Full Board Meal Plan Maldives: Ultimate Guide to Resort Dining Options in 2025

Why Choose a Full Board Meal Plan in the Maldives?

When planning a dream vacation to the Maldives, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right meal plan to complement your stay. The Full Board Meal Plan Maldives is a popular option that offers convenience and great value. Unlike city hotels,  Maldives resorts are often isolated, and you’ll likely spend your entire trip within the resort premises. This makes selecting the right meal plan a key part of your budget and overall holiday experience. Read this guide to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable island escape without worrying about extra costs or dining options.

Also read: Maldives Travel Guide

Key Takeaways

• Full board meal plan in the Maldives includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your island resorts, offering better value than dining à la carte
• Buffet restaurant access is typically included, while speciality restaurants may require additional charges
• Cost savings of ₹8,350 -₹16,700 per person per day compared to ordering meals individually at Maldives dining restaurant access
• Best for family travel meal plans and extended stay trips, where meal plan pricing predictability and budget control are priorities
• Always verify speciality restaurant charges in the Maldives with your travel agent to avoid disappointment upon arrival

Understanding Maldives Meal Plans: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board, All-Inclusive

Maldives meal plans offer structured options that differ significantly from the standard “bed and breakfast plan” model common in city hotels. These plans are designed to provide convenience and value in a destination where dining alternatives are extremely limited.

The meal plan system exists because most island resort dining operates on a “one island, one resort” concept, meaning guests have no external dining options. This unique setup makes the Maldives resort meal plan options both practical and economical for travellers.

Available Meal Plan Options

• Bed and breakfast plan – This basic option includes accommodation and breakfast. It’s the cheapest upfront, but it can get costly when adding resort meal prices.
• Half board meal plan – Half board includes breakfast and dinner, popular among European travellers who prefer light lunches. This option works well for couples who plan to skip lunch or grab light snacks during the day.
• All-inclusive meal plan – The premium option covers all meals, snacks, and beverages (including alcohol). While comprehensive, all-inclusive plans typically cost ₹33,400 – ₹45,925 more per person than full board plans, primarily due to alcoholic beverage inclusions.

Maldives Full Board vs Other Meal Plans: What’s Included and What’s Not?

The full board meal plan in the Maldives strikes the perfect balance between value and convenience, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day of your stay. This option provides predictable costs while ensuring you have access to three substantial meals daily.

Full board meal plan benefits typically cost 30-40% less than ordering the same meals à la carte, making them an economical choice for most travellers. The plan eliminates the stress of budgeting for individual meals while providing flexibility in meal timing.

What is Included in a Full Board Meal Plan

Full board meal plan benefits generally include:

• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Access to the resort’s main buffet restaurant
• Basic beverages during meals (water, coffee, tea)
• Some resorts include afternoon tea or snacks

What’s Usually Not Included

Understanding exclusions helps avoid unexpected costs:

• Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks
• Speciality restaurant dining (Italian, Japanese, etc.)
• Room service charges
• À la carte menu items at premium restaurants
• Special dietary meal preparations (dietary requirements, Maldives)

How to Maximise Value from Your Full Board Meal Plan in the Maldives

The most critical aspect of booking full board is confirming which restaurants are included. Many resort islands operate multiple dining venues, but full board guests typically have access only to the main buffet restaurant.

Always ask your travel agent or resort directly about:

• Which restaurants accept full board guests
• Any restrictions on access to speciality restaurants access
• Additional speciality restaurant charges in the Maldives for dining at premium venues
• Reservation requirements for included restaurants

Maldives Resort Dining Structure: Buffet vs Speciality Restaurants

Most Maldives resorts feature a main buffet restaurant alongside 2-4 speciality restaurants offering cuisines like Italian, Asian, or Indian food. The buffet restaurant usually provides international cuisine with local Maldivian influences.

Speciality restaurants in the Maldives often require reservations and may charge supplements even for full board guests. These charges typically range from ₹2,505 to ₹6,680 per person for dinner at premium venues.

When Is a Full Board Meal Plan Worth It?

Full Board Meal Plan for Families: Simplifying Maldives Travel

Family meal plans are ideal for families visiting the Maldives. They provide guaranteed meals, helping manage children’s unpredictable eating habits and allowing for easier budgeting. Parents enjoy the convenience of not having to decide meals multiple times a day while managing kids’ activities and naps.

Extended Stay Trips: Why Full Board Makes Sense in the Maldives

For stays longer than 5 days, full board plans are more cost-effective. Daily savings add up compared to à la carte meals, potentially saving hundreds per person. It offers meal variety while allowing occasional treats at speciality restaurants.

Budget Predictability: Why Full Board Helps Control Costs

Meal plan pricing helps keep vacation budgets in check by removing daily meal decisions and overspending. This is especially useful in the Maldives, where resort food is often pricier than expected. It lets you focus spending on activities, spa treatments, or special dining instead of basic meals.

Potential Drawbacks of Full Board Meal Plans in the Maldives

Limited Dining Flexibility at Maldives Resorts

Full board guests may be limited to buffet dining, as speciality restaurants often charge extra. This can feel repetitive on longer stays. Some travellers prefer the freedom to choose different dining experiences daily, which full board plans may not fully offer without added costs.

Varying Food Quality Across Maldives Resorts

Not all resort food quality is the same. Smaller island resorts may offer limited variety or face freshness issues. Check recent reviews of your resort’s dining before choosing a full board meal plan in the Maldives.

Conclusion: Is a Full Board Meal Plan the Best Choice for Maldives Travel?

Full board vs all-inclusive Maldives is a great compromise between the control of the price of meal plans and the convenience of dining in the Maldives. It offers a lot of value to a la carte restaurants at a comparatively lower cost, whilst still having an element of flexibility to the speciality restaurants’ prices in the Maldives. Pickyourtrail’s Maldives honeymoon packages often benefit from all-inclusive meal plan options for the ultimate honeymoon travel experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the distinction between the system of full board meal plans and all-inclusive meal plans in the Maldives?

The difference between full board and all-inclusive is that full board will take three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) but will not provide access to alcoholic drinks and speciality restaurants. This covers unlimited alcoholic beverages, deluxe drinks, snacks, and most times covers Maldives dining restaurant entry to speciality restaurants or credits for activities.

2. Is it possible to upgrade my full board to all-inclusive in the resort?

Yes, the meal plans can be upgraded in a resort. The majority of resorts can upgrade on-site, although there is no guarantee of availability, and the price can be higher than that of pre-reservation. It is better to make a decision prior to travelling or make an all-inclusive decision first, in case of uncertainty.

3. Are special diet plans supported by the full board meal plans?

Yes, full board dietary needs are normally encouraged. The majority of resorts, which are located in the Maldives, can accommodate typical dietary needs of the Maldives, such as vegetarians, vegans, or gluten-free food, when they are notified in advance.

4. Is a full board worth the small 3-4 days stay?

Better value may be available in a half-board short-stay meal plan. Half board may be more economical and flexible in the case of short stays.

5. What will become of me when I fail to like the food that came with my full board plan?

You can trust the resort’s food options. Although it is hard to alter your plan on short notice, the majority of resorts in the Maldives do have à la carte options at an extra fee.