Maldives. How to visit two islands in one trip

The so-called split stays are very popular in the Maldives. They allow you to combine your stay on different islands. Tour companies provide such an opportunity - in this case, the tour will be called “split-stays”. Nevertheless, you can also independently plan your stay on several islands in the Maldives. It is not difficult at all.

In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the Maldives in 2020 introduced new rules for tourists that affected the freedom of movement between the islands. How to travel around the paradise islands now? This question will be discussed further in the article.

Islands of the Maldives

There are three types of islands in the Maldives:

• Island-resorts, where luxury hotels are located.
• Local islands where locals live. Mostly they have inexpensive guesthouses.
• Uninhabited islands, which tourists often include in the excursion program.

Maldives | Asad Photo Maldives

Why go to another island

Sitting all your vacation on one small island, even in the coziest bungalow, can seem a little tedious. Therefore, tourists are offered travel to different islands in the Maldives.

• Combined tours. They make it possible to stay in several hotels at once, located on different islands. You can organize such a tour yourself. More on this below.
• Visiting resort islands. Tourists visiting the local islands can go on an excursion to the resort islands just like on a beach holiday.
• All-inclusive. Many island-resorts offer to stay with them for tourists vacationing on other islands of the Maldives. For an additional fee, you can use the All-inclusive system.

Resort Island | Hurawalhi Island Resort

How to move between islands

In the Maldives, water transport dominates: this is the best way to travel between the islands.

• The most affordable way to get from one island to another is by state ferries. The fare is from $ 2. However, ferries do not go to all the islands, and sometimes it takes several days to wait for them it all depends on the timetable.
• These are high-speed boats that run on order between the islands. Such a trip will cost from $ 25 per person.
• The fastest way to travel between the islands and the only way to get to the remote corners of the Maldives. The cost of a one-way flight starts at $ 250.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa

How to plan your visit to multiple islands in the Maldives

The principle of booking a villa on the resort islands is quite simple: choose the villa you like and book. What to look out for when booking yourself:

1. The most important point is the movement between the islands. Be sure to check with the hotel you like if they have transfers to islands other than Male and its’ Velana International Airport. Otherwise, you will simply have nothing to get to the second hotel. The option to return to Male, and from there take a transfer to a second hotel. This is unlikely to suit you since it can take about a day, depending on the distance between the islands.
2. Usually two islands are chosen depending on which services and opportunities they offer. For example, Jumeirah Vittaveli (now Ozen Reserve) has an outdoor ice skating rink, while Hurawalhi Maldives Resort has an underwater 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. Alternatively, you can combine your stay in the Maldives with one of the islands of Baa Atoll, which is located in the Hanifaru Biosphere Reserve. This place is considered one of the best for snorkeling in the Maldives.

Hurawalhi Island Resort

Features of movement between the islands during the coronavirus period

Previously, tourists could travel freely to all types of islands. However, due to the spread of COVID-19, the authorities of the Maldives have introduced some restrictions. Upon arrival in the Maldives, the tourist shows a QR code, which contains information about the PCR test and the declaration of health. The declaration indicates the hotel where the tourist is going to stay in the Maldives. If a tourist plans to visit several islands, including local ones, there are nuances for visiting. We described them in the article on coronavirus in the Maldives, where we constantly update the information.