Why You Should Try Island Hopping in the Maldives

The Maldives offers a quintessential tropical experience with its refreshing breeze and natural splendour. Situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean in Southern Asia, this collection of islands is every holidaymaker's dream. With a staggering 1,190 islands, it's certainly a challenge to decide which ones to explore, but it’s all part of the fun!

Island Hopping in the Maldives

The concept of island hopping has become a popular and efficient way to experience multiple islands in a single day. It's a fantastic way to see a lot in a short span.

Craft the ideal Maldivian itinerary and gear up for a holiday unlike any other. The Maldives surely doesn’t disappoint. Moreover, with the likes of Velifushi Maldives by Cinnamon offering all sorts of tours and beach lofts, enjoying island hopping and other activities has become a breeze.

Male

You might as well kick off your Maldives journey in Male. The capital is brimming with posh resorts, top-notch eateries, grand landmarks, and lovely beaches. There's a lot to do in Male, and it's sure to tick all the boxes for any traveller. Male is a cracking spot for a tropical experience, so don't give it a miss.

Maafushi

Maafushi is a well-liked local island in the Maldives that's a bit of a steal for budget travellers and has some decent facilities. Fancy a break from the daily grind? Head to its white beaches, clear blue waters, smashing coral reefs, and brilliant marine life. Maafushi is ideal for a bit of island hopping and exploring in the Maldives.

Vaadhoo

Out of all the islands, Vaadhoo brings you a unique treat. It's well-known for its Sea of Stars, which pulls in not just the tourists but the locals too. It's the sea lighting up at night, all thanks to bioluminescent plankton. So book an island-hopping tour to Vaadhoo for an experience worth having.

Biyadhoo Island

Biyadhoo Island brings you a diverse range of water sports, which has made it a firm favourite with everyone who visits. It has a tropical feel with loads of coconut trees and the lush greenery of bananas, cucumbers, cabbages, and mangoes. And don’t forget the tasty grub you can get at the restaurants here, making it one of the top islands to head over to in the Maldives.

Fulidhoo Island

It's one of the tiniest but top-notch islands to visit in the Maldives. Perfect if you like a quieter spot to enjoy the sea and Bikini beach. And while you're there, grab some Hedhikaa or spicy fish curry with a side of roshi bread from one of the local shops.

Transport in the Maldives

From the busy capital to those out-of-the-way islands, there's transport linking the lot in the Maldives. Some options are cheap, even for the long hauls, while others will cost you an arm and a leg just to get to the next island over. Whatever you go for, you'll see a different side of the Maldives each time.

Public boats: Easy on the wallet and handy for getting about, the traditional Maldivian boats are a big hit with both tourists and locals because they are quite inexpensive. Even if you're off to some far-flung island that's over 10 hours away, you won’t be forking out a lot.

Speedboats: If you want a better way to hop between the islands, go for the motor-driven speedboats. These flash boats are in tip-top condition and are a lot quicker than Dhonis. You can get to even the most out-of-the-way islands on them. Public speedboats don't have a set timetable, but they run every day and you can book them ahead of time.

Seaplanes: The quickest way to get about between the islands is by seaplane. Often called air taxis, these are the flashiest way to hop about and can cover long distances in no time. The stunning bird's-eye view of the Maldives is a massive draw for tourists, even if it does cost a bit more.