothing is stopping you from basing yourself in one resort and spending your days hopping from one island to the next. Do as many snorkeling trips, glass-bottom boats, and sunset cruises as you can, and you’ll likely get to stop off at several different islands for marine life explorations and beach lunches. 

Going on boat trips through your resort is also your only chance of getting to see some of the Maldives’ uninhabited islands. Spend the day relaxing on the barren sandbanks, cycling through jungle trails, and exploring the azure waters before making your way back to your accommodation by speedboat or another island for evening entertainment. 

How long does it take to travel between islands in the Maldives?

The time it takes to travel between the islands in the Maldives will vary greatly depending on where you’re going. The fastest ways to travel are by seaplane and speedboat. With the Maldives spanning 500 miles, the longest a seaplane would take to travel between the furthest islands is around two hours. Although a speedboat wouldn’t cover this distance, they are great for traveling shorter distances between islands at high speeds. 

For example, suppose you’re arriving in the Maldives through Malé’s Velana International Airport, which is actually on the island of Hulhumalé adjacent to the capital. In that case, you can get a private speedboat to the nearby islands of Hmmafushi, Huraa, Thulusdhoo, and Gulhi Falhu in 10 to 20 minutes. 

The tropical honeymoon escapes of Baros Island, Thulhagari Island, Malahini, and Akasghoo, which is home to the Maldives’ Hard Rock Hotel , are all less than 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s ports. But if you’re heading slightly further afield to Veligandu, Laaalhos, or Thulhaadhoo, each on their own coral atoll, a speed boat could take between one and four hours. 

A seaplane would be the best choice for covering any distance over 50 miles, taking just 25-minutes to reach Veligandu from Malé. Once you’ve made it to any of these other atolls, you can travel by seaplane, ether to another atoll, or easily between the nearby islands by speedboat. 

Are there ferries between the Maldives’ islands?

There is no public ferry to any private island resort in the Maldives. But ferry routes operate between local islands and some guest houses. Most ferries run within their atolls or from Malé to local islands, as these larger boats are much slower and less efficient than speedboats. It can take 90 minutes to cover the same distance a motorboat travels in 30 minutes on a ferry. However, they are the cheapest way to get around in the Maldives and require the least preparation. 

You can buy a ticket for a local ferry from Malé’s Velana Airport to the island city for just $1. These boats leave every ten minutes and need no advanced booking, although they can get packed in high season. From here, you can travel to Thulusdhoo, which is on the Kaafu Atoll 25km northeast of Malé, for only $3. This ferry typically departs once a day and takes an hour and a half.   

Malé is connected by local ferry to the Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Guraidhoo, Gulhi, Himmafushi, Hura, Dhifffishi, Kaashidhoo, and Gaafuru Islands. Many inter-atoll ferries operate small distances within the Baa, Dhaal, Faafu, Meemu, Noonu, Shaviyani, Haa Dhall, Haa Alif Raa, and Lhaviyani Atolls. But most of these are used by locals for trade and travel to work. 

If you’re staying in a guest house or on a local island, consult with your homestay before arriving, and they might be able to help you book a local ferry or arrange a private speedboat.    

How much does it cost to travel between the islands in the Maldives?

With local ferries costing between $1 to $30 for a one-way trip, they’re the cheapest way to get around the Maldives. But the ferry routes are minimal, and it is unlikely you’ll be able to see much of the country just using public water taxis. 

If you’re lucky, and your first island destination isn’t too far from your point of entry, your hotel might include a speedboat transfer in the price of your room or at a discounted price. But this is as cheap as traveling between the islands in the Maldives will get. 

On average, private speedboats cost around $100 per person, increasing with distance from Malé. You can arrange shared boat airport transfers for about $50 per adult and $25 per child, but this depends on your resort and its location. Seaplanes cost even more, at around $200 to $400 per person, even if you’re only venturing half an hour from Malé. And some very luxurious resorts, far from Velana Airport, charge $900 per person for a return transfer by seaplane. 

You can travel between nearby islands once you’ve reached your final destination, but the lowest price for a shared boat is $25 a head, and longer distances can cost upwards of $100 per person. Boat trips for water activities or exploring sandbanks will cost twice as much as transfers.   

How many Maldives islands should you visit in one trip?

Each island in the Maldives offers something different, but you’re at risk of limiting yourself if you stick to one or even two or three islands on a single trip. You’ll find pristine sands, luxury resorts, and amazing marine life on every palm-fringed sandbank, but you’ll get a real taste for Maldivian culture if you look beyond the tourist trails and at everyday local life.

How many islands you should squeeze into one trip depends on how long you have in the Maldives. Most resorts are situated on private islands, so staying on one island is like not leaving your hotel. To see most of the country, you should aim to do a combination of resort hopping and day trips and see at least five or six islands across at least two atolls. But the Maldives can get ubiquitous, so we recommend five to 14 days as the perfect amount of time to spend island-hopping. 

Traveling across the seas with all your luggage can be a hassle, so splitting your time between two resorts, ideally at different ends of the country, and visiting two to five other islands at each, will give you a good taste for Maldivian life. This is a great way to split two weeks in the Maldives, but you can still see a lot in five days if you’re short on time. Check out our ultimate itinerary for the perfect split. 

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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GUIDE TO ISLAND HOPPING MALDIVES

Want to find out about island hopping Maldives? Wondering how to plan island hopping in Maldives?  Looking for a Maldives island hopping itinerary? Here is our complete guide to all things Maldives island hopping!

At Indulge Maldives we are industry experts in island hopping Maldives. We specialise in creating unique and one-off Maldives island hopping itinerary for our clients, including for Insta-famous Aussie-German Travel Couple  Marie & Jake (1 mil Instagram) and ‘The World’s Most Influential Island Influencer of 2020’ Salty Luxe (425K Instagram).   Island hopping in Maldives is remarkable – everyone should experience once in their lifetime if they can, whether it be on a special honeymoon vacation , family holiday, solo trip or on one of our incredible Maldives island hopping retreats  which we’ve been operating since 2017. Below is our complete guide to Maldives island hopping and moving between tropical isles.  

CAN YOU ISLAND HOP IN MALDIVES?

Yes! Island hopping in Maldives is one of the best ways to truly experience the spectacular natural beauty of the Maldives. You just need a little know how as moving between islands needs to be planned in advance.

WHAT IS ISLAND HOPPING MALDIVES?

As Maldives has 1,190 islands, it can be hard to choose just one island to visit. Tourists generally like to island hop Maldives and split their precious vacation time over multiple islands. Every island offers a unique holiday experience so combining multiple islands really ensures you get to experience the most of Maldives.

There are four different ways to experience island hopping in Maldives.

1. Staying at multiple budget friendly local islands

2.  Staying at multiple luxury resorts

3. Sailing between islands on board a liveaboard vessel

4. Combining the above ways of island hopping Maldives to really help stretch the holiday budget, maximise travel days and experience all this beautiful tropical nation has to offer.

HOW DO YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN ISLANDS IN MALDIVES?

To travel between islands in Maldives, we would suggest reading our most popular post on how to book Maldives island transfers . It outlines the best methods of island hopping Maldives – how to travel between islands, and the cost of speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane transfers. The mode of transport you need to take for island hopping or resort hopping in Maldives will depend on the distance of your intended holiday island from Malé Airport.

ISLAND HOPPING IN MALDIVES COST

Most people don’t realise how widespread Maldives is  and that the island hopping in Maldives cost can be expensive, with some transfers costing up to $900pp for a return 30min journey. That’s at the extreme end however it is important to take into consideration the cost of expensive transfers when planning to island hop Maldives. You should start with selecting your   local island or resort accommodation   and consider the cost of transfers to each particular island before making your accommodation reservation. The last thing you want to do is end up paying more for transfers than your accommodation itself. Staying at islands close together is also a great tip to reduce cost of Maldives island hopping and will also mean less travel time transiting to the airport and moving between islands, if you can co-ordinate this.

MALDIVES ISLAND HOPPING ITINERARY

Here at Indulge Maldives we are experts in island hopping Maldives, we have been doing it for years and have been refining our Maldives island hopping itineraries as tourism continues to develop. As travel experts living here in Maldives, we are updated daily with current speedboat, domestic flight & seaplane timings. Did you know it’s not possible to arrive at the airport in Maldives & take a speedboat or ferry? Unfortunately Maldives does’t work this way – all transfers between islands must be pre-booked in advance, accordingly to the limited daily transfer schedules. Let Indulge Maldives help plan your own special and unique Maldives island hopping itinerary, to ensure a smooth, worry-free and unforgettable holiday experience! We don’t charge you anything, simply all our fees are covered in commissions we receive from the hotels, and by booking with us, your are helping to support the economy of Maldives and local Maldivian families. We also donate 1% of each Maldives island hopping itinerary to help feed Maldivian families in need.

ISLAND HOPPING EXCURSIONS MALDIVES

When it comes to island hopping excursions in Maldives, many locals islands offer the exact same excursions as the luxury resorts, however at a fraction of the price. If you plan to split your Maldives island hopping across both resorts & local islands, our best advice would be to save the excursions for the budget island part of your stay. You will visit the very same dive sites, surfing points, sandbanks etc.

ISLAND HOPPING IN MALDIVES DURING COVID-19

At Indulge Maldives, we understand booking future travels during COVID-19 can bring uncertainty, that’s why we are here to re-assure and support you in making booking your future Maldives travels as easy & flexible as possible. Our COVID-19 policies ensure you won’t lose out on your precious holiday savings. Over the past year and a half, we have successfully been assisting our clients who are unable to travel to Maldives due to COVID-19 factors, by offering free re-schedule of their travel dates, by working closely with our partner hotels and resorts. We’ve also lowered the deposit rate to just 10% & offer free cancellation on some packages. Read more here about our COVID Cancellation Policy & here for the latest up to date COVID travel info & requirements for Maldives.

ISLAND HOPPING PACKAGES IN MALDIVES

3N: WHALE SHARK & MANTA PACKAGE – US$450p.p.

4N: MALDIVES ADVENTURE US$399p.p.

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INDULGE MALDIVES

Indulge Maldives Holidays is an exclusive Maldives Travel Agency. We specialise in both affordable & luxury vacations to Maldives, group style island hopping retreats & surfing holidays. Our Australian Founder & Travel Specialist Kristie has lived in Maldives for almost 8 years & has travelled to over 50 Maldives islands. She works alongside Maldivian locals & takes exceptional care of her clients'​ needs, from planning to departure. Indulge Maldives proudly partners with over 30 local island hotels & 60 Maldives resorts. Our holiday packages start from as little as US$50 per night. Contact Kristie today & let her help you create your dream Maldives vacation, no matter your budget!

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13 things to know before going to the Maldives

Feb 8, 2024 • 5 min read

Be ready for your visit to the Maldives with this guide to planning and etiquette © Jannoon028 / Getty Images

Paradise personified. Heaven on earth. Screensaver goals. The Maldives has earned a lot of monikers since it opened to tourists in the 1970s.

Over the past 50 years, it’s become known as a honeymoon hot spot, a family-friendly getaway and one of the world’s most coveted vacation destinations.

And while it may seem like a lot of hype for one small, spread-out island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives really does live up to it. From coconut-fringed islands and colorful reefs to warm smiles and even warmer curries, it’s often a once-in-a-lifetime getaway for travelers. Whether you’re heading off to a ritzy private island resort or a more affordable local island, there’s a handful of things to know before departure. Here are our top tips and best advice ahead of a trip to the Maldives.

1. Plan for at least 5 nights in the Maldives

For all travelers, it takes a plane ride or three to land in this far-flung slice of paradise. So, while a weekend to the Maldives may work for travelers based in Asia, five nights will suffice if you’re crunched for time and budget. And if neither is an issue, plan for at least a week to fully unwind and embrace island life.

2. You can get around via seaplane or speedboat

When choosing your island resort, pay attention to whether it’s reachable by seaplane or speedboat. Although seaplane transfers give picture-worthy views of the pearl-shaped atolls, they often cost much more. And be aware there’s a 25kg (55lbs) total luggage per person allowance on seaplanes. So, if you’re looking to save money, pick a resort closer to Male that you can transfer to via speedboat. You can also take a domestic flight to another atoll in the Maldives and a speedboat to the resort.

3. Island-hopping is doable (and encouraged)

Many travelers spend weeks poring over which private island resort is the best for them, but you don’t have to choose one. Beach bums can split their time between resorts. You’ll need to travel back to Male airport, where a representative from your next resort will meet you and transfer you there via seaplane or speedboat. If the resorts are close together, you can charter a speedboat from one resort to another.

4. Aim to land in Male in the morning

If you’re staying at a resort accessible by seaplane transfer, arriving in the morning is crucial. Once the sun sets, seaplanes stop flying, so you’d need to stay overnight in Male or Hulhumale to wait for the next seaplane. If your resort is accessible via a speedboat or water taxi, arriving at night is less of an issue, but the Maldives scenery is so stunning you’ll want to be able to see it.

5. Understand “island time”

These tiny private islands operate by their own rules, including their own time zones. Some resorts will ask guests to set their clocks to “island time,” an hour forward to give them an extra hour of sunlight for snorkeling or swimming .

6. Stock up well (there are no grocery stores for tourists)

There are no grocery stores or Walmarts on these tiny private islands. So, triple-check that you’ve got everything you need, including reef-safe sunscreen to help protect one of the Maldives’ most precious natural habitats. Every resort has a boutique store where you can pick up necessities you may have forgotten, but prices are often insanely expensive.

7. Familiarize yourself with the prohibited items list

The Maldives is a devout Muslim country with strict rules. So travelers entering cannot bring alcohol, pornographic materials, pork products or idols of worship  among other things . If anything prohibited is found, it will be taken away on arrival.

8. Local islands are a bargain but come with caveats

The local islands are a great and safe option for travelers on a budget and those not willing to shell out thousands for an island getaway. Small Maldivian-run guesthouses offer a much more intimate look at daily life, but there are a few things to know first. Alcohol is illegal on local islands, so don’t expect to enjoy a beer by the beach. Travelers must also dress conservatively on local islands by covering their shoulders and knees. Women don’t need to cover their heads, but wearing a bathing suit outside of designated “bikini beaches” is not allowed and could land you with a fine.

9. There’s no standard tipping etiquette

Tipping on top of your restaurant bill at the resort is not expected because a 10% tip is already included. However, if you want to leave something for your favorite server at the end of your stay that is more than OK. Guests can also write a review calling out their favorite team members; management often rewards staff for stellar service. Leaving a tip ranging from US$2 to US$10 per day for housekeeping is also customary. And if you have a butler, tipping 10% of the cost of your stay is a good rule.

10. You can pay in USD

The local currency is the Maldivian rufiya, but US dollars are also accepted. You can get some local currency from the ATM at the airport on arrival. If you want to exchange money for rufiya, you can do so in the airport at the Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange. Keep your receipt with you so you can change anything extra back into your local currency when you leave.

11. Resort doctors can help with health concerns

The vast majority of travelers will go straight from the plane to a private island resort. Should you have any health issues during your stay, the on-island doctor will be able to assist you.

12. There is a “green tax” for tourists

Every tourist is charged a government tax to stay in a hotel, liveaboard or guesthouse. The tax is US$6 per day unless you’re staying in a guesthouse on a local island with 50 or fewer registered rooms, then the tax is US$3 per day. The charge will be included in your overall bill.

13. Sustainability initiatives are everywhere 

As the world’s lowest-lying country, the Maldives is under serious threat from climate change. Nearly every resort has sustainability initiatives, which might include coral regeneration, onsite gardens, turtle rehabilitation and/or unique mosquito trapping methods instead of chemical spraying. A few of the more sustainable resorts to choose from are Soneva , Six Senses , Four Seasons , Kudadoo and Gili Lankanfushi . Beware of greenwashing , where organizations claim sustainability credentials that aren't as impactful as they suggest.

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15 Best Islands In The Maldives + Maldives Travel Guide

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

What are the best islands in the Maldives for snorkelling? How about diving? Which are the best areas for families to head for? What about if you are travelling to the Maldives on a budget? And of course there are the many people who head to the Maldives each year for their honeymoon! The Maldives is a dream destination for many and is a very well-known honeymoon destination for couples. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the Maldives, then read on to find out about the best islands in the Maldives to visit!

Tourism in the Maldives

Where are the maldives, how many islands are there in the maldives, map of the maldives, the best time of year to visit the maldives, the best places to stay in the maldives, essential items to pack for your trip to the maldives, kandolhu island, vilamendhoo, maaya thila, kandooma thila, mushimasmingili thila, bandos island, hulhumale island, machchafushi island, thulusdhoo island, dhigurah island, dhiffushi island, fihalhohi , biyadhoo island, villingili island, best islands in the maldives – further reading.

The Maldives are one of the best-known luxury destinations in the world, and many people dream of visiting it. In fact, in 2019, the Maldives had 1.7 million tourists visit, according to the official tourism board of the Maldives – the Ministry of Tourism . The average length of stay was six days, and the top 5 countries inbound tourists were from were: China , Italy , India , Russia and the UK . 52.34% of tourists were female, and 47.66% were males, which is about an equal amount of tourists. This is most likely due to the Maldives being best known as a honeymoon destination, so therefore most of the couples would be heterosexual as, unfortunately, homosexuality is illegal in the Maldives .

If you want to travel somewhere safe, then the Maldives is for you as it’s one of the safest destinations in the world. The island resorts are specifically the safest as they are isolated from elsewhere and have very good security. Additionally, if you hate walking up hills, then the Maldives is a great choice as it holds the record for being the flattest country in the world – so biking here is perfect.

There are three main ways to get between islands in the Maldives; these are by seaplane, domestic flight or by boat. The main airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (VIA), which flies to 18 domestic and international airports in the country. Most flights to Velana International Airport are from India , Sri Lanka, Doha, Dubai, Singapore and Istanbul. The airport is located near the capital of the Maldives, Malé, and can be accessed by bridge or by ferry.

Where are the Maldives? The Maldives is located in South Asia, in the Indian Ocean . It is about 430 miles away from the mainland of India and Sri Lanka. It is the smallest country in South Asia, and all of the islands in the Maldives make up about 115 sq miles in total.

How many islands are there in the Maldives? There are a whopping 1,192 islands in the Maldives; however, only 187 are inhabited. An inhabited island is counted as an island with a town, village, fishing or farming community, an island office, and an island chief. In the Maldives, an uninhabited island can be counted as an island with no humans permanently living there. Although, an uninhabited island can be used for tourist resorts or for agricultural and industrial purposes.

Some islands in the Maldives have also disappeared due to natural causes, usually rising sea levels or from being eroded away. Over 100 islands have disappeared in total.

The biggest islands in the Maldives are: Gan-Maandhoo, Hithadhoo, Fuvahmulah, Hulhumalé and Hulhumeedhoo.

What is the best time of the year to visit the Maldives? Luckily, the Maldives is a year-round destination as the weather is relatively always good. For instance, the hottest month is usually April, where the temperature is around 28-31°C, and there is only 6.9cm of rainfall. The wettest month is generally August, as rainfall is around 23.87cm due to the summer months also being monsoon season in the Maldives. The coldest months are August – January, where temperatures are around 27-29°C – so as you can see, it’s not really too cold!

Due to all of this, to same a more specific best time of year to visit the Maldives, then it would be recommended to visit between November and April, as this is when the weather will be warm, and there will be fewer rainy days.

Where are the best places to stay in the Maldives? The Maldives has so many unique places to stay, but here are some of the most exceptional places to stay that will guarantee you the getaway of a lifetime:

• Holiday Village Retreat – This stunning retreat is located in Bodufolhudhoo, so you will be surrounded by beauty! It offers beachfront views, a restaurant serving the finest foods, and a 24-hour reception. Each room comes with a well-equipped ensuite with complimentary luxury amenities, an HD TV, comfortable beds and a seating area to relax in.
• Dhigali Maldives – A stay here is one that you will be sure to remember for a lifetime. The resort has plenty to offer to guests, such as a spa for guests to unwind in, a tropical garden, and plenty of activities such as snorkelling and windsurfing. Every room at the resort comes with drinks-making facilities, a powerful shower and a big bath for you to soak in, and a seating area to relax in. It’s one of the best places to stay in the Maldives!
• Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon – Located on Alifu Alifu Atoll, this island paradise will make you never want to leave! Guests here can enjoy a modern and cosy guest house all to themselves, an infinity pool, fitness centre, spa and a restaurant with delicious cuisine to suit every taste! Each guest house comes with beautiful ocean views, a flat-screen TV, and semi-outdoor bathrooms – you will have never stayed in such an amazing place before.
• Kuredu Island Resort & Spa – Offering outstanding facilities for guests to enjoy, such as a private beach and water sports facilities, a stay at this resort is one of the best places to stay in the Maldives. Every room has a mini bar, seating area, en-suite with a hot tub and luxury amenities to pamper yourself with. There are lots of activities that guests can partake in also, like golfing, snorkelling, fishing and biking.

If you’ve decided to stay at some or just one of the best islands in the Maldives, then don’t forget to pack these essential items:

• Heliocare 360 Mineral Sunscreen – This fabulous mineral sunscreen is ideal if you’re looking for a natural but effective way to protect your skin from the sun in the Maldives. It offers lasting protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays and will keep your skin moisturised all day long.
• AKASO EK7000 4k Underwater Camera – The sea in the Maldives is beautiful, so of course, you’re going to want to take photos of it – the only thing that’s stopping you is destroying your phone; luckily, this underwater camera comes in handy! It lets you take amazing photos underwater, and you don’t have to worry about it getting wet!
• Gumbies Slingback Women’s Recycled Flip-flops – These recycled flip-flops are perfect for those lazy beach days as they’re so comfortable that you won’t need to worry about getting any blisters. They are also great as the sole is very flexible, so it feels like you’re walking on nothing!
• Hibluco Women Swimsuit Cover-up – This swimsuit cover-up is ideal if you’re going to be doing spontaneous things and don’t want to waste time always getting changed. It’s made of high-quality material and looks very stylish!
• Lealinga Snorkel Set – Explore underwater with this fantastic snorkel set that lets you have fun for longer. It is very sturdy and durable, so it’s safe for everyone to use. It’s a must-have when visiting the best islands in the Maldives!

Best islands in the Maldives for snorkelling

Snorkelling is a very popular thing to do in the Maldives, so what are the best islands in the Maldives for snorkelling?

This tiny island is known as being one of the best-kept secrets in the Indian Ocean . A walk around this island takes less than 5 minutes in total, and it’s very quiet as there are less than 30 villas in total. In order to get to Kandolhu Island, visitors must take a short seaplane ride which takes around 20 minutes, and then go on a speedboat.

It is well known for snorkelling as it’s very accessible, and the reef is twice the size of the island! Here you’ll be able to spot lots of different species that live and swim among the coal reef, such as turtles and rays!

Located in South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo is perfect for snorkelers of all abilities. The island is narrow but about 900m long and there is a very popular resort on it, with 184 rooms in total.

The best part of the island for snorkelling is the northern section as this is where most of the coral reef is. It is perfect for beginners as there are lots of shallow areas in order to help you get used to snorkelling – just remember that coral reefs are sharp, so try and avoid getting cut!

Banana reef, located in Kuda Kalhi is a stunning place to go snorkelling. The reef is in a banana shape, which is where its name originated from, so that’s one great reason to see it alone, as it’s such a unique shape! There is so much exquisite marine life that you can spot at this reef and all over the island, such as Palette Surgeonfish, bannerfish, barracuda, sharks, soldierfish and rays.

The best time to go snorkelling here is from late May to July, as this is when there is most marine life in the reef is spotted!

Best islands in the Maldives for diving

Many people will choose to dive in the Maldives. Whether you want to try out diving for the first time, do a PADI course or you are an experienced diver, you will want surely want to know which are the best islands in the Maldives for diving.

Maaya Thila is one of the most well-known and popular places to dive in the Maldives, as it is often featured as one of the world’s top ten places to dive. Here, you can spot plenty of marine life, such as turtles, sharks and frogfish! The coral reef is around 80m in length and starts at 20ft deep, making it great for beginner and advanced divers!

What makes Maaya Thila special is that there are often white-tip reef sharks swimming around the reef. In fact, sometimes there are as many as 20 at one time! So if you’re a shark lover, then this is definitely worth a visit to go diving.

Considered to be one of the best dives in the Maldives, Kandooma Thila is around 300m long and around 12m under the surface, so there is plenty to explore! There is a very well-known cave, known as Jack’s Corner, which is covered in corals and makes a great place to explore. This dive is better for advanced and experienced divers as the sea’s currents can be very strong.

There are plenty of turtles floating that you can spot at this location, as well as some sharks and manta rays. It’s a great place if you want to see fabulous sea creatures.

Mushimasmingili Thila is also known as Fish Head and Shark Point – as it is infamous for being one of the best shark dives in the entire Maldives. Even though it is quite a small dive at just 36m, there are plenty of beautiful coral and natural wonders to see here. What’s more, is that because sharks were once fed here, there are now lots of them to be spotted in this area.

Other than sharks, there are other creatures to be spotted here, such as anemone, barracuda and Napoleon wrasse! It’s a diver’s paradise!

Best islands in the Maldives for families

Believe it or not, the Maldives is a great family travel destination. But which are the best islands in the Maldives for families?

Bandos Island has plenty of family-friendly resorts specially designed to cater to families in the best way possible. They are equipped with plenty of outdoor pools, hot tubs, restaurants serving meals to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, bars, and entertainment for the whole family.

Bandos Island is just a 10-minute speed boat ride from Velana International Airport, making it the perfect location as after a long day of travelling, you can get there quickly and just relax.

This island is one of the best islands in the Maldives to visit with a family. The island is a short distance from Velana International Airport, making it easy to get to by seaplane or speedboat. Around the island, there are plenty of things to do, such as bars, restaurants, BBQ spots, shops and other attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

It is one of the best islands in the Maldives for families due to the number of things to do that the whole family can participate in – and many of the resorts also have great facilities to help cater to families.

Machchafushi Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the entire Maldives due to what it has to offer. There are stunning golden sand beaches that are practically empty from tourists, as well as many activities for families to participate in. Some of the activities on offer include: cruises, fishing trips, island hopping, banana boats and kayaking.

It is a must-visit if you are travelling to the Maldives with your family, especially if you have young children, as there is plenty to do with them!

Best islands in the Maldives for budget travellers

And to many peoples’ surprise, the Maldives can be a budget travel destination- it is not all super luxury and high prices! But which are the best islands in the Maldives for budget travellers?

Thulusdhoo Island is a great budget island in the Maldives as it has so much to offer! It is located about 30 minutes from Velana International Airport by speedboat, meaning that it doesn’t cost much to get to.

There are many great activities available at Thulisdhoo Island, such as snorkelling, diving, swimming or even paddle boarding! If you’re in the mood for something a bit more relaxing, then there are plenty of hammocks under shaded palm trees, which are great to unwind on. You could even take a trip to sandbank island to sunbathe for a few hours.

Dhigurah Island is a nature lover’s paradise, as there is so much natural beauty to be seen and experienced here. It is also known as ‘Long Island’ by locals because it is 3km in length and is only 250m wide! It is perfect for watching the sunset from, as there is so much nature and palm trees that make the atmosphere feel perfect.

There is so much sea life to be enjoyed here, and you can even swim with whale sharks all throughout the year, spot manta rays and turtles, as well as interesting fish in the corals. It is 2 hours from Malé Airport via speedboat.

Dhiffushi Island is located in north Male Atoll, about 45 minutes north of the Velana International Airport. It is relatively small, as it is only 1.2km long and only 200m wide, and it’s even possible to see the other side of the island if you’re standing on one side. It’s the most inhabited island in the east Maldives, making it one of the cheapest. 

 There are plenty of natural wonders to see here, such as lagoons, coral reefs and beaches to relax on. It is definitely one of the best islands in the Maldives!

Best islands in the Maldives for honeymoon

And last but not least, which are the best islands in the Maldives for those going on their honeymoon?

Fihalhohi is the perfect location for honeymooners, as many of the resorts here are very romantic and offer first-class service you wouldn’t find elsewhere. The large majority of the resorts also offer special packages for people on their honeymoon, so you will get extra special treatment and help you remember it for a lifetime.

There are lots of activities to do on Fihalhohi, such as snorkelling and paddleboarding. Additionally, there are plenty of high-end restaurants serving only the finest, freshest food in very romantic settings.

Biyadhoo Island is perfect for couples on their honeymoon who would like a peaceful, relaxing honeymoon with gorgeous surroundings. It is just a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, so it’s great if you don’t want to travel for long or if you’re on a budget. There are plenty of interesting activities to do on this island, such as swimming with turtles or learning how to cook traditional food.

Unfortunately for some, the resorts on Biyadhoo Island are not water villas, but this doesn’t mean that they are bad at all – as every resort on the island offers high-quality services that you will be happy that you had your honeymoon at.

Villingili Island is perfect for honeymooners who would like a luxurious yet tranquil getaway. The island boasts stunning golden beaches that look amazing in photographs, as well as stunning palm trees all over. It promises a truly unique experience for all.

Some activities that couples can participate in at Villingili Island are: Tai Chi, going to the spa, hiking through the tropical forest or simply just relaxing in a comfortable hammock on the beach. It is definitely one of the best islands in the Maldives for a honeymoon!

After reading this post on the best islands in the Maldives, hopefully, you’ve learnt something new about the best islands in the Maldives! Which island in the Maldives do you want to visit the most? Have you ever been to the Maldives? If you liked this post, then here is some further reading I’d recommend:

• The 6 best islands in Italy + essential travel tips
• How to get to the Gili Islands from Bali
• Zakynthos in Greece best things to see and do

By the way- do you have any recommendations for the best islands in the Maldives? Which do you think are the best islands in the Maldives and why?

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9 Mistakes to Avoid in the Maldives

What you need to know before heading to the idyllic collection of more than a thousand islands.

The Maldives, a collection of more than a thousand islands in the Indian Ocean, is known for its clear emerald waters, beautiful beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, and of course, luxurious overwater bungalows. With features like these, the archipelago makes for an idyllic sanctuary where guests can snorkel, scuba dive, swim, and savor some truly unforgettable sunsets. Aside from being one of the most stunning island getaways in the world, the Maldives is also a perfect addition to an itinerary for travelers visiting magnificent South Asian cities or Middle Eastern capitals.

For those planning to visit the Maldives, there are certain things to keep in mind. To be fully prepared for your trip — whether you're in the planning stages or are already lounging by your infinity pool in the Baa Atoll — here are nine mistakes to avoid in the Maldives.

1. Visiting Only One Island

The first thing to know about the Maldives is that most resorts are situated on their own private island — in fact, one island, one resort is the typical approach for hotels within the archipelago. This makes sense geographically, considering the Maldives is home to at least 1,192 uninhabited and 200 inhabited islands. Whether you tour multiple islands by staying at more than one resort over the course of your vacation, or you charter a boat or take a day tour to an adjacent atoll, make sure to island hop while visiting the destination.

2. Assuming the Maldives Can’t Be Budget-friendly

The Maldives has a reputation for being an exclusive, ultra-lavish destination. But it's actually quite possible to visit the Maldives on a budget — even the airfare isn't prohibitively expensive, if you scout out connecting flights through Europe or Asia. To cut down on expenses, stay at a local guest house or affordable hotel, like the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma . As for attractions on a budget, life in the Maldives doesn't have to be all about chartering yachts and diving off the deck of an overwater bungalow. There are many ways to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Maldives: You can plant coral to help conserve the Maldivian reefs through a number of ongoing initiatives, many of which are set up by affordable resorts, like Summer Island , where guests can take part in planting pieces of a 3D-printed reef. And while folks staying at a resort may be able to snorkel along the property's house reefs, those opting for a rental home can easily snorkel on select public beaches instead.

3. Not Going Until Your Honeymoon

Thanks to its dreamy overwater bungalows and romantic sunsets, the Maldives will always rank as a top honeymoon destination. But this isn't a place you need to save for your honeymoon or a romantic getaway with a partner. The Maldives is just as well-suited for a girls' trip or family escape. In fact, many island resorts in the Maldives cater specifically to families. And more than being a spot for couples, the Maldives is a place where you can relax and leave your real-life worries at home — and that luxury shouldn't be reserved solely for honeymooners.

4. Not Considering a Liveaboard for Part of Your Trip

The Maldives has liveaboards — also known as localized cruise ships, houseboats, and the like — that offer sea safaris around the pristine waters and coral reefs. The liveaboards come with a wide range of accommodations and facilities, including personal chefs, dive and surf instructors, and other staff members depending on the type of liveaboard you book. Travelers can even rent out the entirety of a yacht, houseboat, or small cruising vessel, and then customize the staff to their requirements — perhaps adding an on-site masseuse or sommelier. Renting an entire liveaboard vessel can also make for a perfect distanced vacation — you have the space all to yourself and can tailor your vacation such that, apart from the staff and the other guests in your party, you won't see another soul.

5. Avoiding the Local Culture

Because the Maldives is known as a beach destination, its South Asian influences are often overlooked — a plight that often befalls many South Pacific islands as well. The culture here is a unique melting pot of Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Indonesian, and African influences. This heady blend can really only be experienced here in the Maldives. You can witness the Maldivian culture firsthand by attending music and dance performances or sampling the local cuisine rather than just sticking to resort food. You can also arrange a day trip to a nearby village island to learn more about the traditional way of life.

6. Forgetting the Reef-safe Sunscreen at Home

The Maldivian islands sit on the equator, which means the sun's rays beat down at a 90-degree angle. In other words, the sun is exceptionally strong and your sunscreen should be waterproof, packed with SPF, and constantly reapplied. Also, be sure to pack sun protection like hats, visors (they're making a comeback), and light, breathable, full-sleeve shirts and long pants for when you need extra coverage. When visiting any destination where the native reef is a main attraction, reef-safe sunscreen is crucial. To support the ongoing environmental initiatives to preserve the Maldivian reefs, purchase reef-safe sunscreen before traveling to the islands.

7. Not Considering an All-inclusive Resort

When scoping out accommodations in the Maldives, don't forget that food and alcohol are expensive. You're on an island in the middle of the sea, so it costs a lot to transport your favorite spirits. For this reason, many tourists choose an all-inclusive resort — even though the nightly rate and resort fees may be higher than some of the budget hotels, it bundles the cost of food and drink into the price of your stay.

8. Not Combining the Maldives With a Trip to Southeast Asia or the Middle East

Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a remote tropical paradise that's actually quite accessible from major Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian hubs like Dubai (a four-hour direct flight from the Maldives) and Sri Lanka (a three-hour flight from the Maldives). Thanks to a fantastic range of flight deals in partnership with airlines and carriers like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, the Maldives can be easily tacked on to a trip to Dubai, Sri Lanka, or any destination that flies directly to either port (think: Singapore, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, or Doha).

9. Skipping the Bioluminescent Views

Did you know the Maldives is known for having shores that illuminate at night, lit up by bioluminescent plankton? In addition to boasting diverse sea life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and more than 2,000 species of fish, most islands are visited by bioluminescent plankton at certain points throughout the year. To experience this magical light show, you'll want to visit during plankton high season (mid-summer to mid-winter), when the bioluminescent organisms line the shores and create a glow-in-the-dark effect at the water's edge.

Maldives Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide to Local Islands and Resort Islands

Maldives itinerary.

Close your eyes and imagine a tropical paradise. What do you see? White sand beaches, crystal clear waters and swaying palm trees? Well we found Paradise – Maldives! I had the impression that it’s an overhyped and overpriced destination but I was wrong. The hype is totally worth it. We’ve island hopped in the Mediterranean, Indonesia and Thailand but Maldives has hands down the clearest waters we’ve seen. The marine life in particular is unbelievable. With over 200 islands to choose from, narrowing down on a few islands was a struggle. Even more since we wanted to combine both local islands and a resort island. Are you planning to visit Maldives and not sure which island to visit? Don’t worry, we’ve been there. We hope this Maldives itinerary helps you plan an ultimate trip to the Maldives whether it’s locals islands, a resort island or a combination of both.

Table of Contents

Our 10 day Maldives Itinerary

Maldives itinerary day 1 – hulhumale.

Although we could have taken a speedboat to a far away local island, we decided to spend the night in Hulhumalé after landing in Male airport.

We purchased a local sim card and some local currency (Maldivian Rufiyaa) from Velana International Airport. The Dhiraagu Traveller Plus sim card cost USD 35. It gave 150 mins local calls and SMS and 17 GB data, valid for 30 days. Basically this was the cheapest option and as all the guest houses and resorts have wifi, this was sufficient. By and large, Maldives is an expensive country so do bear that in mind.

Hulhumale is an artificial island located near Malé, the capital city of the Maldives. It’s worth visiting if you’re interested in seeing another side of the country, as it offers a unique blend of modern city life and traditional Maldivian culture.

We pretty much walked around the city the whole day, explored the sights, and got a feel of the local Maldivian life. This is something we enjoy doing and even more so on the first day. After all, it’s an excellent way to get an immersive experience of a new city.

How to reach Hulhumale?

We booked an airport pick up via our hotel as we wanted the first bit of our trip to be seamless. Though this tends to be pricey, we always opt for this option on our first day in a country we aren’t familiar with. We started doing this after a few unpleasant experiences in South East Asia. It cost us USD 20 from Male airport to our hotel in Hulhumale. However if you take a taxi from outside the airport it will cost you around USD 10.

Things to do in Hulhumale

• Hulhumale Beach: Hulhumale has a picturesque beach. Surprisingly the water was clear despite it being a city beach.
• Explore the Hulhumale Mosque: The Hulhumale Mosque is a beautiful and historic mosque located in the heart of the island. Also, it is one of the largest mosques in the Maldives and is known for its beautiful architecture and design.
• Central Park: Hulhumale’s Central Park is a lush green space in the centre of the island, offering a perfect spot for picnics and relaxation. Additionally it has the largest musical fountain ever built in the Maldives. Visit it during sunset for a leisurely stroll like the locals. Children especially will have a gala time.
• Cafe / Restaurant hopping: Hulhumale has several restaurants offering a variety of local and international cuisine. We had dinner at the Amber Beach Hotel . The food was average but the rooftop restaurant had splendid sea views.
• Water sports: Finally water activities. There are several operators offering snorkelling, diving, island visits and so on. We wouldn’t recommend you to do these in Hulhumale as the local islands are way more scenic.

Where to stay in Hulhumale?

Choose any hotel on the beach road. It was just a night stay for us therefore we chose a budget option at Chen Beach Hotel . It amounted to USD 75 with breakfast. Overall we were happy with the room, service and breakfast. Furthermore the airport pick up was smooth and they arranged for a local taxi back to Male. The other hotels that we were considering were Season Holidays and H78 Maldives .

Average price per night: USD 75 – USD 150

Is it worth going to Hulhumale?

Summing up, we enjoyed our time in Hulhumale. It’s not the classic Maldives that you think of, so if you have limited time, don’t include it in your Maldives itinerary. All in all, it’s good for a wee stop-over near the airport to get an insight about the local life in Maldives.

Maldives Itinerary Day 2 to Day 4 – Ukulhas

Our final Maldives itinerary took months of research to finalise. Chiefly because we wanted to explore 2 local islands, 1 resort island along with Hulhumale and Male. As for the local islands, our main criteria was – it should be scenic, quiet and have an excellent beach. Additionally, it shouldn’t be too far from Male. Given these points and after reading 100’s of blogs and watching several youtube videos, we chose Ukulhas.

Why choose Ukulhas?

• Beautiful beach – It has one of the largest and undeniably the most beautiful bikini beaches on a local island in Maldives. The beach is over 1 km long and there are plenty of sun beds and umbrellas. Moreover the beach is regularly cleaned and didn’t feel crowded even in peak season. In fact lot of secluded spots that will make it feel like your own private beach.
• Excellent house reef – Meanwhile the house reef is excellent for snorkelling. We saw huge schools of a wide variety of fish.
• Quiet island – By and large it had the typical laidback, quiet island feeling.
• Sustainable tourism – It is one of the most environmental friendly islands in the Maldives. For instance single use plastic is banned so you won’t find any plastic waste on the island.
• Hotels with beach access – Several hotels have direct access to the beach but only a few have sea view. Given that, a direct beach access from our guest house was fantastic.
• Local culture – Ukulhas is not as developed as some of the other more touristy islands in the Maldives so still pretty much a hidden paradise.
• Great island for families – All in all this island is a perfect place for young families as the distance from the beach to hotels is a maximum of 100 m and the waters are shallow.
• Clean island – We walked all around the island and didn’t see any garbage. Certainly one of the cleanest local islands in the Maldives.

How to reach Ukulhas?

We took a speedboat from Male airport to Ukulhas. It costs USD 50 per head and takes around 2 hours. They run everyday.

There timing are as follows:

• Velana International Airport to Ukulhas : 10:30 ​
• Velana International Airport to Ukulhas : 16:30 
• Ukulhas / Rasdhoo / Airport : 07:00 
• Ukulhas / Rasdhoo / Airport : 13:00

Your guesthouse / hotel will arrange your speedboat transfer if you inform them about your arrival time at least a few days before your trip. You need to pay the speedboat captain directly.

There are public ferries operating as well, although they run only twice every week. It takes 4 hours instead of 2.

Male to Ukulhas – Every Monday and Thursday – at 9:00 am from Hulhumale Ferry Terminal in Male. Tickets can be purchased for 5 USD from Hulhumale Ferry Terminal.

Ukulhas to Male – Every Sunday and Wednesday – 9:45 am from Ukulhas Jetty. Tickets can be purchased inside the Ferry. No pre-reservation is required.

Additionally, you can check out the Atoll Transfer website to check and book ferries and speedboats to chalk your Maldives itinerary.

Where to stay in Ukulhas?

• SeaLaVie Inn – We stayed at SeaLaVie, a small 5 bedroom guest house in the quiet part of Ukulhas. The room was spacious and sparkling clean. Best part of course was the location, just a minute walk to the bikini beach. We took the half board package which overall was a good deal. Breakfast was served at SeaLaVie and dinner was at Fisherman’s boat restaurant. We loved the traditional Maldivian breakfast as well as the buffet dinner. You can book your stay here – Book SeaLavie Price: USD 320 for a couple for 3 nights including breakfast and dinner.
• Ranthari Hotel and Spa – If you are looking for a luxury hotel with a pool then consider Ranthari. This is especially amazing if you want to get a slice of luxury on a local island. Since we had a resort island booked we preferred a more local guest house experience. You can book your stay here – Book Ranthari

Ukulhas is surely not the cheapest local island. You’d find hotels and activities at a fraction of this cost in islands like Maafushi but after reading about over tourism there, we thought its best to avoid them.

Where to eat in Ukulhas?

• Fisherman’s Boat – We had all our dinners here as it was part of our half board plan. The buffet spread was great with cut fruits, breads, meat, veg and desserts. Moreover there was a decent vegetarian spread as well.
• Sapore Restaurant & Pizzeria – Another wonderful option in case you are bored of rice and noodles everyday.

To sum up we loved Ukulhas and it is undoubtedly our favourite local island. We highly recommend you to add this to your Maldives itinerary.

Maldives Itinerary Day 5 and 6 – Rasdhoo

We hopped on a 15 minute speed boat from Ukulhas to Rasdhoo. We chose Rasdhoo as it was on the same atoll and easy to get to from Ukulhas.

Why choose Rasdhoo?

• Accessibility – Situated in North Ari Atoll, 60 km west of Male, it’s just an hour and half speedboat ride away which in particular makes it convenient travel wise.
• Good budget option – In general we found the accommodation and food options to be cheaper than Ukulhas.
• Snorkeling – Rasdhoo is excellent for snorkelling around the house reef even though we preferred the bikini beach at Ukulhas.
• Sandbank and uninhabited islands nearby – A 5 minute boat ride from Rasdhoo island, lies silky white sandbank surrounded by turquoise waters at Madivaru Finolhu. In essence this is the main draw of Rashdoo and can be a unique experience.
• Dolphin safari – Between Rasdhoo and Thoddoo there is a place where a group of dolphins gather in the evenings. Certainly worth doing this as well.

How to reach Rasdhoo?

We took a 10 min speedboat from Ukulhas to Rasdhoo at 7:00 am. Price is USD 10 per head.

The speedboat timings are as follows. They run everyday.

• Velana International Airport to Rasdhoo : 10:30 ​
• Velana International Airport to Rasdhoo : 16:00
• Rasdhoo / Airport : 07:30 
• Rasdhoo / Airport : 13:30

Male to Rasdhoo – Every Monday and Thursday – at 9:00 am from Hulhumale Ferry Terminal in Male. Tickets can be purchased for 3.50 USD from Hulhumale Ferry Terminal.

Rasdhoo to Male – Every Sunday and Wednesday – 9:45 am from Ukulhas Jetty. Tickets can be purchased inside the Ferry. No pre-reservation is required.

Your guest house / hotel will arrange your transfer.

Where to stay in Rasdhoo?

• Acqua Blu Rasdhoo – Clean budget guesthouse with friendly staff. Great location and they offer several activities as well.
• Holiday Garden Rasdhoo – Another hotel with good reviews that you could consider.

Where to eat in Rasdhoo?

• Lemon Drop – Quiet restaurant with a lovely vibe. We had pizzas and some refreshments.
• Alimente – Cool spot for coffee and cakes

To summarise, Rasdhoo ticks all the boxes for a budget Maldivian getaway with superb excursions and activities. A fab option for your Maldives itinerary.

Maldives Itinerary Day 7 to 10 – Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa

A 5 star resort island, an overwater villa, endless views of crystal clear turquoise waters, high quality food and a taste of ultimate luxury – this is the quintessential Maldivian holiday of dreams. Our Maldives itinerary felt truly complete with this experience. To clarify we are not luxury travellers but decided to splurge for this experience. Was it worth it?

Read our detailed blog post about resort islands here – Coming soon! Watch this space.

Best resort islands in the Maldives

Check out all the details here – Coming soon!

Maldives Itinerary Day 11 – Male

We spent our final day in Male before flying back home the next afternoon. Male is the capital and the biggest city of Maldives. It’s a wonderful way to understand how real life in Maldives looks like.

Things to do in Male

• Visit the mosques – Visit the Hukuru Miskiy and King Salman mosques to get a glimpse of Maldivian architecture.
• Tsunami Monument – The memorial was built to pay homage to the victims of a tsunami that hit Maldives in 2004. It was peaceful during sunset.
• National Museum – This museum has a collection of artefacts dating back to the pre-Islamic period of the Maldives.
• Local Market – Walk around the bustling local markets to experience the local culture.
• Try local cuisine – Try the delicious seafood, coconut-based dishes, and traditional curries.
• Relax on the beach – Go for a leisurely walk on the 2 artificial beaches in Male. It’s definitely not as pretty as the ones in faraway islands but worth visiting nonetheless.

Is it worth visiting Male?

You could definitely spend a day to understand the local culture if you have the time. If you are visiting for less than a week, then skip it from your Maldives itinerary. It’s good for an overnight pit-stop before or after your trip to the local / resort islands.

Where to stay in Male?

Since we just had a night we chose a budget hotel The Grand View . Small, basic clean room, no complaints. Other hotels that we considered were Manhattan Business Hotel and The Somerset Hotel .

Hope you find our Maldives itinerary helpful to plan your holiday. Read along for more tips for Maldives.

Maldives FAQ’s

Best local islands in the maldives.

If you have around 10-12 days in the Maldives, you can include 2-3 islands in your Maldives itinerary. Our top picks for local islands are Ukulhas, Rasdhoo, Fulidhoo, Dhigurah, Hanimaadhoo and Vaadhoo. Then again, Dhigurah, Vaadhoo and Hanimaadhoo are very far from Male so choose wisely. The following tips will help you select the islands of your choice.

How to choose a local island in Maldives?

Choosing a local island can be a unique way to experience the Maldives. But with over a 100 local islands to choose from, narrowing down to 2 was not easy. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a local island:

• Distance from Male: Consider the location of the island in relation to the capital city of Male and other islands you may want to visit. Distances can be large so this will affect the travel time as well as budget.
• Accommodation options: Choose an island based on the accommodation options available to suit your budget and preferences. Some local islands may have guesthouses, hotels, or resorts, while others may only have a few basic options. Some islands are more expensive than others so compare before booking.
• Activities: Consider the activities available on the island and nearby areas. Some local islands are famous for snorkelling, diving, surfing, or other water sports, while others may have more cultural or historical attractions to explore.
• Accessibility: Check the transportation options to the island, including ferries, speedboats, and domestic flights. Some islands may be more difficult to access than others.
• Budget: Finally, consider your budget as it has to cover the costs for island transfer, accommodation, food and activities. Local islands are more affordable than staying at a resorts, but the costs are not uniform across islands.

We enjoyed Ukulhas and Rasdhoo and strongly suggest to include at least 1 local island in your Maldives itinerary.

How to do Maldives on a budget?

The first image that comes to mind while thinking of Maldives is that of ultimate luxury – sipping champagne in an infinity pool from an over water villa. Of course this experience is unique and wonderful but it’s not the only way to explore Maldives. Most important, luxury resorts are insanely expensive. Since we stayed in both local and resort islands, we can vouch that both were equally special. But if budget is the constraint, then the following tips will help to plan a trip to the Maldives without breaking the bank.

1) Choose local island / islands

The local islands in the Maldives officially opened for tourism in 2009, when the Maldivian government introduced a guesthouse program to promote tourism outside of the resort islands. Stay in a guesthouses on local islands instead of expensive resort islands.

2) Travel cheaper

Opt for local transport: Instead of taking seaplanes or speedboats to get around, consider taking the public ferry. While they may be slower, they are much more affordable than private transfers. For example: A speedboat cost USD 10 from Ukulhas to Rasdhoo whereas the local ferry cost just USD 1. Although keep in mind that public ferries do not run everyday so plan your trip accordingly.

3) Eat local

Eat at local restaurants: Instead of dining at fancy restaurants, try local cafes and restaurants, which offer delicious food at affordable prices.

4) Research activities and compare prices

Book excursions and activities directly with local providers: Scout for local providers for activities. Booking through hotels can be more expensive. If your main reason for traveling to Maldives is diving then hunt around for the best diving package deal in advance of your trip. Many guesthouses offer deals for stay and dive packages.

5) Choose your island wisely

The Maldives is made up of 26 natural atolls and each atoll has several islands. Some atolls are very far from Male so a speedboat transfer will be more expensive. Local ferry can take over 5-6 hrs and if you choose local islands in different atolls, you will have to come back to Male and take another speedboat / ferry. There are no direct transfers. From what we researched, the activities in the faraway islands like Dhigurah were more expensive than the others so factor this in as well. Lastly some islands like Maafushi, Fulidhoo have a better tourism infrastructure so tend to be cheaper.

6) Bring your own snorkelling gear

Most resorts and guesthouses offer masks, snorkels, fins and other motorised water-sports equipment to guests free of cost but for hygiene reasons it’s best to take your own snorkeling masks. We highly recommend getting the Easybreath Dive mask from Decathlon . This was one of our best purchases for sure.

7) Visit in low season

Some people suggest visiting Maldives in the off-season. This would certainly cut down your budget like anything. The resort island offer wonderful deals and are almost half price. But we read some awful experiences of storms and rains for the entire duration if the trip so it’s definitely a risk.

When is the best time to visit Maldives?

November to April tends to be the best time for Maldives.

We visited in February and it was perfect – February and March are the driest months, with warm temperatures, low humidity and great visibility for diving and snorkelling. However this is peak season so the priciest months too. Book in advance to get a fair deal.

What is the cheapest month to visit Maldives?

May to September is the rainy season so high chances of cloudy days and storms but the cheapest time to visit Maldives. Resorts have amazing deals during this period and you can save a lot of money but bear in mind that the weather can be terrible and ruin your idea of a sunny beach vacay.

Do you need a visa to visit the Maldives?

Tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to the Maldives including Indian citizens. All you need is your passport, hotel reservations and a copy of traveller declaration on IMUGA .

Is vegetarian food available in the Maldives?

Plant based cuisine may sound like an anomaly in an island know for fresh sea food but certainly things are better now. If you decide to book a vegan luxury escape to the Maldives it’s best to contact your resort in advance to tell them you are vegan. Most local islands have vegetarian options as well.

Which island in Maldives has Bioluminescence?

After sunset the turquoise waters of Maldives transformed into glittering sea of stars. It was a surreal display of light and motion with the whole ocean dancing and sparkling. This magical effect is caused by bioluminescent plankton that often appear in warm coastal waters. We were extremely lucky to witness this phenomenon in February in Ukulhas island.

They are notoriously difficult to predict, and mainly occur most often far out in the ocean so seeing them on the beach was other worldly. They say the best time to see bioluminescence is in between June and November but it’s difficult to plan a Maldives itinerary around this.

Top 10 things to do in the Maldives

1) free activities like snorkelling, swimming, walking along the wonderful beaches.

Maldives is one of the most amazing places for snorkelling with some of the best reefs in the world. Best part is that you don’t need to go deep to see the marine life which is especially fantastic for non-swimmers.

The Maldives has an abundance of marine life and the crystal clear waters offer incredible visibility. It’s one of the top scuba diving destinations with many affordable PADI dive centers where you can take a discovery dive if you are not certified. Scuba Diving cost in Maldives (approx): $70 to $150 per dive. Some of you probably would want to plan your whole Maldives itinerary around diving so best to check islands and operators offering good deals.

3) Sandbank visit

Most guesthouses and resorts offer sandbank excursions, which can include a picnic lunch, snorkelling gear, and a guide. It costs around $60-$120 depending on the group size and island you do it from.

4) Dolphin tours / sunset tours

You can go on a dolphin watching tour to see friendly dolphins. Cost around $100 per head. Even if you don’t go on a tour, do not miss the sunset. The sunsets are to die for.

5) Island hopping

You can hop around different islands as part of your Maldives itinerary especially if it’s a longer trip.

When you think of the Maldives, it’s probably the white sand beaches, turquoise waters and a relaxing holiday. You’ll find a spa in almost every island even the local ones. All resort islands have wellness centres with stunning views of the ocean. We did it in Male as the prices were affordable.

7) Over Water bungalow

As the name suggests, overwater bungalows are standalone bungalows positioned over the water. This is what the most people dream of when they think of a dream vacation. It’s insanely expensive but surely worth splurging for the once-in -a-lifetime kind of experience. Most packages are for a 3 nights stay so if you can afford it, add it to your Maldives itinerary.

Maldives is known to have some of the best beaches in the world. It’s the perfect tropical getaway.

9) Cultural Experiences

Resorts often organise tours to the local islands for experiencing local culture, food and the Maldivian way of life. However, you don’t need this if you stay in a local island.

10) Water sports

Lastly, Maldives is an incredible destination for indulging in some fun water activities. After all it has the most inviting waters and there is something for everyone – from peaceful kayaking to the adrenalin pumping flyboarding.

What to pack for the Maldives?

Maldives is a Muslim country and the local islands (including Male) have a dress code therefore it’s offensive to reveal your shoulders and knees for both men and women. Men and Women can wear knee length shorts and t-shirts. You can wear swimwear and bikinis only in the designated bikini beaches in the local islands. Resort islands have no dress code so you can wear anything.

We went to a couple of local stores in Male and the islands. The swimwear and snorkelling gear were very expensive. With this in mind, do get clothes and swimwear before getting here.

• Summer Dresses
• Beach cover-ups
• Shorts and T-shirts
• Resort wear
• Snorkeling gear
• Scarf to cover up for the conservative local islands
• Motion sickness tablets (speedboats can get very bumpy)
• Flip flops and Dive shoes

What not to take in the Maldives?

Alcohol – Sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in local islands and it is strictly forbidden to bring alcohol into the Maldives. All bags are scanned at the airport so do not purchase from duty free when flying into Maldives. Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands.

Our Maldives trip budget breakdown

• Do note that we didn’t dive or do any motorised activities. This will considerably increase the budget.

In conclusion, we hope you enjoyed reading our Maldives itinerary and guide. We’d love to hear from you so if you have any questions, leave us a comment below. Do share our guide with family and friends 🙂

Looking for a beach destination in India, check out our blog post from Goa . Do follow our travels on instagram too 🙂

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Getting Around Maldives

The best way to get around the Maldives depends on what kind of island you're on, although most visitors will stick to their chosen resort island. The majority of islands in the Maldives range in size between 0.3 and 0.7 square miles, which means they don't take long to navigate. Many resorts offer bicycles or chauffeured golf buggies to make getting around in the humidity easier, while if you're in a local town, your guesthouse might offer you a bicycle. In the capital city of Malé and in Hulhumalé , walking, buses or taxis are the main transportation options.

Note that if you have mobility issues, you may find this country can be trickier to get around due to the speedboat/seaplane transfers, large areas of sand and (normally) unpaved paths at resorts and on many inhabited islands. There's no air bridge at the international airport, but if you inform your airline in advance, it can make arrangements for a lifting device. A few resorts, such as Baros, Kuramathi and Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, have been recommended by travelers with mobility issues. Amilla Fushi is the only resort in the Maldives that has been officially designated an IncluCare-certified resort (even the dive center teams are trained to assist travelers with disabilities). IncluCare is a U.K.-based tourism organization specializing in inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment and accreditation.

Explore More of Maldives

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How To Get To The Maldives | Plan Your Dream Vacation Wisely

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

Among vacationers, the Maldives are considered legendary; with ivory-white beaches, spectacular sunsets, and crystal-blue waters, the country offers some of the most breathtaking views on earth. Luxury resorts are scattered across the remote islands, offering visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’ve ever wanted to spend a few days on your own private island, this is the vacation destination for you.

Relax on pristine beaches. Watch dolphins sporting around the bow of a chartered sailboat. Ready to try snorkeling? The Maldives offers some of the greatest dives in the world.

Whether you prefer restorative pampering or world-class adventure, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the Maldives . Here are a few things you should know while you’re planning your dream vacation.

Where Are The Maldives?

The Maldives are located in the Arabian Sea, about 430 miles southwest of Sri Lanka . It’s made up of 1,200 islands and sandbanks, including many man-made islands — only about 200 of which are inhabited year-round.

Why Are The Maldives So Popular?

The Maldives, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, offers a plethora of attractions. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, revealing vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Visitors also flock to its luxurious overwater bungalows, stunning white-sand beaches, and serene spas for a truly idyllic getaway.

How To Get To The Maldives

Because the Maldives are fairly isolated from major landmasses, you won’t be able to fly to any of the islands directly from the United States. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that you’ll need to plan carefully for the best possible experience .

Traveling By Air

Almost every great vacation starts with a decent flight. And while the lack of direct flights from the U.S. to the Maldives guarantees a certain level of tropical-paradise seclusion, it also means you’ll have to make at least one connection before you can relax on the beach.

U.S. travelers will have to make a connection in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East before heading to Velana International Airport , which sits on the island of Hulhulé, in the North Malé Atoll. From there, it’s just a quick ferry ride to the capital island of Malé. There’s even a bridge — the Sinamalé — that can take you via car from the airport to your resort.

The Best Flight Routes From the U.S.

By booking on its partner airlines, the American Airlines AAdvantage program can help you get to the Maldives even though American Airlines doesn’t operate flights there.

From the U.S., you will need to take a connecting flight via another country. Some of the most convenient and readily available routes that you can take are Dubai by Emirates , Doha by Qatar Airways, and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines. 

Emirates provides a generous luggage allowance, good food, and entertainment, while Qatar Airways is the best to travel in business class. Turkish Airlines is another airline with an extensive network, even though it’s not an AA’s partner airline.

British Airways is the only European airway to offer a direct flight route to the Maldives, but you may want to reconsider that since Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Hence, your experience with British Airways might not be the smoothest one.

Flights on Singapore Airlines are the ones to book from Asia. A note on Singapore Airlines: With Singapore Airlines you won’t have the flexibility to combine segments of your journey in different travel classes.

Flying to the Maldives on a Budget

Budget-minded travelers might find the best fares by flying into Colombo, Sri Lanka . The flight from Colombo to Malé takes less than two hours and often beats prices from more distant airports.

However you get to Velana International Airport, if you booked a stay at a resort, a representative will probably meet you on arrival and escort you the rest of the way. That’s what we call five-star service!

All that said, the last thing you want to worry about when planning your vacation is a complicated series of flights. Talk to your travel agent or look for a travel package that includes airfare. Why worry about the details when you can dream about the feeling of sand between your toes?

Traveling The Islands By Boat

Remember that the Maldives consists of more than 1,000 islands, both inhabited and not. That means it’s an ideal nation to explore by sea.

If you’re staying in a resort on Malé, talk to the staff about chartering a dhoni , the island nation’s traditional sailboats. You might pay a pretty penny — something between $400 and $800 per day, according to Lonely Planet — but it’s the most exciting way to see islands both remote and closer to your home-away-from-home.

A cheaper option is to take a series of ferries from one island to the next. Note that the national network of ferries is known for changing departure times and even canceling trips without much notice, so this method of travel is best for those with a relaxed schedule.

Ferries tend to travel only between islands that remain inhabited all year round. To reach the uninhabited islands, you’ll have to hire a speedboat. Lonely Planet puts speedboat travel from Malé to distant islands at anywhere from $80 to $450 — but this may be your best bet if you’re looking for a private island experience.

Traveling By Cruise Ship

If you’ve got the time, a cruise to the Maldives can be a life-changing experience. Only a few major cruise lines visit Malé, and most itineraries take a few weeks to get to the island; you’ll likely spend a week or more on the ocean. Princess Cruises’ Singapore to Cape Town trip, for instance , lasts for an entire month and visits 10 ports of call including Malé.

Most cruises will visit other countries in the Indian Ocean, and if you travel to explore other cultures, that’s an appealing prospect. That said, for other travelers, a cruise is decidedly not the true Maldivian vacation experience. If you can get to Malé via another method and want to take to the Maldivian waters for a shorter amount of time, consider local cruises like those offered by MV Yasawa Princess .

When Is the Best Time To Visit The Maldives?

The Maldives has a warm climate all year, but it has a rainy season, which typically lasts from May to October. If you’re traveling on a budget — and we should note that the Maldives are fairly expensive, even under the best circumstances — you could book your visit during that stretch and hope to get lucky. The rainfall usually only lasts for a few hours, and if you’re heading out for snorkeling or scuba diving, you’ll see a greater variety of wildlife during monsoon season.

With that said, if you’re hoping for a picture-perfect vacation with clear, sunny skies, you’ll want to schedule your trip sometime between November and April .

Because the Maldives is an Islamic nation, some travelers avoid booking trips during the month of Ramadan, which usually starts sometime in May or June (it’s based on the Islamic calendar, so the exact dates change from year to year). If you’re staying at a resort, your trip will be mostly unaffected , but if you’re planning on hanging out with the locals, know that almost all restaurants will be closed until sunset during the celebration.

What Is There To Do In The Maldives?

As we mentioned, visiting the Maldives is expensive — period. The experience is well worth the money, but to make the most of your trip, you’ll want to plan your excursions carefully. You’ll definitely want a resort as your home base — the country’s restrictive laws don’t apply to the resort islands, and that’s where you’ll find the best beaches.

Living The Resort Life

Most travelers spend the entirety of their Maldivian vacations at resorts, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you’re the type of vacationer who likes to kick back and enjoy the view, don’t bother packing your itinerary with day trips; the Maldives are a perfect place to lay back and relax.

Remember: It’s easy to spend a ton of money very quickly. Some resorts charge upward of $5 for a single bottle of water, so try to find an all-inclusive package. If you drink, make sure that alcohol is included with your reservation (or be prepared to pay much higher prices than what you’d find in the States).

Snorkeling And Scuba Diving

The islands are surrounded by gorgeous coral reefs with abundant sea life, and most resorts in the Maldives offer snorkeling excursions . Scuba diving is also available at some resorts; the Laamu Atoll, for instance, offers scuba courses for divers of all experience levels. Book early to ensure your spot, especially if you’re vacationing during the peak tourist season (November through April).

One important note: Maldivian drinking water doesn’t have the electrolyte content Americans are accustomed to, since it’s demineralized during the desalination process. If you’re embarking on a physical excursion, you’ll want to bring along a few rehydration salt packets , available at the airport pharmacy and at some resorts.

Exploring Malé

Most travelers head to the Maldives to enjoy the beaches, but the country’s capital offers a unique cultural experience that certainly justifies a visit. Head to Malé and visit the Old Friday Mosque, the nation’s oldest house of worship. Built in 1658, it’s open to non-Muslims, and it’s a fascinating building for architecture buffs. Malé’s National Museum has a number of interesting cultural exhibits, although many of the museum’s pre-Islamic artifacts were destroyed during the 2012 protests.

After you’ve explored the city, enjoy a meal at the Salt Café , located in the Malé market district. With fresh seafood and a variety of Western-influenced dishes , it’s a great place to relax while planning your next adventure.

Things To Keep In Mind

When visiting any of the inhabited islands of the Maldives, remember to respect the local laws and customs. That means no alcohol, no public displays of affection, and conservative clothing; bathing suits, for instance, are strictly off-limits. That can be something of a culture shock for some travelers, especially since these rules don’t apply on resort islands — so plan accordingly.

Also, while the Maldives has relaxed visa regulations (you can stay for 30 days without a visa), understand that the country’s constitution is based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law. When packing, don’t bring any alcohol, and be prepared for a thorough bag search. You’ll be able to find alcohol at most of the nation’s resorts, albeit with a hefty markup.

The Maldives also bans any sort of “indecent” photography, and customs agents might confiscate materials that seem fairly tame by U.S. standards (for instance, swimsuit photos or romance novels). On your way out of the Maldives, you won’t be able to bring seashells, coral, or sand, so if you’re bringing home souvenirs, keep that in mind.

Planning a trip to the Maldives isn’t necessarily easy, but it’s worth the effort. Evaluate resorts carefully, paying close attention to the cost of food and drinks, and you’ll be able to experience the ultimate island vacation while keeping your budget (somewhat) in check.

Most visitors find that, whatever they spend, it ends up being worth it for the memories. After all, you can’t put a price on paradise.

Where Do You Fly Into the Maldives?

The main airport in the Maldives is the Malé International Airport in the North Male Atoll. Other than Malé International Airport, Gan International Airport and Hanimaadhoo International Airport are two major alternative airports in the Maldives.

How Do You Get to the Local Islands of the Maldives?

To reach the many local islands and atolls you will need to take a ferry, seaplane, or speed boat. Male airport serves as the main gateway to the nearby islands and no location is more than 90 minutes by plane from Malé City.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get to the Maldives From the U.S.?

The fastest flight to the Maldives from the United States takes 21h 05m. Apart from American Airlines, Air India, Air France, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines also do international flights to the Maldives.

How To Get From One Maldives Resort Island to Another?

Book a speedboat to quickly get from one resort island to another as ferries generally don’t stop at resort islands or private islands. However, if you’re staying at one of the budget guesthouses on a local island, you can take a slow ferry. 

When to Find the Best Budget Flights to the Maldives?

High season is considered to be May, June, and July,  so the cheapest month to fly from the United States in business or economy class is February. Resorts fill up quickly, so book your lodging as soon as you know your travel dates.

Brian Thomas is a professional writer with over 15 years of experience. He’s traveled extensively during that time, frequently touring the American Southwest as both a musician and a tourist. In 2019, he visited Japan and Mexico, and he’s become passionate about spreading a simple message: Traveling isn't necessarily expensive, and it's one of the best paths to self-improvement.

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Local Transportation in Maldives

A comprehensive article on all types of transportation in Maldives, both budget-friendly and not so much. Being an island nation, there are no buses, metros, trains, or even cars for getting around. The transportation between islands can even confuse experienced travelers and cause a lot of problems. In this small series of articles, I will explain how to move between islands, where to find schedules, and buy tickets.

It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Maldives without these websites

Table of Contents

General information about transportation in Maldives

The topic is quite complex. On my first trip to the Maldives, my mind was a mess, everything was very unclear and confusing. After all, we are used to being able to travel on a huge variety of modes of transportation at home, across the country, and within cities. The Maldives are not like other countries in this regard. There is no subway, trolleybuses, trams, intercity buses, or cars that can take you far.

And the transportation in Maldives that does exist has a very specific schedule. You won’t find 20 flights a day to popular resorts from the capital. If there is one flight in the schedule, that’s not bad :).

Good to know: For example, in Montenegro, more than 20 intercity buses and minibusses run daily between the capital and the resort town of Budva. You can go in the right direction literally every 30 minutes. This simply does not exist in the Maldives with any mode of transportation.

Next, I will try to create a complete picture in your head. And let’s start with general information:

• The Maldives is an island nation. A population of 500,000 people live on more than 1200 islands. Moreover, most of them are uninhabited.
• An important point is that the islands are grouped into atolls, of which there are 26 here. And if it is still possible to move cheaply and regularly within one atoll, the distances between neighboring atolls range from 100 to 800 km, and transportation turn into hell.
• All islands, the entire country, are of completely coral origin. In simple terms, they are located on fossilized corals. And the highest peak above sea level is only 2 meters 40 centimeters. It is not possible to dig a subway here. Even houses are built without basements. Any hole more than a meter deep is already filled with ocean water.
• An island measuring 2 by 3 km, such as Male, is among the ten largest islands in the country. And the standard size of most islands is 500 by 1000 meters, and there is no public transportation on them at all. Only rare scooters.

All these facts have influenced the development of transportation in Maldives. For more interesting facts about the country for tourists, read the link.

Transportation in Maldives: how to move between the islands

You have a general idea, but now here are some important facts about transportation in Maldives that everyone should know before planning their trip:

• All Maldives transportation between islands only operates during daylight hours. If you arrive in Male after 4 pm, be prepared to stay overnight. There is a high likelihood that you won’t be able to sail/fly anywhere from the island.
• All transportation in Maldives is highly weather-dependent. Routes can be canceled at any moment, whether it be by ferry or seaplane.
• The country is Islamic, and Friday is a day off! Nothing works, not even ferries between islands. If you don’t plan on buying a private transfer for $500-1000, you are unlikely to go anywhere from Male on Friday. If you arrive in the Maldives on Thursday evening, there is a chance you’ll be stuck in the capital until Saturday. Exception: Speedboats to Guraidhoo operate almost daily at 10 PM, costing $40 one way.
• Useful article about resort islands and local islands , how they differ, top island ratings, and many tips on how to choose an island for your vacation.

Important point: If you want to change atolls, for example, to move from Ukulhas Island to Dhigurah Island (both local islands are like a fairytale and a piece of paradise), there are no routes between them. The only transportation option is to go through Male with a transfer.

Considering that the frequency of ferries, speedboats, and seaplanes is only 1-2 times a day and not every day, there is a chance of spending more than a day on the road, even though the islands are only 100 km apart. Alternatively, you can order a private transfer, where prices range from around $500 – $1000.

Buses and taxi

In summary, there is simply no inter-island transportation of this type. Buses and taxis are only available in Male, the only city in the Maldives. They run frequently, there are many routes, and they are cheap, but there isn’t much use for them since you can walk the entire island in 30-40 minutes.

For example, a taxi costs $2-3 to any point in the capital, and this is the price for tourists. Locals pay $1.

• You can find detailed information about bus routes, how to call a taxi, and how to get around the capital in the article “ Overview of Male. ” You will also find out what to see in the city and how much time to plan for your visit to Male.

Planes are perhaps the most predictable and reliable means of transportation between atolls, and the only mode of transportation in Maldives that operates during the night and is not heavily dependent on the weather.

Here’s what you need to know:

• All tourists arrive in the Maldives at Velana International Airport, located in Male. This airport has a 3,000-meter runway, allowing it to accommodate planes of any size.
• In addition to this airport, there are 16 local airports in the Maldives, where local airlines regularly fly. However, the runway length there is smaller. Smaller planes, with a capacity of 30-60 passengers, usually fly on these routes. They are typically twin-engine ATR-72 or Dash8.

Good to know: The observant reader may have noticed that there are 16 local airports, but 26 atolls. Yes, not every atoll has an airport yet. Airports exist on all atolls that are far from Male, but on the nearest atolls, up to 100 km from the capital, there are no airports. These planes do not fly to nearby atolls, only seaplanes or sea transport do.

Prices for such flights for tourists start from $100 one way (rates are cheaper for local residents). It is important to understand that this mode of transportation in Maldives will only take you to the central island of a specific atoll, which is almost always non-touristic. To reach your resort island/local island, you will need to take a ferry or speedboat.

The link to all local airlines, where you can find schedules, prices, and buy tickets, will be provided in the next section.

This is not just a flight; it is a whole adventure. I’m sure you haven’t flown on a seaplane very often in your life. Here are some general things you need to know about this type of transportation in Maldives:

• They only fly in good weather and during daylight hours.
• There are two local companies with their own route network.
• They have their own separate hydro terminal at the main airport in Male.
• Private transfer, when the plane is reserved only for you according to your individual route. This is expensive, from $700 and up to several thousand dollars.
• A shuttle, where 10-15 tourists are seated in such a plane, which then flies around resorts and drops off tourists. If you are “lucky” and your resort is the farthest away, you can expect 3-4 stops on the way :). This is cheaper, and often this type of transfer is already included in a package tour when purchased. And your hotel will arrange everything for you. You only need to find the right counter at the airport upon arrival in Male, and then you can relax.

This was general information about air transportation in Maldives between the islands. Here are detailed guides to help you navigate this topic:

• All airports in the Maldives or where you can arrive by plane
• Air transportation in Maldives: planes and seaplanes . Carriers, prices, official websites.
• Package tours to the Maldives , where to look, what to pay attention to.

Speedboats are perhaps the most popular means of transportation in Maldives between the islands for tourists. It combines two important advantages: relatively high speed compared to ferries, and not high cost compared to seaplanes.

Here’s what you need to know about speedboats in the Maldives:

• Speed Boat is really fast. Typically, it has 4 engines of 250-350 horsepower each.

• All speedboats belong to private carriers. Some resorts have their own speedboats that pick up their tourists directly from the airport.
• There is a route network to local islands that runs on a schedule.
• If you are traveling with a group of 6-8-10 people, it makes sense to rent a speedboat specifically for your group. Then you will sail as soon as you arrive in Male.
• Speedboats do not run on Fridays, although it has been running for the last year, but there are fewer trips! This does not apply to individual transfers and speedboats from resorts.

Important: Speedboats only operate within 100-150km from Male. Speedboats do not sail to distant atolls from the capital, 400-600km away. Only by plane or seaplane.

In fact, if you buy an “all-inclusive” package tour, your resort hotel will organize everything for you, you just need to find the right counter at the airport upon arrival. If you fly independently to a local island, you also need to find the right route, and book a place in advance.

• In the article: speedboats and private transfer are the best means of transportation in Maldives, you will find prices, schedules, carrier websites, where and how to book, and what to pay attention to.

If you buy a ticket for a speedboat to a local island, here’s what else you need to know:

• The average speed is about 60km/h. It takes almost 2 hours to sail to the islands 100km from Male.
• 15 to 40 people can be accommodated depending on the size of the speedboats. There are no standing places, only sitting ones, so it is better to book tickets in advance, as there may not be enough seats for everyone during peak season.
• Travel time ultimately depends heavily on wind, waves, and weather. Sometimes it can even be twice as long as advertised.
• It can be canceled at any time due to weather conditions. But this is the case with any form of transportation in Maldives.
• The most popular routes have only 2-3 flights per day, sometimes just one.
• Prices range from $25 one way to the nearby islands of Maafushi, Gulhi, and Guraidhoo, to $100 for remote islands like Dhigurah that are far from Male.

Due to their high speed, speedboats often experience stronger waves that can lift them up several meters. Ferries usually have less motion, but the travel time is much longer. As a result, tourists may experience motion sickness on both ferries and speedboats.

Public ferry

Ferries are the cheapest and most popular mode of transportation in Maldives for locals and budget travelers. Ferries operate at best once a day, and sometimes not even daily. If you miss your ferry, you may have to wait a day. If you want to change atolls, you will have to go through Male.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about ferries in the Maldives:

• They are very cheap, ranging from $1 to $7.
• They are very slow. For example, a popular local island called Thoddoo can be reached in 1.5 hours for about $40 on a speedboat, but on a ferry, it takes about 6 hours and costs $3.50.

• The ferry network is extremely limited, serving only the atolls closest to Male, which is only 3-4 atolls out of the 26 in the Maldives. For the rest of the atolls, there are no passenger ferries, only air travel.
• The ferries run strictly on schedule and even depart when speedboats and seaplanes are grounded due to bad weather.
• No ferries run on Fridays!
• For more information about ferries in the Maldives , including where to find the ports (there are more than one), how to check the schedules, how to determine whether a ferry goes to your island, how to read the schedules correctly, and other tips and tricks, check out this comprehensive article.

Travel tips

The topic of public transportation in Maldives is very complex and confusing. If you have purchased a package tour, everything will be arranged for you. The only thing to fear is cancellations due to bad weather. However, if you are traveling to the islands independently, there are many things to consider and figure out on your own.

Here are the main points that will greatly help you save time, money, and nerves:

• Choose islands for your vacation within 100 km of Male. There are many private resorts where package tourists go, as well as cool local islands for independent travelers.
• The most convenient option is a speedboat. If you have booked a specific trip, you can arrive at your island in an hour and a half and start your vacation. It is more expensive than a ferry, but it is worth it.
• Do not buy tickets to the Maldives for evening flights. It is also better not to arrive here on a Friday. Ideally, you should arrive in the Maldives before 10 am on any day of the week except Friday. Then it is quite easy to find the necessary transportation to your island. If you arrive in the evening, you cannot leave Male for any amount of money.

Good to know: This applies to those who want to save money. If your name includes words like “Elon” or “Musk”, or you have found your surname in Forbes magazine, it is better to book an individual transfer by seaplane. It is fast, expensive, and comfortable. Message to your hotel manager, they will arrange everything for you in no time.

There is also a so-called “night fruit ferry” only to Thoddoo island, but this is a very narrow topic and transportation for the strong-willed. It has its advantages. Read all about this ferry in the review of the local Thoddoo island .

In conclusion: transportation in Maldives, and between islands, is very different from what we are used to at home in our countries. For those who want to save money, this question needs to be studied in advance. If you are willing to spend an extra $200-500-1000 on transfers, there will be no special difficulties. All hotels and guesthouses can help with the organization of private transfers from Male, you just need to message to them.

If you enjoyed the article and the content in this guide, you can buy me a coffee ^_^

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives

• Flight tickets and the best deals
• Tour packages (from budget to luxury): Expedia
• Hotellook compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.
• Booking – the most popular service for booking accommodation.
• Agoda – the main competitor of Booking.
• 12go is the largest Asian transfer service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.
• Tours and excursions : Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.
• Comprehensive insurance : EKTA
• eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male.

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The Complete Guide To Visiting The Maldives

The Maldives are the epitome of island paradise and the dream destination of pretty much everyone you ask – seriously, ask anyone around you right now if they’d want to visit the Maldives. 🙂

These pristine, beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean are a haven of natural beauty and one of those places that definitely lives up to the hype, as we got to discover recently.

Prior to booking our flights, I hadn’t really done much research into the Maldives (it was just one of those places I knew I wanted to go to) and shortly after booking, I soon realised how it was a lot trickier than I initially anticipated. There’s a lot more choice than I realised, so many things you should pack (and so many thing you shouldn’t), local laws I had no clue about and a whole range of activities those pretty Pinterest photos  never seem to highlight.

To that end, I’ve put together this guide to helping you plan your stay in the Maldives. Some stuff might seem more obvious than some other but hopefully, each of these will help you make the most out of your time in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

7 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

1.) The Maldives is a muslim country. This means no alcohol so on your way over, skip the duty free purchases. If you buy any, you will get it taken off you at the airport (they used to keep it for you until you left but I’m not sure if that still happens). Point is, you’re not allowed to bring alcohol with you.

2.) The capital city of Male is a proper city and probably one of the least photographed places on here. This is where a lot of locals live and tourists never seem to visit. Even when you arrive at Male airport, you really don’t arrive on Male island itself, you actually arrive on Hulhulé Island.

3.) Now while the individual resort islands in the Maldives are pretty liberal, the Maldives as a country is quite conservative so act accordingly when you’re in places like the airport. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to get into your bikini and speedos when you get to your own island resort.

4.) Each resort tends to be on its own island.

5.) Each resort typically has unique features and characters so bear this in mind when booking. They are NOT all the same – despite what the water-villa and snorkelling photos might have you believe.

6.) Peak season in the Maldives is December till April and the prices during this period will reflect this! There’s a good reason to visit in peak season of course (the amazing weather being one of them) but Maldivian weather is pretty good all year round so if you want to save on some money, it’s worth considering visiting outside of peak season.

7.) A lot of the islands here have their own time (island time is a real thing here). It’s typically an hour behind local time in Male and leaves you with ‘more time’ to do things like enjoy the sunset before dinner and generally feel like you’re somewhere entirely different (yes, I know moving the time back an hour doesn’t actually add time but trust me, once you get started with island time, you’ll find yourself settling rather nicely into the island bubble).

WHAT TO PACK

Seriously, this is one place you definitely do NOT need to over pack for.

We’re talking light and breezy summer clothes. No one is here for your fashion and the vibe everywhere is definitely too laid back to care. Pack a couple of smart clothes in case you feel like dressing up in the evenings but you might find that you’re the only one who wants to.

If you do decide to go uber-stylish, do remain practical – almost everything except your room is outdoors and heavy clothing will not work here.

Toiletries :

Pack the usual stuff. Do remember to take extra sunscreen though as there’s a lot of water based activities here so you’ll find that you need to top up a lot more here.

Don’t forget to pack your underwater camera ( UK here || US here ). Almost grab one of these floaters as well ( UK here || US here ) just in case you drop the camera.

Everything else:

Pack as usual. These islands are used to having guests and there are shops on them so if you forget any essentials, chances are that you can get them here so don’t worry.

Don’t forget your medication (if you’re on any) though some islands have their own on island Doctors

HOW TO GET THERE

Flights from whatever country you’re travelling from to the Maldives is fairly straight-forward and no different than booking a flight from say, London to Paris.

The getting to the islands is the bit you need to remember to sort out and plan ahead.

GOING BETWEEN ISLANDS

Booking a stay at more than one place in the Maldives is a great way to cram in as many new experiences as possible in your time there (even the snorkelling will be different). Each island is unique and moving around helps you relive the excitement of discovering somewhere new in the Maldives. I can’t recommend it enough. (Plus, you get to be smug when others are leaving for home and you’re just transferring to your next stunning Maldivian island).

To get to and from the islands, you tend to have one (or two) of three options depending on which island you’re in. You can either:

1.) Arrive by boat

2.) Travel  by seaplane (the most expensive option and by far the most scenic). Seaplane journeys are dependent on the weather so do bear that in mind when it comes to arranging your return.

3.) Travel to a local airport and then connect by boat .

You have to contact wherever you’re staying to have them organise your transfer in advance. Don’t leave this till the last minute.

If you’re moving between islands, let the islands know where you’ll be arriving from and leaving for. You won’t have much control with the time if you’re flying in between islands as the flights are scheduled however the islands will talk to each other and make sure they synchronise your departures and arrivals. All you need to do is to tell them the name of the place your going to and head back to enjoying your cocktails on the beach.

If possible, the general consensus is that you have to try to experience the seaplane at least one. The journey on this is quite picturesque and it’s a unique way to see the Maldives.

WHERE TO STAY

We search far and wide for where to stay and came up trumps on when it comes to amazing places to stay in the Maldives. Here are our recommendations on where to stay and why (in no particular order and absolutely backed by our personal experience):

1.) Dusit Thani Maldives

This Dusit Thani comes with it’s own personal butler and a range of different luxurious places to stay in (ocean villas, beach villas… etc). You get your own butler and it has the largest infinity pool in the Maldives. You can either choose to be carted around in a golf buggy or cycle around. Oh, and this is the island where you get those bioluminescent plankton on the beach at night so do look out for those when you visit. See more from our time at the Dusit Thani  here and here .

2.) Angsana Ihuru

It’s is all about intimacy at the Angsana Ihuru. It’s one of the smallest islands here and from sunset cruises, to candlelit dinners on the beach (plus a tiny deserted sandy island) the service is all intended to make you feel very special indeed. The coral reef here is one of the best on offer here (you’ve got dolphins, turtles, sharks, clownfish – the works) and you’ll get to see animals that you wouldn’t easily see anywhere else. See more details and photos from our time at the Angsana Ihuru  here and here .

3.) Kurumba Maldives

The Kurumba is the biggest one of the lot and part of this means that it comes with so much to do and see when you’re here. The range of accommodations here is quite huge which means that even though it’s premium (it is a 5 star resort, after all) it caters to a wider range of budgets (e.g. if you’re someone who wants a 1 bed own villa or 4 bed mansion, you can find it all here). The sea life here is pretty good too and as it’s really close to Male so it’s the perfect place to start or end your Maldivian holiday here. See more from our time at the Kurumba  here and here .

WHAT TO EAT

In our experience, the food in the Maldives will be the least of your worries. Every place has a lot of variety on offer and if you have specific dietary requirements, inquire in advance though you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that can’t cater to you.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

There’s so much you can get up to here and although it’s best to check with you island resort to see what’s on offer, here are some reliable options you can count on regardless of where you’re located.

1.) Go snorkelling.

Even from beach in front of you, you jump right in can straight away start to experience the beautiful and rather varied Maldivian wildlife.

2.) Have a romantic meal.

Private island dining, candlelit dinner by the beach , special villas – the choices are endless. Choose one and make it special.

3.) Go swimming with sharks.

Swimming with whale sharks is definitely one of those unique experience you’ll be talking about for ages but even if you arrive out of season, you can still go swimming with black tip sharks who are around pretty much all year round.

4.) Take a guided tour with marine biologist.

Snorkelling on your own is great but going with an expert is so much better . They spot things you might otherwise miss and are able to help you make the most of your experience here.

5.) Go on a sunset tour.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see some dolphins while you’re at it too. Even if you don’t, the sunset here is absolutely incredible and goes down quite well with a few glasses of champagne .

6.) Have a spa day.

You don’t even need to over-think this one. Just do it.

7.) Go swimming with manta rays.

Like whale sharks, manta rays are huge and very impressive to see in the wild. The Maldives is the perfect place to see them though you do have to visit in season for this. 🙂

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

I’m going to be frank about this, a trip to the Maldives will set you back a few bob. It’s a premium, luxury destination and that’s the honest truth though there are a few ways to make savvy savings while having the holiday of a lifetime.

1.) Go half board.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to do this here. You end up having breakfast quite late anyway and if like me, you tend to over-indulge at every meal, you’ll find that by the time lunch-time rolls by, you’re not hungry enough for another meal. You can choose to have a light snack for lunch or do it like the pros and lunch on champagne but effectively, going half-board is a very sensible option for a trip to the Maldives. We were full-board but we even had days where we just stayed out to snorkel or chill by the pool because we weren’t hungry and know know much I like my food, that says a lot!

2.) Visit out of season.

Prices are lower, availability is better and you still get the great weather. You can definitely save yourself some money by visiting between the months of May till November.

3.) Move around.

Stay in the more expensive water villas to start (or at the end of your holidays) and move to a beach villa later on. Or perhaps even just move across islands.

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How to Travel Between Islands in the Maldives? [With Infographic]

Maldives is a highly sought-after tourist destination, and there are reasons galore for its popularity! Right from the clear emerald waters to the powdery white sands, from the astoundingly stunning beaches to the numerous underwater worlds. Maldives is a destination where natural beauty meets world-class luxury in the most bewildering manner imaginable. And to top it all, the Maldives is home to over 1,000 islands, each more beautiful than the other and offering something unique. So, how to travel between islands in the Maldives?

All You Need to Know About Island Hopping in Maldives

Now the question arises, how to explore such an expansive destination in the fairly limited time you might have as a tourist?

Well, don’t you worry. We have got you covered. Not only will we let you know of the islands that are worthy of your time and attention, but we will also help you understand how to travel between islands in the Maldives in an efficient yet affordable manner. 

Is Island Hopping in Maldives Possible?

Yes, very much so. When it comes to traveling from one island to another, there are many ways to do so including public ferry routes, domestic flights, private seaplanes, and even catamarans.

In the recent past, Maldives has undergone certain seismic changes, which has made it more accessible for tourists, and even backpackers. Now, isn’t that just amazing? 

Which Islands in the Maldives Should I Visit?

Of the 1,200 islands and 26 coral atolls that Maldives is home to, only a few have been inhabited as yet – the number being just under 200! That said, it’s not just the inhabited islands that you can visit, but also the uninhabited ones.

Then again, don’t get too ambitious, as you may not be able to visit all the islands within a span of a few weeks. However, if you do chalk out your itinerary in advance, you might be able to get a holistic idea of the Maldivian culture. 

Your sojourn can, and in all likelihood will begin at Malé Island. Home to the capital city of Malé, this is the most populous region in the nation and offers vivid imagery of the city life that the locals enjoy. With the busiest international airport in the country, and numerous ports for traveling to the nearby and far-off islands, Malé will help kick-start your island-hopping adventure most excitingly. 

What are the Best Islands in the Maldives ?

If you are on a romantic trip with your special someone and looking forward to a luxuriant stay with spas, water sports, and the ambiance to match your romantic vibe, we suggest you pick one of the following islands for your stay –

• Biyadhoo Island – Serene Honeymoon
• Maafushi Island –  Splendid Resorts
• Baros –  Water Pool Villas
• Veligandu Island –  Shimmering Waters
• Fihalhohi Island –  Beauty And Romance
• Huvahendhoo Island

If you are on the lookout for something more exciting in terms of geographical uniqueness, you can pick one of the following islands –

• Thoddoo Island –  The Oval Shaped Land
• Maradhoo Island –  Narrow Coast
• Ukulha Island –  Cleanest Island
• Hulhumalé Island –  Artificial Island (Man-Made Island)
• Vaadhoo Island –  Mystical Surprise

Of course, regardless of the island, you choose for your stay, do not forget to visit and explore some of the most picturesque uninhabited islands across the Maldives. These include, but are not limited to –

• Olhuveli –  Pristine And Uninhabited Island
• Hondaafushi Island
• Haa Alif Atof
• Shaviyani Atoll

Are you someone with a penchant for history? In that case, don’t forget to revel in the illustrious antiquity that these islands have to offer –

• Utheemu Island –  Historic Significance
• Feydhoo Island –  True Maldivian Life
• Kaafu Atoll

Want an experience that is as close to Maldivian culture as it gets, make sure to have the following islands on your bucket list –

• Dhigurah Island  – A Lesser-Known Place
• Thulusdhoo Island –  Path Less Taken

We hope this extensive (albeit not exhaustive) list of islands will help you cherry-pick the ones that you wish to visit during your Maldives vacation. 

The next step – understanding the logistics of island hopping – coming your way, right away!

If you are looking for a comprehensive list of Islands in the Maldives – check the Wikipedia page .

5 Fun things to do when in Maldives[Infographic]

What is the difficulty level of traveling between islands in the maldives.

Well, we do not wish to discourage you, but traveling between islands can prove to be a little tricky. While popular spots like Malé offer numerous options for inter-island travel, smaller islands may not have well-scheduled transport options.

Hence, your best bet is to inform the management of the resort that you are staying at, and request them to arrange for the quickest and/or cheapest mode of travel to the island that you wish to explore.

More often than not, they will be accommodating of your requests, and will even arrange for a private speed boat or a seaplane for you.  

Then again, you have the option of booking internal flights and speed boats to your preferred destinations on your own. You can also do the same with the help of local agents/vendors that Malé is often teeming with. 

Pro Tips for Island Hopping

• Inform about your Island Hopping plans to your resort beforehand
• Book a resort that offers inclusive travel options
• If you find it reasonable enough, get travel options as add-ons with your room tariff
• If you wish to travel on a budget, public ferries are your best friend
• When booking speedboats or air travel, consider the gross travel time to ensure the best use of your day
• If traveling during the peak holiday season, make sure to have all internal travel booked in advance to ensure the availability of seats and lower pricing

What are the Best Travel Options in the Maldives?

We cannot say one option is better than the other, simply because each travel option comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let us discuss each of the available travel alternatives in brief. 

One of the quickest and easily available alternatives to get around in the Maldives is the boats. Once you reach your entry point in the Maldives, the resort that you have booked will arrange for a boat transfer for you and the other guests arriving on the same day.

If you wish, you can ask your hotel to book boats/taxi boats for your onward travel.

Price for Boat Rides

• For smaller distances, a shared boat ride costs $25 per person
• For longer distances, a shared boat ride costs $100 per person

Note – Boat Trips including activities such as water sports or exploring islands might cost as high as double the usual charges. 

Speed Boats

If you don’t wish to hop from one island to another with all your luggage, you can simply revel in the convenience that speedboat tours offer.

You can either opt for a packaged tour offered by your hotel or simply design one for yourself that includes the islands that are on your bucket list.

While it may prove to be a little on the expensive side, you will be able to rejoice in experiences like snorkeling trips, beach lunches, jungle trails, sunset cruises, exploring uninhabited islands, riding on glass bottom boats, and more. And all of this, without having to worry about packing and unpacking your luggage, every time you visit a new island.

Do this for 4-5 days in a row, and you’ll have covered most of what you desired to accomplish on your trip to the marvelous Maldives!

Price for Speedboats

Private Speedboats – $100 per person

Shared Speedboats – $50 per person, $25 per child

Note – The charges may vary slightly depending upon the distance traveled. 

So, Maldives isn’t as small as many assume it to be. In fact, the country spans more than 500 miles from North to South and about 80 miles from East to West! Considering the sheer size, you may be able to guess that speedboats don’t prove to be efficient when the traveling distance is relatively high.

In such instances, you can travel using a private seaplane. Again, as you may have guessed, this is an expensive pursuit. Moreover, it requires advance planning and bookings from your end.  

Price for Sea Planes

For shorter distances – $200 to $400 per person

For longer distances – up to $900 per person

Commercial Flights

Traveling by seaplane might incur exorbitant expenses, which is why many tourists opt for a slightly more affordable option – commercial flights. Maldives has a total of 5 international and 13 domestic airports

Price for Commercial Flights

$100 to $ 250 per person

Dhoni Charters

‘Dhoni’ is the traditional, handcrafted sea vessel, that forms an important part of the Maldivian Culture. This unique mode of transport can also be used for island hopping.

However, in order to do so, you will have to book a cruise spanning anywhere between 4 to 7 days, which will be inclusive of your accommodation on the Dhoni, some of the meals, and activities such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and more.

The Dhoni can prove to be a good idea if you wish to explore Maldives to the fullest without splurging on resort stays, and/or if you are traveling in a group. 

When booking a Dhoni for a larger group, you can place your request for the specific number of days that you want the cruise for, beforehand. You can also mention the islands you are keen on visiting. More often than not, the operator will accommodate your requests (although at an additional cost in some cases).  

Price for Dhoni

$150 to $315 per person per day

Time Required to Travel Between Islands in Maldives

When traveling via a speed boat to nearby islands from Malé’s ports, you should expect a sojourn of fewer than 30 minutes. However, far-off islands or coral atolls like Veligandu, Laaalhos, or Thulhaadhoo, might take you anywhere between 1 and 4 hours to reach. 

It is for this very reason that we recommend you opt for a seaplane when traveling distances upwards of 50 miles. Flying to the farthest island from your starting point via a seaplane will take you a maximum of 2 hours to reach your destination. 

In case of time is not an issue, and you want a cheaper ride, you can opt for a ferry ride from Malé to Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Guraidhoo, Gulhi, Himmafushi, Hura, Dhifffishi, Kaashidhoo, and Gaafuru Islands. It’ll just cost you $1-$3 to travel up to 15-20 miles. 

We hope that you now have a fair understanding of the means and cost of island hopping in the Maldives! So, if you have been planning a visit to this marvelous island country, make sure to plan a stay of at least one to two weeks, to be able to explore the Maldives to the fullest possible extent! Check out our piece on 5 best resorts in Maldives with Sharks

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Between Islands in the Maldives

How to ensure cheap travel to my resort from malé airport.

If the hotel you have reserved for your stay isn’t too far away from the airport, you can request a pickup. In most cases, they will include the cost of the speedboat transfer in your room tariff, or at the least offer this transfer at a discounted cost. 

How many Maldives islands can I visit in one trip to Maldives?

If you wish to explore a wide variety of islands on your Maldives vacation, make sure to visit for a minimum of 1-2 weeks. During your stay, opt for three to four day-trips for island hopping. Then again, make sure that your entire stay is divided between 2-4 resorts into distinct areas so that you can enjoy the best of all that Maldives has to offer, especially in terms of geography and culture. 

If you are here for a short stay, we still recommend visiting at least 5-6 nearby and far-off islands for a taste of the Maldivian culture. 

Is alcohol easily available in the Maldives?

While you may not find alcohol shops in Maldives as it is an Islamic state, most island resorts serve alcohol on request.  

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17 Best Islands In The Maldives For Travelers On A Budget

The Maldives is among the world's top vacation destinations for travelers seeking the very best that tropical island life has in store. With powdery white sands, shimmering turquoise waters, and lush palm trees that sway in the warm, gentle breeze, the best islands in the Maldives embody everything that sun-seekers and beach bums desire from a paradise escapade. And it's not just about rest and relaxation either - the Maldives hosts unrivaled snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing opportunities thanks to its rich abundance of diverse marine life that calls this Indian Ocean heaven home.

Of course, such a perfect paradise can rightfully demand a pretty penny - the Maldives isn't known for being the most affordable escape. However, sieve through the sea of five-star luxury resorts and private islands that are exclusive playgrounds to the elite, and you'll find no shortage of hidden islands peppered across this unbelievably stunning stretch of sun, sand, and sea. From local islands oozing authentic Maldivian charm, to resort retreats that don't cost an arm and a leg, these islands are the budget-friendly yet utterly perfect Maldives treasures that all the glossy magazines and Instagram Influencers don't tell you about.

UPDATE: 2023/12/05 3:00 EST BY BRIDGET O'NEILL

More Beautiful Islands In The Maldives

This article was updated to include accommodation or tour options at the most affordable Maldives islands. This will help you book a convenient stay at one of these charming islands or try a unique activity there. Also, there are now even more options for the best islands in the Maldives to explore on a backpacker's budget.

Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani Atoll

Fuvahmulah in the deep south is a stunning local island - meaning visitors should respect Maldivian Islamic traditions by dressing modestly outside of the " bikini beaches ," which are specifically designated areas for tourists. About 45 minutes by plane from the capital's airport in Male, it's relatively underdeveloped as a tourist destination and accommodation is limited (but low cost). However, don't let that put you off, for this idyllic gem is paramount for experiencing the authentic Maldivian way of life that the protected bubbles of fancy five-star resorts and tourist hotspots cannot offer.

Nicknamed the "Galapagos of the Maldives," Fuvahmulah is famed for its jaw-dropping abundance of diverse marine species. Snorkeling and scuba diving here is representative of some of the nation's best (along with its neighboring Addu Island), with divers regularly enjoying encounters with tiger sharks, thresher sharks, oceanic manta rays, and whale sharks. Add the fact that accommodation and diving are very inexpensive compared to the rest of the Maldives, and this is the place to be for budget travelers seeking real Maldivian culture combined with incredible underwater action.

• Accommodation: Twilight Inn
• Address: Husnuheenaa Magu, Fuvahmulah 18016
• Amenities: Restaurant, WiFi, Free Airport Shuttle

Maafushi, South Male Atoll

White beaches and turquoise waters combine with a superb range of budget-friendly attractions, activities, and accommodations on Maafushi Island - which is conveniently close to Male airport and accessible by ferry, speedboat, or plane. The island is home to a sea of low-cost hotels and boasts the largest number of guesthouses in the Maldives.

Plus, kaleidoscopic reefs, outstanding diving, and memorable excursions, as well as a list of budget-friendly (and excellent!) restaurants, all at an attractive price, make this one of the nation's top spots for experiencing all that the Maldives has to offer without paying a fortune.

• Recommended Tour: Snorkel with Nurse Sharks and Explore Vaavu Atoll Maldives
• Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes
• Cost: From $64.11 USD per adult

Book this tour

Dhiffushi, Kaafu Atoll

Despite being small, the island of Dhiffushi is growing in popularity amongst the tourist population, but it still remains irresistibly budget-friendly. It's a tranquil island full of friendly Maldivians, where guests can enjoy the same resort life for which many pay a pretty penny. Dhiffushi boasts two bikini beaches for tourists to let their hair down and don swimwear without worry; one being the pristine and clean stretch of powdery sand at Rashu Hiya Resort, and the other, the southwest side of the island's quiet shore that sometimes feels abandoned though peaceful. Visitors can also find shops on the island, as well as two lovely cafés serving up local cuisine at affordable prices.

• Recommended Tour: Sunset Cruise and Night Fishing in Dhiffushi
• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Cost: From $87 USD per adult

Related: 25 Reasons To Visit The Maldives (Other Than For The Insane Water)

Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll

Hanimaadhoo, situated in the Maldives' pristine northern stretches, is around 45 minutes by air from the capital's airport. Postcard-perfect beaches, azure lagoons, and lush tropical greenery abound on this untouched island, where travelers can indulge in water adventures like scuba diving and big game fishing, in addition to nature excursions and yoga classes, all within budget. Accommodation here is equally as tempting, spoiling guests with irresistible Maldivian charm blended with modern comforts that don't break the bank.

• Accommodation: Hondaafushi Island Resort
• Address: Hondaafushi Island Resort, Hanimaadhoo 02050
• Amenities: Water Sports Facilities, Beachfront, Fitness Center

Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll

Dharavandhoo, tucked away in Baa Atoll, is very much off the beaten track yet easily accessed from Male airport. This picture-perfect island offers an affordable Maldives beach retreat to families and loved-up couples without sucking their pockets dry.

It's a favorite amongst honeymooners in particular and offers world-class snorkeling and diving on colorful reefs, along with fairly reliable manta ray and whale shark encounters given the right season.

Located within the heart of the Maldives' only UNESCO marine biosphere reserve, the island is an ideal wallet-friendly base for those who want to witness the globally famed congregation of manta rays at Hanifaru Bay. There are many accommodation options to choose from here.

• Accommodation: Kiha Beach
• Address: Dharavandhoo, Dharavandhoo 06060
• Amenities: Private Beach, Outdoor Pool, Spa and Wellness Center

Related: Things To Do In The Maldives (That Aren’t Swimming With The Mantas)

Ukulhas, North Ari Atoll

Dotted with charming fishing communities, Ukulhas Island on the far edge of North Ari Atoll features a wide range of economy hotels and guest houses and rewards visitors with warm Maldivian hospitality and authentic local island culture.

This picture paradise is always placed high on the nation's most eco-friendly islands, with its eco-conscious initiatives and untouched environment. And, with its soft sandy beaches, swaying palms, and blue water that hosts rich marine biodiversity, Ukulhas affords environmentally aware, budget-seeking visitors the perfect tropical holiday experience for which the Maldives has become so desired around the world.

• Accommodation: West Sands
• Address: Kinara Vasha Magu, Ukulhas 09030
• Amenities: Private Beach, WiFi, Snorkeling

Omadhoo, North Ari Atoll

Nestled in Ari Atoll's heart, Omadhoo is a charming fishing village where couples and families can kick back and enjoy an authentic, quiet and relaxed island vibe full of local culture. You won't see trussed-up fancy frills like on five-star resort islands, for this is the island to get lost in the real way of life in the Maldives.

Genuine hospitality and local tradition combine with beautiful house reef snorkeling and diving here, where sharks, turtles, and a wealth of diverse species teem on stunning reefs. There's also a "bikini beach" on the southwest side of the island where travelers can don more revealing swimwear without clashing with the local population's conservative values.

Accommodation isn't abundant, but there are enough guest houses to serve the small number of visitors that come to enjoy a superb yet affordable getaway. Plus, their restaurants with their home-from-home feel all have glowing reviews.

• Accommodation: Nemo Inn
• Address: Subnamee Hingun, Omadhoo 00020
• Amenities: Private Beach, Restaurant, WiFi

Related: The Food In The Maldives Is Just One More Reason To Add This Paradise To Your Travel List

Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll

South Ari Atoll's stunning Dhigurah Island is a large and long inhabited island enticingly close to where visitors can snorkel with the atoll's congregation of whale sharks, who come to feed in the plankton-rich waters. Local dive operators offer whale shark snorkeling trips, which are a must for anyone on the island raving a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's right out of a David Attenborough-narrated documentary.

The island itself boasts a few hotels and B&Bs, and a small village with grocery and souvenir shops - both handy for guests who're avoiding the pricier trinkets and food at resorts. The island's south end also features a photogenic sandbank, which is the reward after walking or biking through the jungle to get there.

• Accommodation: Grand Beach Dhigurah
• Address: White Coral, Mirihimagu, Lot 11182, Ground Floor, Chanbeyleemagu, Dhigurah 23000
• Amenities: Private Beach, Outdoor Pool, WiFi

Thinadhoo, Vaavu Atoll

Families and honeymoon couples often hold Thinadhoo high on their must-return-to list of Maldivian islands. Diving and snorkeling here are mind-blowing, with dazzling, healthy house reefs playing host to colorful marine species just off the white sandy beaches. The island also offers epic deep-sea fishing excursions for those seeking more adventures out at sea.

Overall, guests will not be disappointed by this paradise island and its laid-back charm, diverse in-water and on-land activities, and welcoming aura that entices so many repeat visitors who love to indulge in the perfect Maldives retreat without a hefty price tag. There are many accommodations to book on this island.

• Accommodation: Plumeria Maldives
• Address: Moony Night, Kaleyfaanu Higun, Thinadhoo (Vaavu) 10020

Related: This Is Why The Maldives Is Still, To This Day, A Dream Destination For Many

Thulusdhoo, North Male Atoll

Thulusdhoo is a short 30-minute speedboat ride from Male and promises an exceptional vacation for those who expect all that the Maldives is world-renowned for - but at a fraction of the cost. Crystal clear ocean, powder-soft white sands, luscious palm trees, and outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling all beckon beach bums and nature lovers, but Thulusdhoo has something extra to grab your attention - it's a surfer's dream. The island's surf season runs from March to October, with June through August offering up the best and most reliable waves. The island is home to various hotels that one can book.

• Accommodation: Surf Deck
• Address: Reef View, Thulusdhoo 08040
• Amenities: Private Beach, Restaurant, Snorkeling

Kelaa, Haa Alifu Atoll

Kelaa is another ideal choice for those seeking authentic Maldivian hospitality and a slow-paced lifestyle without splashing the cash. The island is home to a small handful of affordable guesthouses, but what it lacks in accommodation it makes up for with its dreamy beaches, turquoise lagoons, and overflowing reefs bustling with rainbow-hued corals and fish.

Ideal for couples and families alike, Kelaa delivers a true barefoot Maldives experience, not solely because of its idyllic features and adventures but because of its hospitable, warm, and kind local people who welcome guests with open arms to enjoy their perfect piece of paradise.

• Accommodation: Tropical Sands Kelaa
• Address: Rah Dhebai Magu, Kelaa 01080
• Amenities: Restaurant, WiFi, Grill

Related: The Maldives Is The Lowest Country On The Planet, And Other Things To Know Before You Visit

Thoddoo, North Ari Atoll

Thoddoo boasts a couple of dozen guest houses and hotels, all suitable for budget travelers. If the impossibly-perfect beaches and azure waters teeming with vibrant and diverse marine life here aren't enough to lure you in, then surely the low-cost snorkeling and diving trips, along with affordable island-hopping tours and water sports activities will do the trick.

The island also features gorgeous sandbanks, which are perfect posing places for your paradise picture reel on Instagram. Beach-goers will also be glad to know that there's a stunning "bikini beach" too, where tourists can work on their tan in skimpy swimwear. It's possible to find a handful of hotels to book on the island.

• Accommodation: Summer Inn Thoddoo
• Address: hilihilage, AA.Thoddoo, Thoddoo 9010
• Amenities: Private Beach, Snorkeling, WiFi

Feridhoo, North Ari Atoll

Feridhoo is becoming famed for being one of the top Maldives islands for snorkeling that's easy on the wallet. The scuba diving here is just as noteworthy, with a number of unbelievable dive sites within a short boat ride from the shore. Overall, Feridhoo is a blissful local island with sugar-soft white sands and lush tropical greenery, offering a true local Maldivian feel and a wealth of idyllic activities in water and on land ranging from thrilling to relaxing - all at an unbeatable price tag. Visitors to the island will enjoy choosing from various accommodation options to book.

Often highly spoken of by both families and solo travelers, this island is also the place to be for intrepid vacationers in search of beach-lazing, water sports, snorkeling and diving, peaceful picnicking, island hopping, and manta ray and dolphin spotting boat tours. What's more, a fascinating fact about Feridhoo is that it is the origin of the cultural Maldivian dance - the Bodu Beru - and visitors can enjoy fun performances of this historical and cultural dance by locals in the evenings.

• Accommodation: Asaa View
• Address: AA Feridhoo Asaa, Feridhoo 09060
• Amenities: Private Beach, Snorkeling, Restaurant

Bodufolhudhoo, North Ari Atoll

Bodufolhudhoo is a budget backpacker's dream in the Maldives. Bodufolhudhoo is known to have one of the top home reefs in all of the Maldives, making the island perfect for snorkelers. A local PADI-certified scuba school is a great place for those who long to take a deep dive into the waters and wildlife that surround Bodufolhudhoo. Deep sea fishing, barbecues on the beach, and whale watching are activities that are available and accessible for all. This teensy island is a calm glimpse into local Maldivian life, and travelers will be absolutely taken by its small-town charms.

Tourism is relatively new on Bodufolhudhoo, and while there is a bikini beach, it is recommended to dress conservatively when out and about among the residents as a sign of respect. There aren't too many accommodations on the island, but that just adds to the "hidden secret" nature of this slice of paradise.

• Accommodation: Mahchavaru Maldives
• Address: Naseemee Goalhi, Mathiveri 09040
• Amenities: Private Beach, Restaurant, Free-Wifi, Snorkeling

Naifaru, Lhaviyani Atoll

A kaleidoscope of color emanates from the awe-inspiring reef surrounding the stunning island of Naifaru. Travelers will have a real Maldivian experience on the island that is famous for its historical boat-building industry. Dhoni, are the traditional boats made by local fishermen. Naifaru is also home to the family-friendly Atoll Marine Center , where turtles are rescued and rehabilitated. There are also wonderful hotels and guesthouses on the island that fit any budget.

A sunset cruise through the surrounding islands in the Lhaviyani Atoll is a must-do experience. The resort island of Kuredu (pictured above) is nearby, and travelers can visit for a bit of world-class snorkeling before heading back to Naifaru for local specialties on the beach.

• Accommodation: One The Island
• Address: Vaaru, Naifaru, Naifaru 07020
• Amenities: Private Beach, Restaurant, WiFi, Snorkeling

Guraidhoo, Gnaviyani Atoll

Guraidhoo is a slice of Heaven that is super easy to access from Malé the capital city of the Maldives. A 35-40 minute speed boat ride will have travelers there in no time. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are all easily accessible from one of the many accommodations on the island that has a fascinating history. Many centuries ago Guraidhoo was a prime destination for sultans that needed a little r&r. Now travelers can rest and relax like royalty on the same white sand beaches.

Visitors to Guraidhoo must experience a dip with turtles at Turtle Point and hang with marvelous Manta Rays at Manta Point (it's easy to keep track of which ones which). Those seeking a romantic getaway can plan a picnic on one of the neighboring uninhabited islands before a sunset stroll. Guraidhoo also has great surfing. The most popular breaks are Foxy's, Riptides, and Kates. Travelers who want to take lessons or hitch a ride to offshore spots should contact Guraidhoo Surf Camp.

• Accommodation: Konut By Thakuru
• Address: Konnut Inn, Guraidhoo 08080
• Amenities: Private Beach, Restaurant, Free WiFi, Snorkling

Fulidhoo, Vaavu Atoll

Fulidhoo is the perfect pick for travelers looking for the best island in the Maldives for budget backpackers. From gorgeous places to stay that don't break the bank to a vibrant local culture that makes travelers feel right at home, there is no need to look further than Fulidhoo. "Langiri" events are amazing and feature traditional dancing to drums and tambourines for travelers who double as culture vultures. For the beach babes, Fulidhoo has two beautiful white sand beaches that are bikini friendly.

Fulidhoo has something for everyone and is a true representation of Maldivian culture, scenery, and hospitality. The island lacks nothing; there's even a family of stingrays that greet visitors who arrive by boat in Fulidhoo Lagoon. Travelers will fall in love with this piece of paradise and will never want to leave.

• Accommodation: Alkina Lodge
• Address: Vaavu Atoll, Fulidhoo 10010
• Amenities: Snorkeling, Free WiFi, Pets Allowed (On Request)

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MALDIVES ISLANDS FAQ'S

The main airport of the Maldives is the Velana International Airport located on Hulhule Island, next to the capital city of Male. Once visitors arrive at the airport in order to reach other Maldives islands, and atolls you will need to take a ferry, seaplane, or speedboat to reach your final destination. The airport serves as the main gateway to the Maldives islands and no location is more than 90 minutes by plane from Male.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options to reach your final destination. The resort counters can be found just outside the terminal, if you are traveling to a guesthouse or hotel on a local island, you will have received information with your booking regarding your hotel transfer from the airport. Most likely you will be greeted by a representative that will take you to your speedboat or seaplane transfer.

If you are visiting Male the capital city, you can take a ferry from the ferry jetty outside the airport. You can buy a ticket from the ticketing counter and board the ferry. Ferry services are regular with services every 10 minutes from 6:00 am until 11:59 pm, and every 30 minutes from midnight to 6:00 am. The cost of a ticket is around MVR10 for the 10 minute journey across the channel to Male.

The airport hosts the largest seaplane operations in the entire world, with Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivina Air Taxi. These flights will connect you to your island/resort and are the fastest option, but also the most expensive.

Speedboat transfers can take as long as two hours to reach the location of some islands/resorts. Speedboat transfers operate 24 hours a day. Booking in advance is highly recommended as this is one of the most popular forms of transportation and they often fill up quickly. Prices vary depending on the final destination and total distance traveled.

There are only a few ways to travel between the Maldives Islands including public ferry, speed boats, seaplane, domestic flights, or private yachts. Once on the islands many don’t offer public transportation or even allow cars on the islands. So getting around is done by walking, golf carts, bicycles, or by water.

The national public ferry network was established in 2010 connecting all inhabited islands in the country. The ferry may only run a few times a week to another island or atoll.

Getting around by boat is one of the only ways to connect to these remote islands. There are four options for water travel in the Maldives; Public ferries (only run 3-6 times a week), private ferries (Male to Maafushi), scheduled speedboats (most popular tourist geared), and charter speedboats (high cost).

Many resorts, hotels, and guesthouses in the Maldives collect guests from Male or regional airstrips by speedboat. The public ferry system can be slow and infrequent, and also does not connect to every island and atoll.

The only islands that allow vehicles are the capital city of Male, Fuvahmulah, and Hulhumale, and connecting between the islands of Laamu, and Addu Atoll by causeways.

Taxis are more prevalent on the bigger islands like Male, not many other islands or atolls even allow vehicles.

Yes, walking around the islands and atolls is one of the only ways to explore the resorts, hotels, beaches, shops, restaurants, and other attractions.

A bicycle is an excellent way to get around the island, bikes are often offered to guests at the larger resorts and some guesthouses free of charge. Renting bikes is easy on most of the islands and atolls and a glorious way to explore the tropical paradise.

Maldives Island is an extremely safe place to visit, most visitors stay in “resort hotels” where crime levels are relatively low. Use your street smarts when exploring busy tourist areas, keep your wits about you and keep your personal items close. Petty crime including theft of goods unattended on the beach or in hotel rooms does occur, use a safe deposit box in the hotels and resorts to take care of your valuables.

The island nation of the Maldives offers some great places to pick up souvenirs and mementos from your trip. There are many popular local street markets found throughout the Maldives, small scale souvenirs shops, and high end boutiques to browse. Mahe, the capital of the Maldives offers many shopping opportunities such as the Male Local Market, a huge, popular street market located on the waterfront, a favorite amongst locals with numerous stalls selling handicrafts, mementos, and gift items along with snacks. Majeedhee Magu is the main road in Male, which runs the entire length of the island from east to west. The road offers some great shopping options including clothing, electronics, cosmetics, accessories, perfume, shoes, and watches along with restaurants. Many resorts and hotels have shops on site but many are limited as to what they sell and the prices might be inflated.

The magical island nation of the Maldives is made up of a chain of 1,200 islands in the gorgeous Indian Ocean. There are many picture perfect beaches sprinkled throughout the archipelago offering visitors some of the most serene, and wildly scenic stretches of sand. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be found in the Maldives;

Reethi Beach is located on a tiny island in the Baa Atoll, the beaches here are the type you dream of. This is said to be the best beach in the Maldives covered in blinding white sands that meet sparkling turquoise waters and palm fringed shores, creating a slice of tropical paradise.

Cocoa Island is a luxurious hideaway on the South Male Atoll, home to the stunning and spectacular COMO Cocoa Island Resort (the only resort on the island). The beach here is famous and known for being quite exotic, fine white sugar sand, lapping crystal blue waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs and magnificent marine life blend to create this ravishing beach.

Landaa Giraavaru is home to the fabulous Four Seasons Resort and the idyllic beach on one of the most coveted private islands in the Maldives. A long sandbank slopes into the blue azure waters, backed by verdant jungles, a true slice of paradise.

The official language spoken of the Maldives is Dhivehi, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island's inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-Dhivehi guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The Maldives enjoys a warm tropical climate with plenty of sunshine and daily average temperatures between 79-88 degrees. There is quite a bit of rain during the months of April to October with the southwest monsoon season, especially June to November. This is the time of year visitors can find some of the best travel deals including cheaper flights and discounted accommodation. November through April offers visitors the best weather throughout the island nation with warm temperatures and little precipitation.

The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf or MVR). US dollars are widely accepted and in most resorts prices are posted in USD. It is recommended to exchange some rufiyaa for the other inhabited islands and on Male. There are exchange desks at the airport.

The cuisine in the Maldives revolves heavily around fish (mas) tuna in particular and other ingredients from the region including coconut and starches featured in many dishes. The cuisine is a mixture of Sri Lankan and South Indian traditions, especially Kerala with hot and spicy flavors and flavored with coconut. A traditional meal would consist of rice, a clear fish broth, and a side dish of lime, chili and onions. Curries (riha) are also very popular

The restaurant scene in the Maldives is mostly self contained in the hotels, resorts and guesthouses. Most offer breakfast included which is typically a modern European or generic Asian type of cuisine, some offer lunch and dinner buffets with a mixture of dishes, and ingredients. Male city has a thriving restaurant scene with many eateries aimed towards tourists and the rest aimed toward the Maldivian elite.

Nightlife in the Maldives is usually limited to your resort or hotel where drinks, dinner, music, and live entertainment are usually offered. Outside of Male City there is not much to the nightlife in the Maldives.

In case of an emergency dial 1-1-9 in the Maldives, a direct dial free emergency phone number that connects the caller to the national police.

Tree Top Hospital - Male - tel. 960-335-1610

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital - Male - tel. 960-333-5335

Adk Hospital - Male - tel. 960-331-3553

THE BEST MALDIVES LOCAL ISLANDS

28 Apr 2023   ||    MALDIVES

The Maldives may be synonymous with private resorts and luxurious overwater villas, but since 2009, it has been possible to visit on a budget and stay on the local, inhabited islands. This allows for a fantastic opportunity to experience a country that has, until recently, been off-limits to the world. It also provides the appealing benefit of saving some money while experiencing this paradisiac island nation.

We recently hopped between six Maldives local islands, including Hulhumalé, across four different atolls. Below, in the same order as our trip, we write about what we loved about each (and everything we didn’t!), which islands would be best to pick and why. We also mention some other local islands that were recommended to us for specific reasons while out in the Maldives. The diversity between the islands was huge – it is worth doing your research!

IN THIS GUIDE //

Maldives Local Islands

Maldives local island map.

WHAT IS A MALDIVES LOCAL ISLAND

MALDIVES LOCAL ISLAND VS PRIVATE RESORT

– HULHUMALÉ

– FULIDHOO

– MAAFUSHI

– THULUSDHOO

– UKULHAS

– THODDOO

OTHER MALDIVES LOCAL ISLAND RECOMMENDATIONS

Final Thoughts – MALDIVES LOCAL ISLANDS

Below is a map showing all the islands that we mention in this post. The purple markers are islands we visited, the orange are ones we were recommended.

Using your map on satellite view shows clearly the individual atolls that the islands are on. Use these atolls to plan your route – ferries and speedboats tend to move along strings of islands.

WHAT IS A MALDIVES LOCAL ISLAND?

The Maldives is made up of nearly 1200 islands, around 200 of which have people inhabiting them. 

Since the 1970s, many of the uninhabited Maldivian islands have been gradually developed as tourist resorts, mostly by international companies. These are called the private islands and are what you’ll see on the front of most magazines.

For far longer though, native Maldivians have resided on this land, with small villages dotted across the archipelago nation, relying primarily on fishing for a living.

Until a government initiative in 2009, there was no easy way to stay on these local islands as a tourist – it was prohibited to do so. The new regulations encourage local island tourism as a way of improving resident quality of life through increased employment. This means that it is now possible to stay amongst the communities of people living across the Maldives, rather than in a private island resort. 

the difference between a Maldives local island and a private resort

There are startlingly substantial differences between the Maldives local islands and the private resorts, considering they all exist within one country.

Firstly, the laws are completely different. On all Maldives local islands, alcohol is prohibited and there are strict, conservative dress codes (apart from a few designated areas called ‘ bikini beaches ’). Many rules on private resorts are far less stringent or even non-existent – most things are permitted, apart from nudity and dogs!

The resort islands are exactly what they sound like – resorts. These have no actual residences on the islands and each one is managed by an individual hotel company. They have complete control over the island and as such, the islands are often perfectly groomed and completely designed with the tourist in mind.

In contrast, a local Maldives island is a village or small town, situated on a little sandy strip in the ocean. They still have beautiful beaches, restaurants and guesthouses for visitors to stay in, but with the added benefit of a community. There are the same excursions and diving opportunities but offered at a fraction of the cost . Each local island is inhabited by up to a few thousand people, so (obviously) have schools, mosques, football pitches, healthcare centres and waste disposal. 

This highlights one of the biggest distinctions – budget. Resorts can be thousands of dollars a night which would pay for more than a week on a local island. The local islands have more affordable accommodation, food and even transport (the public ferry routes do not service private islands, so for more distant ones, you’re stuck paying for an expensive seaplane!).

Maldives Local Island - Hulhumalé

Hulhumalé is the best island to stay on after landing at Velana International Airport  if you can’t get a local ferry immediately after landing. The island is connected to the airport (and Malé) by road and is completely artificial. Construction started in 1997 using sand pumped from the seabed and further expansion projects are ongoing. It is fascinating to see how big it is and how difficult it is to notice that it is man-made. It’s huge compared with other Maldives local islands!

Distance from Malé: 7.5 kilometres

Size: 4 km²

Population: 53,000

Best for: Airport transits, restaurant options, people

Bikini Beach: No

Atoll: North Malé Atoll

⋅ Our Experience ⋅

We really liked Hulhumalé, after reading some less than positive reviews. It has a lovely little swimmable beach with gleaming azure waters along the eastern edge, some nice restaurants, cafes, parks, a cinema, plus really welcoming residents. We only spent one day roaming around but gathered so much useful information just from talking to people. There is a plethora of food options here too, which is conspicuous in its absence on other islands. We had a pizza from Pizza Buono which was surprisingly good – would thoroughly recommend.

It’s not really your idyllic Maldives local island getaway though, so is best used as a hub after arriving or departing the airport. There is no bikini beach and it’s just a normal community, which we preferred – it feels a little less artificial (the irony of that on a reclaimed island is not lost on me!). First thing in the morning, you’ll see residents exercising on the beach and fixing bikes by the side of the road.

Tip: If you arrive at night, stay on the seafront on the east and get up for sunrise. It’s the best way to see the Maldives for the first time!

Maldives Local Island - FULIDHOO

This was the smallest and most isolated of the Maldives local islands on our itinerary. Despite Fulidhoo’s relative isolation and tiny size (around 700 metres long), a lot of people seemed to have heard of it! When we spoke to people at the port in  Malé , many had either been or were intending to visit there. Despite this, when we stayed, it seemed empty. I mean, completely, eerily empty; almost desolate.

The island has two bikini beaches . The western bikini beach is prettier, emptier and lined with swaying palms, perfect for sunset. On the eastern end, the sugar-white bikini beach seemed larger, good for snorkelling, with a few more people (there are more guesthouses along the east and northeast).

There are very few restaurants, no proper beach bars and several shops. The island has around fifteen-ish guesthouses, a magistrate, a football pitch (there’s at least one on every island!), a little main street with shops and a pretty green mosque. The one actual road that exists on the island is just sand. At the western end, there is a small power plant and a phone pylon.

Distance from Malé: 56 kilometres

Size: 700 by 200 metres

Population: 504

Best for: absolute silence, spotting rays from the shore, isolation, silky white sand

Bikini Beach: two

Atoll: Vaavu Atoll

For some people, I’m guessing this would be pure paradise. I mean, an empty tropical island all to yourself, surely that’s a utopia? However, for us, it was our least favourite island purely due to this. It’s absolute bliss for people who want to do nothing; the problem is, we hate doing nothing.

The island lacked a sense of community buzz (although there does exist a population of more than 500 people). It is not, in fact, empty at all, it just *feels* empty. We did see a group of local women exercising at the football pitch, a man cleaning the mosque and a few fishermen. So, if you are looking for the perfect Maldives local island to chill out on and read a book for a few days, it may be ideal for you. If eating at your guesthouse most nights doesn’t bother you, check it out! The island was also the only one that doesn’t have any diet coke (my vice).

I definitely don’t want to imply that there was anything bad about the island or the people there, we were just bored, I think. It’s tricky to review something when you know deep-down it just doesn’t suit you.

We did enjoy seeing the rays right off the peer, however the ethics of the fishermen feeding them to tempt them inland is sketchy. I asked our host about it, and he said that usually the rays would live further out but only come in because they were fed.

Maldives local ISLANDS - some reality

Some Maldives local islands are in the midst of a serious construction boom. Since tourism is a relatively recent thing, this is unsurprising, but well-worth noting when setting your expectations. Some islands have half-built buildings on every street, with construction noise and materials everywhere. Upgrading and expanding infrastructure is necessary for the residents of the Maldives, but not exactly idyllic, and I like to keep shit real on this blog.

From our experience, Fulidhoo and Maafushi were the worst for this. They had so much in the way of construction that it never felt very peaceful to me. The best islands were Thulusdhoo and Ukulhas , where I can remember very little comparably.

It can be considered sad from a touristic point of view that development is overtaking the islands, however it can be argued that expansion and modernisation is very much in the interest of the citizens of the Maldives. We shouldn’t begrudge any culture from modernising if that is what they choose. Having said that, get to the Maldives local islands soon because islands like Fulidhoo may not remain as sleepy as they are right now!

Maldives Local Island - Maafushi

If you have only come across one Maldives local island during your research, it is almost certain to be Maafushi. This sizable island is very close to Malé and was one of first to develop as a leisure hub for non-resort tourists. It has more than 70 guesthouses and hotels, some of which are proper high rise, six or more storey buildings. The vast majority of residents have switched from working in the fishing industry to the tourism industry and the island has water sports galore, high-end restaurants and even offshore ‘booze boats’.

Despite the emphasis on tourism, the island is a real, working town. This means it has all the usual facilities, including one of two prisons on the Maldives, a cemetery, post office, football pitch, mosques, a bank and a bunch of convenient stores. 

If you want to have a look at more photos and get a bit more information, take a peek at our Maafushi photo guide .

Distance from Malé: 26 kilometres

Size: 1.3 by 0.3 kilometres

Population: 2700

Best for: proximity to Malé, water sports, bustle, booze boats, local activity

Bikini Beach: one

Atoll: South Malé Atoll

We stayed near the north end (loved our little hotel), where the beaches and most tourist facilities are, including one bikini beach . Getting off the ferry at the port, we immediately noticed commotion, music and building sites. You know the incessant hum of drilling? That, from all sides. The island appears to be in a constant state of development, from all directions. (The drilling is not so prevalent in the tourist areas further to the north).

However, despite this, I think we are in the minority of people who preferred Maafushi to Fulidhoo, because at least it felt alive and busy with residents. It was nice to see life in the Maldives, which is the one thing we were looking for when booking our trip (we are not super beachy). 

It is pleasant to walk all the way down to the southern end, where the prison is (we saw sharks along the shore). Here, you’ll see a whole bunch of ordinary infrastructure and life. So, if you want to experience a bit of the Maldives community, it’s a decent destination for a few days. We watched people windsurf, played around in the outdoor gym, wandered the long dusty streets and checked out the small stores.

We think Maafushi would be a good local island if you require a lot of tourist infrastructure. Hiring a jet ski or visit a ‘booze boat’ in not really our cup of tea, but this is the kind of place that offers these services. Maafushi is also great for shorter stays due to its proximity to Malé. 

The beaches on Maafushi were below average, in our opinion, compared to the other islands we visited. Although the water is an unconscionable blue and the sand is soft, it is small and busy.

The food options were decent on Maafushi too, not as overpriced as expected, considering how touristy the island is.

Tip:  we were advised by a resident in Malé to avoid doing any diving excursions from Maafushi, as it is considerably more expensive than other islands (apparently more than double, typically).

Maldives Local Island - THULUSDHOO

Thulusdhoo is an intermediate-sized Maldives local island, northwest of Malé, with a reputation as a bit of a surfer’s paradise. It’s nearby two of the best surf breaks in the Maldives, Cokes and Chickens. 

Although it is a larger island, a bit like Maafushi, it has far more space and less people (at least it feels that way). The ferry port is at the far end of the island, so you are collected by your guesthouse in a golf cart which winds its way through rough dirt tracks surrounded by wild-looking plains. 

There are lots of high-quality accommodation on the island; some with the most incredible sea views despite rarely going over two stories high. Small restaurants line the shore, with epic beachfront locations and great food (still with the same super-slow island-time service though!).

There is one pristine bikini beach at the eastern end of the island with swings in the sea and idyllic swooping palms. Most of the guesthouses bunch up around that end of the island.

Check out our mini photo-guide for Thulusdhoo if you’re interested in reading more!

Distance from Malé: 27 kilometres

Size: 1.58 by 0.68 kilometres

Population: 1483

Best for: surfing, vibes, food, picturesque beach, swimming

Atoll: North Malé Atoll

We really enjoyed snorkelling the house reef on this local island. There was great visibility and the water was really calm – it seemed well-suited to anyone who is a weaker swimmer. 

The food on Thulusdhoo was generally outstanding, and we even found real-life vegan food (although it was the most expensive meal of our trip!).

The beach was close to almost every hotel and guesthouse. This was lovely since it meant that the restaurants and facilities bunched up together, creating pretty streets and community vibes, all covered in beautiful flowers and art. We stayed just a few metres from the beach on the south eastern tip. The island was also big enough that we could wander far from the ‘tourist zone’ with ease. It’s not a particularly jungly island though, if that is what you are after.

Thulusdhoo was not what I expected at all. There was a bustle of people; walking, riding bicycles or motorbikes and the vibe just felt energetic (although still sleepy by the standards of almost anywhere else in the world).

This was probably our second favourite island and definitely our favourite accommodation; we loved it here.

QUICK TIPS FOR CHOoSING YOUR MALDIVES LOCAL ISLAND

1 – Always have a look at your islands of choice on Google Satellite to get a feel for where and how large the beaches are.

2 – Be aware that seasonal differences will affect the tides, which change the width/access to the beaches and the potential debris left on them. We travelled in January.

3 – Stick to one atoll ferry route  for your itinerary if you are low on time, stopping at several adjacent local islands in a row.

Maldives Local Island - UKULHAS

Ukulhas is definitely a Maldives local island that has tuned in with its tourism potential – it seems to know exactly what it’s doing. Not only that, but it’s one of the first islands in the Maldives to be environmentally friendly, utilising a proper waste management system. The island is well-known for being spotless, with regular beach clean-ups. The one-kilometre beach, as well as being immaculate, is world class, with little bars dotted along the huge bikini beach. The island has quality accommodation and food options along with all the usual facilities you’d expect.

This perfect little island is an ideal tourist getaway. If you want to read more, check out our Ukulhas photo guide .

Distance from Malé: 72 kilometres

Size: 1 by 0.2 kilometres

Population: 1065

Best for: world-class beaches, tourist services, eco-friendly, small, best house reef

Atoll: Northern Ari Atoll

The infrastructure surprised us when we arrived – there are colourful, friendly beach bars selling cocktails (non-alcoholic) with rustic beach chairs, hammocks, umbrellas and loungers. It felt closer to a place like Thailand 20 years ago than anywhere else we had been (whether that is good or bad is up to you!).

As expected, cleanliness was top-notch. The shorelines were flawless, and we didn’t see much in the way of trash around the island apart from one end where it was being collected (towards the north eastern end). Something we absolutely loved was that the white, sandy beach was surrounded by massive fruit trees, jungle and tiny white picket fences. In my opinion, it was an absolute stereotype of perfection (and I’m pretty difficult to please).

These additional facilities and benefits cost though – this was by far our most expensive Maldives local island . Accommodation and meals here were pricey and you largely get a lower standard for your money (there is high quality stuff available, we just didn’t pay for it).

There are a remarkable number of motorbikes on Ukulhas. Even though the island is around a kilometre long, people still motorbike everywhere. We’d see people picking their kids up from school and motoring 300 metres home!

We arrived on the ferry and there had been a *torrential* thunderstorm. This left the island completely flooded – I can’t confirm if other local islands also flood like this but be aware that it brings out the mosquitos (for some reason they didn’t bite us). It also makes traversing certain streets difficult. The island did not lose power or struggle in any way to provide services though.

The house reef snorkelling on Ukulhas was the best we found on our trip. The water was so still and clear, you didn’t even have to put your head underwater to see all the fish!

Weirdly, most tourists on the island were Italian. This isn’t a bad thing, just something we noticed (would only be a bad thing if there were cars – which luckily there isn’t!*).

Ukulhas felt like the most fashionable, vibrant Maldives local island of our trip. I wouldn’t say that any of the islands are particularly ‘trendy’, but it was the closest to cosmopolitan that I think you’ll get!

* Italian drivers are the worst!

Maldives Local Island - THODDOO

Thoddoo is the only Maldives local island on this list that is not part of an atoll, or ring of islands. It’s a large, nearly circular disk, just floating on its own in the middle of some crazy blue ocean. The place seemed pretty unique, which is why we decided to check it out.

Known as the ‘Island of Watermelons’, Thoddoo is famous for agriculture, specifically watermelons and papayas. It feels spread out, with most of the dwellings in the centre of the island, surrounded by fruit fields that eventually lead to beaches. About a third of the island is apparently farmland, which is in huge contrast to anywhere else that we went in the Maldives. Although it’s all about fruit here, there are two tourist bikini beaches on opposite ends of the island (the area of the two together is less than the single one on Ukulhas).

The island itself was an agricultural community far before tourism came around, so the community has all the usual facilities, including several football pitches and mosques, a hospital, kindergarten, gym, restaurants and more.

For extra photos and information, have a peek at our Thoddoo photo guide .

Distance from Malé: 67 kilometres

Size: 2 by 1 kilometres

Population: 2058

Atoll: Considered part of the northern Ari Atoll

We loved Thoddoo. It was by far our favourite of the Maldives local islands. 

We enjoyed being able to walk for miles through the plantations and not run out of space; we also loved the fruit trees with giant fruit bats swooping between them. It is large enough that hiring a bike is a sensible option, and most hotels will offer them for free. We were given a little golf-buggy tour of the island by our host who answered all my probing questions about the agriculture, resort and local tourism industries on the island!

The beaches were as beautiful and spotless as on Ukulhas in our experience, stretching for as far as the eye can see. If you are exclusively looking for a bikini beach though, the ones on Thoddoo can get crowded, so it depends on what you want to wear when you hang out.

This was the one island that actually served dinner within a reasonable time frame (so less than an hour!). We loved the food and were even given free coconuts with paper straws.

Unlike Ukulhas, this island was jammed full of Russian tourists. Our hotel host even mentioned that it was rare to see other nationalities. The tourists were rude and were the worst for obeying the dress code laws , our host even mentioned that it was sad. Despite this, we found the residents to be, by a mile, the most welcoming and friendly (despite the Russians).

It’s interesting. According to our host, this island never really sent many family members away to work on the resort islands as it is primarily agricultural. This means that less people would have encountered tourists before 2009. Maybe this is why people are so wonderfully welcoming on this island?

Other Maldives local Islands Recommendations

While chatting with tourists and residents across the Maldives, we tried to gather as much information and recommendations as possible for other Maldives local islands that might have something extra special for our next trip itinerary . Here are some of the ones that stood out to us!

Feridhoo – remote with amazing beaches, loads of nature and only a few guesthouses. Really off the beaten path and quiet. Unspoilt was another word used to describe this island.

Rasdhoo – beautiful nearby sand bank, reasonably near Malé (good for combining with Ukulhas and Thoddoo). Great value diving excursions. 

Omadhoo – fantastic (apparently the best) snorkelling on the house reefs, stingrays and sharks by the beach. Small, remote and apparently has a sand bank.

Himmafushi -best for surfing (I was told it is better than Thulusdhoo), laid back surfer vibes, very close to Malé.

Kaashidhoo – super remote, jungle hiking, larger population, agricultural, off-the-beaten-track.

Dhangethi – great value for diving excursions, fantastic house reef and beach, good tourist infrastructure.

Guraidhoo – close to Malé, friendly, great quiet alternative to Maafushi.

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FINAL THOUGHTS - MALDIVES LOCAL ISLANDS

There are nearly 1,200 islands in the Maldives, 200 of which are inhabited. Visiting these Maldives local islands is a fantastic window into a country that has previously been difficult to access. 

We have only visited six islands so far, however the variety across them was startling. Your itinerary will really make a difference to the type of beach/diving/cultural holiday you’ll experience.

Our travels through the Maldives local islands were astonishing; it was one of the most unique and beautiful places we have ever travelled. We hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did!

4 thoughts on “The Best Maldives Local Islands”

Thank you for letting us know about this blog post about Reethi far. We also work for the deluxe beach villa in maldives you should visit reethi faru

Hello, great post. I was wondering how you were travelling between islands ? Local Ferry or fast boats ?

have a great day

Hi Francois, we travelled almost completely by public ferry between the Maldives islands. We only got a speedboat when we messed up the schedule timings! We’ve written more about the ferries routes on our Maldives itinerary page here and about catching public transport in the Maldives here .

Let me know if I can be of more help 🙂

Hola, tengo 4 días para disfrutar. He pensado en maafushi por tema tours. Esta bien o recomienda otras isla? Gracias

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Why Time Is Running Out Across the Maldives’ Lovely Little Islands

Global tourism brought a modern economy to the country’s thousand islands. For many Maldivians, the teeming capital beckons.

Teenagers gathering to watch the sun set in Nolhivaranfaru, a remote island in the Maldives. Credit...

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By Alex Travelli and Maahil Mohamed

Photographs by Elke Scholiers

Reporting from Malé, its nearby islands and Nolhivaranfaru in the Maldives

• April 6, 2024

To live in the Maldives is to live in one of two worlds. Either you belong to the capital — Malé, a micro-Manhattan in the Indian Ocean — or you are out in “the islands,” among the quietest and most remote villages this side of the Arctic tundra.

It is in these places — far from the archipelago’s walled-garden resort atolls, where no Maldivians actually dwell — that the country is picking between two visions of its future, like much of the rest of Asia, but more so.

The outer islands are steadily depopulating, as the appeal of making a life through tuna fishing and coconut farming along their crushed-coral seashores shrinks. The splendid isolation may be what attracts visitors, but it seems incompatible with islanders’ aspirations in a nation modernized by global tourism.

As Maldivians give up on island life, the government feels compelled to keep building up Malé, the country’s one real city. But Malé is already pressed up hard against the limits of human habitation. By some measures, it is the most densely populated island on earth, with over a third of the country’s 520,000 people on a landmass that can be crossed by foot in about 20 minutes.

If more Maldivians are going to move there, its physical structure will need to be radically reworked. In the meantime, it is sprawling outward wherever it can: The government is surrounding Malé with sea bridges to artificial islands packed with housing projects financed by China and India .

On Jan. 22, President Mohamed Muizzu announced his otherworldly vision for an undersea tunnel between Malé proper and a land-reclamation project where Chinese investors will help build 65,000 housing units on what is now barely a sandbar.

Mr. Muizzu, a civil engineer by training, said the tunnel would “provide beautiful views of the sea” as commuters passed through it. (Feasibility to be determined.)

Humay Ghafoor, a researcher who campaigns against environmental degradation, said that “nobody does any assessments” before commissioning “massive infrastructure” projects. This allows an airport, for instance, to be built over a mangrove, destroying a whole island’s freshwater supply.

The Maldives consists of a thousand islands stretched along a 550-mile axis, each one a bit of exposed coral that grew from the rims of a prehistoric range of undersea volcanoes. These form rings called atolls — a word that comes to English from the native Dhivehi language. Most of the 188 inhabited islands have fewer than 1,000 residents.

The resorts — those airy villas floating over turquoise seas — are all on technically “uninhabited” islands. The guests are foreign, and most of the staff is, too, mainly from India and Bangladesh. In some ways, the resorts are like offshore oil rigs, pumping out nearly all of the country’s income. By design, they are divorced from Maldivian culture and abstracted from their South Asian location.

Bay of Bengal

Nolhivaranfaru

The typical inhabited island is likewise rich in sunshine and warmth and has access to a shallow lagoon, palm trees and maybe a mangrove forest. The inhabitants are highly literate, many are English-speaking and they are connected to the rest of the world by the internet, mobile data and long ferry routes.

Their traditions survive, still. Perhaps every island except Malé has a holhuashi, a covered seating platform at its harbor, sometimes circled by hanging woven chairs. Men gather to rest at midday and exchange gossip.

There is little doubt that climate change will eventually bring doom to this country, most of which is just a meter or two above sea level. But that catastrophe is thought to be a century or more away.

Instead, Maldivians are leaving the islands for the sake of their children, looking to Malé and the world beyond. When it comes to education and health care, there is no substitute for city life.

Nolhivaranfaru, a fishhook-shaped bit of powdery white sand, with a green and fertile core between its beaches, is like many of the Maldives’ inhabited islands. Flowering frangipani stand over an Islamic cemetery near its piers, centered around a centuries-old shrine to an Arab pilgrim. It takes 25 minutes by speedboat to reach the nearest landmass and two airplanes from there to get to neighboring India.

That is a journey that Maryam Asima, a 30-year-old mother of twins, made at great cost and personal hardship. She and her husband, the captain of a tourist yacht that docks 175 miles away, near Malé, had been unable to conceive. Two years ago, Ms. Asima and her sister, who was in a similar position, traveled to Kochi, India, a city of 2.1 million, where they made do on their own during 11 months of IVF treatment.

Health care remains rudimentary even on the better connected of the outer islands. Staff at the local clinic scoff at the idea of someday providing IVF. They say quietly that even most emergency care is beyond them: Any patient who needs a ventilator must be flown hundreds of miles away.

Ms. Asima, now back on the island with her 6-month-old twins, says she is satisfied with the results of her ordeal. Her sister has given her a nephew, too. With her encouragement, two other women from the island have become pregnant in the same way. The government has started offering $500 subsidies and the possibility of free air travel for families that need to go abroad for IVF.

She likes the “home feeling” of her island and hopes to send her children to school there, even if they need to travel to a nearby island to see a pediatrician. But this is not her first home: Ms. Asima was born on an even smaller island, Maavaidhoo, which was abandoned after being swamped by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

Many Maldivians have been on the move for a generation or more, leaving smaller communities for larger ones. More than anywhere else, those who can afford it go to Malé.

Thirty years ago, it was not unusual for families to send unaccompanied minors on long ferry journeys, of 20 hours or more, to live in Malé. They would stay with distant relatives or even strangers and work as pint-size housekeepers to pay for their room and board as they attended one of the country’s better schools.

Island families still send their children to study in Malé, but usually now they travel as teenagers; better primary schooling is available even in remote places.

The cramped conditions of the capital are the first challenge they face. A compact grid of streets jams pedestrians, motorbikes, workshops and luxury perfumers together like a miniature version of central Hong Kong. One-bedroom apartments rent for five times the starting salary of a government office worker.

Ajuvad, a nervous, soft-spoken 23-year-old, came to Malé at 16 to join his older siblings, six people crammed into three bedrooms. They are all professionals, with jobs as teachers and technicians. But they were raised in another world, a 36-hour ferry ride away. There, the beach was a five-minute walk away with no roads and no motorbikes, and their home was a four-bedroom house that their father, a fisherman, built himself. Their mother made fish paste and sold it to neighbors.

Ajuvad, who asked that his last name be withheld to protect his privacy, remembers the transition as being “quite a challenge.” Having to live without his parents, and without an inch of space to study alone in quiet, he said, “I thought my world had collapsed.”

Ahmed Abbas, a 39-year-old hardware salesman, had an easier time moving into Malé’s urban sprawl from a distant southern island 12 years ago. His family of six shares a two-bedroom apartment in a complex built by Chinese developers, across a sea bridge from the city proper. They spend only half of their income on rent, and he drives to the city, 25 minutes each way, twice a day.

Mr. Abbas studied and worked around South India for many years before settling down. He has seen enough of the world to appreciate his family’s perch, which they share with two love birds: Small, exotic pets are a big business in little Malé.

But he still misses the island life. Back home, it was “nice because the people are nice,” he said, “normal country people, all smiling.”

Alex Travelli is a correspondent for The Times based in New Delhi, covering business and economic matters in India and the rest of South Asia. He previously worked as an editor and correspondent for The Economist. More about Alex Travelli

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After 'India Out' campaign by Maldives, visitors to island nation plummet

As relations between maldives and india soured, the island nation has witnesed a steep decline in indian visitors travelling to maldives, which coincides with the "india out" campaign championed by maldivian president mohamed muizzu..

Maldives Tries to Win Back Indian Tourists As Arrivals Fall 40%

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 16th, 2024 at 9:11 AM EDT

While Maldives enjoys record-breaking arrivals, its tourism companies aren't about to let the Indian market keep falling. They're on a mission to reverse the trend.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators is determined to increase Indian arrivals to the island destination and is taking steps to achieve this.

“Indian arrivals to the Maldives have gone down by almost 40%,” said Abdulla Ghiyas, the association’s president, in an exclusive interview with Skift.

In early January, #BoycottMaldives started trending in Indian social media following a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Indians accused Maldivian politicians of making disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As a result, India, which was the number 2 source market for Maldives, has now fallen to number 6 . India’s share of visitors had been almost 11% – it has shrunk to 5.6%.

Promotions in Indian Cities

Ghiyas said the association will be hosting roadshows in 3 Indian cities in July and confirmed to Skift that one of the cities would be Bengaluru.

The association also plans to engage with Indian social media influencers. “We also want to see how we can work with the tourism board in Maldives as we have partnered with them in the past as well. There are talks that the tourism board is also planning of doing something in India,” Ghiyas said.

At the July roadshows, he said he’s keen to look at cities that have direct connectivity with Maldives.

Ghiyas expressed a desire to have conducted the roadshow earlier, noting that May is when Indian outbound travel peaks. However, he mentioned plans for another round of roadshows towards the end of the year, aiming to include Tier 2 cities. “Even if they lack direct flights to the Maldives, these cities would represent an important market for us,” he said.

Maldives has so far received (from January 1-April 15) 693,867 tourists, up from 606,395 arrivals for the same period last year, as per the latest data from the Maldives tourism ministry.

China is the top source market for the island destination, followed by UK and Russia.

Between January 1-April 15, almost 39,000 Indians visited Maldives, a decline of almost 40%, compared to the 64,250 arrivals for the same period last year.

“We might not talk immediately about the growth scenario, but I would definitely like to see the 40% decline narrow down,” Ghiyas said.

Can’t Ignore India

While Maldives has experienced record-breaking tourism arrivals so far, Ghiyas said it still needs India. “There are properties and resorts that rely heavily on the Indian market, which have been severely affected. This will hurt us in the long term and that is why we have decided to engage with the India market.”

Aminath Suzan, CEO of Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, pointed to cultural ties, such as similarities in food, language, and pop culture. “We must ensure that unrelated matters do not negatively impact the bond, for which we have dedicated years and built this alliance.”

MATATO Meets with Indian High Commissioner to Foster Tourism Cooperation The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) engaged in a productive meeting with His Excellency Munu Mahawar, the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, to explore collaborative… pic.twitter.com/PNXiy3QdVz — MATATO – PATA Maldives Chapter (@matatoMV) April 9, 2024

The association members also recently met with Munu Mahawar, the Indian high commissioner in Maldives, to collaborate closely with his office to boost tourism initiatives.

Dubbing the meeting with Mahawar “positive,” Ghiyas said the high commission has offered assistance to the association. “Once we have a concrete plan, we will definitely follow up with the High Commission and share our plans.”

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Tags: asia monthly , china , india outbound , islands , maldives , social media , tourism marketing

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