The Maldives is different from any other trip: you spend most of your time at a resort on a private island, and the resort itself shapes most of your activities and transfers. This 6-day itinerary suits newlyweds and families, combining four nights at a resort with one night in the capital, Malé, plus an important note about an accommodation rule that differs from most countries.
Best time to visit the Maldives
The dry season from December to April is best: calm seas and excellent visibility for snorkelling, but prices are higher. May to November brings intermittent rain and noticeably lower prices, a good option if you care more about the resort than water activities.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Place | Activities | Transport | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malé → Resort | Arrival and transfer to the resort | Flight to Velana Airport, then speedboat or seaplane | Island resort |
| 2 | Resort | Snorkelling on the coral reef | — | Resort |
| 3 | Resort | Sunset dolphin cruise | Boat | Resort |
| 4 | Resort | Sandbank trip and free day | Boat | Resort |
| 5 | Malé | Transfer to the capital, Old Friday Mosque, fish market | Boat | Hotel, Malé or Hulhumalé |
| 6 | Malé | Departure | Flight | — |
How to choose your resort
The resort is the most important decision of a Maldives trip. Check how you get there: resorts near the airport are reached by speedboat in minutes, while distant ones need a seaplane or domestic flight, which adds cost and time. Seaplanes do not fly at night, so if you land late you may need a night in Hulhumalé before the transfer. For families with children, beach villas are more suitable than water villas.
Do you need a visa for the Maldives?
The Maldives grants a free tourist visa on arrival to most nationalities, provided you have a valid passport, a return ticket, confirmed accommodation, and have completed the online traveller declaration before travel.
Important: unlike visas applied for in advance, the Maldives checks your accommodation on arrival, so you need an actual paid booking at the resort or hotel, not a preliminary reservation. A preliminary booking is only useful if the Maldives is part of a longer trip that requires a visa for another country.
Is the Maldives part of a longer trip? We prepare a complete itinerary for all countries with matching dates, in Arabic and English.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay at more than one resort?
Yes, but moving between resorts usually means returning to the airport, so it suits trips longer than a week.
Is the Maldives suitable for children?
Yes. Many resorts have kids’ clubs; choose a beach villa.
Do I need travel insurance?
Strongly recommended, because medical evacuation from the islands by seaplane is expensive. Travel insurance
