Maldives: Healing the Soul

If you’re planning a trip to the Maldives, this guide will help you avoid common pitfalls and have the most fun. I have sorted out key information such as pre-trip preparations, island selection techniques, special activities, practical tips, etc., and combined it with the latest policies and popular ways to play to help you plan a worry-free and unforgettable journey. --- ### 🌤️ **1. Best travel time and preparation before travel** 1. **Travel Season Selection** - **Peak season (December - February of the following year)**: The weather is the best, with little rainfall and clear sea water, but the prices are high and there are many tourists. Room reservations for Christmas and Spring Festival must be made six months in advance. - **Shoulder season (March-April)**: Good weather continues, best for surfing, high temperature (30℃+), pay attention to sun protection and hydration. - **Off-season (May-November)**: There are often showers during the rainy season, and the wind and waves are slightly stronger, but the price is 30%-50% cheaper, which is suitable for budget parties. 2. **Required items and documents** - **Visa**: Chinese passports are exempt from visa for 30 days. You need to prepare: - A passport with a validity period of more than 6 months - Round trip air ticket + hotel reservation - **New from 2025**: Fill out the IMUGA arrival card online 96 hours in advance (save the electronic version on your phone). - **Item List**: - High-power coral-friendly sunscreen (SPF50+), after-sun repair gel (UV index often reaches 10+) - Snorkeling mask + breathing tube (fins can be rented for $10/day) - Thick-soled beach shoes (to prevent coral from piercing your feet), power adapter (British standard three-hole socket) - Small amounts of US dollars in cash ($1-2/time for tips, VISA cards can be used for daily purchases). --- ### 🏝️ **2. Ultimate Guide to Island Selection (Budget + Demand Oriented)** Maldives is a "one island, one hotel" country, and the choice of island directly determines the experience. Recommended according to budget and crowd: | **Island Type** | **Recommended Island** | **Highlights** | **Budget Reference** | |------------|------------|---------|------------| | **Parent-child family** | Central Grand Island | Children's club hosting, free snorkeling courses + dolphin cruise | From 13,000 per person (all-inclusive) | | | Aozhen Ruize Island | Three meals including lobster/wagyu, 24-meter slide water house, common sea turtles in the SPA area | About 30,000 per person (all-inclusive luxury) | | **Honeymoon Romance** | Huvafen Fushi Island | The world's first underwater bar, glass floor villas, private beach parties | From 25,000 per person | | | Soneva Jani Island | Slide water house directly leading to the sea, starry sky roof, water open-air cinema | 50,000+ per person (private butler service) | | **For diving enthusiasts** | Ari Atoll Islands | Whale sharks (November-April), shipwrecks, pristine coral reefs | Deep diving $120/time (including equipment) | | | Bolifushi Island | The house reef is just a 10-meter walk away, free GoPro | Free rental of snorkeling equipment | | **Price-performance ratio** | Kuramathi Island | 1.8 km long beach, three-in-one resort with rich facilities | 15,000 per person (4 nights) | | | Mirihi Island | The mini island is very private, with yellow flowers everywhere and coral reefs surrounding it | The price per person for a small island starts from 18,000 | **Island selection tips**: - **Budget allocation**: For luxury islands, it is recommended to spend 5-7 days/30,000+ per person; for cost-effective islands, it is recommended to spend 4-5 days/15,000 per person. - **Transportation cost**: Speedboat ($80-200) is suitable for nearby islands; seaplane ($300-600) overlooks the atoll but only operates during the day; domestic flight + speedboat is suitable for distant atolls. --- ### 🤿 **Third, special experiences you can’t miss** 1. **Marine activities** - **Diving and snorkeling**: Chase whale sharks in Ari Atoll and dive at night to see bioluminescent plankton in Hurawalhi Island. - **Water Sports**: Windsurfing (Full Moon Island), kayaking in the transparent lagoon (Velaavaru Island). - **Ecological projects**: Soneva Jani coral planting and Orgen Reise’s participation in reef restoration. 2. Romance and leisure - **Underwater restaurant**: 5.8-meter deep restaurant at Hurawalhi Island (lunch $300/person, reservation required 2 months in advance). - **Cinema Under the Stars**: Wednesday night screenings on the beach at Soneva Jani, complete with ocean wave daybeds. - **Suspended Breakfast**: Enjoy breakfast on a floating tray in the water house pool (a must-have for internet celebrities to take photos). 3. Cultural Exploration - **Half-day tour in Male**: see the Sultan's crown at the National Museum and buy dried tuna ($10/bag) at the local market. - **Visit to the resident island**: Experience traditional weaving crafts, taste fried fish balls + coconut rice (Hankede Tea Shop $5 full meal). --- ### ⚠️ **Four. Guidelines and precautions for avoiding pitfalls** 1. Money-saving tips - Choose direct flights from Shanghai in March or April (¥4k round trip) to avoid the Spring Festival and National Day holidays. - Choose AI all-inclusive island for dining (a la carte juice $15/cup). - For transportation to the island, choose "domestic flight + speedboat" to save $200 compared to pure seaplane flight. 2. **Local Taboo** - No revealing clothing is allowed in public places (especially in Male), and long pants/skirts are required to enter mosques. - It is strictly prohibited to pick corals or fish privately. Violators will be fined heavily. Drones must apply for permission in advance. 3. **Safety and Health** - Snorkeling requires companionship, and flying is prohibited for 24 hours after diving. - There are many mosquitoes in the rainy season, so prepare mosquito repellent (Zika virus risk); diarrhea medicine is a must. --- ### 💎 **Summary** Maldives is much more than "blue sea and white sand". From the slide into the sea at Soneva Jani, the thousand-meter-long sandy beach at Kuramathi, to the bustling market in Male, every frame is worth putting in the memory box. **Choose the right season (March to April is the most cost-effective), clarify your needs (family/diving/honeymoon), and make use of the all-inclusive package + domestic flight combination**, and you can unlock the infinite blue ocean with a limited budget. With the visa-free policy and direct flights in 2025, it’s time to go!