The Maldives your friends posted on Instagram, planned honestly: right island, right meal plan (BB / HB / FB / AI), right transfer (speedboat vs seaplane), right season. Because a wrong-island Maldives booking is the most expensive mistake in Indian travel.
Maldives is 1,192 islands. Each resort is its own private island. Which island you pick determines every hour of your trip — the reef quality, the transfer time, the food style, the beach shape, the sunset direction. An honest Maldives quote has less to do with the hotel star rating and more to do with three questions:
Our Maldives desk lays out these three choices honestly for your budget — before you commit.
| Season | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry / Peak | Nov – Apr | Sunny, calm sea, best snorkelling & diving. Peak prices Dec-Jan (NYE +40%). |
| Shoulder | Apr, Oct | Great weather, 15-20% cheaper than peak. |
| Wet | May – Sep | Short showers, deep discounts, still enjoyable. Better for budget. |
Arrive MLE. Meet-and-greet by resort. Speedboat (15-45 min) or seaplane transfer (30-45 min). Check in to your water/beach villa. Welcome drink, honeymoon decor on arrival, sunset from your villa deck.
Guided house reef snorkelling with the resort marine biologist. Free time for swim, kayak, paddleboard. Sunset dolphin cruise on catamaran.
Private sandbank breakfast (couples), or half-day excursion to snorkel with manta rays or whale sharks (seasonal). Evening spa credit.
Because that's the point. Spa, private-pool time, sunset fishing, private dining under the stars.
Transfer back to MLE via speedboat/seaplane. Departure flight.
| Resort Tier | Villa | Meal Plan | From (INR, per couple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5–4★ speedboat island | Beach Villa | BB | ₹1,57,000 |
| 4★ speedboat island | Beach Villa | HB | ₹1,89,000 |
| 5★ seaplane island | Water Villa | HB | ₹2,79,000 |
| 5★ seaplane island (Anantara / Baros class) | Water Villa with Pool | AI | ₹3,49,000 |
| Ultra-luxury (Soneva / Cheval Blanc / One&Only) | Villa with private pool | AI | ₹6,99,000+ |
Prices indicative for travel May–Sep. Dec-Jan (peak) roughly +30-50%. Includes flights BOM-MLE-BOM, transfers and taxes.
Indian passport holders get a free 30-day visa on arrival. Required: valid passport (6+ months), confirmed return ticket, resort booking confirmation. No fee.
Family-friendly resorts (Kurumba, Kandima, Kandolhu, Kuredu, Sun Siyam) offer kids' clubs, family villas with 2-3 bedrooms, watersports, dolphin cruises and shallow-lagoon snorkelling perfect for children. We can also arrange Male-city + local island (Maafushi) budget stays that make Maldives accessible from ₹35,000 per person for adventurous, non-resort travellers.
For adventurous travellers, guesthouses on local islands (Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Ukulhas, Thoddoo, Dhigurah) offer:
Note: local islands are conservative Muslim communities — dress modestly, no alcohol, "Bikini Beach" areas are designated. Great for backpackers and cultural travellers.