One of the most gorgeous travel destinations on the planet, The Maldives not only offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, but also luxurious private island resorts to bask in. Even a short stay at a plush resort in this archipelago will burn a hole in your pocket. However, there is another way to explore the opulence that has put this little country on every luxury traveller’s map – Maldives resort day tours.
First time in The Maldives? Unsure of what to do or where to stay in this Asian paradise? Explore from a number of well-designed Maldives tour packages that will take care of your entire vacation – from the stay and food to sightseeing and local experiences. Depending on your budget, the Maldives vacation packages can be customized so you get the best deal.
The Maldives is a collection of about 1,200 coral islands in South West Asia. Scattered across the Equator, this country has the distinction of being one of very few nations in the world to be located in both the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere. Most of the islands in The Maldives are private isles, used exclusively for tourism or industrial purposes.
However, there are about 200 public islands in this country which are inhabited by local Maldivians. If you are interested in getting to know about Maldives’ history and culture, it is a good idea to explore the local islands where there will be ample opportunities to expose yourself to the indigenous crafts, arts and other occupational skills such as boat making and fish curing.
What are Maldives Resort Day Tours?
One of the best Maldives full day tours around, resort trips are best suited for tourists who yearn to get a closer look at the luxe life, but are restricted by their limited vacation funds. Maldives resort day tours offer many of the facilities that a regular guest enjoys at the finest resorts in the country.
Stroll through the lavish corridors and common spaces of the hotel such as the lobby, the poolside, and the beachfronts. Depending on the package you choose, you can also avail extra frills and activities to do such as a chance to use the common swimming pools, along with access to their changing rooms. If you are on a family vacation and travelling with your toddlers, your kids might be able to play in the children’s pool.
Certain resort day tours in Maldives let you access their house reef for swimming or snorkelling. Most of the resorts in The Maldives are blessed with turquoise lagoons which indicate the presence of coral reefs. The rest of the ocean wears a darker shade of blue. Check if your hotel is offering complimentary beach towels or snorkelling gear so you don’t have to carry extra luggage.
Dining is an important part of many resort day trips. Look for a package that includes a lunch buffet as the premier hotels in Maldives have grand spreads with multiple cuisines and live cooking stations to satiate your roaring appetite. Alcohol is generally not included in such packages, but you can always pay out of your pocket if you would like a drink to wash down all the delicious food.
What is the Maldives Resort Day Pass?
Slightly distinct from a resort day tour, the Maldives resort day pass is something that you can buy individually directly from the resort you wish to visit. In the case of a resort day tour, it is generally a tour provider on a local island that organizes and coordinates the trip which includes return speedboat transfers to the private island and sometimes, complimentary rental of snorkels, masks, fins and beach towels.
However, a one-day pass can be bought straight from the private island resort. You can even visit certain resorts which do host large tourist groups on resort day trips, such as Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru or the LUX group of resorts. The day passes are not normally advertised on the websites of any resort but on writing to them or calling them, you will discover many nicely designed packages which cost anywhere between USD 100 and USD 200 per person, excluding local taxes and service charge. You can also reach out to Samudra Maldives to book a day pass to your favorite resort.
Day pass fees do not include the cost of island transfer but they sometimes throw in the daytime use of Maldives beach bungalows, along with lunch and optionally, dinner buffet. Some packages may also allow access to the spa, water sports, and live island-style entertainment such as stingray or turtle feeding.
Resort Day Trip from Maafushi
A smart way to explore this archipelago on a budget is to stay at one of the affordable guest houses in The Maldives, and then book a resort trip to a private isle. Maafushi is an inhabited island in the Kaafu Atoll which has pioneered the system of guesthouse tourism in The Maldives.
This tiny island, which is just 2 km long and less than 500 metres wide, is home to over 70 guesthouses and hotels. Pick a resort day trip from Maafushi and jet off to a secluded luxury island. The rate per person begins from as low as USD 15, and can cross USD 200 for the ultra-premium resorts that offer many facilities for day tourists. Some of the most popular resorts for day tours from Maafushi are:
Adaaran Club Rannalhi
Starting at USD 35 per person, a day visit to Adaaran Club Rannalhi is a nice deal! Located on the Rannalhi Island in Kaafu Atoll, these luxurious Maldives water bungalows are 15.2 km from the public island of Maafushi. The basic tour fee includes speedboat return transfers, but you could experience a lot more for a slightly additional charge.
Get a detox treatment at the two-storey seafront Chavana Spa as the soothing background music lulls you into a state of calm. Buy a resort tour package that includes dining to enjoy the breezy multi-cuisine restaurant that serves everything, from Western to Asian fare. You could also chill with a tropical drink at the ocean-facing cocktail bar.
Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
Got only USD 25 to spare? You could get a day pass to the stunning Adaaran Prestige Vadoo in South Malé atoll. The Maldives water villas at this 5-star property are classified into sunrise and sunset villas, as per the views they offer. There are special honeymoon villas too, with an in-villa swimming pool that’s larger than those at the other villas.
With two restaurants and two bars at this award-winning resort, there is quite a variety for the gourmands to choose from. Tuck into succulent seafood and fusion creations at the Farivalhu Restaurant or relish some Japanese delicacies at Kithajima Restaurant. Thirsty? Grab a mocktail at the beachside Dhoni Bar after a swim in the house reef.
Anantara Dhigu
The day pass rates for Anantara Dhigu begin from USD 35 per head. Only 3.7 km from the local island of Maafushi, the speedboat will get you to this 5-star Maldives hotel on water in no time! Here on Dhigufinolhu island, swim to heart’s content in the stylish infinity pool or take up water sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding or kneeboarding at the in-house dive centre.
Relish Italian flavours at Terrazzo or slurp some Thai noodles at Baan Huraa – two of many more speciality restaurants at Anantara Dhigu. Watch a bodu beru live performance and enjoy Maldivian music in the evening as the sun sets, just before it’s time for you to leave.
Resort Day Trip from Hulhumalé
Just south of the North Malé Atoll, the reclaimed local island of Hulhumalé has plenty of affordable hotels for those who find the Maldives resorts on water prohibitively expensive. If you are curious to see what life looks like on a pretty little private island, book a resort day trip from Hulhumalé. A few of the star resorts that offer day passes from here are:
Centara Ras Fushi
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives is a 4-star adults-only resort that accepts day guests. A minimum of 2 guests are required for any tour to operate as the transfer cost is included in the fee. The all-inclusive day pass is the best one you can buy, for USD 195 per person if there are at least 4 people for the day tour. Otherwise, the charges go up to USD 210 for each.
Located in the same atoll as Hulhumalé, Centara Ras Fushi offers delicious grills – churrasco-style. Have the lunch buffet at the Oceans restaurant for South American, European and Middle Eastern flavours, apart from Maldivian classics and other international favourites.
Paradise Island
For approximately USD 150 per person, you could get an all-inclusive day visit package to Paradise Island Resort on Lankanfinolhu Island. The pass gives you access to non-alcoholic beverages and most basic facilities of the resort which boasts of overwater villas as well as Maldives beach villas.
Towels will be provided if you wish to use the resort’s common pool or swim or snorkel in the house reef. You can also access the changing rooms to change out of your wet swimwear before you can enter the buffet restaurant for a lavish lunch. The resort has special menus for guests who follow a vegetarian or Jain diet.
Cinnamon Dhonveli
A day trip to Cinnamon Dhonveli from Hulhumalé costs between USD 110 and USD 130 per head for a package that includes the return speedboat transfers and lunch. Be treated no different from any regular guest when you step on this private island. Cold towels await you as you enter the resort, along with a pool that looks inviting.
Try surfing at the world-famous Pasta Point or just be amazed as you gaze at the plush overwater suites. The adventurous ones can select from an array of motorized as well as non-motorized water sports at Cinnamon Dhonveli.
Resort Day Trip from Malé
Malé – the world’s smallest capital, is home to Velana International Airport, and is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world. There are countless hotels to choose from if you wish to stay here while exploring the rest of The Maldives. While walking tours and food tours are exciting, do not miss a resort day trip from Malé if you need a taste of the sweet life without paying through the nose. Some prominent resorts accessible from the capital are:
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
If you are ready to shell out about USD 180 per person, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is a great option for a glimpse of luxury. Be greeted by extremely courteous and friendly staff as you enter this resort. The day pass includes the daytime use of a Maldives beach bungalow, so you can literally stay at a private island resort without the astronomical cost!
Spend your time at leisure, sunbathing on the loungers, snorkelling in the house reef, or watching the staff feed small sharks and stingrays around sunset. This 5-star resort also offers a sumptuous lunch spread at the Ilaafathi restaurant to all day visitors.
Club Med Kani
Adults pay about USD 180 for a day trip to Club Med Kani, while children under 12 are charged USD 80. Day passes are generally valid from 10 AM to 5 PM, offering enough time to get a feel of the luxe resort. Access the beach chairs, pool, restaurant and beach bar while on the private island of Kanifinolhu.
Kayaking and sailing are included in the day visit package, so you can really do a lot at Club Med Kani. Buffet lunch is served at the open-air Velhi restaurant on the white sand beach. Gorge on fresh fruits, mouth-watering seafood and bottomless cocktails.
There are many ways to arrive in The Maldives. Choose a cruise package and dock at Malé – capital city of The Maldives, or fly down to the Maldives International Airport. You might need to catch another domestic flight to your final destination in case your atoll is located away from the capital. Maldives honeymoon packages generally include a short stay at a 5-star private island resort. But the nightly rates can be quite steep. On a budget? Buy a Maldives resort day pass to experience it all for much less.
