The Maldives has long lured travelers with aquamarine lagoons, powder-soft sandbanks, and a culture shaped by seafaring trade. In Kaafu Atoll, the capital island of Malé hums with mosques, markets, and tea shops, while nearby Maafushi offers bikini beaches, watersports, and wallet-friendly island hopping. This 7-day itinerary balances city culture with ocean time—ideal for first-timers who want both authenticity and tropical escape.

Historically a sultanate at the crossroads of Indian Ocean trade, the Maldives embraced Islam in the 12th century; you’ll see this heritage in coral-stone mosques, calligraphy, and daily rhythms. Modern Malé is one of the world’s most densely populated islands, yet still reveals quiet corners: Sultan Park’s banyans, fishermen unloading tuna at sunset, and gentle surf on Rasfannu Beach.

Practical notes: dress modestly on local islands (shoulders/knees covered; “bikini beaches” are clearly signed). Alcohol is served at resort islands and licensed safari/floating bars only. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and water shoes; a 10% service charge and 16% GST are standard. USD is widely accepted, though the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency.

Malé (Greater Malé: Malé + Hulhumalé)

Malé is compact but layered: coral-stone Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), the golden-domed Grand Friday Mosque, and the lively fish market map the capital’s soul. Cross the bridge to Hulhumalé for a long curve of beach, sunset jogs, and a blossoming café scene.

• Top sights: Hukuru Miskiy, Islamic Centre/Grand Friday Mosque, National Museum, Sultan Park, Malé Local Market, Fish Market, Artificial Beach, Rasfannu Beach.
• Eat & drink: try mas huni (tuna-coconut breakfast), hedhikaa (tea-time snacks like gulha and bajiya), and grilled reef fish with lime.
• Coffee stops: Shell Beans (harborside), Meraki Coffee Roasters (arty, specialty beans), Seagull Café House (house-made ice cream, leafy courtyard).

Where to stay (Malé/Hulhumalé): Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Good picks include city-friendly Hotel Octave Maldives (value, central), Somerset Inn (clean, reliable), lagoon-classic Kurumba Maldives (near the airport; fabulous dining), design-forward The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands (speedboat away), or bucket-list The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort (seaplane).

Getting to Malé (MLE): Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop durations: Dubai ~4h, Singapore ~4.5h, Mumbai ~2h45m. Airport (Velana, MLE) sits on its own island; taxis and hotel speedboats meet arrivals.

Maafushi (South Malé Atoll)

Maafushi helped pioneer the Maldives’ guesthouse scene—friendly, walkable, and fringed by a wide “Bikini Beach.” Here you’ll find affordable day trips to reefs and sandbanks, easy watersports, and relaxed cafés facing the lagoon.

• Top activities: island hopping to Gulhi/Guraidhoo, sandbank picnics, snorkeling with turtles and reef sharks, sunset cruises, and occasional manta encounters (seasonal).
• Eat & drink: Hot Bite (local curries and grilled fish), Arena Beach Restaurant (BBQ buffets, feet-in-sand tables), Kaani Palm Beach Restaurant (rooftop views, big breakfasts).
• Good to know: alcohol is not served on local islands—Maafushi uses “floating bar” boats anchored offshore with shuttle transfers.

Where to stay (Maafushi): Compare stays on VRBO and Hotels.com. Look near Bikini Beach for sea views and quick water access.

Getting Malé ⇄ Maafushi: Public speedboats run ~35–45 minutes, usually USD 25–30 per person, several times daily (mornings busiest); local ferries are cheaper but slower (~90+ minutes, limited Fri). For a prebooked option, see Maafushi: Airport Transfer By Speedboat.

Day 1: Arrival in Malé + Sunset by the Sea

Afternoon: Land at MLE and transfer 15–25 minutes to your Malé or Hulhumalé hotel. Shake off the flight with a harborside coffee at Shell Beans or a flat white at Meraki Coffee Roasters. Stroll Republic Square, peek into the Islamic Centre, and wander the waterfront to the Fish Market—watch tuna auctions and the day’s catch arrive.

Evening: Walk or taxi to Rasfannu Beach for sunset. Dinner ideas: Symphony (a Malé institution; try grilled reef fish or prawn curry), Seagull Café House (tuna steak and homemade ice cream), or Aioli (Indian-Maldivian, dependable biryanis and tikkas). Cap the night with a tea-shop crawl for hedhikaa: bajiya (spiced tuna pastry), gulha (fried tuna balls), and keemia (spring rolls).

Day 2: Malé’s History, Mosques, and Markets

Morning: Join a guided city walk to decode the capital’s past and present with the 4 Hour Highlights of Malé Walking Tour (typically 9:00–13:00). You’ll cover the harbor, fish and produce markets, Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), Sultan Park, and key civic landmarks with local context.

Afternoon: After a light lunch at Seagull (try the kottu roshi) or Shell Beans (salads, sandwiches), spend an hour in the National Museum—look for lacquerware, royal palanquins, and ancient scripts. Browse Majeedhee Magu for souvenirs (lacquer boxes, coconut-shell crafts), then take a dip at Artificial Beach.

Evening: Dine at Sala Thai (long-running, aromatic curries and tom yum) or SeaHouse Brasserie by the ferry terminal (fresh seafood with harbor views). Night stroll along the waterfront; grab a mango lassi or falooda from a local café.

Day 3: Reef Time — Snorkeling Safari from Hulhumalé

Morning: Head to the jetty in Hulhumalé for the 3 Point Snorkeling Safari (about 3 hours; common departures late morning). Expect coral gardens, turtles, rays, and reef sharks with a guide and safety spotter. Bring a rash guard and reef-friendly sunscreen.

Afternoon: Refuel at Family Room Café in Hulhumalé (excellent coffee, hearty bowls) or Bread Matters (fresh bakes and brunch plates). Beach siesta on Hulhumalé’s long strand; rent a paddleboard if the lagoon is calm.

Evening: Back in Malé, dinner at Lemongrass (Thai and Indo-Maldivian favorites; order the hot butter cuttlefish and nasi goreng) or Aioli if you missed it. If you’re staying near Rasfannu, enjoy the sea breeze and watch locals playing futsal along the promenade.

Day 4: Slow Island Day — Vilimale vibes, cafés, and last looks at Malé

Morning: Hop the short ferry to Villimale (Villingili) for a quieter, leafier island experience—shoreline snorkeling, shade under sea-almond trees, and a peek at community-led reef conservation. Dress modestly outside designated swim areas.

Afternoon: Return to Malé for lunch at Symphony (seafood thali or curry) or cross to Hulhumalé for Oishii (sushi and poke). Shop last-minute on Majeedhee Magu. If you’d like a special splurge, book dinner at Kurumba’s oceanfront grill “Thila” (speedboat from the airport island; reservations essential).

Evening: Pack for tomorrow’s island hop. Sunset walk along the harbor, then a simple, local dinner near the Fish Market—try fihunu mas (chili-lime grilled fish) with roshi and a lime soda.

Day 5: Transfer to Maafushi + Bikini Beach and Watersports

Morning: Public speedboat to Maafushi (35–45 minutes; around USD 25–30 pp). Check in and have a tropical breakfast at Kaani Palm Beach’s rooftop or Arena Beach Restaurant (fruit platters, omelets, Maldivian mas huni with roshi).

Afternoon: Settle on Bikini Beach—clear water, easy entry, and often a resident turtle or two off the right-hand reef. Rent a kayak or join a short local house-reef snorkel; if you fancy adrenaline, try a jet ski or banana boat ride (operators line the beach; ask about safety briefings and life jackets).

Evening: Dinner at Hot Bite (great value; tuna curry, reef-fish grill, chapati), or Arena Beach Restaurant for seafood BBQ buffets. For those seeking a sundowner, ask about the evening shuttle to Maafushi’s licensed floating bar boat (alcohol is served there, not on the island).

Day 6: Full-Day Island Hopping and Snorkeling

Join a signature full-day trip that blends reefs, sandbanks, and local island life: Maafushi: Full Day Snorkeling and Island Hopping Experience. Expect stops like Anantara reef (soft corals, schooling fish), plus land time on Gulhi and/or Guraidhoo. Most tours include guide, gear, and lunch; bring a dry bag, small cash for island cafés, and a reef-safe sunscreen.

Day 7: Mantas at Dawn (Seasonal) + Departure

Morning: If conditions allow (best chances May–Nov, but possible year-round), head out on Snorkeling with Manta Rays from Maafushi—an unforgettable glide with gentle giants at cleaning stations. Alternative: a short local dolphin-spotting cruise if mantas aren’t around.

Afternoon: Speedboat back to MLE (~45 minutes). If time allows, grab a quick lunch on Hulhumalé (Bread Matters or Family Room Café), then check in for your flight. Search real-time options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional/Alternate Viator Picks (if you want to swap days)

• Sandbank, Snorkeling, Dolphin Cruise, Picnic, Local Island Tour — a classic one-day sampler from Malé with snorkel stops and a sandbank lunch.
• Male City Tour by Car with Local Guide — if you prefer minimal walking in the mid-day heat.

Dining cheat sheet (highly rated as of 2025):

• Malé: Symphony (seafood & Maldivian hits), Seagull Café House (ice cream, tuna steak), Shell Beans (casual, harborside), Aioli (Indian-Maldivian), Sala Thai (refined Thai), Lemongrass (Thai/Indo favorites).
• Hulhumalé: Family Room Café (specialty coffee, bowls), Bread Matters (bakery & brunch), Oishii (sushi & poke).
• Maafushi: Hot Bite (local go-to), Arena Beach Restaurant (BBQ buffets), Kaani Palm Beach Restaurant (rooftop breakfasts and views).

Logistics at a glance:

• Speedboats: Malé–Maafushi ~35–45 min; USD 25–30 pp; mornings and late afternoons busiest. Ferries slower; Fridays have limited schedules.
• Cash & cards: USD widely accepted; ATMs in Malé/Hulhumalé/Maafushi. Expect 10% service charge + 16% GST on most bills.
• What to pack: reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, hat, water shoes, dry bag, and modest cover-up for local islands.

In one week, you’ll have traced the Maldivian story from coral-stone mosques and fish markets to turtle-filled reefs and sugar-white sandbanks. Malé energizes; Maafushi exhale—together they deliver a Kaafu Atoll itinerary you’ll reminisce about every winter.