10-Day Maldives Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Maldives itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaMaldives travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Maldives Itinerary, incl. Maafushi Island and Male

  A relaxing 10-day stay on Maafushi island offers deluxe AC rooms and three signature excursions: whale shark encounters, sandbank visits, and 3-point snorkeling. Five free days allow for optional jet-skiing and fishing adventures.

  

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  • Day 1

    Male to Maafushi Island

    Plan your arrival at Male International Airport to match the speedboat schedule to Maafushi Island. Boats run at 10 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM, and 8:30 PM. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Take the 4 PM boat if you can—you'll arrive just in time to watch the sunset on the beach.

    
  • Day 2

    Maafushi Island Orientation

    Start your day with a swim at the eastern beaches where morning conditions are best. A recent visitor put it well: "Don't need to stay in water villa, decent accommodation by the sea on Maafushi is really enough and you can meet locals and try local food."

    
  • Day 3

    Shark Bay Adventure

    Head out early to the Vaavu Atoll Islands to snorkel with nurse sharks and giant trevallies. Stop at Fulidhoo Island to see stingrays near the shore. Bring extra water for snorkeling in the midday sun. You'll have a picnic lunch at a beautiful sandbank.

    
  • Day 4

    Island Hopping

    Spend the day exploring local islands. Start at the Coral Garden to see stunning table corals. Next up is Anantara reef for reef shark watching and a BBQ lunch on Gulhi Island. Get your sea swing photos in the late afternoon light. End the day in Guraidhoo trying local 'hedika' snacks.

    
  • Day 5

    Whale Shark Expedition

    The trip highlight: swimming with whale sharks. These peaceful giants can be 5-10 meters long. Go in the morning for the best visibility. Bring your own underwater camera along with the pro photos included in your tour.

    
  • Days 6-9

    Maafushi Island Life

    Four free days to enjoy island activities. Try jet-skiing ($80-100/hour) or kayaking ($25-30/hour). One guest noted: "That was a great time thanks to great attention to details and quality of services. Everything went smoothly including pick up and drop off." Daily options include: - Snorkeling at the house reef - Fishing with locals - Dolphin watching at sunset - Beach volleyball - Local cooking classes Note: You'll only find alcohol at resort islands. You can take day trips to nearby resorts for evening drinks if you'd like.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Male

    Take the 10 AM boat back to Male. Leave at least 3 hours between arriving and your international flight.

    

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• 8 Days in Maldives, incl. Male and Maafushi

  Five islands showcase their treasures: Hulhumale, Male, Guraidhoo, Maafushi, and Gulhi Island. Local guesthouses provide authentic stays, while Renee's Coral Garden offers prime snorkeling. Cultural tours include Male's Friday Mosque, totaling around $1,500.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Hulhumale

    After landing at Male International Airport, take a quick 15-minute taxi to Hulhumale. As one traveler said: "The laidback culture of the Maldivian people combined with beautiful blue waters made my first impression unforgettable." The public beach is just a 3-minute walk from most guesthouses. Stop by in the late afternoon to watch locals enjoy their daily sunset coffee ritual.

    
  • Day 2

    Male & Guraidhoo

    Take a morning tour of Male city before it gets too hot. Visit the Friday Mosque and local markets, then catch the 2-hour public ferry to Guraidhoo. Bring motion sickness tablets since the ferry ride can get rough during monsoon season. Look out for dolphins and enjoy island views during your journey.

    
  • Day 3

    Guraidhoo

    Start with morning snorkeling at two nearby reefs. Your guide will show you how to protect the delicate ecosystem. In the afternoon, walk through Guraidhoo's sandy streets, visit the mosque, watch the fishermen work, and try traditional hedika snacks at a local cafe. End your day with a beach BBQ under the stars.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Maafushi

    Take the 20-minute ferry to Maafushi, the biggest local island. Visit Renee's Coral Garden to see reef restoration in action. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The coral garden near Maafushi was my top snorkeling spot - nice corals, plenty of fish, and we even saw turtles." Remember that bikinis are only allowed on specific beaches, so bring appropriate clothes for walking through the village.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Gulhi Island

    Take a speed boat to quiet Gulhi. See the historic boat yard where they still make traditional dhonis by hand. The island has great house reef snorkeling when the tide is high. You can join beach cleanups to help local conservation. Have dinner with a local family and try eating the traditional way - with your hands.

    
  • Day 8

    Departure

    The public ferry to Male leaves around 7:30 AM. If your flight is before 11 AM, book a private speedboat instead to avoid any stress. Weather can delay the public ferry.

    

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• 8 Day Maldives Itinerary, incl. Male and Maafushi

  Four islands reveal their charms: Male, Guraidhoo, Maafushi, and Gulhi. A rich mix of city tours, snorkeling spots, beach BBQs, and conservation activities at Renee's Coral Garden fills eight memorable days.

  

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  • Day 1

    Male Airport & Hulhumale

    After landing at Male International Airport take the 15-minute shuttle to Hulhumale. "The beach is just a 3-minute walk away, perfect for that first taste of Maldivian waters." If you arrive before 5 PM you can join locals for their traditional afternoon coffee by the beach to get a feel for the local culture.

    
  • Day 2

    Male City & Guraidhoo

    Start with a 20-minute public ferry ride to Male city for sightseeing. Visit the Friday Mosque and National Museum in the morning to beat the heat. After lunch catch the 2:30 PM ferry to Guraidhoo. The journey takes 2 hours and sitting on the upper deck offers great views and possible dolphin sightings. Get there 30 minutes early since the ferry fills up quickly.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Guraidhoo Island Experience

    Start your mornings with snorkeling trips to nearby reefs. Equipment is provided but bring reef-safe sunscreen. Your guide will point out sea turtles and reef sharks. Spend afternoons walking the sandy lanes and experiencing local life. A recent visitor shared: "Watching fishermen bring in their daily catch at the harbor gave us real insight into island life." End your days with beach BBQs under the stars.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Maafushi Island

    Take a quick 20-minute ferry to Maafushi which pioneered local island tourism. Visit the coral nursery to learn about marine conservation. Join a sandbank picnic around 10 AM when the tide is right. Certified divers can book scuba trips for $150-200 for two tank dives.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Gulhi Island

    Catch the early public ferry at 7:30 AM to quiet Gulhi. See the traditional boatyard where they still build dhonis by hand. The bikini beach here is quieter than Maafushi's. Share a traditional Maldivian dinner with a local family but remember to eat with your right hand.

    
  • Day 8

    Return to Male

    Book afternoon flights out of Male if possible. The public ferry from Gulhi arrives in Male around 10:30 AM. For earlier flights you'll need a private speedboat transfer for about $75 extra. Day rooms near the airport are available for late departures.

    

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