2025 Maldives "One Island One Hotel" Ultimate Guide

2025 Maldives "One Island One Hotel" Ultimate Guide — From island selection to departure, all you need for turquoise seas, snorkeling, honeymoon, and budget 💕 【5 Must-Know Before Travel】 1️⃣ Visa: Chinese passport holders are visa-free‼️ Show a passport valid for more than 6 months + return ticket + hotel booking at entry, 30-day free stay 2️⃣ Flights: Direct flights to Malé (MLE) from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu; China Southern Airlines Guangzhou route twice weekly ✈️ Flight time about 6.5h 3️⃣ Time difference: Malé UTC+5⏰ 3 hours behind Beijing (some resorts use "island time" which is 1 hour ahead) 4️⃣ Currency: All transactions on the island are in USD 💵 Bring Visa/Master multi-currency card + $200-400 cash (for tips) 5️⃣ Religious restrictions: Maldives is an Islamic country; alcohol and pork are prohibited on local islands; swimwear 👙 only allowed on resort islands 【Best Travel Time in 2025】 🌞 Dry season (Nov-Apr): Christmas to Chinese New Year prices +50%+, snorkeling visibility 30m+ 🌧 Shoulder season (May-Jun): Manta rays/whale sharks gather! High chance to see blue tears✨ ☔️ Rainy season (Jul-Oct): Best surfing season 🏄 Best value all year round 【Golden Rules for Choosing an Island】💰 STEP1️⃣ Set budget (4-night reference): 💎 Luxury (25,000+ CNY): White Horse Manor / Velaa Private Island ✨ Premium (12,000-25,000 CNY): Ozen / Ayada / Reethi Rah 🏝 Value (7,000-12,000 CNY): Kuramathi / Kanduma STEP2️⃣ Match your needs: 💑 Honeymoon top pick → with long trailing beach + floating breakfast (Vabbinfaru) 👨👩👧 Family choice → kids club all-inclusive (Kanduma) 🤿 Diving fan must-go → house reef A-grade (Fushifaru) 📸 Instagram hotspot → water villa with slide (Soneva Jani) STEP3️⃣ Transportation options: 🛥 Speedboat island: 20 minutes from airport to island ✈️ Seaplane island: 35 minutes aerial view (daytime only) 🚁 Domestic flight island: furthest reach to Haa Dhaalu Atoll 【Top 5 Trendy Islands in 2025】🌟 1️⃣ Ozen Maadhoo 📍 South Malé Atoll | 35 min speedboat ✨ Highlights: water villa with slide + underwater restaurant + AI with champagne 💰 Reference price: 4 nights ¥11,000/person 2️⃣ Ayada 📍 Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll | domestic flight + 60 min speedboat ✨ Highlights: double-deck water villa with large pool + less rain in dry season 💰 Reference price: 4 nights ¥12,000/person 3️⃣ Kuramathi 📍 Rasdhoo Atoll | 20 min seaplane ✨ Highlights: 1.8 km dreamy trailing beach 💰 Reference price: 4 nights ¥6,800/person 【6 Days 4 Nights Itinerary Recommendation】🗓 D1: Arrival → 25 min speedboat to island → snorkel with sea turtles D2: Deep diving experience → sunset dolphin cruise D3: Transfer to water villa island with slide → dinner at underwater restaurant D4: Whale shark chase + night fishing D5: Seaplane return (remember to buy duty-free exclusive coconut shell boat) 💡 2025 New Rules Reminder: ⚠️ Vaccine requirement canceled ⚠️ Seaplane luggage limit 20kg ⚠️ Environmental tax $6/person/night 【Essentials Checklist】🧳 🤿 Snorkeling trio (recommended to bring your own) 🌞 Coral-friendly sunscreen 📷 GoPro 12 + red filter 💵 $1 bills (for tips)