Maldives, once you arrive, you won’t want to leave
Maldives is a "one island, one hotel" resort destination, offering a 30-day visa-free stay for Chinese tourists. The following guide covers core information such as island selection, transportation, and activities to help you easily plan your trip:
1. Island Selection Guide (Choose more precisely based on your needs)
- Family with children: Central Grand Island offers great value, has a kids' club with childcare, and free snorkeling lessons, all-inclusive at about 13,000 RMB per person; Ozen Reserve Island features a 24-meter long water slide villa and a spa area where you can often see sea turtles, suitable for families seeking a luxurious experience, around 30,000 RMB per person.
- Honeymoon couples: Fushifaru Island has the world’s first underwater bar at 40 meters deep, glass-bottom villas with direct views of fish schools, starting at 25,000 RMB per person; Soneva Jani Island offers slide water villas, starry sky rooftops, and an open-air water cinema, with a budget of 50,000+ RMB per person, maximizing privacy.
- Budget travelers: You can choose local islands like Maafushi and Fulidhoo, with accommodation costing 230 - 300 RMB per night, combined with public ferries for transportation. A 7-day budget can be controlled around 5,000 RMB, and you can also experience local life.
2. Transportation
- Getting to the island: Speedboats are suitable for short distances, with a 20 - 90 minute journey costing 500 - 1,500 RMB per person, less bumpy and family-friendly; seaplanes offer aerial views of the atolls, with a 15 - 60 minute flight costing 2,000 - 4,000 RMB per person, but operate only during the day; for remote islands, a combination of domestic flights and speedboats is available, costing less than pure seaplane transfers.
- On-island and short trips: From Malé Airport to the city, you can take a public ferry for 7 RMB per trip; public ferries from Malé to local islands cost 25 RMB, and during the rainy season when ferries stop, you can switch to speedboats costing 180 - 190 RMB per person.
3. Must-try experiences
- Water activities: Hooker’s Valley Trail in South Ari Atoll allows swimming with whale sharks from November to April, with deep diving at 120 USD per dive; Platinum Maafushi Island offers snorkeling just 10 meters from the water villa, and you can rent a GoPro for photos. Additionally, sunset fishing, parasailing, and jet skiing are also very popular.
- Unique activities: Experience night diving at Fulhadhoo Island to encounter bioluminescent plankton; Soneva Jani Island hosts a beach starry sky movie every Wednesday and offers coral planting activities; you can also book underwater restaurants to enjoy gourmet food while watching underwater fish.
4. Food and accommodation
- Food: Resort islands offer seafood buffets costing 500 - 1,000 RMB per person, featuring lobster, wagyu beef, and more; local restaurants in Malé are cost-effective, with Hankede Tea Shop’s fried fish balls and coconut rice at only 5 USD, and Salt Cafe & Restaurant’s terrace seats allow you to enjoy international cuisine with sea views.
- Accommodation: Budget options include guesthouses on local islands at 230 - 300 RMB per night; mid-range options include water villas on Central Grand Island, costing 2,000 - 4,000 RMB per night; luxury options include Soneva Jani Island, with villas featuring private pools and 24-hour personal butlers, starting at 5,000 RMB per night.
5. Travel tips
- Fill out the IMUGA electronic entry card 96 hours in advance, and prepare a passport valid for more than 6 months and round-trip tickets.
- Bring SPF50+ coral-friendly sunscreen, snorkeling gear, a UK power adapter, and toiletries.
- Tips are 1 - 2 USD per service; US dollars are widely accepted on the islands, and paying with a VISA card is very convenient.