5 days in Maldives

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hanifaru Bay manta rays and Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll

   Hanifaru Bay manta rays, Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll and Seaplane flight over the atolls, then Maaya Thila and Fish Head in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hanifaru Bay manta rays

      Stay at a Baa Atoll resort or guesthouse that runs regular trips, as sightings depend on tide and plankton and are not predictable days ahead. (Half a day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll

      Go with an operator that follows the code of conduct: keep at least a few metres away, never touch the shark and limit swimmers in the water. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mas huni

      Local cafés in Malé and on inhabited islands; many resorts serve it at breakfast if you ask.

   4. Afternoon

      Seaplane flight over the atolls

      Ask for a window seat on the right or left depending on the route, and pack a small day bag, as luggage limits on seaplanes are strict. (20–60 minutes, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Maaya Thila and Fish Head

      Book the Maaya Thila night dive only once you are comfortable with currents and torches; it is busy but memorable.

2. Day 2: Banana Reef and Lankan Manta Point

   Banana Reef, Lankan Manta Point and Thulusdhoo surf breaks, then Artificial Beach, Malé in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Banana Reef

      Ask for a morning dive when currents are usually gentler and visibility better. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Lankan Manta Point

      Stay low and still on the sand near the cleaning station; mantas approach calm divers more closely. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Garudhiya

      Local restaurants and guesthouse kitchens; resorts with Maldivian nights often include it.

   4. Afternoon

      Thulusdhoo surf breaks

      Visit between about March and October for the most consistent swell, and bring reef booties for the shallow reef. (Full day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Artificial Beach, Malé

      Come at sunset when families arrive, and grab tea and hedhikaa from a nearby café.

3. Day 3: Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) and National Museum and Sultan Park

   Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy), National Museum and Sultan Park and Malé fish market, then Overwater villa sunset in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)

      Dress modestly and ask the caretaker or a guide whether you may look inside; visits are not possible during prayer times. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      National Museum and Sultan Park

      Visit in the heat of the day when the air-conditioned galleries offer a break from Malé's sun. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mas riha

      Malé cafés and guesthouses on local islands.

   4. Afternoon

      Malé fish market

      Go in the late afternoon when the fishing boats return; it is a working market, so stay out of the way of the cutters. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Overwater villa sunset

      Watch the sun go down from a deck above the lagoon, with reef fish and sometimes baby sharks swimming beneath.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Maafushi

   About 30–45 minutes by shared speedboat each way. Getting there: Shared speedboat or public ferry from Malé.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Maafushi

      About 30–45 minutes by shared speedboat (Shared speedboat or public ferry from Malé); about 27 km.

   2. Day

      Maafushi

      The busiest guesthouse island in South Malé Atoll makes an easy introduction to local-island life, with a bikini beach, cafés and excursion desks offering snorkelling, sandbank and resort day trips. Best for budget and solo travellers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Maldives

      Dinner: try Roshi.

5. Day 5: Sunset dolphin cruise and Sandbank picnic and snorkel

   Sunset dolphin cruise, Sandbank picnic and snorkel and Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, then Private sandbank dinner in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sunset dolphin cruise

      Sit near the bow for the best views as dolphins ride the boat's bow wave. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Sandbank picnic and snorkel

      Take shade, reef-safe sunscreen and plenty of water; there is no shelter on a sandbank. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roshi

      Served at almost every local meal and at resort Maldivian breakfasts.

   4. Afternoon

      Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

      Lunch is usually less expensive than dinner and has better natural light for seeing the reef. (1.5–2 hours, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Private sandbank dinner

      Resorts set up tables on an empty sandbank with a private chef and a boat to bring you back under the stars.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Ithaa Undersea Restaurant before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, North Malé Atoll keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Malé ($$) suits budget and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 29–39 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.9 hours in January to 12.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Maldives
• 2 days in Maldives
• 3 days in Maldives

Questions travellers ask