Key Takeaways
|
Vacation in the Maldives is possible for most travellers at a reasonable cost. That’s where the local islands in the Maldives offer wholesome experiences at a budget-friendly price.
With smart planning, you can easily combine your stay on a private island with one on a public island and enjoy both worlds.
This Maldives itinerary for 7 days gives you more snorkelling time, see marine life, luxury stays, adventure water activities, and eat fresh seafood.
7 Days in the Maldives: Quick Look at the Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive + Explore the Maafushi Island |
| Day 2 | Water Activities (jetski, parasailing, funtube ride, and kayaking) |
| Day 3 | Check Out + Speed Boat Ride to Kuramathi Maldives + Live Music Band |
| Day 4 | Island Trip to Rasdhoo Island |
| Day 5 | Check in at the Beach Villa + Sports Time + Jacuzzi |
| Day 6 | Water Activities (catamaran sailing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing) + Movie under the stars |
| Day 7 | Departure Day + Airport Shopping |
Important Information for Your Maldives Trip
This quick Maldives guide can help you prepare for your trip, including the best time to visit, the budget needed, and the visa process. Note the details mentioned below and plan at least 2 months in advance.
| Category | Details |
| Best Time to Visit | November to April is the dry season, and it is best for water activities. May to October is cheaper, but it can be rainy. |
| Stay Duration | 7 days for a blend of local island + private resort. |
| Budget for 7 Days (Incl. flights, food & activities) | Public island: Approx. 90,000 – 1,50,000 INR for seven days.Private island: Approx 4,00,000 INR and more for seven days. |
| Currency | Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but USD is widely accepted. |
| Language | Official – Dhivehi. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. |
| Visa for Indians | Indians passport holders get a free visa-on-arrival for the Maldives for up to 30 days. |
| Imuga Declaration | Mandatory online traveller declaration to be submitted within 96 hours before arrival |
| Alcohol | Not allowed on local islands, but available only at resorts or floating bars near local islands. |
| Dress Code | Bikinis are allowed only at designated “Bikini Beaches” on public islands. However, no restrictions at private resorts. |
| Popular Food to Try | Mas Huni (tuna & coconut breakfast dish)Garudhiya (fish soup)Mas Riha (tuna curry)Fihunu Mas (grilled fish) |
| Things to Buy | Lacquerware, woven mats, coconut products, and local spices. |
| Cultural Note | The Maldives is a Muslim country, so avoid public display of affection and dress modestly outside tourist areas. |
Day-Wise Plan for 7-Day Maldives Itinerary
You will have plenty of activities, such as snorkelling, water sports, beach dinners, swimming, and fishing, to keep your seven days in the Maldives interesting.
Day 1: Arrive + Explore the Maafushi Island
Morning: Once you land in the Maldives, go to the MTCC ferry terminal in Male city. From there, take a public ferry to Maafushi. However, the public ferries don’t operate on Fridays, so plan accordingly.
Speedboat transfers are also available. It can be slightly out of budget, costing approximately 2,000 INR for a short distance on a shared speedboat.
Many Maafushi accommodations include speedboat transfers as part of their packages. If you’re arriving on a Friday, when the public ferry doesn’t run, a speedboat is your only option.
Afternoon: Check in at Arena Beach Hotel, which costs approximately 12,000 INR and take a rest. Later, visit a local food stall for lunch and try Maldivian food.
Evening: Your first stop should be Bikini Beach. This is a designated tourist beach right in front of the hotel, where you can watch sunsets and walk around the area.
Night: Visit the Caviar Cafe and Restaurant right on the beach and 500 metres from the hotel. It is one of the happening restaurants in Maafushi with the best food and live music.
Note: Bikini Beach is the only designated area on Maafushi where tourists can wear swimwear freely.
Day 2: Sunrise + Water Activities
Morning: Wake up early to catch the best sunrise views. As the island is small, one can easily walk to the east side for sunrise and the west for sunsets.
Consider these morning activities:
- Watch sunrise
- Swim in the ocean
- Breakfast at Hiyala Mariyaad Cafe or Aveli Restaurant, as they open early.
Note: To save money, consider having breakfast at your accommodation.
Afternoon: Try water activities like parasailing, jetski, funtube ride, and kayaking. You can book water sports from your hotel. These costs will be added separately from your stay expenses.
Also, the water activities on the public island will be much cheaper than on the private island.
Evening: Walk around the beach, skip the fancy restaurants and eat local food from the small vendors in the beach area.
Day 3: Check Out + Speed Boat Ride to Kuramathi Maldives + Live Bands
Morning: Take breakfast at your hotel and pack your things. Then, reach Kuramathi Maldives by a seaplane transfer, which will be arranged by the resort representative.
Afternoon: Check in to a Water Villa with a pool. This stay accommodates three people and costs approximately 80,000 INR per night. Once you reach the room, rest and appreciate the ocean surrounding you.
This stay is close to the house reef, with its colourful marine life. You also have an oversized two-tiered sundeck with a hot tub, sun loungers, and a sun umbrella.
Plan to stay here for two days, gaze at the Indian Ocean views with a drink in hand, and stargaze at night.
Evening: Get dressed up and head to live bands and DJ sets organised by the resort.
Day 4: Island Trips
Morning: Do snorkelling right outside your stay, and the snorkelling gear will be provided during your entire stay.
Afternoon: Have lunch and get ready for the trip to Rasdhoo Island. The guide will take you there to experience the local life. You can visit local artisan shops and buy souvenirs.
Night: For dinner, visit Siam Garden to dine amid Kuramathi’s vegetation and enjoy delicious Thai cuisine.
Day 5: Check in at the Beach Villa + Sports Time
Morning: Wake up and celebrate this vacation with a fancy floating breakfast while you are in the water villa. Relax in your private pool with a plate full of cheese, fruits, smoothies, coffee or tea and a main dish.
Afternoon: Check out of the villas and shift your stay to the Beach Villa for a different stay style; it costs approximately 65,000 INR per night. These villas are individually set within the abundant vegetation, just a few metres from the beach.
You will have a king-sized bed, wooden decks at the front with a daybed and sunloungers. The main highlight is the semi-open-air bathrooms with an outdoor rainfall shower.
For lunch, try the Inguru restaurant. They serve a variety of Asian dishes with Western fusion influences.
Evening: Visit the Sports Centre to play tennis and relax in the Jacuzzi to end your day.
Day 6: Water Activities + Movie by the Beach
Morning: After breakfast, go for a catamaran sailing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. These water sports will be charged separately.
Check the price on the activity list by the resort.
Afternoon: Visit Kobe for a Japanese-style lunch. This is an over-water teppanyaki dining experience with a complete culinary process to watch. Then spend the afternoon taking pictures from different parts of the island.
Night: Visit The Reef for dinner at an intimate restaurant overlooking the turquoise lagoon, serving fresh seafood. As this will be your final night in the Maldives, make it even more special with a movie night on the beach.
Day 7: Departure Day
Go for the final swim and then enjoy your last breakfast with a beach view. Pack your things and check out of your stay.
The resort will arrange a seaplane transfer to Velana International Airport. While you are there, visit the duty-free shops to buy branded items and any souvenirs you missed purchasing.
Note: Seaplane transfers operate only during daylight hours, so book your international flights accordingly.
Conclusion
Seven days in the Maldives give you the perfect balance between public and private islands.
With smart planning, advanced flight bookings, and the right mix of local and resort stays, the Maldives need not be an expensive dream.
You can simply plan your vacation only on a public island and skip the private island. It is all based on your preferences and the budget.
For any customisations on the Maldives trip, contact Dimaak Tours. From itinerary planning, flights, and resort booking, we help during your entire stay.
FAQs on Maldives Itinerary 7 Days
1. How much does a 7-day Maldives trip from India cost per person?
The cost of a 7-day Maldives trip from India, including flights, is approximately 4,00,000 INR per person, but the stay cost can easily be split between two people. This is for a stay on a public island and a private island.
This budget covers
- Round-trip flights from cities
- Two-night stay on a public island
- Excursions and water activities
- Food and snacks
- Four-night private island stay
2. What is the best time to visit Maafushi for Indian tourists?
November, April, and May are the best times for tourists to visit the Maldives. The skies are clear, and it is perfect for snorkelling, diving, fishing and island explorations.
3. Can you drink alcohol on Maafushi Island?
The Maldives is a Muslim country, and alcohol is not served on local islands. However, Maafushi offers the Floating Bar. It is a boat just off the island. Some of the guesthouses will arrange a complimentary speedboat ride to get there. It’s specifically set up for tourists and serves a range of drinks.
4. What are the must-do things in a 7-day Maldives trip?
- Snorkelling with reef sharks
- Visiting a sandbank
- Dolphin sunset cruise
- Staying in an overwater villa
- Trying scuba diving
- Romantic beach dinner at a resort
- Watching movies under the stars
- Underwater dining
