How to plan the ultimate Maldives solo trip.

Disclosure: I was invited to a 5-day trip by Secret Paradise Maldives

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I did my first Maldives solo trip many years ago. While some other guests may have given me weird looks I absolutely loved it and vowed to do it again. And I did, a few times actually. I visited various resorts and did three liveaboard trips, and realized that Maldives for solo travelers is a great choice.

Especially if you don’t mind being surrounded by a lot of couples and families, there is no good reason why you shouldn’t solo travel in Maldives. That said, I never ventured far in terms of local islands. For some reason the process of figuring out which atoll to choose and which island to go and how to get there seemed daunting to me. After all, the infrastructure in Maldives is quite different from say, Thailand. Still, I was curious especially since I knew that some of the best scuba diving in the Maldives is offered from the local islands and I was keen to explore on a budget too.

With that, I was so happy when I came across Secret Paradise Maldives, a tour operator focussing on sustainable travel, that offered to put together the perfect Maldives solo trip for me. 

Maldives Solo Trip with Secret Paradise 

I started my trip in Male where I was greeted by my guide Kamey at the airport. Kamey took me to my hotel in Hulamale, one of the islands of the Maldives capital. Most people skip a stay completely or only stay a night which, to be honest, I get. Male is nothing to write home about if you came for untouched beaches and 50 shades of blue. 

That said, Kamey took me on an awesome city trip through Male. We explored the capital’s most important sights, went to the fish market, and I learned quite a bit about the life of Maldivians, politics, and the country’s sustainability efforts. 

The next day we went to Villingili, now known as Vilimale, another part of the capital located on a separate island. Here I met Beybe Ahmed the founder of Save the Beach. Beybe is an incredibly inspiring person, passionate about the ocean and conservation issues in the Maldives. Through Save the Beach he organizes beach clean-ups and litter audits, does coral restoration and rehabilitation as well as research and education – both for the local communities as well as for visitors who want to get involved. 

From Villingili we went back to Male where I boarded my boat to my home for the next 4 nights – the local island Fulhadhoo in the Baa Atoll. Here I spent my days scuba diving, snorkeling, visiting a coral nursery, playing with stingrays in the harbor, and exploring this beautiful local island. 

Time flew by and before I knew it I hopped on a boat back to Male. I strongly recommend you plan at least a week for your Maldives solo trip, because 5 nights is not nearly long enough.  

Why you should do a Maldives solo trip with Secret Paradise

What does Secret Paradise Maldives do? The company was brought to life by Ruth Franklin, a UK native who has spent over 20 years in the country, as a way to show visitors the local side of the Maldives. Sustainability and eco-tourism are at the forefront of the tours she and her team organize. Showcasing the natural beauty of the islands as well as Maldivian hospitality and culture is the second big pillar. 

Best of all – their tours are suitable for all ages, interests, budgets, and are thus also great for solo travel in the Maldives!

Maldives tour packages

When many travelers hear the term tour operator they cringe. Tour operator sounds like annoying, cookie-cutter group tours and packages. Secret Paradise is nothing like that which makes their services so perfect for solo travel in Maldives. 

Because honestly, depending on the destination, I love a good tour when traveling alone. I love it when someone shows me options in a specific country or region, and I don’t have to worry about planning or logistics. Even just doing a day tour in a foreign city or a food tour to get an introduction to a new place makes it easier find your feet and maybe even make some friends on the go. 

Unfortunately there are very few options when it comes to Maldives tours and the usual operators come up blank if you are looking for a day tour or organized multi-day trips.

Luckily, Secret Paradise is the glorious exception and on their website, you can check out the different tours they offer. I also like the fact that they don’t only custom-make tours (more on that in a second) but show you some of their ‘best of’ options. You can immediately see all that is included and the total price as there non of this ‘prices upon request’ nuisance. 

They offer half-day or full-day tours in and around Male while other trips run from 3 to 7 days, some with a scheduled departure. These tours will either be available as a small group trip or as a private tour for just a little bit extra.

Tours focus include culture, eco-tourism, adventures, off-the-beaten path activities, or Maldives highlights. Depending on the type of tour they are accompanied by a Secret Maldvises tour leader or you will have 24/7 support from their office. Domestic transfers by boat or plane are included as well as accommodation, some meals, and your activities.  

Logistics on the ground

One of the best things when traveling to a fancy resort in the Maldives is their service that takes care of all your travel logistics from the moment you touch down. They will greet you once you arrive, organize your onward travel by boat or seaplane, take care of your luggage, etc. – honestly, all you have to do is pack your bikini and show up. 

I always assumed this was a fancy resort perk but realized after traveling with Secret Paradise it isn’t. From the moment I arrived one member of the team accompanied me from the airport to my hotel, picked me up and organized a taxi for our city tour, and quite literally put me on the boat when I went to Fulhadhoo. Meanwhile, someone else had fetched my luggage from the hotel and was waiting at the pier holding my laptop like a baby. They had also organized my return boat ticket and greeted me once I arrived back in Male, handing me over to my next resort’s representative. 

All I had to do, was wrap delicious tuna mashuni on thin chapati for breakfast and eat. 

Constant support

While some of their trips are accompanied by a group leader most are not. However, they offer constant support while you are on the ground. This way you have the best of both worlds – a Maldives solo trip but someone taking care of all the nitty-gritty and help with any questions or problems that may arise. 

This way you will have a unique trip that brings together a luxury Maldives experience with budget travel. And most importantly – feeling safe and well taken care of as a solo female traveler in Maldives.

Tips for Maldives solo female travel

• While you don’t need to wear a headscarf or adhere to a specific outfit as a woman you should make sure to dress a bit more modestly. Chances are nobody will say something if you walk around in shorts but it is not very respectful. Choose long dresses, loose cotton pants with tunic shirts, or a regular t-shirt which is much more appropriate. 
• Most local islands have one specific bikini beach. Away from these beaches you can’t swim or sunbathe in your bathing suit or bikini but will have to wear something like a rashguard and leggings. Needless to say, but topless tanning is also a big no. 
• Bring your own sanitary products with you as tampons are quite hard to find. In fact, I recommend you switch to a menstrual cup before your Maldives holiday – it is more sustainable and so much easier when traveling. 

Are Maldives safe for solo female travelers? 

I always felt safe when traveling to the Maldives by myself and it is generally considered a safe destination for women. That said, just like anywhere else I would avoid walking around unknown areas in Male or Hulamale by myself at night. Walking around Fulhadhoo, the local island, in the evening I felt perfectly fine. In general, I felt locals were always friendly and helpful and men didn’t stare or catcall ever. 

There are also very few hazards lest a tsunami hits that could become a problem. That said, the medical care is not known to be the best in Maldives and sometimes you will have to travel long distances if you need medical attention. Best bring a well-stocked first aid kit and make sure you are up to date on your vaccines. 

I’d also recommend you get a local SIM card at the airport. While these are quite pricey compared to other Asian destinations, I liked the peace of mind to be able to send a Whatsapp or call whenever. Not that I needed to… 

If you are a first-time or generally timid traveler I think booking your Maldives solo trip with Secret Paradise is a wonderful option. Not only will they share all their insider tips for your holiday with you but also add an extra layer of safety when you are traveling alone in Maldives. 

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