The Maldives is a magical dream destination. Just looking at the photos of the water villas over the Indian Ocean is enough for one to start yearning for a vacation there. However, not everyone can spend more than a few days there, tempting as it may be. If four days in this paradise sounds right for you, read on to learn about the perfect 4-day Maldives itinerary.
The Maldives is a group of over a thousand islands. As a tourist, you might be looking for one of two types of Maldives vacation or itinerary. The first itinerary covers traveling to one island only in the Maldives. The second itinerary covers local island hopping. This will include exploring four different places in as many days. So, take your pick!
Maldives 4-day itinerary: One island only
This Maldives itinerary for 4 days covers landing in the national capital of Male and taking a seaplane or boat to your resort island. Then, you can spend 3 days exploring your resort, the beaches, and the water activities offered there and return to Male on day 4.
Why you may want to visit one island only
There are several reasons why you may want to visit only one island on your 4-day Maldivian journey.
- You are craving a beach vacation and want R&R above everything else
- Traveling between places on your trip is not your kind of vacation
- Chilling is your main goal
- You are sure of the one island you want to go to
- You are on your honeymoon!
Now, this itinerary is my preferred way to travel to the Maldives. We decided to stick with one island since we were on my honeymoon. And, after the stressful planning and end of our wedding celebrations, relaxation was top of our minds.
The capital of the Maldives is Male and pronounced Maa-lay.
One Island 4 Day Itinerary
This Maldives 4-day itinerary will walk you through what you need to do at your resort island. Most resorts have a house reef with marine life and restaurants catering to different types of tastes.
Day 1 - Morning: Arrive in Male, Go to your resort, settle down in your villa
Once you arrive at the Velana International Airport, you will need to catch a seaplane or speedboat. Make sure to catch a flight to Male earlier in the day, as seaplanes fly only until dusk. That means, if you fly into Male later in the day, you may have to catch a seaplane the next day. Once you reach your resort island, take stock of your lunch options, check in to your villa or room and settle down. If you have a pool, take a refreshing plunge to curb the heat. Order in a floating lunch tray if that catches your fancy.
Check out this other article to avoid making these 15 costly mistakes in the Maldives!
Day 1 - Evening: Get a feel of your restaurants on-site, tuck into a buffet
Once the sun starts to dip, you have two options. If your villa has a sunset view, plan on hanging out to watch the best sunset of your life! Seriously, the sunset over the open, cerulean. Maldivian waters is a special occasion. On the other hand, if your room does not have a sunset view, check out the common areas of your island where you can see the sunset. Hotels generally have a sunset viewing restaurant or viewing area somewhere on the island. For the restaurant, call early to book a prime spot and enjoy a drink while the sun sets! For dinner, go for a buffet option as you’ll be hungry after all the travel.
Day 2 - Morning: Hit the beach! Do a snorkeling tour, or check out the house reef
For day 2, you have options. You can hit the beach and get your tan on. Kids will love to spend some time hanging out on the beach, building sandcastles, and enjoying the warm sun. If you are down for some activities, ask your hotel’s diving center if they offer snorkeling expeditions around the island. Hotels generally offer guided snorkeling tours for marine life living beyond the island. If you would rather check out the house reef yourself, take your snorkel gear and fins, and head out to the waters. Again, check with the diving center to learn where the best house reef is located.
For more tips on how to have the best time on your island, check out this post.
Day 2 - Evening: Splurge on a nice dinner
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, and know what restaurants are on your island, indulge in a nice romantic dinner this night. Sample the local fare, and indulge in a sommelier-approved bottle of wine. Since the Maldives have awesome local seafood, make sure to try some. My personal recommendation is the delicious Maldivian lobster.
Day 3 - Morning: Visit a sandbar, or go on a sailing trip
Today will be a fun day of exploration and adventure! Start your day timely by grabbing an early breakfast and setting sail to a private sandbar.
Do you know what a sandbar is? It is a submerged or partly exposed ridge of sand or coarse sediment that is built by waves offshore from a beach.
For a sandbar visit, make a booking with your hotel concierge as early as possible since this is a popular activity. So, what this entails is someone will take you and your loved one to a sandbar for the day (or several hours) and provide a packed lunch. There you can swim on the beach, snorkel around the sandbar, or fly a drone.
A sandbar is one of the few places you might be able to fly a drone in the Maldives since your island resort will likely not allow it. This is to protect the privacy of the guests.
Day 3 - Evening: do some paddle boating, kayaking, or canoeing
In the evening, if you are still down for a little more water sports, do some canoeing or kayaking as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Alternately, for an easier time, go for a spot of paddle boating. There are also a ton of other water activities to keep you occupied for days!
Day 4 - Morning: Relax at the spa
On your last day in the Maldives, take a moment to relax and rejuvenate at your hotel spa. Go for a couple’s spa and massage if you are traveling with your partner. Hotels will offer Ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic treatments that will soothe your senses and sore muscles. Trust me, you will be so glad to have gone to the spa afterward.
Day 4 - Evening: Soak some sun at your plunge pool, or swimming pool
In the afternoon, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the last few hours of your Maldives trip. Soak up the sun on your villa deck. Take a plunge in your private plunge pool or swimming pool. Make sure to go back to your favorite restaurant on the island, and order your favorite cocktail. Enjoy a fancy dinner as you bid goodbye to the most mesmerizing time in the Maldivian islands.
Maldives 4 day itinerary: Local island hopping
This alternative Maldives 4-day itinerary covers landing in the national capital of Male and exploring Male first. Then you would take a boat to a nearby island and start your island hopping experience.
Why you may want to go local island hopping
Here are the reasons why you may want to go island hopping on your Maldivian sojourn.
- You want to sample a little bit of everything
- You don’t know where or which island to go to
- Lazing on a beach and chilling in one villa for more than a day is not your type of vacation
- You want to interact with locals and learn about the culture in a natural setting
- You don’t mind traveling between places on your trip
Now, the way that I traveled to the Maldives was different. But if I go back, I will look into island-hopping!
Island Hopping 4 Day Itinerary
This Maldives 4-day itinerary will walk you through all the islands you should consider hitting on your multi-island tour. This will also include the highlights of the islands you should check out, including exploring water activities. But the best part about being in the Maldives is the sheer number of options you get for different experiences in its 200+ inhabited islands!
Day 1 - Male
Male is the main atoll and the capital of the Maldives. It consists of 5 islands. The Velena International Airport is actually located on Hulhule Island. There are plenty of things to do on these 5 islands. But, for a day, take a car or a ferry to the island of Male. The top things that you should not miss are the Friday Mosque (the biggest mosque in the Maldives), the Artificial Beach, the National Museum, and the Male Fish Market. Spend the night in Male.
Note: If you’d like to explore the islands further, head to Hulhumale Island. Check out the cool promenade walkways along the Indian ocean as well as a glass-topped mosque!
Male has stricter dressing rules, so make sure to check out this article for everything you need to know!
Day 2 - Maafushi - Dolphin tour, snorkeling or diving, manta rays
The next day, take a speedboat or a ferry to the colorful island of Maafushi. Catering more to budget travelers, Maafushi serves up local communities, guesthouses, and eateries. Note that this island was badly impacted by the 2004 tsunami and has been completely transformed since then. Nowadays, it is a bustling island with gorgeous beaches and marine life to explore nearby.
While in Maafushi, go snorkeling, diving, or sailing or on a manta ray expedition (read about my manta ray snorkeling experience in Hawaii here). You can join a small group of people and hit several reefs around the island. The most popular one is the Banana Reef. Notable marine life in the area includes green sea turtles and white tip reef sharks.
Once you are back on the island, make sure to check out the newer coffee shops that have sprung up and chat with the local people. Indulge in a local dish of fish curry served over rice.
Day 2 - Alternate islands such as Fulidhoo
If the heavily-trafficked Maafushi does not appeal to you, venture to the quieter island of Fulidhoo. While more remote and with lesser options for stay, you will get a more authentic locale vibe on this island. The guesthouses offer snorkeling gear, as well as lunch and dinner included with your stay. You can also avail snorkel and diving expeditions around the island to check out the local reef.
Day 3 - Head over to Rangali Island and have a sunset dinner
Next up, get ready for a touch of luxury on your Maldivian vacation. After all, you will be at one of the top luxury vacation destinations in the world! And it’s only fair to indulge for a couple of days getting pampered in a nice resort. Make your way back to the Male island and take a 30-minute seaplane ride to Rangali Island. Tonight, you will stay at the luxurious Conrad Rangali island.
Once you land on the Rangali island, make a beeline to your villa pool or the beach and catch some sun before heading over to the Sunset Grill restaurant. Catch the sunset dining experience at this restaurant on stilts over the Indian Ocean. While the night away by kicking back with a drink as you spot the occasional reef shark or stingray in the waters beside your table.
Day 4 - Spa Retreat and Ithaa Undersea restaurant
On your final day in the Maldives, reenergize with the holistic treatments offered by the Conrad Spa Retreat including couples’ treatment rooms. They also have private steam, sauna, and jet baths for their guests.
For lunch, head over to the first underwater restaurant in the Maldives – the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, and sample Maldivian-European cuisine. Here, you will get to sample the most unique dining experience of your life! The tables are set up under a dome-shaped glass ceiling. And you can view marine life above and around your seat! How crazy is that!
Afterward, head over to your villa or room and get ready to check out from the island on the afternoon seaplane. Or, try out a different activity such as snorkeling in the house reef.
The Ithaa restaurant is open to the guests staying at the Conrad Rangali resorts only.
Is a 4-day Maldives itinerary long enough?
4 days in the Maldives is long enough for those craving a quick vacation in paradise. Expect to dabble in the best of everything during these 4 days. You will have enough time to chill on the beach, check out the house reef and snorkel, and also get a spa treatment. However, if you wish to have a slightly longer break from the world, add another 2 days and you’re golden.
What is the best time to travel to the Maldives?
The best time for visiting the Maldives is from November to early March. If possible, avoid the Christmas to New Years’ season. That time is very busy and there are high chances of the on-site hotel restaurants being fully booked. The beach at your hotel will also be busier. And not to mention it’ll be more expensive.
How to plan the perfect trip to the Maldives?
The perfect way to plan your epic Maldives vacation is to cater the days depending on what type of vacation you are going on. Are you going to celebrate a special occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary? Or are you traveling by yourself? Check out this post here for all the planning tips!
What to do in the Maldives for families with kids
You can definitely have a great time in the Maldives with kids! Not only are there tons of activities and events that will keep the little ones busy, but also the beach! You can use the vacation to take them swimming in the lagoon or snorkeling for the first time. The possibility of seeing so much marine life from above the water is also enough to keep any kid excited. Read more about that here.
How expensive is it in the Maldives?
The Maldives can be expensive if you decide to go all out and indulge. But it can also suit budget travel. On average, here is the approximate range.
- Accommodation (per night) – Budget ($50-$100), Mid-range ($200-$500), Luxury ($1000+)
- Food – $30 to $300 per person per day
- Water activities – $40+ depending on the complexity of the activity
Is the Maldives safe to travel to?
The Maldives is a completely safe place to travel. Whether you are traveling by yourself or as a couple or as a family, you do not need to worry about safety. Your hotel which would be on an island would have limited people on it. This would include the staff and visitors only. Even in Male, there were no points in time when I got worried. However, always be aware of your surroundings and go with your gut instincts.
What to buy in the Maldives?
You can buy a small souvenir such as a magnet or a handicraft item at the local stores. I opted to buy a sunhat that comes in handy for any beach vacation. You can also shop for other beachwear, such as swimsuits, coverups, sundresses, etc. but note that prices are steep.
Tipping in the Maldives
There is no requirement to tip in the Maldives. Generally, resorts will charge a 10% service charge on all expenses, including those at restaurants, bars, spa treatments, etc. However, if you receive stellar service, and want to show your appreciation, add a 5% tip on the top. The service staff would certainly be happy. But note that the quality of your service will not be determined by your willingness to tip. Read more about tipping in the Maldives here.
Packing List for the Maldives
Packing for the Maldives can be tricky. While you want to be comfortable and sun-ready with your summer clothes, you also need IG-worthy clothing and water gear. Here is a shortlist of what you should pack for the Maldives.
Clothing
- Swimsuit – Obviously 😉
- Flowy dresses – Preferably in breathable materials like cotton and linen
- Shorts (for women and men) – It is hot in the Maldives. However, if you are going out of the airport in Male, make sure to dress conservatively.
Beach vacation essentials
- Reef safe sunscreen – Always wear reef-safe sunscreen at places where you go snorkeling or diving. This is to protect marine life. Regular sunscreen contains harmful chemicals that kill coral reefs. This leads to a reduction in fish and other animals that live and sustain on these reefs.
- Gear for water activities, such as flippers and snorkeling masks – The snorkeling mask is a nice-to-have for a good fit for your face. I would highly recommend bringing it with you, especially if you are a newbie snorkeler.
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat – For protection against the sun and super awesome photos!
- Flip flops – A must for any beach vacay
- Go Pro – For those super awesome underwater shots.
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturizer – Some hotels may provide it, but carry some with you nonetheless. Note that your skin will be parched from the salty waters and strong sun.
Check out my complete Maldives packing list along with a free printable checklist you can use for your travel planning here.
Entertainment and other knickknacks
- Hair tie – Super important for people with long hair. Few annoyances equal that of having your hair curls float to your face as you snorkel. You are then stuck constantly pushing them out of your sight range coz you can’t see a dang thing. Ugh.
- Makeup items – Use this checklist for all the items you should have in your carry on bag
- Motion sickness medicine – Many hotels have a speedboat transfer from the Male airport. Our hotel had a seaplane transfer followed by a boat transfer in a traditional Maldivian boat! In between these transfers you can definitely feel the rough ocean waves. I felt better knowing that I had motion sickness meds if things went sideways.
- A good book – Always on my travel lists!
While you might be tempted to take your drone, bear in mind that most places do not allow a drone on the island. This is to protect the privacy of their guests. So, unless you plan to go to a sandbar and get your drone registered, skip it from your packing list.
What food should you try in the Maldives?
The Maldives has the best seafood! Seriously, some of those had me drooling. The cuisine of this place is heavily influenced by the South Asian style of cooking, think curries with tons of fish and other seafood. My personal recommendations are these 3 dishes that you must try there.
Reef fish
Be it grilled, sautéed, seared, and garnished with butter, garlic, or lemon, and a bunch of different sauces. It. Is. Awesome. I had a piece of reef fish on day 1 and kept going back to it every day.
Lobster
The Maldivian lobster was so darn good. First of all, this lobster is locally sourced and cooked naturally by grilling it on charcoal. Not surprisingly, with a dollop of butter, it tasted divine.
Fish Curry and Rice
This coconut-based hearty curry will have you smacking your fingers and cleaning up your plate in no time. The fish in this recipe could be of several varieties, although tuna being prevalent, is often used.
When to visit the Maldives
The best time for visiting the Maldives is from November to early March. If possible, avoid the Christmas to New Years’ season. That time is very busy and there are high chances of the on-site hotel restaurants being fully booked. The beach at your hotel will also be busier. And not to mention it’ll be more expensive.
Where to stay in the Maldives
If you are visiting the Maldives for a special occasion and it fits your budget, I would recommend staying in a water villa. Even if it’s for a few days. The Maldives offers world-class hotels and if you’ve been waiting to splurge with loved ones for a dream vacation, this is it.
If you are on a budget though, fret not. There are still plenty of hotel options for you to choose from. My biggest tip would be to get a hotel close to the island of male. The further out it is, the more expensive it will get for you to reach the island, after factoring in the seaplane or boat transfer.
Luxury hotel: Soneva Jani, Noonu
Mid-range: Sun Island Resort and Spa, Maamigili
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