Maafushi Hostel
Hostel
Days 1, 2
Maldives Budget Hopper - 5 Days (Male, Maafushi, Gulhi, Dhigurah & Fulidhoo)
Five days of reefs, sandbanks and whale sharks, without a resort. The same islands on the public ferries where the schedule allows, in shared guesthouse rooms.
Saltline Outfitters
Runs this trip
Snorkelling
Five days of reefs, sandbanks and whale sharks, without a resort
Group Tour
Join a fixed-date departure with other travellers
Top Highlights
Bikini BeachMaafushi is a local island, not a resort — which is what makes this affordable and why the bikini beach is fenced off from the rest of it. Turtle reefGreen turtles at the first stop most mornings.
Itinerary
Maafushi is a local island, not a resort — which is what makes this affordable and why the bikini beach is fenced off from the rest of it.
Male, MaafushiHow the day runs
- 2 hrsAfternoon transfer across the atoll
- MealsDinner
- AccommodationMaafushi Hostel
Included Activities
- Airport speedboat transfer
- Guesthouse night
LANDMARKS Bikini Beach Maafushi harbour Start point Male, Velana International Airport (MLE), Male 08:00 - 16:00Green turtles at the first stop most mornings. The sandbank is a bar of sand with nothing on it at all, which is the point.
Maafushi, GulhiHow the day runs
- 1 hrs8:30 AM — turtle reef, then the wreck, then the sandbank
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch
- AccommodationMaafushi Hostel
Included Activities
- Full-day boat with snorkel gear
- Sandbank lunch
Optional Activities
- Underwater camera hire
LANDMARKS Turtle reef Gulhi wreck Sandbank South Ari holds whale sharks year-round, which almost nowhere else does. Sightings are still not guaranteed and no honest operator will say otherwise.
Maafushi, DhigurahHow the day runs
- 3 hrs6:30 AM — the long run south to South Ari
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch
- AccommodationDhigurah Hostel
Included Activities
- Whale shark excursion with guide
- Guesthouse night at Dhigurah
LANDMARKS South Ari atoll Dhigurah sandbank Nurse sharks and stingrays come into the Fulidhoo jetty shallows at dusk, every dusk.
Dhigurah, FulidhooHow the day runs
- 3 hrsMorning crossing back east
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- AccommodationFulidhoo Hostel
Included Activities
- Inter-island transfer
- Guesthouse night
- Evening nurse shark snorkel
LANDMARKS Fulidhoo jetty Bodu Beru drumming Boats run to the sea state. Leave four hours between the transfer and your flight.
Fulidhoo, MaleHow the day runs
- 2 hrsMorning boat back to the airport
- MealsBreakfast
- AccommodationNot included — onward travel
Included Activities
- Speedboat to the airport
- Day 1Airport speedboat transfer
- Day 1Guesthouse night
- Day 2Full-day boat with snorkel gear
- Day 2Sandbank lunch
- Day 2Underwater camera hireCosts extra
- Day 3Whale shark excursion with guide
- Day 3Guesthouse night at Dhigurah
- Day 4Inter-island transfer
- Day 4Evening nurse shark snorkel
- Day 5Speedboat to the airport
- Day 1 · 2 nightsMaafushi Hostel
- Day 3 · 1 nightDhigurah Hostel
- Day 4 · 1 nightFulidhoo Hostel
Where you'll stay
All accommodations are subject to change
Dhigurah Hostel
Hostel
Day 3
Fulidhoo Hostel
Hostel
Day 4
What you'll eat
4 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners across 5 days, at camp. It opens with dinner on day 1 and closes with breakfast on day 5.
- DinnerServed on days 1, 4
- BreakfastServed on days 2–5
- LunchServed on days 2–3
8 meal services named in the itinerary. Vegetarian and vegan covered; Jain, gluten-free and allergies on notice at booking
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Customer reviews
Overall rating
4.7/5
Based on 6 reviews
Review summary
Food4.3/5
Guide4.5/5
Itinerary4.2/5
Transport4.5/5
Accommodation4.3/5
Tour operator4.5/5
Sort by:Recommended
3
H
Hannah Lindqvist – London2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Conditions were poor for two of the days, which nobody can control, but the schedule wasn't adjusted. Guides answered every question, including the daft ones.
Reply from Saltline Outfitters
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another trip.
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5
Y
Yuki Tanaka – Dubai2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Great few days in the water. Briefings were clear and nobody was pushed beyond their level. Hostel nights are basic but clean, and that's what the price says. Whoever planned the days knew what they were doing. Worth every rupee.
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5
D
Divya Reddy – Delhi2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Visibility was excellent and the boat ran on time every morning. Hostel nights are basic but clean, and that's what the price says. Plenty to eat and they were happy to work around a gluten allergy. No hesitation recommending them.
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5
S
Sameer Khan – Bengaluru2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Great few days in the water. Briefings were clear and nobody was pushed beyond their level. Dorms were tidy and the common areas were where the group actually gelled. Crew were professional without being stiff about it.
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5
V
Vikram Bose – Kolkata2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Great few days in the water. Briefings were clear and nobody was pushed beyond their level. Nothing fancy about the beds, and nothing wrong with them either. Recommended.
Reply from Saltline Outfitters
Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another trip.
Was this helpful?
5
A
Arjun Pillai – Indore2025-04-02 · Verified booking
Visibility was excellent and the boat ran on time every morning. Hostel nights are basic but clean, and that's what the price says. Guides answered every question, including the daft ones. Good value for what's included.
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Questions people ask
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