What to do in 5 days in the Maldives
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There are almost 1,200 islands in the Maldives, but many are uninhabited. If you’re pressed for time, your best option is to choose a couple of places to visit that are close to each other and are also near Malé airport. That way you can enjoy incredible beaches with transparent waters, powdery sand, and lush green palm trees, and also go on excursions that reveal the many secrets of the archipelago, such as dolphin-spotting, and sunset scuba diving or fishing trips.
Itinerary day 1
10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Explore Malé
The capital of the Maldives doesn’t have a pristine natural beach so many tourists skip the city during their trip. However, it’s an interesting place that shows you what the archipelago’s inhabitants and their lives are like. You could start your visit at the Fish Market and other local markets. It might not be the sweetest-smelling spot, and nor will you see many Maldivian women, but it’s a wonderful way to find out about the food that makes up the basis of local people’s diet. Next, you could visit the historic coral mosque, the oldest mosque in the archipelago, the National Museum, and the Grand Friday Mosque with its golden dome, which leaves you in no doubt that the Maldives is a Muslim country. You could also take a stroll in Sultan Park before lunch.
2.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Sea House Café
This restaurant is really close to the airport so is a great spot for a quick bite while you’re waiting for your ferry. It has a long menu with dishes featuring several types of local fish, pizzas and even sandwiches: basically, light snacks that are great before boarding a boat. The terrace is usually very lively.
4.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Ferry to Gulhi
The normal way to get around the Maldives is by public ferry, but the timetable doesn’t always suit tourists because ferries don’t depart every day and are also rather slow. The Gulhi ferry is easy to catch because it goes to Maafushi, but if the timings don’t fit in with your trip, you can also travel by speedboat, a faster mode of transport that is inexpensive for tourists.
7.30 - 9.00 p.m.
Salt Harbour Restaurant
After sailing across the ocean in the afternoon, it’s a great idea to head to a local restaurant for dinner on the small island of Gulhi ‒ but don’t expect great luxury. Also, don’t forget that the Maldives is a Muslim country so you won’t be able to order any alcoholic drinks, however, there are sunbeds close to this beach restaurant where you can lie back and watch the sunset with a soft drink in your hand.
Itinerary day 2
10.00 - 13.45
Playa y snorkel en Isla de Gulhi
La Bikini Beach de Gulhi es una de las más bonitas de la zona, con aguas transparentes y de un azul intenso, la arena fina y las palmeras. Además, hay unas hamacas y sombrillas en la orilla que se pueden utilizar de forma gratuita y sin problema y que te permiten sentirte aún más en un paraíso. Lo mejor de Gulhi es que está muy cerca de una barrera de coral a la que se puede acceder nadando sin problema, por lo que puede ser una buena idea hacer snorkel a su alrededor y descubrir la increíble vida marina de la isla sin contratar una excursión específica para ello.
14.00 - 15.30
Restaurante Dhilakani Cafe
Es un lugar popular donde su plato más famoso es la sopa. La comida está rica y sobre todo el desayuno, frente al mar, por lo que resulta siempre aconsejable para picar antes de seguir con nuestros descubrimientos marinos.
16.30 - 19.30
Excursión buceo nocturno
En Gulhi hay varios centros de buceo para poder contratar este tipo de excursión, que está recomendada por casi todos los que la prueban porque la intensidad, con el atardecer y por la noche, es mucho mayor. Si no queremos bucear, también podemos hacer la salida de pescar al atardecer que es una experiencia increíble y que, además, podremos luego comernos nuestra pesca a la brasa. Pero si optamos por la de buceo, hay que saber que la isla es perfecta tanto para aficionados como para avanzados porque es posible ver una vida acuática muy rica en varios lugares muy cerca de la isla.
Itinerary day 3
11.00 a.m. - 2.30 p.m.
Gulhi Beach
It’s time to move on from the bikini beach and spend the morning at Gulhi Beach. If you’ve already been snorkelling and scuba diving, why not go surfing? Gulhi Beach has easy access to some of the most popular surf spots in the South Malé atoll. A fresh way to enjoy the sea is to hire a kayak or jet ski and explore the ocean around the island.
7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Crystal Sand Restaurant
The evening buffet at this restaurant is always a good option because there is a wide variety of tasty food. Don’t forget that dinner in the Maldives starts much earlier than in some other countries and if you get there after 8.30 p.m. many of the dishes and desserts might have snapped up ‒ so make sure to arrive beforehand and enjoy a good dinner.
Itinerary day 4
Itinerary day 5
8.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.
Arena Beach Hotel Restaurant
There’s no better way to say farewell to the Maldives than having dinner with your toes in the sand, another experience offered by these incredible islands. The Arena Beach Hotel is one of the most popular places for dinner, especially because its candlelit tables are highly romantic. It serves a buffet of international food and local dishes so it’s easy to find something you like, and it has a fantastic drinks menu of shakes and alcohol-free cocktails. There’s also normally music until 10 pm.
10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Trip to a sandbank
If there’s one special thing about the Maldives, apart from its incredible landscapes, it’s the archipelago’s sandbanks that create moving desert islands. They’re unique spots that are reached by boat, and you can then plant your sun umbrella and enjoy a uniquely exclusive beach experience. Trips normally include transfer by boat, several stops to go snorkelling, and food, which is served to you right on your little sandy island. You’ll enjoy every minute of the day.
6.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
Coffee and cake at Fine Bake by Suzi
If you’d like to sit down, relax, and let all the incredible sensations you experienced on the sandbank settle in your memory, the Fine Bake by Suzi patisserie is the best place for a shake and delicious slice of cake. The banana cake and pineapple cake are spectacular!