The Maldives 5-Day Itinerary: Complete Day-by-Day Plan

The Maldives 5-Day Itinerary 2026: Complete Day-by-Day Plan

A 5-day Maldives itinerary balances honeymoon beach time + snorkeling + Malé culture + one day-trip excursion — perfect length for first-time Maldives without resort fatigue.

Quick Itinerary Summary

A 5-day Maldives itinerary balances honeymoon beach time + snorkeling + Malé culture + one day-trip excursion — perfect length for first-time Maldives without resort fatigue.

5

Days

5

Day Plans

2026

Updated

The Maldives 5-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan

Day 1

Arrival + Resort Transfer + Sunset

Land Malé MLE, speedboat or seaplane to resort. Check in overwater villa. Sunset cocktails from private deck.

Daily spend: $400-1,500/dayNote: Speedboat $200 / seaplane $400 RT

Day 2

House Reef Snorkel + Spa

Morning snorkel on house reef (resort gear included). Lunch overwater restaurant. Spa treatment. Sunset dolphin cruise.

Daily spend: $400-1,500/dayNote: Spa $200-400

Day 3

Manta Ray + Whale Shark Excursion

Half-day boat trip to manta cleaning station or whale shark spot (South Ari Atoll). Lunch onboard. Afternoon swim + relaxation.

Daily spend: $500-1,800/dayNote: Excursion $150-300

Day 4

Sandbank Picnic + Local Island Visit

Speedboat to remote sandbank for private picnic + swim. Afternoon visit local inhabited island (Maafushi or similar) — culture + cheaper shopping.

Daily spend: $450-1,600/dayNote: Sandbank picnic $200

Day 5

Morning Swim + Departure

Last sunrise swim, breakfast, pack. Boat/seaplane back to MLE. Brief Malé Fish Market + Friday Mosque stop before flight.

Daily spend: $300-1,200/dayNote: Tax-free duty shopping at MLE

Budget Breakdown

Style | Daily | Total Trip Cost
Local Island Budget | $120/day | $600 + $200 transit
Mid-Range Resort | $700/day | $3,500 + $400 transit
Luxury Overwater | $2,500/day | $12,500 + $700 seaplane

Pro Tips for this itinerary:

Book resorts 6+ months ahead for best rates (peak Nov-Apr)

Seaplane transfers daylight-only (last seaplane ~3:30pm)

Bring reef-safe sunscreen (some resorts ban oxybenzone)

Local island stays 70-80% cheaper than resorts

Tip 10% USD or via room charge

Alcohol only on resorts + uninhabited islands — local islands are dry

Planning your The Maldives trip? See our The Maldives travel guide, visa requirements, trip cost, packing list, or the Ultimate Bucket List.

The Maldives 5-Day Itinerary FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Maldives?

Yes — ideal length. Beyond 7 days, even paradise can feel monotonous unless you island-hop multiple resorts.

Best Maldives 5-day itinerary for honeymoon?

Stay all 5 days at one overwater resort. Add 1 excursion day (manta/whale shark) + 1 sandbank day. Skip Malé visit for romance focus.

Can you do Maldives 5 days on budget?

Yes — local islands like Maafushi or Thoddoo offer $80-150/day all-in. Sacrifice overwater villa but gain authentic Maldivian culture.

When is best time for 5-day Maldives trip?

November-April (dry season). For value + manta/whale season, August-October (rainy but cheaper + best marine life).

Resort-only vs. include local island?

Resort-only for honeymoon. Add local island for cultural context + budget value. Most travelers do all-resort first time.