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The Maldives has grown into a distinct holiday destination over the past few years. It now attracts a diverse set of tourists, from those looking to splurge on lavishness to those interested in offbeat experiences at a budget-friendly price.
One remarkable aspect about the Maldives is that luxury and tradition often walk hand-in-hand across the islands. Travelers can thus relish a bit of opulence as well as local culture, no matter where they decide to stay, on a resort or an inhabited island.
Guests booked into private islands usually take day trips to a public island to understand and observe the Maldivian lifestyle. Similarly, travelers living in guesthouses can head on out to a nearby resort for a day full of activities, food, and entertainment.
What is it?
A resort day is one of the top tourist attractions in the Maldives. In simple terms, it is an outing where you get to spend an entire day on a private retreat.
The day pass allows non-residing visitors to momentarily experience resort life, a popular and must-try Maldivian accommodation option.
Who is it for?
With the opening of guesthouses in the Maldives, many travelers now prefer to stay on public islands. Maafushi, Fulhadhoo, and Fuvahmulah are but three gaining fame amongst budget travelers.
Often located near private resorts, most inhabited islands have direct access to these paradisiacal residences that offer the very best in living and dining. Of course, all these luxuries come at a high cost.
Therefore, a resort day pass is a perfect opportunity for travelers staying on public islands to appreciate the riches of a private island.
Also, many people are not aware that there are resorts for all budgets. So, suppose you are staying in a budget retreat. In that case, a day pass to an ultra-luxurious island is ideal when wanting to celebrate a special event or savor delicious food at a famous restaurant in the Maldives.
How to book a resort day?
Even though several resorts allow outside visitors to come and use their facilities for a day, it is not something they always advertise. You might find a mention and prices on some websites. If not, send an email and ask the resort about it. Do mention the total number of members in your group and their ages. There is also no harm in asking for a discount if it is a large group.
Alternatively, you can ask your guesthouse reception to make the booking. This is much more favorable because the guesthouse will typically have plenty of different resort options, ranging in prices. Moreover, your host can get a better discount since they deal with the retreats regularly.
Pro-Tip:
Booking your resort day in the Maldives through a guesthouse has another benefit. It lets you reserve a spot at the last minute. Therefore, you can decide on the excursion depending on the weather. The last thing you want is to go to a resort on a rainy day. So, plan your tour only after reaching your local destination.
Which resort to pick?
While every resort in the Maldives is amazing, they are all not the same. When deciding on which retreat to visit, keep the following points in mind;
Budget
A day pass for a retreat varies in price. Depending on the resort’s extravagance level, facilities it offers, transfers, and other inclusions, you can expect to pay between $25 to $200 per adult.
Duration of stay
Normally, private islands are open to outsiders from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This time may differ in some cases. Check before booking and make sure you get the maximum bang for your buck! Also, remember to factor transfer time into your itinerary.
Distance from the island
Spending anywhere over 30 minutes to reach the resort will eat into your activity time. Therefore, maximize your trip and the money you spend by choosing a retreat close to you.
Inclusions
Most importantly, when picking a resort, tally all the inclusions. Speedboat transfers, as well as beach and pool access, are standard. Food, drinks, and activities can alter from one island to another. In some cases, the same private retreat offers different packages. The higher costing ones include more amenities like spa treatments and water sports.
What to pack for a resort?
Packing for the Maldives and packing for a resort day are pretty much the same. Firstly, you’d want to keep things light – a backpack at the most.
Among the essential items to take are a camera, a change of clothes, seasickness medication for the speedboat ride, sunscreen, a cap, and a pair of beach slippers.
Due to Maldives’ conservative nature, tourists can only wear a swimsuit on an inhabited island’s Bikini Beach. Thus, a resort day is the best place to wear a bikini as there are no restrictions on private islands.
The resort day experience
Are you still wondering what exactly happens when you purchase an island day pass? Here’s your step-by-step guide to a resort day in the Maldives.
Arrival
The day starts at your guesthouse or public island hotel. Get up early for a quick breakfast before leaving for the resort. Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don’t stuff yourself. You have to take a speedboat ride soon. Also, save space in your tummy for snacks and a lavish lunch at the resort.
The boat transfer for your resort day in the Maldives should take between 15 to 30 minutes. Upon reaching, the resort staff is present to welcome you to the island officially.
Introduction
Introduction to the resort, given by the staff, includes information about the island. It ranges from bar and lunch timings to learning about the areas not accessible to day-pass holders.
At this time, you will most probably get a hand band. The colored band helps the staff know that you are a day visitor. It is also your ticket to all the amenities included in the excursion.
If free use of Wi-Fi is part of your trip, you can ask for its password from the reception upon arrival.
Morning
Once the orientation is over, you are more or less free to do as you like within the designated areas. However, there is a set timetable for a few activities and dining. While soft drinks are available throughout the day, alcoholic beverages are either unlimited or limited to when you have lunch.
Use the early morning for a refreshing walk on the beach and save your snacks and drinks for later. You don’t want to feel full and not have enough energy later in the day.
Morning is also the best time for extracurricular activities in the open since the sun is still not intense. Take a swim in the house reef or go out and indulge in water sports.
Afternoon
Just before noon is best for an hour or so of sunbathing. You’ll find loungers and umbrellas on the beach. It’s an idyllic spot to relax with a book. Lying down by the water, taking in the views, and the fresh air sets up the right mood for the buffet lunch that follows.
Lunch at a resort is the best part of the day. Expect an array of delicacies, both local and international, freshly prepared and served with care. It’s all-you-can-eat, so don’t hold back.
If you are on your honeymoon in the Maldives or celebrating a special occasion, book a table at one of the restaurants. All resorts might not allow this, and it will cost you extra. Still, it is worth researching if you want to do something different.
After lunch, walk a little to digest your food, and then head to the swimming pool. A cocktail in hand, friends and family jumping in and out of the water, this is resort life at its wholesome best.
Evening
Come evening, and things start to mellow down a little. The two hours before you say goodbye to the resort and its beaches are your last chance to pick up a snack and take spectacular photos on the island.
But before you head to the jetty, there is always a surprise in waiting. Most resorts have some form of activity planned for their guests.
A resort day in the Maldives usually ends with either a cultural event like a Bodu Beru music and dance performance. Or else, the most favorite activity is fish feeding, wherein you can give food to various fish that swim up to the beach.
Shopping
All private islands have one or two souvenir shops from where you can pick up colorful handicrafts before the day ends. Items on display are sometimes unique and always of good quality. There is a slight possibility to bargain, but prices at a resort are likely to be relatively high. Therefore, the best place to go shopping in the Maldives is on inhabited islands.
Departure
As the day winds up, it is finally time to take the boat back to reality. Having enjoyed a relaxing day, travelers are drained out from all the excitement by this time. The resort staff is very helpful and will transfer any bags you might have to the jetty. Moreover, you must practice all necessary boat safety measures for the ride back home.
Points to remember when booking a resort day
Resorts are more than happy to welcome tourists who want to have a brief affair with their island. However, these visits come with a few limitations worth noting before you book a resort day in the Maldives.
Separate areas
A common misconception is that an island day pass allows unlimited access to the retreat. While visitors have plenty they can do, there are sections reserved only for residing guests. This is to keep the sanctity and privacy of the island intact. As a result, specific beaches, restaurants, overwater bungalows, and other areas are often off-limits for day-trippers.
Water sports
In most cases, a day pass does not include any water sports. Some of the more costly options might consist of snorkel gear or the use of non-motorized equipment like kayaks.
However, non-residing visitors can pay extra and partake in a range of water sports. Unfortunately, the prices will be much higher than what you spend on an inhabited island. So, unless there is something special that the resort offers, you can skip water sports and enjoy the facilities instead.
Inclusions
While all the retreats offer food, drinks, and beach use, the orientation of your trip might differ from one place to another. For example, some resorts give free alcohol only during lunchtime, while others will have an open bar for the whole duration. Similarly, the choice of alcohol can be dissimilar. One private island will have wine, beer, cocktails, and hard drinks, while the other might limit it to a few types of drinks.
Now that you know what fun a resort day can be, make sure you plan it as part of your Maldives itinerary. Not only is it among the top excursions in the archipelago, but a resort day in the Maldives is also a great way to spend quality time with your friends and family.
N.B.:all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.
