Maldives Island Selection Guide

🏝 As someone who has visited the Maldives twice on free-and-easy trips, I’d like to share some practical tips for those planning their own Maldivian adventure👇🏻:

🖍1. The Maldives is unique—choosing a hotel means choosing an island, as each island has only one resort. The island’s star rating matches the hotel’s, which you can easily find on Trip.com.

🖍2. With so many islands, first-timers might feel overwhelmed. But if you clarify your priorities, the choice becomes easier. Consider: 1️⃣ Purpose of the trip—honeymoon, family vacation, or something else? 2️⃣ Your budget. 3️⃣ Preferred transfer method to the island?

🖍3. Trips to the Maldives are usually 5D4N or 8D7N, where the nights refer to time spent on the island, excluding any stay in Malé for transit.

🖍4. Direct flights from Shanghai to the Maldives are expensive (around ¥10,000) and long (~8H). For better value, consider connecting flights via Bangkok, Colombo, Singapore, or the UAE. I highly recommend Singapore—the airport is worth exploring!

🖍5. Most resorts offer both overwater villas and beach villas, though a few have only beach villas. Standard packages often include 2 nights in each, but you can opt for 4 nights in an overwater villa (at a higher cost). I chose overwater villas both times—nothing beats stepping off your terrace into snorkeling waters! 🏊🏻‍♀️

🖍6. Transfers depend on the island’s distance from the airport: speedboat 🚤 or seaplane ✈️. My first trip was to the nearby Thulhagiri Island (speedboat), while the second was to Centara Grand (seaplane). Honest advice: Seaplanes offer stunning aerial views of the Indian Ocean’s sapphire-like islands, but photography is tricky, and the noise is intense. Try it once, but choose wisely.

🖍7. Meal plans vary: no meals, breakfast-only, half-board (breakfast + dinner), or all-inclusive. All-inclusive is best—some islands even throw in extras like sunset cruises. My second trip was all-inclusive, which was hassle-free, while the first was half-board (lunch and drinks were extra).

🖍8. Islands cater to different travelers: some are family-friendly (offering free stays for kids under 12 or 15), while others are adults-only. Check the resort’s policy carefully.

🖍9. Key question: Do you prioritize snorkeling or Instagram-worthy views? For vibrant coral reefs, pick a top-rated snorkeling spot (e.g., Thulhagiri, a 4-star island with amazing diving). For turquoise lagoons and long sandbanks, choose a lagoon island—or splurge for both!

🖍10. Tipping: On Thulhagiri, we tipped consistently, and the staff treated us wonderfully (free drinks, extra water, etc.). At Centara Grand (all-inclusive), tipping wasn’t expected, yet service remained excellent. On our last day, the manager even comped us a buffet lunch due to our late departure!

🖍11. Visa: Previously, it was visa-on-arrival; now, it’s visa-free. Just bring your passport!

🖍12. Weather: April–November is the rainy season (cheaper rates), but even then, rain is brief, and sunshine dominates. Don’t skimp on sunscreen!