One night covers a late arrival and a morning seaplane. A full day covers the market and mosque before Maafushi. Two nights is a culture trip, not a lagoon trip.
1 night: seaplane buffer
Land after dark, Hulhumalé guesthouse, early seaplane to Baa or Ari. Skip the airport hotel. Do not attempt Hukuru Miskiy at 10pm.
Half day: capital then Maafushi
Morning market and mosque, short eats, afternoon speedboat to Maafushi. Only if you land before noon. Confirm the last public boat.
2 nights: culture-first
Malé heritage, Hulhumalé promenade, a home-cooked meal if you booked a local-island culture package. Then the atoll. This is the exception, not the 5-night villa plan.
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