How Much Does a
Maldives Holiday Cost?

Additional costs to budget for

Transfers

Transfers are charged separately from your room rate, per person, and they are the single most underestimated cost in a Maldives budget.

The assumption that a speedboat is always cheaper than a seaplane is wrong. Transfer pricing tracks the tier of the resort far more than the distance or the method. A scheduled speedboat to a resort ten minutes from the airport can be under USD 100 per person return. A shared luxury boat to an ultra luxury island in the same atoll can exceed USD 1,200 per person for the same journey.

Approximate ranges, per person return:

• Speedboat: from under USD 100 at entry level, USD 600 to 800 at upper five star, and above USD 1,200 at the ultra luxury tier
• Shared seaplane: around USD 450 to 550 at four star and entry five star, USD 500 to 900 at upper five star, and USD 1,300 to 1,500 at the ultra luxury tier
• Domestic flight and speedboat: roughly USD 330 to 700, and frequently the cheapest route to a distant resort

That last point is worth dwelling on. Where a resort offers both, the domestic flight and boat combination can cost less than half the seaplane fare for the same island. The saving on a family of four is substantial and it is rarely mentioned. The seaplane remains the most convenient option, and for many guests the arrival itself is part of the experience.

Private transfers are a separate category. A private seaplane or yacht charter runs from around USD 4,800 to over USD 10,000 per person return depending on the resort.

Some resorts include the seaplane in the room rate entirely, and all inclusive resorts reached by speedboat sometimes include the transfer as part of the package. Transfer discounts and free transfer promotions are common outside the festive period and are not always published. Confirm the transfer cost and any current offer with a specialist.

Dining and beverages

Dining in the Maldives is expensive. A typical dinner for two at a luxury resort restaurant costs USD 150–300. A bottle of wine costs USD 80–200. A cocktail costs USD 20–35. Most guests choose a half board meal plan covering breakfast and dinner to manage costs, adding approximately USD 150 to 300 per person per day. Some resorts, including Kudadoo and Atmosphere Kanifushi, are fully all inclusive, which removes most dining uncertainty. Signature dining experiences and premium wines are usually charged separately even on an all inclusive plan. Other resorts, Milaidhoo among them, offer an all inclusive option alongside other meal plans rather than operating exclusively on one.

Diving and water sports

A single dive costs USD 80–120 per person. A full week of twice-daily diving adds USD 1,000–1,500 per diver to the trip cost. Water sports such as jet skiing, parasailing and wakeboarding are charged per session, typically USD 60–150 each. Non-motorised activities like snorkelling equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards are usually included in the room rate.

Spa treatments

Spa treatments at Maldives resorts cost USD 150–400 per session for a one-hour treatment. Couples treatments and wellness packages cost correspondingly more. Kudadoo Maldives is the only resort where spa treatments are fully included in the room rate.

Taxes

The Maldives charges Green Tax of USD 12 per person per night for resort guests, and TGST at 17 per cent. These are sometimes included in quoted rates and sometimes added at checkout by the resort. Always confirm whether a published rate includes taxes before booking, and make sure any quote you compare is a complete figure.