Quick Overview of Maafushi and Fulidhoo

We loved staying on the local islands, and highly recommend Maafushi and Fulidhoo. Both have similarities with beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and local attractions. Yet, there are some differences. 

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Maafushi

Maafushi is a great introduction to the Maldives as a popular and more developed local island. It’s closer to Malé, the main capital island, and the Airport, so it’s easy to get here by public ferry or speedboat. 

From the beautiful palm trees and beaches, plentiful food options, to affordable accommodations, it’s no wonder why visitors like to visit Maafushi. 

Since we love outdoor adventures, this island is ideal for going on a snorkeling or diving trip. But hanging out on the beach all day is perfectly acceptable.  

Recommended Number of Days: 3 days (Here is a Maafushi 3 day itinerary that we wrote.) 

Top 3 Things to Do: 

• Hang out at Bikini Beach.

• Experience the island’s water activities.

• See marine animals such as whale sharks and manta rays on a snorkeling trip.

Check out our full list of things to do on Maafushi. 

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Fulidhoo 

This quiet island in the Vaavu Atoll is a hidden gem. 

The crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and diving adventures are the top reasons to visit Fulidhoo. It’s very easy to spot marine life, such as black tip sharks and sting rays in the ocean from the shore. 

As a smaller island, we loved seeing the easy-going lifestyle of the locals and the overall slower pace. It’s such a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the large cities. (We’re coming from our perspective with our extended long stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). 

Recommended Number of Days: 2 days 

Top 3 Things to Do: 

• Relax on the gorgeous beaches. 

• See sting rays and other marine life from the shores.

• Kayak or swim to the #Fulidhoo sign near the port.

Read our complete list of things to do on Fulidhoo. 

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What is the size of the island?

Maafushi is 1.275 kilometers (.89 miles) in length and .26 kilometers (.162 miles) in width. It’ll take 15 to 20 minutes to walk around the outer island. Cutting across the island will cut your time to 10 minutes. 

Fulidhoo is 750 meters by 250 meters. It’ll take less than 10 minutes to walk around the island. You can get somewhere in less than a 5-minute walk.

Verdict: If you want a larger island, then stay on Maafushi. 

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What is the vibe/environment like?

Maafushi is a vibrant island with abundant warm beaches, cafes overlooking the ocean, and water activities. There is always something to do on the island. 

I compare Maafushi to an older big sister with an extrovert personality and willing to be friends with everyone. 

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Since Fulidhoo is a smaller island, it’s more laid back and quiet. It’s the closest thing to get to for a private resort feel since not many people stay on the island. 

I think of Fulidhoo as the shy younger sister who likes to keep herself busy. 

Final Thoughts? If you want a vibrant environment, then head to Maafushi. For those who want quietness, head to Fulidhoo. 

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How do the beaches compare on Maafushi versus Fulidhoo?

Both islands have a Bikini Beach and local beaches. The Bikini Beach is where you can wear swimsuits, while the local beaches require clothes to cover shoulders and thighs. So, wearing a T-shirt and shorts is acceptable for the local beaches. 

Maafushi has a Bikini Beach area around Arena Beach and near Maafushi pier. They’re popular spots to relax on the beach under the palm trees and rent a lounge chair. The beach is white and sandy but is heavily visited. 

The other areas are local beaches. In my opinion, the local beaches are cleaner. But there aren’t any palm trees for coverage. Towards the park area, there are benches and coverage, so you could leave your stuff there while swimming. 

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Fulidhoo has a Bikini Beach on the east side. The sand is super clean and fine. There is one sun umbrella with two lounge chairs for anyone to use.  

The local beaches are the rest of the island so clothing coverage is required. The beach north of the island is not the cleanest as garbage has washed ashore. As with coverage, there are trees next to the beach and hammocks. 

Which is better? We say Fulidhoo is slightly ahead as the sand on Bikini Beach is nicer than Maafushi’s. 

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Which island has more outdoor adventures?

Maafushi is the island to visit for water activities, snorkeling, and diving adventures. 

You can easily rent a jetski, go parasailing, ride a banana boat, or snorkel off the Bikini Beach area. 

Near the pier, many tour agencies provide snorkeling tours for half day and full day. Pricing is competitive so they’re the same everywhere – between $65 to $100 per person. 

It’s best to visit the agencies in the late afternoon/evening before your tour date to inquire about the schedule. Depending on the tour, you could see whale sharks, manta rays, sting rays, a school of fish, and lucky dolphins, and have lunch on a sandbank or island. 

We took two excursions and loved them – 1) Whale Shark and Manta Rays, 2) Underwater shipwreck and Nurse Sharks.

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Fulidhoo has a few snorkeling excursions and diving opportunities. With the fewer offerings, you need to inquire with your accommodation if there are any scheduled. The cost will be slightly higher too. 

We saw that Kinan Resort and Luau Beach Inn had snorkeling events. We didn’t go on any so we cannot share our experience. But the tours have fewer people so you’ll receive more attention and 1-on-1 support. 

We suggest contacting Divers Lodge Fulidhoo, located in Luau Beach Inn for inquiries. 

If these options are not interesting, snorkeling from the beach and kayaking are other options. Or you can check out the sting rays near the pier.

Verdict: Maafushi has more options to choose from. 

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What are the accommodations on Maafushi and Fulidhoo?

Maafushi has guesthouses and small hotels on the island. The accommodations are spread around the island, so some are next to the beach while others are in the residential area. 

Check out the options on Booking.com here. 

Our Recommendation for Maafushi: Island Ambience

It’s a small guesthouse in a quiet residential area. The guesthouse is newer so amenities are clean. We had the larger Family Room so it was enough space for 2 people. We loved how the hotel gave us drinking water in glass bottles. 

Check availability for Island Ambience on Booking.com 

Check for pricing on Agoda

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Fulidhoo has a handful of guesthouses and hotels. They’re located next to the beach, so you can wake up to the gorgeous ocean water every day! 

Check out the Fulidhoo accommodations on Booking.com 

Our Recommendation for Fulidhoo: Luau Beach Inn

Located near the Fulidhoo pier, it’s the tallest hotel on the island at 4 levels. Our room faced the ocean so we admired the azure waters every day. 

We had breakfast and dinner included in our room price, so we didn’t have to worry about finding a place to eat. 

We loved how this place gave us a reusable water bottle as a gift, and to use during our stay. There were water dispensers on each floor. 

They also had amazing service and picked us up from the pier on arrival. Even though we packed light with a carry on luggage, they had a small truck to bring them to the hotel. 

Check availability for Luau Beach Inn on Booking.com 

Check pricing on Agoda 

Which is better? It’s a tie. Both are great to stay overnight. You will get more options on Maafushi.

Map

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1. Maafushi

By Jackie & Justin, Life Of Doing

Maafushi is a small island in the Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll) filled with paradise bliss and outdoor adventures. 

It’s one of the more developed local islands with many guesthouses and hotels, restaurants, cafes, water activities, and tour agencies for snorkeling and diving tours. So, you’ll see more crowds on this island, but nothing in comparison to Malé City. 

Many tourists stay for a couple of days, but we recommend at least 3 days as there are many things to do here. Whether you want to relax on the soft sandy local and bikini beaches, go parasailing or diving, or walk around the island in 15-20 minutes, the opportunities are endless!

We recommend going on a 1-day snorkeling excursion to see the majestic marine life. Depending on the tour, you’ll get the chance to see whale sharks, manta rays, a school of fish, nurse sharks, lucky dolphins, a sunken ship, and visit a sandbank for lunch. The tours cost the same everywhere from $40-$100, so they’re reasonably priced. 

It’s very easy to travel to Maafushi by public ferry or speedboat from Male or the Airport. We recommend the public ferry route from Male as it’s cheaper – only $3.50 per person and takes 1.5 hours.

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2. Fulidhoo

By Jackie & Justin, Life Of Doing

Fulidhoo is our little secret as one of the most beautiful local islands in the Maldives. We absolutely loved staying on this tiny island for 3 nights. 

Located in the Vaavu Atoll, Fulidhoo has everything you can ask for a Maldivian vacation – stunning crystal clear waters, powdery white beaches, a quiet ambiance, and many marine animals swimming to shore. Sting rays and nurse sharks can be seen close to the shore.  

While there are noteworthy things to do here, you can do as much or as little as you want. It’s the place to just veg out and chill on the beach or a hammock for a few hours. 

For the adventure seekers, Luau Beach Inn (where we stayed) offers snorkeling and diving excursions. 

While we didn’t do any snorkeling trips, we loved kayaking to the #Fulidhoo sign and snorkeling from Bikini Beach to see epic ocean views and living corals. 

This island is very small, so you’ll reach your next destination in less than a 5-minute walk. 

How can you get to Fulidhoo? From Maafushi, there are three transportation options to consider (public ferry, speedboat, or tour). From the Airport, there is a speedboat that departs twice a day. For the reverse trip, we share our experience of how to get from Fulidhoo to the Airport. 

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Related: Read our comparison between Maafushi and Fulidhoo

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3. Ukulhas

By Avantika, Wayward Wayfarer

Ukulhas Island is a local Maldivian island located in the North Ari Atoll. 

This oval-shaped coral island, stretching roughly a kilometer long, is most famously known to be the first systematically waste-managed island in the Maldives.

Ukulhas is still a more offbeat island than other Maldivian local islands, making it the perfect destination to escape the crowds while enjoying most tourist facilities. 

The Ukulhas House Reef is a great snorkeling spot, especially to swim with the three resident turtles. 

The designated Bikini Beach in Ukulhas features powdery soft sand overlooking azure waters of different shades of blue and a beach bar serving fresh juices and sodas and beach beds for rent.

There are also some incredible sites for scuba diving around Ukulhas. Some of my favorites include Gangehi Channel for drift diving and Halaveli for wreck diving. I have seen nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks, eagle and sting rays here, and more! 

During the monsoon months of June through September, when the winds are favorable, Ukulhas also turns into a great kitesurfing spot!

Hotels in Ukulhas range from guesthouses to boutique hotels, offering comfortable and affordable options for travelers. My favorite is West Sands Ukulhas, offering affordable luxury at great prices.

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4. Thulusdhoo

By Caz and Simon, Wanderlust Welsh

Thulusdhoo is a charming small island in the Kaafu Atoll, renowned for its stunning beaches, world-class surfing spots, and vibrant coral reefs. 

Despite its tiny size, which you can walk across in 10-15 minutes, Thulusdhoo is a rewarding destination with plenty to see and do.

Its proximity to Malé makes it an easy and affordable destination amongst the luxury of the Maldives. The island is accessible via a 90-minute public ferry for around $3.50 or a 30-minute speedboat for around $30.

Now, what are the best things to do on Thulusdhoo? Here are our recommendations:

The Bikini Beach, located on the east coast, is the tourist beach where you can wear typical beach attire and is ideal for watching the sunrise. It features a shallow reef teeming with tropical fish very close to the shore.

The Western Sandbank is a long sandbank surrounded by warm, clear water. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.

The Coca-Cola Factory is a factory that supplies the Maldives with its sodas. It’s the only Coca-Cola factory on earth to use desalinated water. You can request a factory tour to watch the bottling process in action, just ask at the front gate.

West of Bikini Beach is Naafi Jetty. This pier is another great spot for sunrise viewing. Keep your eyes peeled for the passing marine life like reef sharks and rays.

Lastly, Thulusdhoo offers boat trips to amazing snorkeling sites such as Mushroom Reef and Turtle Point.

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5. Thoddoo

By Niki, Travelnania 

Thoddoo Island features some of the whitest beaches and turquoise waters among the local Maldivian islands. 

Known as the Fruit Island of the Maldives, Thoddoo is covered with lush fruit plantations, particularly watermelon farms. The island’s charm lies in its unique combination of white beaches and green agriculture.

We highly recommend visiting the two tourist bikini beaches in Thoddoo that are perfect for relaxing, snorkeling with turtles at Thoddoo Snorkeling Point, and experiencing magical sunsets accompanied by flying foxes. 

Explore the island on foot or rent a bicycle from your accommodation for $5 USD a day. Stroll along the picturesque palm-tree road, Vaau Magu, and observe the locals working on the fruit plantations. 

TIP: Be sure to try the sweet local fruits.

Other highly recommended activities include diving to encounter manta rays at the manta cleaning station near Thoddoo and visiting the sandbank and picnic island near the neighboring Rasdhoo Island.

During our time in Thoddoo, we loved eating at Mango House, which offers amazing fresh and healthy food options. We stayed at Karaa Village and were extremely happy with everything.

The fastest and easiest way to get to Thoddoo Island is by speedboat (1.5 hours) from Male Airport, which departs twice a day. However, the cheapest but slower way to reach the island is by public ferry from Male Harbour (~7 hours), which runs twice a week.

6. Baa Kihaadhoo

By Samantha, Undiscovered Path Home

Tourists looking for a lesser-known local Maldives island should consider Baa Kihaadhoo, nestled in the pristine waters of the Baa Atoll. 

This quaint island is known for its rich, local cultural heritage and serene environment, with just one local hotel on the small island. It’s a peaceful retreat away from the resort scene with so much to offer. 

One of the main attractions of Baa Kihaadhoo is its vibrant coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. 

The island’s clear, turquoise waters are home to a diverse marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and the occasional manta ray. It’s the perfect spot for underwater lovers to see the truly spectacular Maldives marine life. 

On land, visitors can explore the island’s lush vegetation and traditional Maldivian architecture, including the historic mosque, which offers a glimpse into the country’s Islamic heritage. 

Unlike other local Maldives islands, this island is truly off the beaten path and offers the perfect spot to experience the real Maldives. 

The best way to get to the island is a local flight to Dharavandhoo, on the Baa Atoll, then a speedboat to the island (10-15 minutes). 

The best time to visit for the spectacular weather is normally December to March. But if you visit around August to October, you’ll catch manta ray season — the best time to spot these beautiful underwater creatures. 

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7. Malé

By Jackie & Justin, Life Of Doing

Malé, Maldives’s capital city and island, doesn’t have the same allure as the other local islands, as it’s the most congested island with people and traffic. 

Yet, it’s worth exploring for a few hours or a full day. We were surprised at how much you can see in a short amount of time just by walking or taking a taxi. 

One of my favorite spots is the Sultan Park. It’s a local park in the middle of the island with a children’s playground, tall trees, and tons of shade and plants. After sweating buckets from the humidity, it’s a nice place to take a break and escape the crowds. 

The National Museum and the National Art Gallery, located next to the park, provide greater insight into the Maldivian culture and history. 

Another fun place to check out is the Artificial Beach. It’s a small, manmade local beach that faces the Airport. For those who love planes, it’s the perfect spot to see seaplanes and airplanes landing and departing from the runway. 

It’s easy to get to Male City from the Airport – either by a 10-minute ferry for $1.00 or a short taxi ride. 

What is great about Male is that it’s an ideal spot to depart to other local islands in the atoll by public ferry or speedboat. As mentioned in this post, you can travel to Ukulhas, Thoddoo, Thulusdhoo, Maafushi, and Fulidhoo from the Henveiru Terminal public ferry dock. 

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Final Thoughts

Which of these islands piqued your interest? We hope you get a chance to try one or all of them on your trip for an authentic Maldivian experience. 

From the kind locals to the exhilarating underwater adventures and lower costs, you can’t go wrong with choosing any of these islands for a meaningful trip. 

Check out our other Maldives blog posts for inspiration:

• What to Bring to the Maldives in a Carry On Bag

Like this post? Save it to your Maldives Travel board on Pinterest.

Quick Summary

If you’re not able to read through the entire blog post, here are the top 3 highlights on why to stay on the local islands.

• Budget-friendly prices for accommodations, food, and water activities

• Support the local community

• Eat local Maldivian food

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1. It’s significantly cheaper on the local islands.

The entire trip will cost less for the accommodations, food, outdoor excursions, and transportation. 

As mentioned in our Maldives budget post, we spent $106 per person per day for 8 nights. We spent a total of total: ~$1700 for 2 people, excluding airfare. 

We didn’t feel like we missed out on anything as we went on two excursions, ate at reasonably cost restaurants, and stayed at clean and comfortable hotels.  

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With the high-end, all-inclusive resorts, you can easily spend over $1,000 per night for an all-inclusive package of water bungalow accommodations and food. If spending 1 week in the Maldives at the resorts, the trip will cost $7,000+ excluding airfare. 

We haven’t stayed at the resorts but heard stories from my sister and our friends about the cost of these private resorts. Everyone is different in their travel style. Yet, the high cost doesn’t seem worth it to us.

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2. More affordable accommodation options such as guesthouses or boutique hotels.

As of 2009, the Maldives government allowed foreigners to stay on the local islands. This led to an influx of guesthouses and hotels being built and increased tourism to the islands. Foreigners had other options besides staying at the resorts. 

Staying at guesthouses or boutique hotels is more affordable than a resort. The room usually has a private bathroom, air-conditioning, and a fan, and includes breakfast. 

We stayed in one of the large rooms on Maafushi’s Island Ambience. It cost $95/night, had new bathroom amenities, a strong AC unit, a water boiler for coffee and tea in the room, and included breakfast. It was a lovely stay with friendly hosts. We wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. 

Another reason to stay at these accommodations is to have a sense of community. There is a personal rapport with meeting the owners and workers at the guesthouses. They are willing to chat and help the guests at any time in person or over a WhatsApp message. 

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3. Experience the local culture and lifestyle of each island.

All the islands are so different and each has its charms. We wrote a post on the best local Maldivian islands to visit, so you can see the uniqueness.

We stayed overnight on Malé, Maafushi, and Fulidhoo Island. Even though they were near each other (~1.5 hour ride of the public ferry), they were unique with the vibe, crowds, and general lifestyle. 

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Malé

Malé is the main capital city and island so it was a concrete jungle with tall buildings, paved streets and sidewalks, tons of motorbikes, and crowds of people. 

We stayed overnight and spent a few hours exploring some attractions. Since we live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the Malé’s environment is similar to any other large city. 

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Maafushi 

Maafushi is smaller than Male but still considered a larger island. There was more of everything –  restaurants, accommodations, crowds, and tour options. But it wasn’t as congested nor had the high buildings compared to Male. 

Three days on Maafushi was the perfect amount of time to relax, go on two snorkeling trips, see attractions, and experience the island life. 

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Fulidhoo

Fulidhoo is a tiny island where you can walk across in 5 minutes. 

The laid-back pace and quietness were serene for a few days, especially after Male and Maafushi. But it could be too quiet or boring for some people. 

We loved the super clean beaches and waters to snorkel, kayak, see local attractions, and relax for a few hours. 

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Related: Read our post on the differences between Maafushi and Fulidhoo

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Cultural Aspects

Since the main religion in the Maldives is Islam, we heard music and chanting from the nearby mosques’s PA system early in the morning, afternoon, and night. 

The announcement didn’t bother us, but it could be a deciding factor to stay at a local island versus a resort. 

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4. All your spending supports the local communities!

When staying on the local islands, you support the community and its people. So the money you spend dining at the restaurant, going on excursions, and staying overnight at a guesthouse goes to the local people. 

Large international hotel corporations own private resorts. Some of the top hotel chains in the Maldives are Hilton (Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort), Intercontinental (Maamunagau Resort), and Marriott (JW Marriott, W, Le Meridian, St. Regis). 

It depends on your values but the high dollars spent on the private islands eventually fund the CEOs and top leaders. 

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5. Experience the local beaches (No bikini beaches) versus bikini beaches.

Did you know that local beaches are called “No Bikini Beaches”? 

People cannot expose skin (except arms and legs) or wear bikinis, swimsuits, and swim trunks to the local beaches. There may be signs around the No Bikini Beaches which is denoted above. 

Wearing a T-shirt and shorts is perfectly fine. Please respect the local rules. 

If you’re in the Bikini Beach area, the rules do not apply and you can expose the skin and wear swimsuits. 

Also, if you’re on a beach in a private resort, there aren’t any rules for covering up. 

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6. The atmosphere can be livelier than in resorts.

The resorts are perfect for honeymooners and those who want to have a private, secluded vacation and not see anyone for miles. 

But the local islands have more life. You’ll see locals and tourists walking around the island, eating at restaurants, hanging out on the local beaches to see the sunrise and sunset, swimming in the waters, and living life normally.

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7. It can be cheaper to get to the local islands with boat transfers.

Taking the public ferry or speedboat will reduce the overall travel cost. No need to rely on expensive seaplanes. 

We stayed closer to the Male International Airport area and took the public ferry to transfer between the islands. It only cost us $1 and $3.50 per person, respectively.

Check out our ferry transportation posts to see what it’s like: 

• Airport to Male City by Ferry

• Male to Maafushi Transportation 

• Fulidhoo to Airport Transportation

8. You can do more water activities and adventurous excursions.

Resorts may have limited offerings due to the group size and lack of facilities and tour operators. 

But there are more chances to do water sports, snorkeling excursions, and/or diving adventures on the local islands. 

When we were on Maafushi’s Bikini Beach, there were many water activities to experience. We saw a group of people riding a banana boat at sunset and a couple floating in the area on a parasail. People could also rent an inflatable sports car to float on the water. 

Taking a snorkeling excursion is highly recommended and reasonably cost too. We took two snorkeling excursions from Maafushi:

• Seeing whale sharks and manta rays (Cost: $100/person) 

• Seeing sting rays, nurse sharks, and a shipwreck (Cost: $65/person). 

It was incredible to see the majestic marine life up close. We also received free GoPro and DJI videos taken by the tour operators. 

Unfortunately, we haven’t done a diving certification so we don’t have any experience. On our excursions, we saw a few speedboats bring out divers in their full gear and tanks, so they must have practiced their diving skills. 

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9. Try the local cuisine.

You’ll have more options to eat local Maldivian food on the local islands versus Western food options at the resorts.  

The local cuisine focuses on rice, fish (reef fish and tuna), seafood, and coconut. The flavor is a watered-down version of Indian food so it’s not as spicy. 

We loved eating mashuni (tuna with shredded coconut flakes, chili, and onions) with roshi (flatbread) for breakfast. 

Prices will be more affordable than at the resorts. We spent between $5-$20 per person for meals. 

You can also eat grilled seafood for a reasonable price. As a heads up, some mid-range restaurants require a 4 to 6-hour advance notice if you want grilled fish or other seafood. 

If you’re visiting Maafushi in the future, check out our guide on where to eat in Maafushi. 

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10. No alcohol on the local islands.

We mentioned this aspect in our Maldives travel tips post, but the local islands do not serve alcohol. It’s against the Islam religion. Justin and I don’t drink so this didn’t bother us. 

The only way to get alcohol is by visiting a party island, visiting a resort on a day trip, or staying at the resort. It’s something to consider if drinking is important to you on a vacation. 

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Final Thoughts

We recommend staying in the Maldives on a local island instead of a resort. It’s a different experience with the atmosphere, culture, cuisine, and accommodation. We prefer this travel style since it’s more low-key and just as memorable. 

Need other inspirational posts about the Maldives? Check out what we’ve written below: 

• How to Pack Light for the Maldives in a Carry On

Like this post? Save it to your Maldives Travel Board on Pinterest

Accommodations

1. Stay on the local islands instead of the resorts.

Local islands have guesthouses and boutique hotels so the cost will be lower than the private overwater bungalows at the resorts. 

The accommodation costs on the local islands will vary.

Our trip included overnight stays on Male, Maafushi, and Fulidhoo. We stayed at Maafushi’s Island Ambience for $95 per night and Fulidhoo’s Luau Beach Inn for $267 per night (Price includes breakfast and dinner). Both places had a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a fan. 

The cost of the resort bungalows can be $400-$1000+ per night. While the bungalow stay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is pricey. But if you’re willing to spend the money – go for it! Our friends only do the resort option and rave about the resort amenities. 

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2. Book accommodations ahead of time. 

If you’re traveling in the dry season (December to April), hotels and accommodations may be booked. So, avoid disappointment or your preferred price range by booking in advance.

We use Booking.com and Agoda to compare pricing for the accommodations and reserve with Booking.com. 

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Transportation

3. If you’re flying into Male’s Velana International Airport and need to go Male, take the airport ferry to Male City instead of a taxi.

It’s very convenient and costs $1.00 (14,000 Maladivian Rufiyaa) to take the Airport-Male ferry. It’s a slow-paced ride and arrives at Male’s Henveiru Ferry Terminal in 10 minutes. 

Read more about our experience with the Airport to Male Ferry here.

If you have large luggages, it’s not a problem to bring them onto the ferry. 

Want to pack lighter? Read our post on what to bring to the Maldives in a carry on bag here.

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4. Use the public ferry as transportation (if available) instead of speedboat rides and seaplanes. 

Did you know that public ferries take you from Male, the capital, to the local islands, such as Maafushi, Dhiffushi, Guraidhoo, etc. 

We used the public ferry to get from Male to Maafushi and Fulidhoo to Male to the Airport, and the ride was comfortable.

Check out the ferry schedule and use the dropdown menu to change the departure island. 

The cost is super affordable – only 53 Maldivian Rufiyaa ($3.50) per person! 

The speed of the boat is a lot slower compared to the speedboats, but the public ferry ride can save money.

For islands outside of the atoll mentioned above, here is another ferry schedule for other atolls. 

Seaplane rides vary, but we’ve seen resorts charge $200-$400 per person per way. It’s a faster way to travel around the Maldives, but you’ll just need to pay for it. We’ve seen aerial photos from the seaplane and they’re impressive! So, the ride may be worth it to you. 

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5. If speedboats are the only option, ask your accommodation to arrange the ride. 

Depending on which island you’re visiting, taking the speedboat may the be only option to get there.

Since it can be challenging to arrange transportation, ask your accommodation to arrange the speedboat ride to/from your starting and ending locations. Your accommodation knows the speedboat schedule and the cost. 

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6. Or, consider taking a domestic flight to islands in the Maldives instead of a seaplane.

Male’s Velana International Airport is the main airport that everyone goes to, yet there are other domestic and international airports that visitors can fly into. Check out the complete airport list here. 

Maldivian Airlines is the national carrier and travels to many islands.  

Taking the local flight can be an alternative compared to a seaplane flight. 

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Food

7. Find accommodation with breakfast included. 

This point can also be added to the “Accommodation” section. During your hotel research, check if breakfast is included in the cost.

This will help cut down your food expenses. You’ll also save time since you don’t need to find a place to eat in the morning.   

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8. Consider an all-inclusive meal or half-board meal plan. 

Depending on your hotel, having an all-inclusive (all meals covered) or half-board meal (breakfast and dinner) may be cheaper than eating at restaurants.

It’s best to inquire with the accommodation or resort to determine the price difference.

We did a half-board meal option when we stayed at Luau Beach Inn on Fulidhoo Island. This included breakfast and dinner.

We didn’t have lunch included as we weren’t sure if we would be around as the full day snorkeling trips usually includes lunch.

At the time of our visit, the hotel food was buffet style and there was a lot of variety such a fish, curries, and vegetables. We thought the food had more flavor than what we had on Maafushi Island. 

When there are fewer visitors on the island, there is an a la carte menu for the meals.  

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9. Check out restaurants’ menus for pricing and offerings.

We suggest looking at Google Maps for ideas on places to eat and then visiting the restaurants to check out the menu. When we were at Maafushi, many restaurants place a copy of their menus outside. 

You can also visit the restaurants’ social media handles such as Facebook or Instagram to get an idea of the food offerings and see if there is a menu posted. 

TIP: You may want to do this when you’re not starving or hangry (hungry + angry). Otherwise, you may just go to the first restaurant that you come across and not do any comparisons. 

If you’re visiting the local island, Maafushi, check out our restaurant guide here. We spent between $5.00 – $20.00 per person on meals. 

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10. Bring a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water. 

Ask your accommodations if they provide drinking water. 

We stayed at two hotels that provided drinking water. Island Ambience on Maafushi gave us a glass bottle of drinking water, while Luau Beach Inn had water dispensers. Luau Beach Inn also gave us a refillable water bottle as a gift.  

The free access to water reduced the need to buy water and throwing away single-use plastic.

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Read More: Maafushi or Fulidhoo – Which Island is Better?

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Attractions

11. Seek out the free attractions such as lounging on the beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and more!

Take advantage of the beautiful ocean water and start exploring on your own. For example, we had free access to kayaks from our Fulidhoo hotel.

Yet, it’s perfectly fine if you want to just hang out by the beach every day. It’s your vacation!

If you run out of ideas on things to do, ask your accommodation for additional suggestions. 

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12. Shop around for snorkeling or diving excursions. 

If you’re on the local island, you can inquire at various tour agencies for the pricing and offerings of water activities and excursions. 

We stayed on Maafushi Island for 3 days and noticed that the excursions cost the same at all of the tour agencies. Expect to pay between $45 to $100 per person for tours. It’s a competitive business!

Check out our experience going on the Whale Shark & Manta Ray Excursion and the Shipwreck Excursion.  

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13. Bring your own snorkel or diving gear.

Save money and bring your own snorkel and diving gear. But we know how it can be added weight to the luggage. 

If you’re taking a tour, the snorkel and fins will most likely be provided. So, you won’t need to bring any. 

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Currency

14. Do not exchange U.S. dollars for Maldivian Rufiyaa.

This is a personal choice, but we suggest paying everything in U.S. dollars. 

Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) cannot be exchanged outside of the Maldives, so you must spend it all or exchange any leftover currency before leaving the country. 

If you exchanged at the Bank of Maldives and want to exchange MVR to USD, then you’ll need to show your initial transaction slip. So, do not lose this piece of paper!

At the Male airport, we stopped by the Bank of Maldives and exchanged $100 USD. We received 1500 Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) as the buy rate was 15.00. According to XE Currency Converter, the rate was $1 USD to 15.45 MVR. So, we lost some money.

The goal was to spend as much of the MVR as possible. It was a bit challenging since everywhere accepted credit card. At the end of the trip, we only had 1 MVR ($.06) left over. So we did it! 

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15. Many places accept Maldivian Rufiyaa, U.S. dollars, and credit cards. But the exchange rate from MVR to USD varies. 

When you get the bill, do a quick calculation between the exchange rates and determine which rate is cheaper. Take the final amount in MVR, and divide it by 15.45 (current exchange rate) and see what the U.S. dollar amount would be. 

Sometimes the establishment will ask if you want to be charged in U.S. dollars or Maldivian Rufiyaa. Always choose the cheaper rate to save money!

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16. Use a credit card if possible. 

Most places, including hotels, accept credit cards. But check if there is an added 4% fee for using a credit card. 

If you plan to charge everything on a credit card, then you won’t need as much cash. Having small denominations of U.S. dollars will be helpful in case the credit card machine fails. This happened to us! 

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For U.S. travelers, we recommend having a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve credit card. These cards do not charge a foreign transaction fee. 

These cards have an annual fee. Depending on which card you get, you get special perks such as extra points for travel expenses, $300 annual travel credits, and a Priority Pass for free airport lounge access. 

I have a Sapphire Preferred card and have been using it for years. Learn more about the cards here. 

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17. There is an added tax to all purchases, so just an FYI for the final cost of things. 

The Maldivian government requests hotels to add an Environmental Green Tax which is $3/person/day.

In addition, all purchases are subject to a 10% service charge and 16% tourist and goods fee.

But not all the places charge the 16%. We ate at a budget-friendly restaurant on Maafushi and the bill only had the 10% service charge.

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Final Thoughts

A cheaper vacation to the Maldives is possible! It can be a budget-friendly destination by staying at local islands, choosing cheaper transportation options, and doing free activities. 

Regardless of whether you stay at a resort or a local island, you’ll have an amazing time!

If you need more travel tips on Maldives, read our post on what to know before traveling to the Maldives.

If you have any questions about budget tips, please ask in the comment section below. 

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Quick Itinerary Breakdown

Don’t have time to read our post fully? Here is a quick snapshot of the itinerary and number of days at each place below.

• Day 0: Travel Day

• Day 1: Malé Arrival

• Day 2-4: Maafushi Arrival & Exploration 

• Day 5-6: Fulidhoo Arrival & Exploration

• Day 7: Travel Day

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Day 0: Travel Day

Before your trip, we recommend reading our Maldives travel tips post to help with your planning. It’ll cover what we experienced on our trip, budget tips, the best local islands, and more, so you don’t need to repeat our mistakes. 

Once your luggage is all packed, you’re ready for your flight to the Maldives. Hope you can get some rest on the flight even though you will be excited about your trip. 

As a reminder, please complete the Maldives IMUGA Declaration online at least 96 hours before your flight. 

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Day 1: Arrival in Malé

You’ve finally arrived at Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Male’s Velana International Airport (airport code: MLE) is the main airport. 

After going through Immigration and Customs, you’ll need to figure out what to do next. It’ll depend on the flight’s arrival time. 

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If you arrive in the morning or afternoon, here are a few options: 

Option 1: Take the 10-minute Airport to Male Ferry or take a taxi and explore Male for a few hours. Ferry cost 15 Maldivian Rufiyaa ($1.00) per person. We didn’t take a taxi to Male, but read that it’s only a few dollars to travel around. 

While many visitors skip Male, there are a few places to check out such as the foresty Sultan Park. Check out this Male stopover post that we’ve written. 

You can either stay overnight in Male or head directly to Maafushi. 

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Option 2: Head to Male City using the Airport to Male ferry or taxi transportation as mentioned above. Then go to the next destination, Maafushi Island by public ferry or speedboat. 

Take the public government ferry from Henveiru Terminal if the schedule works out. When using the schedule, change the departure island to Male. The ferry takes 1.5 hours. 

Taking a speedboat from Maafushi is also another option. (More info below under Option 3). This ride takes 30 to 45 minutes. 

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Option 3: From the airport, take a direct speedboat to Maafushi Island.

We know of one speedboat company to use, iCom Tours. They’re a well-known company for speedboat rides and snorkeling tours on Maafushi. They have rides from Airport – Male – Maafushi. 

NOTE: If going directly to Maafushi, please go directly to the Day 2 part of the itinerary and start your trip there. 

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If you arrive in the evening, here are two options:

Option 1: Get to Male using the Airport-Male public ferry or taxi and stay overnight in Male City. 

There are plenty of accommodations on Male but expect to pay around $100+ for 1 night. The ratings for the accommodations are average, so let low to medium expectations for 1 night.

Check out Male accommodations on Booking.com here. 

Click for pricing on Agoda here. 

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Option 2: Take a speedboat from the Airport to Maafushi. The last departure is at 10:00pm, according to iCom Tours website. 

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What Did We Do? 

We flew from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then from Kuala Lumpur to Male. Our flight was delayed from KL to Male, so we arrived in Male after 8:20pm. 

After going through Immigration, Customs, and taking the ferry from the Airport to Male, we arrived at our accommodations at 9:00pm. We couldn’t wait to get a good night’s sleep and start fresh the next day. 

We stayed at Fanfiri Residence Male. It was a 5-minute walk from Henveiru Terminal, the Airport Ferry and the public ferry pick-up port location. The accommodation was more of an Airbnb as we had our own apartment, private bathroom, kitchen, full-size fridge, and washing machine. It was fine for an evening.

Check availability for Fanfiri Residence on Booking.com here

Check pricing and reviews on Agoda here.   

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Don’t have time to read below? Read our quick comparison of Maafushi versus Fulidhoo Island.

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Day 2-4: Maafushi Island

It’s time to head to Maafushi, a local island south of Male. 

The top reasons to visit Maafushi are clean white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, affordable accommodations and restaurants, and plenty of things to do. 

It’s a popular and livelier island to stay in for a few days. So, you’ll see more crowds here but not as congested as in Male. 

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Take a speedboat or the government ferry from Male’s Henveiru Terminal to Maafushi. We recommend the ferry as it’s very affordable – only 53 Maldivian Rufiyaas ($3.50) per person and takes 1.5 hours. It’s a slow, calm ride. 

Check out the ferry schedule here and change the departure island to Male.  

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Once you arrive at Maafushi, head to your accommodation to drop off luggage and/or check in. There aren’t any taxis or motorbikes to get you to your accommodation. They aren’t needed as the island is small and very walkable. 

We recommend staying at Island Ambience. The clean room, friendly owners and workers, and prime location next to the local beach are reasons you don’t want to miss out on this place. The room also has free drinking water in glass bottles. 

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Now, what should you do? Here is our detailed 3 days in Maafushi itinerary for recommendations.

On the first day, it’s best to walk around leisurely, hang out at Bikini Beach, and inquire with tour agencies if you want to take a snorkeling or diving excursion. The tour agencies usually advertise their tour offerings for the following day on a chalkboard. 

On the second and third day of Maafushi, you can relax on the island, visit a nearby resort for a day trip, visit Gulhi Island (another local island), or go on snorkeling or diving day trips. 

We went on two snorkeling trips and would highly recommend them! We saw beautiful whale sharks and manta rays with Shadowpalm Tours. Read about our whale shark trip here. 

The next day we visited a shipwreck, swam with nurse sharks, saw sting rays, and had lunch on a sandbank with iCom Tours. Read about our shipwreck snorkeling here. 

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Day 5-6: Fulidhoo Island

Next, we’re heading to another local island, Fulidhoo. It is a super small island, located south of Maafushi. It takes only 5 minutes to walk across the island!

The best reasons to visit Fulidhoo include beautiful waters, white powdery sand, and beachside guesthouses and boutique hotels. 

We highly recommend staying at Luau Beach Inn as you have gorgeous ocean-side views from the hotel room and dining area. The hotel food is pretty good and tastes much better than what we experienced at Maafushi. They also have a water dispenser so you can get free water at any time of the day!

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Fulidhoo is the perfect spot to veg out and relax for at least two days. We loved the low-key environment and pace here compared to Male and Maafushi. 

But if you don’t want to just relax, read our post on what to do on Fulidhoo here. 

Seeing a cluster of gorgeous sting rays by the pier is a top highlight of this island. Snorkeling from Bikini Beach and kayaking are also popular activities to try. Or, taking a day excursion is possible.

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You can get to this island by taking the public ferry, speedboat, or snorkeling excursion. We have more details in our Maafushi to Fulidhoo post here. 

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Day 7: Travel Day & Return Home

It’s the last day of the trip and it’s time to head home. It’s hard to say goodbye to the ocean and powdery beaches. 

From Fulidhoo, you can take a speedboat directly to the Airport for $40 per person. Or, you can take the public ferry to Male (same ferry that we took from Male to Maafushi) and Airport. Read this Fulidhoo to Airport post for more information.  

If you have extra time, you can easily explore Male for the first time or as a second visit. Here is a post of the places that we visited during a short visit to Male. 

Have a safe flight back! 

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Final Thoughts

One week in the Maldives will go by quickly! This itinerary specifically focuses on visiting local islands, but you can be flexible on which islands you want to visit. It’s your vacation, so spend it however you’d like.

Enjoy your time in paradise!

Like this post? Save it to your Maldives Travel Board on Pinterest.

1. Check if you need a visa.

Visit the Maldives Tourist Visa website to determine if you need one to enter the country. 

If you’re an American, you do not need a visa to enter the country. Just have a valid passport and you’ll receive your entrance stamp at Immigration. 

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2. Complete the IMUGA Declaration Before Entering and Exiting Maldives.

Everyone needs to complete this online declaration 96 hours before the flight for entering and leaving the Maldives. 

It’s easy to complete and takes less than 5 minutes to complete for each person. The information needed includes passport information, home address, name of accommodation in the Maldives, and next destination after the Maldives. 

Save a screenshot of the completed form with the QR code on the phone. It may need to be shown to the airline’s representative before the flight. 

Forgot to save the screenshot? Search for the completed form by accessing the online IMUGA site and clicking “Check my QR Code.” 

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3. Determine how many days to stay in the Maldives and whether you’ll stay at a resort or local island.

The number of days will depend on your vacation schedule and budget. 

Will you stay at the all-inclusive resorts? Or try something new and stay at the local, more budget-friendly islands? Each has different experiences. 

As you know, we live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and there was a long holiday weekend at the end of April. So we opted to stay on the local islands for 8 nights/7 days.

We wrote a 1 week Maldives itinerary focusing on the local islands here. The three islands we visited were Malé, Maafushi, and Fulidhoo. (If you’re short on time, here is a post to compare Fulidhoo and Maafushi.)

We’ve also written a post on the best local islands in Maldives to stay in so you can get ideas on other places to visit.

Many of our U.S. friends stayed at a resort for a week. Since it takes a long time to fly to the Maldives from the U.S., so it’s worth it to extend the number of days for the vacation. 

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4. Determine how to travel to your resort or local island and make arrangements in advance.

Will you need to take a seaplane, a domestic flight, speedboat, or local ferry? 

Seaplanes are the most expensive option and cater to tourists who are staying at resorts. Either the resort or the tourists will need to schedule transportation. 

For those visiting other atolls, take a domestic flight from Male’s Velana International Airport. The domestic flight will be faster to travel to further atolls rather than by boat. Here are other airports to fly into.  

Speedboats are great for those who are limited on time and want to get to their next destination faster. It’ll reduce more than half the time compared to taking the local ferry (the cheapest option out of the four listed here.) 

Public ferries are the cheaper and more local way to travel between islands. We took the airport ferry from Male Airport to Male for $1 per person. Also, we took the public ferry from Male – Maafushi and Fulidhoo – Maafushi – Male – Airport route.

Check out the ferry schedule here. It costs $3.50 per person each way. 

For ferries in other atolls, check out the ferry schedule here. 

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5. Check the weather and pack appropriately.

The weather is usually hot and humid all year round with average temperatures of 27-30℃ (81-86℉).

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect the skin from the intense sun. 

If traveling in the monsoon season (May to November), you will encounter rain and thunderstorms. We traveled at the end of April which is the transition time to rainy season and received rain on our first two 2 out of 8 days. We were lucky that the rain didn’t spoil the rest of the trip. 

We recommend packing an umbrella and flip flops/sandals. The rainstorms are intense with the high winds. Plus, the islands flood so wearing flip flops would be better to walk through the “rivers” on the road. 

We wrote a blog post on things to bring to the Maldives in a carry on luggage. If you forget something, you can buy it on the island for a premium price. 

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6. Buy a SIM card or eSIM card.

We suggest buying a SIM card before you leave Male International Airport. 

Or, set up an eSIM card before your arrival. 

You may need data access to contact your hotel and/or transportation company. 

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If you’re from the U.S. and want an international phone plan, consider Google Fi (formerly Project Fi). We’ve used this service since 2016 and love how you can get data for 200+ international countries. You don’t have to pay extra for the data, so you’ll save money! 

I accessed data perfectly fine on the islands. The only time where I had difficulties was in the middle of the ocean on the way to Fulidhoo island. 

Click here to learn more and try it for free!

7. Maldives accepts cash (Maldivian Rufiyaa and U.S. Dollars) and international credit cards.

You can use Maldivian Rufiyaa or U.S. dollars to pay for things in the Maldives. 

We recommend using U.S. dollars instead of exchanging from U.S. dollars to Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). 

The reason is that Maldivian Rufiyaa cannot be exchanged outside of the country, so you’ll need to use it all before leaving. We exchanged $100 USD for 1500 MVR had a goal to spend our MVR and only had 1 MVR leftover. Hooray!

If you decide to exchange back from MVR to USD, then you’ll need to have your original transaction slip if exchanged at the airport’s Bank of Maldives exchange office. I’m not sure if you can exchange from MVR to USD if you originally pulled money out with an ATM. 

So, it’s less of a hassle using USD. We brought all denominations of U.S. dollars with us. 

Using international credit cards is also acceptable. They will charge in MVR or USD for the credit card transaction. 

Note: If a restaurant or store lists MVR and USD costs, calculate which exchange rate is more favorable to you and pay the lower cost. 

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For U.S. travelers, if you’re looking for an international credit card, consider getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve card.

I’ve used both cards, but currently have the Preferred. Both cards do not have additional international transaction fees, so you save money when you spend.

Learn more about these cards here.

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8. Maldives adds extra costs to the final price for hotels and food.

The Maldives government requires an Environmental Green tax for hotel rooms which is $3/person/day. The cost will be added to the final cost of the hotel or you’ll need to pay for it on arrival. 

All purchases have a service charge of 10% and a tourist goods & service charge of 16%. Normally the charges are not included in the price so the receipts will include these two line items for the charges.

Sometimes the cheap eats restaurants only charge 10% and not the additional 16%. 

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9. Tipping isn’t required.

We didn’t encounter any mandatory tipping after finishing our water excursions or a tipping line item when dining at restaurants.

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10. Cover up when visiting the No Bikini Beaches (local beaches).

Maldives is a Muslim country, so please respect the country’s rules and do not  expose skin and wear bikinis or swimsuits on the “No Bikini Beaches.” These are known as the local beaches. Signs may be present around the No Bikini Beaches. 

Wearing a T-shirt and shorts over the swimsuit is acceptable coverage. We recommend wearing a technical T-shirt (made of polyester) and board shorts so these can dry quickly. 

The rules on the Bikini Beaches are more lax so walking around in a bikini and swimsuit is fine. 

The private resorts don’t have any local beaches, so you can wear swimsuits.

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11. If staying on local islands, you will hear a PA (public announcement) from the mosque playing music and chanting several times a day. 

We’ve heard it on all the islands we were on in the early morning, lunchtime, and late afternoon. It didn’t bother us and we enjoyed it as a part of the Maldivian culture. 

Wear ear plugs if you don’t want the early morning wake-up call. 

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12. Alcohol isn’t served on the local islands.

This is something to know if you’re staying on the local island as all drinks served will be non-alcoholic.

The only option to get alcohol on a local island is to visit a floating party island. You’ll need to take a speedboat ride to a small island away from the main local island. I saw one on Google Maps near Maafushi Island. 

If you’re on a resort, alcohol will be available for purchase. So, if you’re on a local island, such as Maafushi, and visit a nearby resort for the day, you can get your alcoholic beverages then!

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13. Book snorkeling excursions when you’re on the island. 

We like to plan and pay in advance for tours and attractions. Yet, it’s better to wait to book water activities when you arrive. 

The reason is that the weather changes every day and tours can get canceled for the following day due to choppy weather and low visibility. 

When were on Maafushi Island, we walked to several agencies between 5:00-7:00pm and inquired about tours for the next two days. 

All the agencies offer the same tours such as seeing whale sharks, swimming with nurse sharks, visiting a shipwreck, swimming with a bunch of fish, lunch on a sandbank, and visiting resorts as a day trip. The costs are the same for everyone so there isn’t any need to haggle. 

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14. Bring a reusable water bottle. 

Maldives doesn’t have a good infrastructure for disposing of garbage. All islands burn the garbage. 

So, bring a reusable water bottle to reduce the single-use plastic bottles. Our favorite is the Takeya double-walled water bottle. 

You can ask your accommodations if they have refillable water or a water dispenser. We had both of these options in our Maafushi and Fulidhoo hotels. 

Stay hydrated!

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15. The Maldives is a safe country to visit.

We walked around Male (the most congested island in the Maldives) and had no wariness with walking at night. While many people are located on the island, the locals didn’t bother us or approach us.

The only thing to be concerned about is the ocean currents. During our snorkeling excursion, the water was calm. Yet something could happen at any time, such as a large wave. The tour companies provided life jackets to those who did not know how to swim. 

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16. Have travel insurance (Optional)

If you’re doing outdoor activities such as jetskiing, snorkeling, or diving, it’s recommended to get travel insurance. Again, it’s optional, but you could have an accident during the outing and may need immediate medical attention or evacuation. 

Read the terms and conditions for the travel insurance to ensure that you’ll have coverage for water activities. Otherwise, you will be shocked by the high medical bill cost when paying out of pocket.

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Final Thoughts

We hope you feel more comfortable with traveling to the Maldives after reading these travel tips. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us over email or ask a question in the comment section below. 

Like this post? Save it to your Maldives Travel Board on Pinterest.

Recommended Things to Pack for the Maldives

2-3 T-shirts, technical T-shirts/long-sleeve shirts, or dresses

We recommend at least 2-3 shirts to wear. 

We brought technical T-shirts and technical long sleeves so we could swim with them at the local beaches. After a quick wash in the sink, they dried in half a day. 

If you prefer to wear dresses, go for it. Wear whatever makes you comfortable!

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1-2 pairs of shorts or board shorts

These could double up as casual wear or wearing them in the ocean. 

I wear Patagonia Women’s Barely Baggie Shorts in the ocean and around town. They’re light, dry very fast, and have fun colors and designs. The inseam is 2.5 inches, so they may be short for some people. 

But there are Men and Women’s Baggie Shorts with inseam lengths of 5 inches and 7 inches. 

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1-2 pairs of long pants

We like to wear long pants for the plane ride and at night to prevent or deter mosquito and insect bites. It’s not foolproof as mosquitos and insects can go through all clothing materials. 

We’ve been wearing joggers from Uniqlo and Patagonia and love the versatility and comfortability. 

I wear Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants. The wide waistband is comfy and doesn’t leave any indentation marks on the belly, especially after a big meal.   

We don’t recommend Jeans as they’re too heavy and thick for the humid weather. 

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A light jacket

You may need a light jacket for the plane or speedboat rides. 

Uniqlo has thin, lightweight jackets such as the Airism UV Protection Hoodie. The material is made out of recycled polyester, spandex, and cupro, and also has UV protection. It comes in various colors and is an affordable price of $40. 

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Undergarments – A few pairs of underwear and bras

We recommend technical underwear and bras so you can wash them daily and have them dry by the next morning. 

We wear ExOfficio undergarments and have worn these for years. I usually bring at least 2 bikini briefs and 1 bralette and wash them daily during the trip. They’re very comfortable and worth buying. 

Check out the ExOfficio Women Bikini Brief here. 

Click here for ExOfficio Women Bralette here. 

Check out the ExOfficio Men Brief here. 

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1 pair of flip flops or sandals

Bring a pair of sandals or flip flops is a must for the beaches and showering. You never know what bacteria or other gross things may lurk at the bottom of the hotel showers, so protect your feet. 

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1 pair of walking shoes 

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1-2 pairs of socks 

We use merino wool socks, such as Smartwool, as they absorb sweat and are breathable. They’re also quick to dry. 

Check out pricing for Smartwool Women Cushion Ankle Socks here. 

Click for Smartwool Men Cushion Ankle Socks here. 

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2 swimsuits or swim trunks 

It’s recommended to have at least two swimsuits, so you can wash and alternate every other day. 

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A Sun Hat

The sun has intense rays so any sun hat that protects the face, neck, and ears is recommended. If you go kayaking, you’ll want to have coverage for the head. 

We have a hat similar to this one sold on Amazon or this one and always get comments on how awesome it looks. 

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A pair of sunglasses

Similar to the hat recommendation above, any sunglasses will be helpful to have. The water reflection and sun are strong so protect your eyes! 

I’m a fan of the Oakley Radar EV sunglasses and wear them every day. Check out these options here. 

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Sunscreen 

This is a must bring! Whether you use a bottle or spray sunscreen, you’ll need a lot of these. Don’t wait to buy them on the islands as the price will be more expensive and limited with choices. 

We recommend using a sunscreen that is safe for the reefs and ocean. Check out this option here on Amazon. 

If we’re not in the water, then we like to use either of these – Nivea Sun Protect, Neutrogena Mineral Sunscreen, or Biore Sunscreen.  

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Lip balm with SPF

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Mosquito/Insect repellent

The mosquitoes are hungry in the Maldives. I received mosquito bites every day on the trip. I still have scars from some of the bites. Check out this natural mosquito repellent to bring with you. 

I used Tiger Balm as a more natural insect repellent, but it wasn’t as strong as I’d expected to prevent bites. But we lathered the Tiger Balm to lessen the itchiness. 

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First aid kit

Bandaids, gauze, antibacterial ointment, tweezers, motion sickness medication, anything that you may need for your trip

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Reusable water bottle

Let’s reduce the single waste plastic on the islands. While there are recycling bins, much of the garbage is burned. 

We like to use double-walled reusable water bottles and use this one (available on Amazon). These help keep hot and cold beverages warm for 8 to 12 hours. We stayed at hotels that provided free water refills or a water dispenser. 

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Umbrella

We went to the Maldives at the end of April to early May and encountered rain on the first two days.  It didn’t rain all day long, but it did last for a few hours at a time. We experienced an intense rainstorm during dinner on the beach and the electricity went out a few times! 

So, it’s recommended to have a small umbrella on hand. We bought umbrellas from Costco and have used them for years. Or, you can consider this option. 

Besides the rain, the umbrella can be used to block the sun. I like to use the umbrella to cover my shoulders and heads 

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Hand fan or paper fan 

It’s hot and humid in the Maldives, so a rechargable hand fan or paper fan will help when you’re outside or in a stuffy place. I had a foldable paper fan from a wedding and used that throughout the trip. 

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Personal toiletries under 100mL (3 oz)  – shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, floss, toothpaste, skincare, makeup, etc

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Ear Plugs

You may need them if you’re sensitive to noise. 

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Underwater camera + charger 

We recommend having an underwater camera so you can capture the most unbelievable moments on your snorkeling and diving excursions. 

We used GoPro in the past but wanted to try the DJI Osmo Action 4. Click here to learn more. So we bought one with a Diving combo and enjoyed the footage and videos that it took. 

We took two tours from Maafushi – 1) Seeing whale sharks and manta rays, and 2) Seeing nurse sharks and a shipwreck. 

If we didn’t have our own camera, the tour guides used GoPro or DJI underwater cameras. They ensured that everyone received photos and videos and provided them for free. It’s a nice perk for taking the tours. 

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Phone or Camera + charger

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Travel adapter 

We brought a universal travel adapter but didn’t need it. Our hotels provide wall chargers that accept U.S. plugs. 

Here is a travel adapter to consider getting on Amazon. 

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Passport 

Check the basic requirements to enter the Maldives here. 

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Copies of Flight information & Hotels (either on phone or paper copies)

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Screenshot of the IMUGA on your phone 

When entering and departing the Maldives, everyone needs to complete an IMUGA Traveler Declaration 96 hours before the flight. It’s free to use and only takes 5 minutes to complete.

Click here to complete the declaration. 

Once you’re done, save a screenshot of your completed form. You may need to show it before boarding the flight to Maldives. 

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Credit card, ATM card, and U.S. dollars

If using a credit card or an ATM card to receive Maldivian Rufiyaa, notify your bank in advance that you’ll be traveling to the Maldives. 

Also, bring clean, crispy U.S. dollars to the Maldives. U.S. dollars are widely accepted here. You’ll need small bills such as $1, $5, and $10 for public ferries and smaller purchases, and $50 and $100 can be used for accommodations, restaurants, excursions, etc. 

*One of our travel tips is to use U.S. dollars only and not exchange to Maldivian Rufiyaa. Or just charge everything with a credit card.

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Extra Ziploc/zipper storage baggies

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Here are Optional Things to Bring

Water shoes 

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Snorkel & fins

If you’re taking a snorkeling day trip, the tour group will most likely give you a snorkel and fins to borrow. But you can use your own if you prefer to not share. 

We brought our own sets of snorkels but just used the ones provided by the tour group. 

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Diving gear

You can rent gear if you want to cut down on the luggage weight. 

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Beach towel 

You can ask your accommodation if they provide beach towels to guests. 

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Dry bag

We bought one from Decathalon but didn’t use it for our trip. Oops. 

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Laundry Detergent Sheets

These will be helpful when handwashing clothes in the sink. But you can also use hand soap that your accommodation provides.

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Final Thoughts

Packing light with one backpack or bag is doable for a 1 week trip in the Maldives. 

Due to the country’s humid weather and island breeze, you just need comfortable, lightweight clothing, and swimwear. We brought some things that we didn’t need such as the snorkel and dry bag. 

Hope this post has helped you think about what to bring on your next Maldives trip.

Check out our other Maldives travel blogs for inspiration: 

• What to Know Before Traveling to Maldives

• How to Spend Less at Maldives

• Reasons to Stay at Maldivian Local Islands Versus Resorts

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Here are some things to consider before taking either the speedboat or public ferry

• How much time do you have to get to Male or the Airport? 

• How much do you want to spend? 

• Do you get seasick?

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Take a Speedboat – Quicker & More Expensive Route

You may have taken a speedboat when transferring from Male Airport to the other local islands or during snorkeling excursion tours. 

The 25 to 28 passenger speedboat rides will take you from Fulidhoo to the Airport in only 1 hour on any day of the week! If you’re pressed for time and need to get to the Airport ASAP, the speedboat ride is the best option. 

How can you reserve the ride? Ask your accommodation to arrange. 

Our accommodation, Luau Beach Inn, asked us the day before our departure date if we wanted to take a speedboat to the Airport. 

The speedboat companies they work with have two departure times – 7:30am and 1:30pm. 

The cost is $40 USD per person. 

If you have motion sickness or seasickness, the speedboat ride may be a bumpy ride. It’ll be better to sit closer to the front of the boat and take motion sickness medicine. Or, consider the ferry route option below. 

I had severe seasickness from the bounciness of the boat ride on the whale shark snorkeling tour from Maafushi.

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Take the Government Public Ferry & Airport Ferry – Slower & Cheaper Route

If you have more time (at least 3.5 hours) and want to spend less on transportation, consider taking the public ferry to return to the Airport. This is the local and cheaper way to travel around Maldives. 

You’ll need to take two ferry rides – 1) From Fulidhoo to Male, and 2) Male to Airport. 

As mentioned earlier, we took this route and didn’t have any issues. It was a slow comfortable ride and great for those who don’t like fast speed boat rides. We already experienced the ferry from Male to Maafushi, so we knew what to expect. 

One of the downsides is the long transfer time, especially with the first ferry ride. Also, there aren’t any bathrooms so don’t drink too much liquids on board. 

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Ferry Ride #1

The public ferry starts from the southern islands (Thinadhoo, Felidhoo, Keyodhoo, and Rakeedhoo) and then stops by Fulidhoo and Maafushi before heading to Male. 

The ferry picks up at Fulidhoo at 10:45am and arrives in Male at 2:05pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. So, if your departure day is Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you’ll need to take a speedboat.  

Check the schedule for the ferry and change the departure island to Fulidhoo. 

Just know that you’ll need at least 3 hours 20 minutes for this ride. 

No need to reserve as you show up at the pier 10 minutes before the ferry’s arrival. If there is terrible weather, the ferry may be canceled. 

The cost is 53 Maldivian Rufiyaa ($3.50) per person. 

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Ferry Ride #2

Once you arrive at Male’s Henveiru Terminal, exit the terminal and then turn left to enter the Terminal Ticket Office. Continue walking to the ticket office next to the waiting area, and then buy the ticket for the Male to Airport Ferry. 

The ferry arrives every 15 to 30 minutes and only takes 10 minutes to cross the water. 

The cost is 15 Maldivian Rufiyaa ($1.00) per person.  

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Final Thoughts

Which option do you want to take from Fulidhoo Island to Velana International Airport? 

We recommend the public ferry so you can experience what local residents take to transfer between islands. It was a safe ride and very comfortable – we napped a lot on the ferry!

If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section below. 

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1. See sting rays from the beach.

Near Fulidhoo Pier is a spot to see sting rays glide in the water. They swim in the area in the morning, especially between 9:00am – 9:30am and throughout the day. 

Many tour boats from Maafushi Island visit Fulidhoo in the morning. We visited Fulidhoo as the second stop in the Shipwreck and Nurse Shark Tour. 

The tour operators bring large plastic jugs with pieces of fish to chum the waters. The fish attracts the sting rays, so a dozen sting rays appear in the water. 

While the ethical aspect of it is questionable, the high concentration of sting rays gives the wow factor for photos.

TIP: Do not touch sting ray tails. 

Since we returned and stayed on the island, we stopped in the late afternoon and saw 2 sting rays gliding around. 

They gravitated to us since they’re used to people, but quickly swam away as we didn’t have any food.

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2. See other marine life.

During our snorkeling and daily beach walks, we saw colorful fish by the corals, nurse sharks, a black tip shark, hermit crabs, sand crabs, and rock crabs. 

At night, the nurse sharks hang out by the pier. Fishermen clean their fish and throw the scraps into the water for the nurse sharks to eat. 

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3. Walk around the island.

We visited Male and Maafushi on the first half of the trip, and Fulidhoo is the smallest island we visited. 

According to our Luau Beach Inn host, it’s 750 meters by 250 meters. 

You can walk across the island in less than 5 minutes. The main road in the middle of the island has a mosque, grocery store, souvenir shop, and cafes. 

But if you plan to walk on the perimeter, it’ll take 10 to 15 minutes. It’s mostly beaches so you can stop and admire hermit crabs and watch the ocean waves.  

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4. Check out the street art.

We’re huge fans of street art as it expresses the city’s culture and history, raises awareness, and transforms areas into new touristy spots.  

One of the side streets has a wall mural of sting rays and sharks with their tails entangled in plastic bags and plastic bottles. 

The elegantly drawn artwork is an important public service announcement about throwing plastics and garbage in the ocean and how those actions affect marine life. 

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5. Wake up to catch the sunrise. 

Double check on Google for the sunrise time and wake up early! 

During our visit, it was at 5:59am. We arrived 10 minutes before sunrise.  

The sunrise is on the east side. So head toward the soccer field and Bikini Beach area. 

It’s worth the visit as there are fewer people on the beach. Seeing the bright orange sun peeking from the clouds is a great start to the day. 

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6. Catch the sunset.

Sunset is located on the west of the island. So head to the northwest side of the beach and watch the vibrant orange sunset with deep purple skies. 

Many people visit this beach area for the sunset. It will be the only time you’ll see the most crowds on the island. (Yes, the island is that quiet!) 

Don’t worry. The beach has plenty of unobstructed views of the sunset. 

We recommend checking Google for the sunset time. During our visit, it was at 6:10pm. We arrived at the beach around 6:00pm.

It’s a very laid-back island life experience.

This tiny island has 400 people living here. 

We enjoyed the friendly locals and hospitality. We received a warm welcome from our hotel host, Luau Beach Inn, as they met us on the pier. The team continuously contacted us over WhatsApp and in person if we had any questions or concerns.    

We loved the warm, soft sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters surrounding the island. Hanging out by the beach is an acceptable way to spend the day. 

On the north side of the island, there are hammocks to nap at any time of the day. 

So,  enjoy the slower and more relaxing pace.

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It’s an affordable island to visit.

Compared to the high prices at Maldives’s private resorts, Fulidhoo is a budget-friendly destination. 

Accommodations are guesthouses and boutique hotels, so the cost is lower than a private villa at a resort. Guesthouses start at $85 USD/night and up. Most places include breakfast in the price. 

Check out Fulidhoo accommodations on Booking.com here. 

But if you want lunch and dinner included, there will be an additional cost. 

Where did we stay?

We stayed at Luau Beach Inn. Located on the beach and only a 2-minute walk from the Fulidhoo pier, it was a beautiful place to stay. We loved the view of the ocean from our room. 

They had a half board (breakfast and dinner) or full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) meal plan. We chose the half board option, just in case we went on a snorkeling excursion where lunch is usually included.

Check out pricing for Luau Beach Inn here on Booking.com. 

Check pricing and availability on Agoda here. 

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If you’re eyeing a snorkeling or diving excursion, the cost is lower than the resort prices. But they are slightly higher than what we saw on Maafushi Island. This is due to the smaller group size and more private. 

As for the restaurant prices, we did research and noticed that many of the restaurants on the beach have a starting cost of $10 to $15/person. We didn’t try any restaurants as very few places were open for lunchtime and we already had dinner covered at our hotel. 

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Fulidhoo has beautiful sand and clean waters.

The Bikini Beach is on the east side of the island and it has some of the cleanest and finest white sand. The powdery sand felt luxurious on my feet. 

The sand is also home to sand crabs and hermit crabs, and we saw many scurrying across the sand. 

Note: The north and south sides of the island are local beaches but are more traveled and have some garbage in the area. Maybe there will be a beach clean up for the north side in the future. 

The turquoise waters are also perfect for snorkeling and swimming. 

We borrowed a snorkel from our hotel and swam around the Bikini Beach waters. We didn’t need to go far from the shore as we saw colorful corals and fish swimming. 

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See sting rays, nurse sharks, and other marine animals off the pier.

One of the highlights of staying overnight in Fulidhoo is seeing the abundance of marine life in the water. 

The sting rays are a popular sight and can be easily seen from the waters near the pier. Many tour companies visit Fulidhoo between 8:30am – 9:00am to see the sting rays. 

We took a Shipwreck tour with iCom Tours from Maafushi, and this island was the second stop of the tour.

Note: The tour companies bring buckets of fish pieces to chum the water and to encourage the sting rays to arrive. That’s why there is a huge concentration of sting rays. 

But you can see them gliding in the water in the same area throughout the day. 

We’ve also seen nurse sharks and a black tip shark swimming near the pier. They come out at night as fishermen clean the fish and dump the leftover fish pieces in the water. 

Otherwise, there are plenty of colorful fish in the water if you decide to go snorkeling. 

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It’s not crowded.

Most people visit Fulidhoo as a stopover in their snorkeling excursion to see the sting rays. 

Each tour group has around 25 people plus the crew members so there could be 30 people per tour group at one time. If there are 3 tour groups, 90 people are on the beach. 

But once the tour groups leave, the beach and island are much quieter. 

Since there are a handful of guesthouses on the island, it’s not overdeveloped and still maintains the local island tranquility. 

After coming from the larger Maafushi island, Fulidhoo is ideal for travelers who want pure bliss and quietness and maybe avoid people. 

Check out our side by side comparison between Fulidhoo and Maafushi.

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The island is extremely walkable.

According to our Luau Beach Inn host, the island is 750 meters by 250 meters, so you can walk across the island in 5 minutes. 

The island is completely flat too. You don’t need to worry about renting bicycles or motorbikes to travel around. 

The middle of the island has one major road that has a small grocery store, souvenir shop, and some coffee shops and restaurants. 

You can easily walk to the beach to see the sunrise or sunset.