Are you ready to plan your Maldives itinerary for 5 days? I know you are so excited to pack and land in the Maldives. But without knowing the whole picture of the country, if you make the trip, you might miss out on a lot.
Imagine booking the wrong flights, going at the wrong time, staying in the wrong place, and so many unforeseen things that can happen. To prepare you for that, or even save you from such incidents, this blog will surely help you.
For your Maldives 4 nights 5 days itinerary, this blog gives you all the information from flights, islands, stays, travel tips, and much more.
Maldives in a Glimpse
Let me give you a simple explanation. The Maldives is divided into two – Public and Private Islands.
Private Island in the Maldives
Whatever Instagram showed about how the Maldives is, the private islands offer you precisely that. This is a place where all these celebrities and influencers go.

There will be no local people living because luxury resorts occupy all the islands here. And they are mostly owned by foreigners. Shockingly, some of the islands here are artificially made.
Remember, when you are on a private island, you can not travel to other islands unless those experiences are offered. It is not a trap but a heaven. It gives you secluded stays and beaches. Sometimes, you will feel like you own the island and no one else is there.
What can you do when you are here? Enjoy the fancy room arrangements and some of the grand experiences provided, which are clearly explained under the topic– 5 days Maldives Itinerary.
Some of the stay options in Private Island
- Beach resorts
- Garden resorts
- Overwater villas
You can choose your stay with or without a pool, jacuzzi, infinity pool, and water slides.
Public Island in the Maldives
This is where the locals live. If you want to live an authentic Maldivian life, you can stay here. On a public island, the cost of accommodations and activities will be much cheaper.

Moreover, you can take a ferry and go to nearby islands. And try local restaurants at every stop you make.
Most importantly, you must remember that Maldives is a Muslim country. And they take their customs seriously. And, it’s considered respectful if you can follow them when you are in Public Island.
Things to follow when on a public island
- Do not wear bikinis, unless it’s a designated bikini beach.
- No alcohol consumption. But you can choose to go on a floating boat and consume.
- Must refrain from any public display of affection
- During Ramadan, do not eat in a public place before sunset
Don’t get shocked by all these restrictions. This is the joy of travelling, it gives you the knowledge of a country’s culture and traditions. And in Maldives, you can get to know them quicker when you stay on a public island.
As the locals stay here, all the festivities will truly be a grand celebration. Let’s take Ramadan, if you are in Maldives during this time, you will experience the ethnicity to its core.
You can visit Ramadan Bazaar and eat the yummiest real iftar snacks. Or for any muslim festival, the local people gather around for a dance and music performances. And, each family invites their close ones to share food and gifts.
You can also enjoy these performances and talk to the locals to know more about their lives.
Things to Avoid When Packing Maldives Itinerary For 5 Days
- Alcoholic beverages
- Pork Products
- Idols of worship
Best Season To Visit Maldives
There are three major seasons in Maldives. You must know all three before making your Maldives itinerary for 5 days.
Dry Season (November to April)
It’s the best season to go to Maldives. This season offers you the shiny sun and is perfect for all water activities. There will be no ocean roughness or bad weather conditions, so no cancellation on water sports.
Hence, it is the peak season, the cost and the crowd will be higher. However, the great thing to focus on is that most Maldives festivals fall during the dry season. So you get a lot of cultural experiences.
Wet Season (May to October)
The weather might give you a red signal anytime. With heavy rains and wind, any water-based activities can get cancelled or rescheduled. And if you have made a structured water-based itinerary for this season, your plans will get cancelled or rescheduled anytime.
However, to focus on the good, the cost of the stay will be much cheaper. And there will be no crowd at all. You can quickly get room upgrades for a low cost or even for free.
So, apart from unstable water activities, you can enjoy the resort experiences and local island life on a budget.
Shoulder Season (April, May, and November)
It is a blend of both dry and wet seasons. Rarely, the water activities might get rescheduled. But no worries! This season is similar to the peak season but with fewer crowds. The cost is higher than the wet season, but lower than the dry season.
Flights: How to go on a Maldives itinerary 5 days from India?
No hurry bookings! Or hoping to get a last-minute discount. You need to book at least 40 – 60 days in advance for better price deals. You can also track the ticket cost on booking platforms and choose the lowest.
Direct flights to Maldives from India
- Kochi – 1 hour 30 minutes duration.
- Bengaluru – 2 hour duration.
- Delhi – 4 hours 5 minutes duration.
- Mumbai – 2 hours 50 minutes duration.
You can travel from other cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, or other available cities. As these are not direct flights, you will have layover time. The duration to reach Maldives can even go up to 11 – 18 hours.
I know you still have a question about how much it is to go to the Maldives from India. The flight tickets start from approximately 8,500 INR and can go up to 20,000 INR for a one-way trip.
Things to Know Before Staying 5 Days in Maldives
- Visa: For an Indian passport holder, a visa is not required. But you must get an on-arrival visa when you land in the Maldives. For that, you need a return flight ticket confirmation, hotel booking details, and a passport with 6 months of validity.
- Travel Insurance: It’s a lifesaver when uneventful incidents happen. Your things can get stolen, trips might get cancelled, you can lose your luggage, or have unexpected health issues. For such happenings, this insurance will keep you from draining your money.
- Mode of Payments: You can use Rufiyaa or US dollars. When you stay on a private island, you can use your cards, but it is good to have some cash if you stay on a public island.
- Sim Card: Get it when you arrive at a mobile network store or convenience store. There is also E-Sim, based on your device, and you can opt for that. It costs you anywhere from 250 INR to 900 INR.
5 Days in Maldives: Cultural Experiences
Local Food
I say try all kinds of fish, and it’s the right place to eat the freshest seafood. Then, get your hands on some of the Maldivian must-tries – Cassava, fish curry, masroshi, reef fish cutlets, Mashuni, masbaiy and bajiya.
Local Business
The significant businesses are fishing and hospitality. Apart from that, handwoven mats & rugs, wood carving, textiles, handmade jewellery, traditional masks, pottery are pretty famous. While you’re there, you can also see their work and ask them if it’s okay for you to try it. And many small shops would be happy to do that. But make sure it’s not crowded or you are disturbing their work.
Local Island
When you stay at private islands, you will be offered local island tours. But that is no way near the experience of actually living on a public island.
For example, imagine staying at Vaadhoo Island, where you can watch the sea of stars for hours. Then, Maafushi island for the buzzy local shops, or stay in Thodoo Island to know the agricultural life of a Maldivian.
Local Language
In Maldives, they speak Dhivehi. And it’s not necessary to learn the language. But knowing some essential words and phrases might be useful, especially on the local island.
So let me give you the important ones to keep in mind-
- Hi – Assalaam Alaikum
- Good morning – Baajjeveri Hen’dhuneh
- Good Evening – Baajjeveri Hen’dhun
- Where is this place? – Kobaatha mithan?
- What is your name? – Thibaage namakee kobaa?
- How to get there? – Ethanah dhaanee kihineh heyyeve?
- Is it open? – Hulhuvaafai huree heyyeve?
- How much? – Kihaa vareh?
- Thank you – Shukuriyyaa
- Have a nice day – Baajjaveri dhuvahakah edhen
Things to Know When Planning Maldives Itinerary for 5 Days
Transportation in Maldives
- Public Ferry: One of the cheapest ways to travel. You can travel for 60 INR to 400 INR. To book a ferry or know more details, you can check out MTCC Ferry Booking.
- Rent a Bike: The rent can come around 3,000 INR. For more details, you can browse AtollRent.
- Speed Boats: It costs you approximately 10,000 INR to 25,000 INR for a round trip.
- Sea Planes: It costs you approximately 30,000 INR to 40,000 INR for a round trip.
- Domestic Flights: Flights are needed only for certain private resorts. And the cost varies depending on the accommodation you select.
Accommodation Choices
- Half Board: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner.
- Full Board: Everything on half board + Lunch is also included.
- All-inclusive: Accommodation, all 3 Meals, Non-alcoholic drinks, Alcohol with snacks, and activities.
Note: When you take a full board or All-inclusive, non-motorised water activities will be provided as complimentary. Still, the type of activities varies for each stay. You will need to pay extra for activities like parasailing, jet skiing, catamaran, flyboarding, surfing, and so many.
The Ultimate 5-Day Maldives Itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Two Nights and Three Days in ICOM Marina SeaView
Day 1
You will land in Male International Airport. And you will head to ICOM Marina Seaview, in Maafushi Island. Then you can rest, roam around the streets for local food, or sit by the ocean and look at the beauty.
Day 2
You will have the best of the schedule’s activities, where you will go on a full-day Trip with SharkBay.
Mentioned below are the things you will do on the 2nd day:
- Nurse Shark ( Snorkeling Point)
- Swim with Nurse Shark, String Ray Searching
- Lucky Dolphin’s ( Chance to swim with Dolphins)
- Sand Bank ( Lunch Point)
- Underwater Photography
- Coral Garden ( Snorkeling Point)
- Free Use of Snorkeling Gear
- Lunch at Sandbank
- Free Drop To Floating Bar (Drinks Are Payable )
Includes during the trip:
- Two-way Boat Transfer
- Beach Towels
- Beach Umbrella
- Snorkeling gears
- Life vest
- Lunch
- Water and Juice
- Guided tour with underwater pictures and videos
Note: When you finish in the floating bar, you will get a free transfer back to your hotel, and you can hit the bed thinking about all the fantastic adventures you had.
Day 3 & 4 – Two Nights and Three Days in Thulhagiri Island Resort
From Maafushi, you will go to Thulhagiri. You will be arranged with a speedboat transfer to your resort.
Unlike the public island, you can not go outside the island unless it is included as a service. However, you will have a set of activities to engage in.
Must experience Activities at Thulhagiri Island Resort
Dive school
It is open from 8:00 Hrs – 12:00 Hrs. Then 14:00 Hrs to 18:00 Hrs. There are specific rules and regulations for diving. Some of them are that you can not dive on your departure date, fish feeding, shell, or coral collection is not allowed.
Water Sports
For the price and duration of each sport, you can check out the list from the resort.
Excursions
You have a Male city tour, snorkelling by a local dhoni trip, night fishing, sunrise dolphin, and a fun trip in a speedboat to see marine life.
Activities
You can play beach volleyball and soccer. Also, you can choose to do indoor activities like foosball, chess, table tennis, or darts. This game center is open 24 hours, so you can go and have fun any time of the day.
Shops
There is a boutique shop where you can buy arts and crafts, or any necessary items like toiletries, snorkelling gear, snacks, beachwear and even postcards to send your family back home. Then you have a gem shop, where you can buy blue sapphire from Sri Lanka and some of the best diamonds from Africa.
Spa
There is a Duny Thai Spa offering excellent different kinds of treatments. If you are going with your partner, you can opt for a couple’s treatment called “You & Me Package”.
Note: All the experiences mentioned above will cost you. However, there are some complementary nonmotorised activities.
Day 5 – Departure
You will depart and be Dropped off at the airport.
Note: And when you stay at Thulhagiri, apart from the trip package, you must pay extra for any activities you choose to do.
Conclusion
The Maldives is a beautiful small country, you need to visit. It doesn’t matter if you pick the luxurious private island resorts or the local island; overall, it’s a heavenly place to be in.
When planned better, you could also experience both worlds. After reading this blog, I am sure you would know what Maldives would be like. And if you like to stay on a particular island or do a specific activity, the Dimaak Tours team will help you out.
So, now your Maldives itinerary for 5 days shouldn’t stop with just research. You must execute that plan and make a memory.
Feel free to reach out to us. And with Dimaak Tours, you can customise trips to any destination you like.
Frequently Asked Questions on Maldives Itinerary 5 Days
What is unique about Maldives?
Maldives is a dreamy destination. With pristine turquoise waters everywhere, you will have a soothing view all the time. With abundant marine life, you will be surprised to see unique creatures, or eat some of the freshest seafood.
Like we know Maldives is for everyone: kids, friends and couples. But when you go with your partner, I am sure it will be magical.
Imagine sitting on a white sand beach with your loved one and gazing at the water and stars for hours. And a pretty little candlelight dinner to top it off. It’s a dream day everyone should get to live.
How to plan a perfect 5-day 4-night Maldives Itinerary?
It is crucial to start planning 2-3 months before taking that trip. And book your flight tickets at least a month before you arrive in Maldives.
And there are a few things to remember: the weather, stay options, and what activities you can do. Dimaak Tours is here to advise you on some of the best options. And we are just a call away from clearing your doubts and making your trip arrangements.
Do I need a visa for Maldives?
If you are an Indian passport holder, you don’t need to have a visa. However, when you land in Male International Airport, you must take an on-arrival visa.
How much does it cost for 5 days in Maldives?
There are three ways you can make your Maldives trip.
- Stay on the public island for your entire trip. By this you can extend your stay, as the cost will be less.
- Stay on a private island. This is costlier, but what’s the point in going to a country if you are not experiencing everything?
- Stay on a Public and private island. This option is the best for enjoying two different worlds on a budget.
Overall, the cost for 5 days in Maldives can start from 70,000 INR for a public island and 1,50,000 INR for a private island.
The costs mentioned are approximate and can change depending on the season and time you book. And some of the private island resorts can go up to lakhs just for a night’s stay. If you are looking for a cheap stay, we do have a list of the best budget resorts in Maldives.