Great — here are several romantic, practical island‑hopping itineraries for couples in the Maldives (5-, 7- and 10-day options), plus transport and planning notes so you can pick the best one for your travel style and budget.

Summary planning notes (important)

• Best season: the dry season (November–April) gives the most reliable sun and best visibility for snorkelling/diving; shoulder months (November, April) balance weather and value. The wet season (May–Oct) is quieter and cheaper but can have more rain and wind. (cntraveler.com)
• Transfers: many resorts require seaplane transfers from Malé (fast but costly and daylight‑only). Some islands are reachable by domestic (internal) flight + speedboat or by direct speedboat (shorter, cheaper). Choosing islands in the same atoll minimizes transfer time. (cntraveler.com)
• Money & booking tip: big savings come from travelling in low season, choosing speedboat-accessible resorts or guesthouses on local islands, and booking packages (room + transfers + meals). (cntraveler.com)

Itinerary A — 5 days (perfect for a short romantic escape — accessible, relaxing)

• Who it’s for: couples with limited time who want a mix of resort luxury and local‑island life.
• Structure: Malé (arrival) → North Malé Atoll resort (2 nights) → Local island guesthouse (2 nights) → Malé (departure).

Day-by-day

• Day 1: Arrive Malé airport (Velana). Short speedboat or seaplane to a nearby luxury resort in North Malé Atoll (e.g., Veligandu/Baros/Gili Lankanfushi alternatives). Sunset drinks, overwater dinner.
• Day 2: Private snorkel or dolphin cruise in the morning; couples spa in afternoon; romantic beach dinner.
• Day 3: Transfer by speedboat to a nearby local island (Maafushi or Gulhi) to experience local culture, cheaper meals, and small‑scale guesthouse comfort. Explore the island, sunset walk.
• Day 4: Half‑day sandbank picnic or snorkel trip; evening local‑style meal and sunset.
• Day 5: Speedboat back to Malé for departure.

Why this works: minimal internal travel time, mix of upscale romance and authentic island life. (Choose islands within the same atoll to avoid long domestic flights.) (cntraveler.com)

Itinerary B — 7 days (honeymoon or immersive couple’s trip — romance + marine wildlife)

• Who it’s for: couples wanting luxury plus encounters with manta rays/whale sharks or excellent diving/snorkelling.
• Structure: Malé → South Ari Atoll (2–3 nights) → Baa Atoll / Hanifaru area (2 nights) → North Malé Atoll or sandbank stay (1–2 nights) → Malé.

Day-by-day (example)

• Day 1: Arrive Malé → seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat to South Ari Atoll (home to whale‑shark snorkelling sites like around Dhigurah/Maamigili). Evening beach dinner.
• Day 2: Whale‑shark snorkel or private dive; evening couples spa.
• Day 3: Transfer to Baa Atoll (UNESCO Biosphere, Hanifaru Bay — manta aggregation season is roughly Jun–Nov) — check seasonal windows if that’s the target. Snorkel with mantas if in season. (maldivesluxe.com)
• Day 4: Marine‑life snorkelling/dive, sunset cruise.
• Day 5: Move closer to Malé (North Malé Atoll) for a short seaplane or speedboat leg; enjoy overwater villa dinner.
• Day 6: Sandbank picnic and private photo shoot; romantic candlelit dinner.
• Day 7: Transfer to Malé; departure.

Why this works: balances wildlife encounters (South Ari, Baa) with relaxation and shorter final transfer home. Note: Hanifaru access is seasonal and regulated — check season and permit/boat rules. (maldivesluxe.com)

Itinerary C — 10 days (adventure + luxury + remote islands)

• Who it’s for: couples who want to explore multiple atolls, do plenty of diving/snorkelling, and include a remote, quieter island stay.
• Structure: Malé → North Malé (2 nights) → Baa Atoll (2 nights) → South Ari (2 nights) → Raa/Noonu remote resort (2 nights) → Malé.

Highlights

• Include longer boat dives (thrilling channels), night snorkels, island picnics, private sunset dhoni cruise, and at least one full remote‑resort experience (overwater villa, private lagoon).
• Plan long transfers by building in travel days (some internal flights + speedboat legs require daylight and scheduling). (cntraveler.com)

Romantic add‑ons & unique couple activities

• Sandbank picnic with private chef.
• Private dhoni sunset cruise with champagne.
• Overwater villa with sunrise breakfast on your deck.
• Couple’s spa rituals, yoga at sunrise, stargazing from a private deck.
• Night snorkel to see bioluminescence (seasonal; conditions vary).
• Underwater photoshoot or private dive certification for two. (cntraveler.com)

Logistics & transfer tips (practical)

• Seaplane vs domestic flight + speedboat vs direct speedboat:
  • Seaplane: scenic, fast to many central atolls but costly and operates only in daylight.
  • Domestic flight + speedboat: used for many southern/remote atolls — fast domestic flight to regional airport, then shorter speedboat.
  • Speedboat only: cheapest for islands close to Malé (20–90 minutes). (cntraveler.com)
• Minimize transfer time: pick 2–3 islands in the same atoll (or neighboring atolls) so you spend time together on the sand, not in transit. (cntraveler.com)

Budget guide (very approximate)

• Luxury resorts with seaplane: expect high nightly rates (can be several hundred to thousands USD/night) plus seaplane transfers (~$200–$600 pp each way depending on resort).
• Midrange resorts or remote new resorts (domestic flight + speedboat): often better value and sometimes include extras to attract guests.
• Local islands / guesthouses: dramatically cheaper (from ~$70–200/night) and offer authentic experiences; ideal for couples on a tighter budget. Always add transfer costs. (cntraveler.com)

Packing & health

• Pack reef‑safe sunscreen (required at many resorts), light tropical clothing, snorkel gear if you prefer your own, insect repellent for evenings, waterproof phone case, power adapter (UK-style/G type plugs are common in Maldives resorts), and seasickness meds if you’re prone to motion sickness. (cntraveler.com)

Choosing islands by mood (quick guide)

• Ultra‑romantic overwater villas: North Malé Atoll, South Malé, Raa/Noonu luxury resorts.
• Marine wildlife (whale sharks, manta rays): South Ari (whale sharks), Baa/Hanifaru (manta aggregations — seasonal).
• Budget + local culture: Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Fulidhoo.
• Remote, less crowded: Laamu, Gaafu Alifu/Addu (longer internal flight). (islandhopperguides.com)

Safety & respectful travel reminders

• Respect local customs on inhabited/local islands (modest dress away from resort beaches, especially during Ramadan).
• Follow guide rules for wildlife encounters (no touching manta rays/whale sharks, safe distances). (cntraveler.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• Build a personalized day‑by‑day itinerary for specific travel dates, budget, and interests (romance, diving level, or local culture).
• Compare 3 specific resorts/islands you’re considering and estimate total cost (accommodation + transfers + a couple of activities).

Which itinerary length or style would you prefer me to expand into a full day‑by‑day plan?