Last Updated on 07/12/2024

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One week itinerary for the Maldives

For a short vacation to the Maldives you could consider the below one week itinerary for your Maldives trip.

Is a week long enough to visit the Maldives?

I think it is definitely enough time to visit two islands in your one week Maldives trip without feeling rushed. You can also experience snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing within this itinerary, and all within 30 minutes by speedboat from Male airport so you won’t waste your week in the Maldives travelling around.

I recommend visiting two islands in one week. If you are planning a budget trip to the Maldives then visit local islands near Male so that you can take speedboats and ferries rather than a domestic flight which can be expensive.

Where to go for one week in the Maldives?

If you only have one week in the Maldives then consider Kaafu atoll which means staying on islands close to Male – the main international airport. Outside of this atoll will mean either a longer speedboat journey (1 hour +), or a seaplane flight or a domestic flight which will take up more of your travel time for your one week Maldives vacation.

One week trip to the Maldives: local or resort island?

First decide what kind of Maldives vacation do you want to have. Luxury or budget end? Either way you will have access to amazing white sand beaches, clear water and beautiful coral reefs. For the differences between local islands in the Maldives and resort islands read this article

If you are considering visiting local islands then I have local Maldives islands reviews below:

Thulusdhoo island review

Gulhi island review

Dhiffushi island review

Thoddoo island review

Maafushi island review

Fuvahmulah island review

Maldives One Week Itinerary: Marine Life

If you want the best Maldives one week itinerary for scuba diving and marine life, think about what you want to see and what season it is. For manta rays then head to Hanifaru Bay in Baa atoll – read all about snorkeling with manta rays in the Maldives here.

For the best diving, consider my favourite island Fuvahmulah, famous for its tiger shark diving in the Maldives. However, there is way more than just diving with tiger sharks here, you can also see thresher sharks, whale sharks, oceanic manta rays and a good chance of hammerheads in season. Read all about Fuvaumulah in the Maldives here

Resort Day Pass

If you want a taste of a Maldives luxury resort experience but without the high price of a luxury resort in the Maldives, try a resort day pass like at Club Med. For a fraction of the price of staying overnight you can use the facilities, all inclusive drinks and food and sometimes transfers can be included too. Message them on their Facebook page for up-to-date prices.

How much is a week in the Maldives?

The cost of a 1 week Maldives vacation will depend totally on if you decide to stay at a luxury resort. The price of Maldives resorts usually range from $300 per night up to $18,000 and more.

One week budget itinerary – the Maldives local islands

The cost of a Maldives trip if on a budget can be around $70 per day depending on activities. On local islands, guesthouses can cost around $50 per room so the cost for a couple visiting the Maldives will be around $25 per night for accommodation.

1 week in Maldives : Budget trip to the Maldives

Eating local food on islands can be around $5 per meal so very budget friendly and breakfast is usually included in the room price. Snorkelling trips can cost around $20 per person, the price of scuba dives from around $40+.

One week luxury Maldives

If you want to stay at a luxury resort in the Maldives then I recommend staying for 6 nights and having your final night visiting a local island to experience the authentic Maldives. Lots of resorts offer package and all-inclusive deals so compare them for the best Maldives package. I think it is great to experience a resort for the luxury holiday side but local islands will always be my favourite islands to explore especially for a budget Maldives trip.

The best rooftop infinity pool in the Maldives

One Week in the Maldives itinerary – evening at Crossroads

Another alternative to a resort and local islands is to visit Crossroads. This up and coming island is home to several different resorts, bars and restaurants so is worth exploring and will have much more going on in the evening than local islands. You can take the ferry here from Male Ferry terminal, ferries take 15 minutes, leave every 30 minutes from 11am-11.30pm and costs approximately $42 return for tourists. Work Permit Holders and Locals cost is 160 Rufiya/ $10 return.

One week itinerary in Baa Atoll, Maldives

If you only have one week to visit the Maldives but are keen to snorkel with manta rays in the best spot in the world – Hanifaru Bay then book domestic flights from Male to Dharavandhoo and spend 7 days in Baa atoll. For more information on snorkelling with mantas in the Maldives read my blog post here.

Where to stay in Male, Maldives

I would personally avoid staying in Male unless necessary. I think it can be worth a day trip if you have time to spare but it is extremely busy and crowded. That said there are some great restaurants, cafes and boutique shops that are worth visiting for a day trip in Male. Hulhumale has much nicer accommodation for similar prices. Male has a lot of hotels but most of them are very expensive, they can cost from $150+ per night and the cheap hotels are not particularly nice. The cheapest hotels in Male are usually around $60 per night for work permit holders/locals and will be more expensive for tourist rate.


Booking.com

One week diving trip in the Maldives

Fuvahmulah in the south of the Maldives is the best scuba diving in the world, and definitely in the Maldives. The marine megafauna in this area is so incredible, in three days of diving we saw thresher sharks, tiger sharks, whale sharks and oceanic manta rays. Read my Maldives blog post here for how to get to Fuvahmulah, the best diving destination in the Maldives.

For more information about visiting local islands, what to wear on local islands and where you can drink alcohol in the Maldives, read this Maldives blog post

For what to pack for the Maldives, consult my Maldives packing guide.

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