Maldives Trip from India: 5-Day Itinerary & Budget

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Male, transfer to Maafushi

Morning.Arrive Male. Speedboat to Maafushi (~30 min, ~₹2,000 one-way).

Afternoon.Check in at a Maafushi guest house. Walk the small island; it takes 20 minutes end to end.

Evening.Sunset at Bikini Beach (the only beach where non-Maldivians can wear swimwear).

Day 2 — Snorkeling tour (turtles, manta rays)

Morning.Full-day snorkel tour from Maafushi (~₹3,500-5,500). Stops: Turtle Point, Manta Point, sandbank, dolphin-watching.

Afternoon.Lunch on the boat or sandbank. Many tours include all meals.

Evening.Back to Maafushi by 4 pm. Easy dinner.

Day 3 — Resort day-pass (optional splurge)

Morning.Day-pass to a nearby resort like Adaaran or Olhuveli (~₹8,000-15,000 per person — all-inclusive, full day).

Afternoon.Use the pool, beach, infinity bar. This is your "bucket-list photo" day.

Evening.Back to Maafushi at sunset.

Day 4 — Water sports + Gulhi or Fulidhoo day trip

Morning.Try jet-ski, parasailing, or just laze on the beach.

Afternoon.Speedboat to a quieter local island (Gulhi or Fulidhoo) for an afternoon. Quieter, smaller, fewer tourists.

Evening.Last dinner at Maafushi.

Day 5 — Speedboat to Male + fly home

Morning.Speedboat to Male (30 min). Quick walk in capital if time allows.

Afternoon.Fly home. Most flights to India leave evening.

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Top things to do in Maldives

Maafushi snorkel tour. Turtles, manta rays, sandbank, dolphins — all in one day.
Bikini Beach (Maafushi). The only beach where you can wear regular swimwear.
Resort day-pass. Live the over-water bungalow dream for one day, not seven nights.
Sandbank picnic. A boat drops you on a sand spit in the middle of the sea.
Scuba diving (PADI). Maldives is one of the world’s best diving spots.
Sunset cruise. Dolphins follow the boat if you’re lucky.

Food in Maldives

Maldives is mostly fish-and-coconut local food. Veg eaters survive — Indian restaurants exist on local islands, and resorts have full veg menus.

For vegetarians

Local islands: Maafushi has 2-3 Indian-veg restaurants (Symphony, Cafe Aroma, Stingray). Resorts always have veg options — book ones known for Indian food.

For Jain travelers

Tricky. Resorts can adapt with notice. On Maafushi, ask the Indian restaurants to make Jain-style — possible but limited menu.

Must-try dishes

Mas huni (tuna + coconut, non-veg) — local breakfast
Roshi (similar to roti) — common bread
Garudhiya (fish soup, non-veg)
Fresh coconut and tropical fruit

Budget estimate (INR)

~₹40,000 to ₹75,000 per person for 5 days (local island route); ~₹1.5-3 lakh for full-resort stay

Flights from India (return, economy)

₹15,000 – ₹35,000

Speedboat transfers (Male <-> Maafushi)

₹3,500 – ₹4,500

Stay (4 nights guest house Maafushi)

₹8,000 – ₹15,000

Food

₹4,000 – ₹6,000

Snorkel + sandbank tours

₹5,000 – ₹8,000

Resort day-pass (optional)

₹8,000 – ₹15,000

Estimates. Costs vary by season, group size, and booking choices.

Practical tips

Maafushi is the smart route — guest houses are ₹2,500-4,000 / night vs resorts at ₹40,000-1,00,000 / night.
Drink only sealed bottled water; tap water is filtered seawater.
On Maafushi, swimwear is allowed ONLY on Bikini Beach. Other beaches require modest dress.
Currency: 1 USD ≈ ₹83; most places take USD or card. INR not accepted.
Carry mosquito repellent, sunscreen 50+, and reef-safe sunscreen for snorkel days.
Bring crisp dollar bills for resort tips and speedboat tickets.

FAQs about Maldives

How many days are enough for Maldives?

Five days is the sweet spot for a Maafushi-based trip. Three days for a quick resort-only stay. Seven days for a slow trip with two islands.

Is Maldives expensive from India?

Resort route: ₹1.5-3 lakh per person for 5 days. Local island (Maafushi) route: ₹40,000-75,000 per person for 5 days. The Maafushi route is the smart way to do Maldives without breaking the bank.

Do Indians need a visa for Maldives?

No — Indians get free Visa-on-Arrival for 30 days. Carry: return ticket, hotel proof, and roughly ₹8,000 cash or bank statement per day.

Is Maldives good for vegetarians?

Manageable but limited. Maafushi has 2-3 Indian veg restaurants. Resorts offer veg menus but ingredients are limited. Pure-veg/Jain travelers should book a resort known for Indian food.

Maafushi or resort — which is better?

Maafushi for affordable + relaxed; resort for the over-water bungalow dream. The smart hybrid: stay on Maafushi and buy a 1-day resort pass for the bucket-list photo.

Maldives Trip from India: A 5-Day Itinerary

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