Hidden Tips

Some of the best ways to get in touch with real life and culture are by walking through the local neighborhoods far away from Bikini Beach and main tourist streets to check out local homes, school, and mosque. People on the island of Maafushi are quite friendly so just a gentle smile with a hello can take you far. This is how you experience much more of Maldives than just tourism resorts.

To get the best bang for your vacation buck, book your Island excursions with the small, local operators you’ll find in the village rather than just the first one you see. The right price varies, and by shopping around, you can often snag a better deal to book for the same trip—it could be a snorkeling safari, a sandbank picnic, or a sunset fishing trip. Also, dollar for dollar: value: for a special indulgence, a day trip to a luxury resort. Many of the resorts near the Island sell day passes including transport to their resort by launch, lunch, and use of their facilities; visit one of these resorts to get a taste of heaven at an affordable price.

For the real and cheap meal look for the small family-run ‘home’ restaurants which are hidden in the side streets. More often than not you’ll find that these serve excellent traditional Maldivian food such as fish curry and ‘mas huni’ (tuna and coconut breakfast dish), as low-priced alternatives to what is available in most tourist restaurants. Really good for supporting the locals and enjoying some great food.

Finally, some advice about the local customs. Maafushi is an inhabited local island, not a private resort, thus Islamic traditions are respected. Please, wear your bikini and swimwear at Bikini Beach… as far as the rest of the village, kindly dress modestly (covering your shoulders and knees) as you walk around. This act of respect will be highly appreciated by the local[s] and will do good for the people’s[s’] positive interactions with you.