Budget Maldives: Malé, Thulusdhoo, Maafushi and Fulidhoo · 10 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Hulhumalé

Hulhumalé

• Sunset dolphin cruise from Hulhumalé · 2 h. Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips but not guaranteed; boats should not chase or circle them.

Local tip: Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips but not guaranteed; boats should not chase or circle them.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Malé city walk: Old Friday Mosque, Grand Friday Mosque, fish market, Sultan Park and National Museum

Hulhumalé

• Malé city walk: Old Friday Mosque, Grand Friday Mosque, fish market, Sultan Park and National Museum · 6 h. Cover shoulders and knees in the city. The coral-stone Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) is usually viewed from outside; the Grand Friday Mosque admits visitors outside prayer times. Most shops close for about 15 minutes at each prayer and Friday mornings are quiet.

Local tip: Cover shoulders and knees in the city. The coral-stone Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) is usually viewed from outside; the Grand Friday Mosque admits visitors outside prayer times. Most shops close for about 15 minutes at each prayer and Friday mornings are quiet.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Hulhumalé → Thulusdhoo

Thulusdhoo · Hulhumalé to Thulusdhoo, Shared speedboat ~30–40 min (about US$25–30)

• Snorkelling trip to turtle and reef spots · 3 h. Combine with a sandbank stop; use reef-safe sunscreen.
• Thulusdhoo village walk · 1 h. The island is the capital of Kaafu Atoll and has a soft-drink bottling plant using desalinated water, which gave the Cokes break its name.

Local tip: Combine with a sandbank stop; use reef-safe sunscreen.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Thulusdhoo

Thulusdhoo

• Sunset dolphin cruise · 2 h
• Surf session at Cokes or Chickens · 3 h. Reef breaks for intermediate and better surfers. Season runs about March–October with the biggest swells June–August; surf camps time boat trips to the tide. Wear booties over the shallow reef.
• Beginner surf lesson · 2.5 h. Lessons use gentler inside sections; the reef is shallow, so book an instructor rather than paddling out alone.

Local tip: Reef breaks for intermediate and better surfers. Season runs about March–October with the biggest swells June–August; surf camps time boat trips to the tide. Wear booties over the shallow reef.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Thulusdhoo → Maafushi

Maafushi · Thulusdhoo to Maafushi, Shared speedboats via Malé ~2h including the change

• Snorkelling trip to turtle point and nearby reefs · 3 h. Shared trips run most mornings and often add a nurse shark or ray stop. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest and never stand on coral.
• Jet ski, parasailing or banana boat · 1 h. Jet skis cost about US$80–120 per 30 minutes and parasailing about US$70–100; agree the price and ride time first.

Local tip: Shared trips run most mornings and often add a nurse shark or ray stop. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest and never stand on coral.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Maafushi

Maafushi

• Sunset dolphin cruise from Maafushi · 2 h. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed; boats should keep their distance.
• Sandbank picnic from Maafushi · 4 h. Swimwear is fine on the sandbank. Take shade, water and reef-safe sunscreen; picnic lunch is usually included.

Local tip: Sightings are likely but not guaranteed; boats should keep their distance.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Maafushi

Maafushi

• Night fishing trip · 3 h. Handline fishing at dusk; ask the guesthouse to grill the catch.
• Maafushi bikini beach · 3 h. The screened bikini beach is the only place for swimwear; cover shoulders and knees walking through the village.

Local tip: Handline fishing at dusk; ask the guesthouse to grill the catch.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Maafushi → Fulidhoo

Fulidhoo · Maafushi to Fulidhoo, Shared or chartered speedboat ~45 min (arranged by guesthouses)

• Nurse shark and stingray snorkel · 2.5 h. Nurse sharks are docile but should not be touched or fed; trips usually add a reef and sandbank stop.
• Sunset dolphin cruise · 2 h

Local tip: Nurse sharks are docile but should not be touched or fed; trips usually add a reef and sandbank stop.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Fulidhoo

Fulidhoo

• Sandbank picnic from Fulidhoo · 4 h
• Fulidhoo bikini beach · 3 h. A small island of a few hundred people; cover up as soon as you leave the beach.
• Sharks and stingrays at the harbour at dusk · 1 h. Nurse sharks and rays gather where fishermen clean the catch; watch from the jetty and keep hands out of the water.

Local tip: A small island of a few hundred people; cover up as soon as you leave the beach.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Fulidhoo

Fulidhoo

• Bodu beru drumming evening · 1.5 h. Fulidhoo is known for traditional drumming; guesthouses arrange performances for groups, so ask on arrival.

Local tip: Fulidhoo is known for traditional drumming; guesthouses arrange performances for groups, so ask on arrival.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Fulidhoo

Fulidhoo

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.