What a Week on a Maldives Local Island Actually Costs
A comfortable seven-night stay on Maamigili for two people, including full board meals, three excursions with whale sharks, and return speedboat transfers from Male, costs significantly less than the same trip from a South Ari Atoll resort. Message us on WhatsApp at +960 979-2222 for a current package quote.
All prices below are reported from publicly available sources and guesthouse pricing data as of mid-2026. Confirm current rates directly before booking. Last verified: July 2026.
The Total: What Two People Spend in 7 Nights on Maamigili
The table below shows three spending levels for a seven-night trip for two people. Every figure includes accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers.
| Category | Budget Option | Comfortable Option | Premium Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | $280 to $420 | $490 to $700 | $700 to $840 |
| Meals (7 days) | $0 (full board included) | $0 (full board included) | $0 (all-inclusive) |
| Excursions (3 trips) | Message for rates | Message for rates | Message for rates |
| Transfers from Male (return) | $180 | $180 | $300 (private boat) |
| Total for 2 people | Message for rates | Message for rates | Message for rates |
Prices per couple. “Budget” uses the most basic room and shared speedboat. “Comfortable” uses a mid-range room and shared speedboat. “Premium” uses the top room category and private transfer.
Message us on WhatsApp at +960 979-2222 for a current all-inclusive package quote covering whale shark snorkeling, manta ray encounters, a sandbank visit, all meals and a comfortable room.
Accommodation: Room by Room
Koimala offers four room categories on Maamigili. All rooms include air conditioning, daily housekeeping and beach towels.
Comfort Room: The most affordable option. Typically $40 to $60 per night. Clean, functional, everything you need for a week focused on the ocean rather than the room.
Deluxe Room: A step up in space and finish. Typically $70 to $100 per night. This is the most popular choice and the room used in the standard package offers.
Jacuzzi Room: Includes a private jacuzzi. Typically $100 to $120 per night. For guests who want a bit of luxury after a day in the water.
Ocean Sky Deluxe: The top category. Typically $100 to $120 per night. Premium positioning with the best views on the property.
All prices are per room per night. For seven nights, the range runs from $280 (Comfort) to $840 (Ocean Sky Deluxe or Jacuzzi).
Room names and rates should be confirmed against the current rooms page. Prices may vary by season.
Meals: What Full Board Actually Gets You
Most Koimala packages include full board, which covers all meals daily. There is no restaurant bill at the end of the week.
Breakfast typically includes mas huni (shredded smoked tuna with coconut, a Maldivian staple), eggs, fresh fruit and local bread. Lunch and dinner feature fresh grilled fish, Maldivian curries, rice and international options.
“He prepared us a local dish with tuna and coconut, that is so good, we order that every morning for us. That dish become one of our favourite and not only for us but for everyone who were staying in that hotel.” Deepak C, TripAdvisor, January 2019
The phrase “value for money” appears in 23 guest reviews. “Affordable” shows up in 14 more. Guests notice the pricing is fair because the food is good and nothing extra is charged.
If you opt for an all-inclusive plan, snacks and beverages throughout the day are also covered. The specific inclusions depend on the package, so confirm details at booking.
Excursions: The Part That Makes the Trip
Three excursions form the core of a Maamigili week. Each one puts you in the water with different marine life.
Whale Shark Snorkeling: A boat trip into the South Ari Marine Protected Area to swim with the largest fish in the sea. Whale sharks are resident in these waters year-round. Trips typically run two to three hours.
Manta Ray and Turtle Snorkeling: A visit to known manta cleaning stations and turtle feeding areas on the reef. Manta rays appear in 54 guest reviews of Maamigili properties. Turtles show up in 33.
Sandbank Picnic: A strip of white sand in the middle of the atoll, yours for a morning. Snorkeling is usually combined with the visit.
Message us on WhatsApp at +960 979-2222 for current excursion rates.
“We saw whale sharks, turtles and Manta rays (go pro footage was sent to us for free after!)” Emily, UK, Booking.com, November 2024
Optional extras include sunset fishing trips, dolphin cruises and night snorkeling. Message us on WhatsApp at +960 979-2222 for current rates on all excursions.
Transfers: Getting Here Without a Surprise
Maamigili is 107.51 kilometres from Male. Three options exist:
Shared Speedboat: $45 per person each way. The journey takes approximately one and a half hours. This is the most popular choice and what the budget and comfortable totals in the table above assume.
Domestic Flight: Approximately $145 per person each way. The flight takes about 20 minutes to Villa International Airport (VAM) on Maamigili. Koimala provides free pickup from the airport.
Private Speedboat: $400 to $500 each way. For guests who want a direct, private transfer on their own schedule.
For a couple taking the shared speedboat, return transfers cost $180. For the domestic flight, $290 return. For the private boat, $400 to $500 each way.
Koimala arranges pickup at the airport or jetty at no extra charge.
What This Same Trip Costs at a Resort
A seven-night stay at a South Ari Atoll resort with the same three excursions and return transfers produces a different total.
A mid-range resort charges $300 to $700 per night. A five-star property charges $700 to $2,000 or more. Whale shark excursions from resorts cost $200 to $300 per person. Manta and turtle trips run $150 to $200 per person. Seaplane transfers add $200 to $600 per person each way.
A seven-night resort trip for two with the same three excursions typically starts at $5,000 at a three-star property and can exceed $15,000 at a five-star resort.
The water is the same. The whale sharks are the same. The manta rays do not charge a resort surcharge.
For a full comparison of what a local island and a resort each offer, see our local island vs resort comparison.
How to Book Without Surprises
A few practical steps before you commit:
- Confirm the room rate directly with the guesthouse and ask what is included.
- Ask whether meals are full board or half board, and what the upgrade to all-inclusive costs.
- Check if excursions are booked through the guesthouse or independently. Guesthouse-organized trips are usually cheaper.
- Verify transfer costs and whether pickup from the airport or jetty is included.
- Ask about any seasonal price changes.
For Koimala’s current packages and pricing, see our offers page.
Prices in this article are reported from publicly available sources as of mid-2026. Last verified: July 2026. Confirm current rates directly before booking.
See current packages and pricing | Local Island vs Resort: An Honest Comparison