Maldives, A Tropical Paradise Awaits You ☀️🌊

How to spend a week in the world’s most stunning island nation

Ok, so here’s one I have have picked to write about that’s actually ticked off on my bucket list. 10 years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Maldives for two weeks with my best friend Zoe. It’s actually only half ticked though, because we both want to go back.

Maldives is a dream destination for many travelers, and for good reason. This archipelago of nearly 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean offers unparalleled beauty, luxury, and adventure.

Maybe you want to chill and unwind on pristine beaches, explore the underwater wonders, or simply indulge in the finest cuisine and spa treatments. The Maldives definitely has something for everyone.

But how do you plan a perfect week in the Maldives? With so many islands, resorts, and activities to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go and what to do.

I’ve created this first 5 days travel guide for you, I hope you like it.

There’s so much to experience in the Maldives. Follow this guide if you like, or mix and match as you please, and you’ll have an amazing time in this tropical paradise.

We booked and all inclusive deal through Tui, but there’s lots of deals online. I recommend doing a comparison and finding a last minute all inclusive bargain.

I’m basing this guide on our trip for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Malé and transfer to your resort

Your journey to the Maldives begins at the Velana International Airport, located on the island of Hulhulé, near the capital city of Malé.

Depending on your arrival time, you may need to spend a night at a nearby hotel, as seaplanes and speedboats only operate during daylight hours. If you have some time to spare, you can also explore Malé, the bustling and colorful hub of the Maldives, where you can visit the Old Friday Mosque, the National Museum, and the Fish Market.

I’ll show pics of them on day 5.

To reach your resort, you'll need to take either a seaplane, a domestic flight, or a speedboat, depending on the distance and location of your island. The transfer can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but it's a scenic and exciting ride that will give you a glimpse of the stunning atolls and lagoons that make up the Maldives.

Once you arrive at your resort, check in and settle into your room, which could be a beach villa, a water villa, or even an underwater villa, depending on your budget and preference. Ours was a beach villa but I’d love to stay in a water villa if I go again.

Most resorts in the Maldives are all-inclusive, meaning that your meals, drinks, and some activities are included in the price. We made sure before we went. You can also opt for a half-board or a full-board package, which gives you more flexibility and choice if you like.

After your long and exhausting flight, you may want to relax and unwind at your resort for a while like we did. Ejoy the facilities and amenities that it offers. You can lounge by the pool, sip a cocktail at the bar, or pamper yourself at the spa. I’ll be honest. Back then, I liked to party, so we actually made most of the all inclusive and got pretty tipsy.

You can also take a stroll along the beach, dip your toes in the warm water, or watch the sunset from your private deck. For dinner, you can choose from a variety of restaurants and cuisines, ranging from local Maldivian dishes to international favorites. I was in heaven, because I love fish, Zoe does as well. It was shocking to see that most of the tourists stuck with the generic rubbish you get in every Tui hotel. Red sausages, crapburgers and fries.

The Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world for snorkeling and diving, as it boasts a rich and diverse marine life, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, turtles, sharks, rays, and dolphins. I actually stroked a dolphin and had sharks swimming near me. The sharks there weren’t interested in eating humans, they aren’t all like they are in the movies. These were nurse sharks and they were gorgeous.

You have so many options to explore with the underwater wonders, depending on your location and preference. You can snorkel or dive right from your resort, or join a boat trip to some of the nearby sites. One of the most popular and accessible snorkelling and diving spots is Banana Reef where we were, which was the first dive site to be discovered in the Maldives.

Banana Reef is still one of the most spectacular reefs there. Just as well, because it’s the only one we experienced. Banana Reef has a banana-shaped reef that is home to a variety of fish, such as snappers, groupers, barracudas, and moray eels.

You can also see some amazing coral formations, such as overhangs, caves, and cliffs. Another great spot is Manta Point, where you can encounter the majestic manta rays, which can grow up to four meters in wingspan. These gentle giants are often seen feeding on plankton and gliding gracefully through the water.

Day 3: Experience the local culture and cuisine

The Maldives is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also a fascinating destination for culture and history enthusiasts. The Maldivian culture is influenced by various civilizations that have traded and settled in the islands over the centuries, such as Arabs, Indians, Africans, and Europeans. The Maldivian people are predominantly Muslim, and their language, Dhivehi, is related to Sinhala and other Indo-Aryan languages.

The Maldivian cuisine is also a reflection of the diverse influences, with dishes that feature coconut, fish, rice, spices, and tropical fruits.

To experience the local culture and cuisine, you can visit some of the inhabited islands, where you can mingle with the locals, observe their daily life, and taste their authentic food. Some of the islands that offer cultural tours and homestays are:

Maafushi:

This is one of the most popular local islands, as it has a range of guesthouses, restaurants, and activities for visitors. You can enjoy water sports, fishing, dolphin watching, and island hopping from Maafushi, as well as visit the local mosque, school, and prison. You can also try some of the local delicacies, such as mas huni (shredded tuna with coconut and onion), boshi mashuni (banana salad), and hedhikaa (savory snacks).

Fulidhoo:

This is a small and quiet island, where you can experience the traditional Maldivian lifestyle. You can walk around the village, visit the mosque and the boatyard, and chat with the friendly locals. You can also join a cooking class, where you can learn how to make some of the local dishes, such as garudhiya (fish soup), rihaakuru (fish paste), and roshi (flatbread).

Thoddoo:

This is an agricultural island, where you can see the lush plantations of fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and chili. You can also visit the historical sites, such as the Buddhist stupa and the ancient mosque. You can also sample some of the fresh produce, such as thambili (coconut water), kurumba (young coconut), and dhon (papaya).

Day 4: Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise or a dolphin safari

One of the most memorable experiences you can have in the Maldives, and probably the one that left me wanting more, is to witness the spectacular sunset over the horizon, as the sky turns into stunning scene of orange, pink, and purple tones.

A fantastic way to enjoy this view is to join a sunset cruise, where you can sail on a traditional wooden dhoni boat, sip a glass of champagne, and cuddle with your partner. Some cruises also offer live music, snacks, and a chance to swim or snorkel in the calm water.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also opt for a dolphin safari, where you can see these playful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. The Maldives is home to several species of dolphins, such as spinner, bottlenose, spotted, and risso’s dolphins, and they are often seen in large pods, jumping, spinning, and splashing around. You can watch them from the boat, or even get in the water and swim with them, if you’re lucky. We didn’t actually go on the safari, I was just lucky I guess. A dolphin took a liking to me and spent about 5 minutes checking me out. I gave it a slight gentle stroke.

Day 5: Explore the capital city of Malé

After spending a few days in the secluded islands, you may want to experience the urban side of the Maldives and visit the capital city of Malé. Malé is a small but vibrant city, where you can see the contrast between the modern and the traditional aspects of the Maldivian society.

You can easily explore the city on foot, as it covers an area of less than six square kilometers.

Some of the attractions that you can visit in Malé are:

The Old Friday Mosque:

This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic script have been chiseled.

The National Museum:

This museum contains a well-labelled collection of historic artifacts, such as ancient weapons, royal regalia, coins, and costumes.

The Fish Market and Fruit and Veg Market:

This is the heart of the city, where you can see the daily catch of fish and seafood, such as tuna, octopus, and lobster. You can also buy some fresh produce from the nearby fruit and vegetable market.

The Artificial Beach:

This is a man-made beach that was created from the breakwater tetrapods, where locals can swim and enjoy a day on the beach. You can also find some cafes, restaurants, and shops along the beach.

For lunch, you can try some of the local restaurants and cafes in the city, where you can taste some of the typical Maldivian dishes, such as bis keemiya (pastry stuffed with tuna and onion), kulhi boakibaa (spicy fish cake), and sai (milk tea with spices).

After exploring the city, you can return to your resort by seaplane, speedboat, or domestic flight, depending on the distance and location of your.

I really hope this has inspired you. Maybe maybe you’ve already been to the Maldive. If you haven’t been, I hope you want to go now. Let me know in the comments.

LunarLinguist ❤️❤️