Hulhumale is an artificial island formed by land reclamation. The island is adjacent to Velana International Airport and is connected to the airport island by road; it can also be reached from Malé via a cross-sea bridge, making it an urban island with convenient transportation in the Maldives. Construction of the island began in the late 1990s to alleviate population pressure in the capital, Malé, and it has now developed into a planned new city with residential, commercial, and public facilities. The island's coastal area is a popular spot for tourists, where artificial beaches, shallow waters, and near-shore coral reefs create a leisure space. Some areas are suitable for swimming and snorkeling, where you can observe marine life such as tropical fish and stingrays; there are also water sports facilities along the coast, where you can experience activities like kayaking, jet skiing, and kitesurfing. Beyond the beaches, the island also showcases an urban life that differs from traditional resort islands. Planned neighborhoods, green spaces, parks, restaurants, cafes, and accommodation facilities are distributed throughout, offering both everyday scenes of local life and leisure spaces for tourists. Visitors can stroll through the neighborhoods, experience local dining, or enjoy the sunset in the coastal area. Because it is close to the airport, many tourists use this place as a stopover before or after arriving in or departing from the Maldives.

Maldives · Hulhumale

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Dusit Island

6.5

4.0/5

35 reviews

Dusit Island is a resort island developed by the Dusit hotel group from Thailand, and the Baa Atoll where it is located is also a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. It can be reached by a seaplane ride of approx. 35 minutes from Velana International Airport in Malé, and on the way, you can overlook the atoll scenery with colors ranging from light green to deep blue. The island is surrounded by clear lagoons and coral reefs, and its rich marine ecosystem is a major feature. Marine life such as sea turtles, schools of fish, sharks, and rays are commonly seen in the surrounding waters, making it suitable for snorkeling and diving experiences; Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is also well-known for its manta ray activity. The island is covered with extensive coconut groves and tropical vegetation, with beach villas and overwater villas distributed between the coast and the lagoon; some overwater villas offer direct access to the sea. The island features a spacious infinity pool, as well as multiple restaurants and bars, offering dining options with various flavors such as Thai cuisine and seafood. Guests can also participate in activities such as sunset cruises, marine exploration, and water sports, or relax in the leisure facilities nestled within the coconut groves.

Maldives · Mudhdhoo

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Medhufaru

6.3

4.3/5

3 reviews

Medhufaru is a private resort island that focuses on eco-friendly concepts and natural experiences. It can be reached by a seaplane ride of approx. 40 minutes from Velana International Airport in Malé. The island is surrounded by a clear lagoon and maintains a relatively natural island view, with spacious villas distributed on the beach and over the water, creating a private and comfortable vacation environment. The overwater villas on the island are known for their unique design. Some room types feature slides connecting the terrace to the lagoon, allowing you to slide directly into the sea; some master bedrooms are equipped with retractable roofs for stargazing, allowing you to enjoy the starry sky while lying in bed at night. The villas are spacious, most are equipped with private pools, and the overwater structures extend along jetties to the sea, balancing natural views with the living experience. The island offers a wealth of leisure facilities, including an open-air cinema built over the water, where you can watch movies under the sea breeze and starry sky; the children's club, The Den, is equipped with activity facilities such as a pirate ship and zip lines, providing a rich experience for family travelers. Snorkeling, diving, and water activities around the lagoon are also the main activities on the island, and the island also has sports facilities such as tennis courts and padel courts. In addition, specialty spaces such as the chocolate room and cheese room also add unique experiences for guests. With its spacious villas, natural environment, and rich amenities, this resort island is suitable for family travelers who value private space, couples, and guests who wish to enjoy a high-quality island vacation.

Maldives · Medhufaru

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Maafushi

6.2

4.4/5

12 reviews

Maafushi is an inhabited local island in the Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, situated across the water from the capital, Malé, and accessible by public ferry or speedboat. Unlike private islands that operate on a one island, one resort basis, this is one of the first inhabited islands in the Maldives to open homestays to tourists. With a diverse range of options from budget inns to boutique hotels, it allows budget-conscious travelers to stay on an island more easily and experience the Maldives' blue seas and white sands. The island has a vibrant local atmosphere, with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops lining the streets. The island is small enough to explore entirely on foot.

Maldives · Maafushi

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Himmafushi

6.1

4.0/5

17 reviews

Himmafushi is a community island where local residents have lived for a long time. It can be reached in about 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Unlike resort islands that operate on a one island, one resort basis, it retains its everyday community scenery. The island features mosques, schools, sports fields, and residential homes, while traditional industries like fishing and boat repair continue to this day, showcasing a more authentic side of life in the Maldives. The island has a bikini beach for tourists, where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the sea view in designated areas. The surrounding waters have multiple surf spots, such as Jailbreaks and Sultans, which attract many surfing enthusiasts. During the appropriate season, you can experience local marine sports. Tourists can also participate in activities such as snorkeling, fishing, and dolphin watching to experience the marine environment of the North Male Atoll. The island is small, and you can explore the main areas on foot or by bicycle. The island has homestays and small shops, allowing tourists to slowly experience the community atmosphere and understand the local residents' pace of life during their stay.

Maldives · Himmafushi

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Aloofushi

6.1

5.0/5

3 reviews

Aloofushiis an exquisite resort island in the Maldives' Dhaalu Atoll. Its name is derived from the local Dhivehi language, meaning sun and beach. The island's more than 100 beach and overwater villas all feature private pools, with the overwater villas also including an infinity plunge pool. The interiors feature light-colored wood accented with turquoise and orange, creating a fresh, modern tropical style. The resort caters primarily to honeymooning couples and small families, and also offers family villas with living rooms. Dolphins are frequent visitors to these waters, appearing so often that one type of overwater villa on the island is named "Dolphin".

Maldives · Aloofushi

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Bandos

6.1

4.6/5

219 reviews

Bandos is a long-established resort island. It can be reached by a speedboat ride of approx. 10+ minutes from Velana International Airport in Malé. The island is close to the airport, eliminating the need for seaplanes or domestic flights, making it suitable for travelers who want to start their island vacation quickly. It has been welcoming guests since the 1970s and is known as the Island of Hospitality. The island is surrounded by white sandy beaches, shallow seas, and coral reefs. You can go snorkeling in the near-shore areas, where you have the chance to observe marine life such as tropical fish. The island's dive center has been operating for many years and can take guests to nearby dive sites to explore the underwater world. The island has lush vegetation and diverse accommodation options, ranging from villas in garden settings to overwater villas facing the sea, with some room types featuring private pools. In terms of leisure activities, the island has a water sports center where you can experience activities such as sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing, and kayaking. You can also participate in boat excursions like night fishing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching. Land-based facilities are equally well-developed, featuring a gym and sports courts for tennis, badminton, squash, and table tennis. The kids' club also provides game and activity spaces for family travelers.

Maldives · Bandos

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Velavaru Island

6

4.6/5

120 reviews

Velavaru Island is located in the South Nilandhe Atoll (Dhaalu Atoll) south of Malé. Its name means "Turtle Island" in the Dhivehi language, so named because sea turtles frequently lay their eggs here from January to May each year. The island is long and narrow, surrounded by palm forests, white sandy beaches, and a turquoise lagoon. The island's signature feature is its collection of overwater villas built in the middle of the lagoon: unlike the overwater villas at most island resorts, which are connected to the main island by long jetties, these stand alone, separated by a stretch of water, requiring a boat ride of a few minutes to travel back and forth, offering a great sense of privacy. Each overwater villa features a private infinity pool, a hammock suspended over the water, and steps leading directly into the lagoon. Some room types also have a rooftop terrace, where you can lie back and wait for the sunset.

Maldives · Velavaru

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En'boodhoofinolhu

5.9

5.0/5

28 reviews

En'boodhoofinolhu is a private resort island under the Taj Hotel brand from India. The island is located near Malé Velana International Airport and can be reached by speedboat in approx. 15–20 minutes, making transportation quite convenient. The island features lush vegetation and is surrounded by a clear lagoon, with villas distributed along the beach and water, creating a tranquil island vacation atmosphere. Accommodations on the island primarily consist of beach villas and overwater villas, with some room types featuring private pools and lagoon views. Overwater villas extend along jetties over the sea, allowing you to access the shallow water right outside your door; different room types also offer suite options suitable for multiple guests. In terms of dining, the island features dining spaces such as 24 Degrees, Mediterraneo, and Equator Bar, offering cuisines with Asian, Mediterranean, and other flavors, as well as casual drinks. The surrounding waters are suitable for snorkeling, diving, and water activities, allowing guests to explore the marine life in the lagoon. The island also features wellness facilities based on traditional Indian concepts and offers a variety of leisure experiences. In the evening, guests can arrange dining on the beach or by the sea to enjoy the Indian Ocean scenery and a relaxing vacation time.

Maldives · Emboodhu Finolhu

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Aarah

5.9

Aarahis a private resort island in the Raa Atoll, Maldives, surrounded by clear waters and white sandy beaches. Guests can enjoy snorkeling and diving here, exploring the rich marine life and coral reefs. Hundreds of standalone villas and suites are spread along the coast: there are beach villas where you can step right onto the sand, as well as overwater villas with glass floors and direct access to the sea from the terrace. Multiple room types feature private pools, and the villas are equipped with snorkeling gear, so you can jump into the water to see fish whenever you like. The lagoon surrounding the island has crystal-clear water and is often called a "jelly-like sea" by tourists. The uniquely designed "Star Pool" is a popular photo spot on the island, and watching the sunset by the pool is especially relaxing.

Maldives · Aarah

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“Thoddoo is arguably the most popular local island in the Maldives, often referred to as the "Fruit Island." It earned this nickname because most of the country's produce is grown right here.”

@Grazhdanochka_mira · thoddoo · 18 days ago

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Maldives?

Don't miss these attractions in Maldives: Hulhumale, Dusit Island, and Medhufaru. If you like Day tours, try Maafushi: Nurse Sharks, Stingrays, Sand Bank and Dolphins. If you enjoy City sightseeing, try Malé Audio Tour: Echoes of Scholars, Mosques & Monuments.

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Maldives?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Maafushi: Nurse Sharks, Stingrays, Sand Bank and Dolphins, Muliaage (Palace) + National Art Gallery + Sultan Park|The Jewel in the Pearl Necklace of the Indian Ocean, and Malé City 1-Day Tour in Maldives [Private Vehicle - Optional Chinese Guide]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

What's the typical cost of day tours and activities in Maldives?

As of 7 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Maldives is around NZD 71.35 – NZD 1,551.04. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

How can I contact Trip.com customer support?

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Can I change or cancel my booking?

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

How can I get discounted prices?

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.

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Top 10 attractions in Maldives

Hulhumale

Dusit Island

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Maafushi

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Maldives?

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Maldives?

What's the typical cost of day tours and activities in Maldives?

How can I contact Trip.com customer support?

Can I change or cancel my booking?

How can I get discounted prices?

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