Local island plus resort splurge: Maafushi and South Malé Atoll · 7 nights
8 days, 7 nights: Maafushi (4N), South Malé Atoll resorts (3N). Best time to go: Best Dec–Apr.
Day 1: Arrive in Maafushi
Maafushi
- Sunset dolphin cruise from Maafushi · 2 h. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed; boats should keep their distance.
- Jet ski, parasailing or banana boat · 1 h. Jet skis cost about US$80–120 per 30 minutes and parasailing about US$70–100; agree the price and ride time first.
Local tip: Sightings are likely but not guaranteed; boats should keep their distance.
Day 2: Explore Maafushi
Maafushi
- Snorkelling trip to turtle point and nearby reefs · 3 h. Shared trips run most mornings and often add a nurse shark or ray stop. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest and never stand on coral.
- Sandbank picnic from Maafushi · 4 h. Swimwear is fine on the sandbank. Take shade, water and reef-safe sunscreen; picnic lunch is usually included.
Local tip: Shared trips run most mornings and often add a nurse shark or ray stop. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest and never stand on coral.
Day 3: Explore Maafushi
Maafushi
- Night fishing trip · 3 h. Handline fishing at dusk; ask the guesthouse to grill the catch.
- Maafushi bikini beach · 3 h. The screened bikini beach is the only place for swimwear; cover shoulders and knees walking through the village.
Local tip: Handline fishing at dusk; ask the guesthouse to grill the catch.
Day 4: Explore Maafushi
Maafushi
- PADI Discover Scuba or fun dive · 3.5 h. Dive centres on Maafushi visit South Malé channel sites; Discover Scuba usually starts at age 10.
- Evening at a floating bar boat off Maafushi · 2.5 h. Licensed boats anchored offshore serve alcohol to visitors; the guesthouse arranges the shuttle. Drinks are priced in US$ and are not cheap.
Local tip: Dive centres on Maafushi visit South Malé channel sites; Discover Scuba usually starts at age 10.
Day 5: Maafushi → South Malé Atoll resorts
South Malé Atoll resorts · Maafushi to South Malé Atoll resorts, Speedboat ~15–40 min, arranged with the resort
- PADI Discover Scuba in the lagoon · 3 h. Pool or lagoon session first, then a shallow reef dive; Bubblemaker sessions for children from age 8 at some resorts.
- Parasailing or banana boat · 1 h. Tandem parasails suit a parent and child; morning seas are calmer.
Local tip: Pool or lagoon session first, then a shallow reef dive; Bubblemaker sessions for children from age 8 at some resorts.
Day 6: Explore South Malé Atoll resorts
South Malé Atoll resorts
- House reef snorkelling · 2 h. Ask the dive centre for the entry points and current direction; children should snorkel in the lagoon with a vest.
- Kids' club and lagoon day · 4 h. Most family resorts include the kids' club for ages about 4–12; babysitting is extra.
- Sunset dolphin cruise · 2 h
Local tip: Ask the dive centre for the entry points and current direction; children should snorkel in the lagoon with a vest.
Day 7: Explore South Malé Atoll resorts
South Malé Atoll resorts
- Channel dives at Cocoa Corner and Guraidhoo Kandu · 4 h. Current dives with sharks and eagle rays; resort dive centres run gentler reef dives for newer divers.
- Sandbank picnic · 4 h
Local tip: Current dives with sharks and eagle rays; resort dive centres run gentler reef dives for newer divers.
Day 8: Depart from South Malé Atoll resorts
South Malé Atoll resorts
- Resort spa treatment · 2 h
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Maafushi (4 nights): Maafushi beachfront boutique hotels. Sea-view rooms beside the bikini beach; half board often available. Speedboat from the airport about US$25–35 each way.
- South Malé Atoll resorts (3 nights): South Malé Atoll 4-star resorts (beach villas, kids' clubs). Beach villas with kids' clubs and calm lagoons; all-inclusive plans suit families.