A holiday in Maldives *can* be cheap.
Experiencing pristine beaches, world-class snorkeling and good weather in Maldives without breaking the bank? It's possible. Here's how I did it.
Of all beach destinations I’ve visited, Maldives is probably one of those offering the best combination of pristine beaches, world-class snorkeling and great weather.
The Maldives consists of 27 atolls and 1,300 islands, out of which approximately 130 are reserved to island resorts.
Most people consider the Maldives a luxury destination for honeymooners or ultra-wealthy tourists, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sure enough, a holiday in Maldives can get expensive, but did you know that visiting Maldives without breaking the bank is possible, too?
I’ve been lucky to travel to the Maldives a couple of times, and I experienced it both ways: Relaxing in a high-end island resort, as well as exploring it “on a budget”.
Which one did I prefer?
Well, both are great options to experience the Maldives, with a few differences that can make or break your holiday, depending on what you are looking for and if you're travelling solo, as a couple or as a family.
In this article, I’ll share my experience travelling to Maldives “on a budget”.
My Maldives “On a Budget” experience
How can you experience Maldives on a budget, like I did?
Choose an inhabited island for your stay
Travel during shoulder season when flight and hotel prices are cheaper
Check regularly for flights and hotel deals
Pay some extra attention to “hidden costs” and avoid common mistakes
Overall island vibes
The inhabited island I chose for my trip was Maafushi, which is much bigger than a resort island. In fact, around 3,000 people between locals and owners of local tourism businesses live here.
In Maafushi there are a few hotels, small shops, houses and religious places for the local population. In fact, it feels more like a village than a secluded island. Definitely not the same “off-the-grid” experience I found on a resort island, but I still felt the vibes of Maldives!
There was one nice beach on the west side of the island where my hotel was located. It’s called “bikini beach” because, as opposed to the “no-bikini beach” (mainly visited by locals) here the rules for tourists are less strict.
The beach options on Maafushi are limited. If you'd like to experience some more beaches, I'd definitely recommend booking an excursion.
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Getting there
Maafushi is very close to Malé and can be reached in approximately 30-45 minutes by speedboat, or 90 minutes by public ferry. The speedboat costs around 20 USD one way, while the ferry costs only 2 USD.
Both speedboat and the regular ferry depart from the pier outside MLE international airport. Make sure to check in advance the departure times to/from the airport, to avoid spending one extra night in Malé.
In comparison, transfer services to island resorts are usually much more expensive and will cost 150 USD or more, depending on the options you'll choose.
The Hotel
In Maafushi there are several hotels and guesthouses to choose from. The hotel I chose was good value for money and looked like a “normal” hotel building with rooms on several floors. There weren’t any beach bungalows, water villas or other facilities that you’d typically find in an island resort.
Additional services (like water sports rental, massage, etc.) were located outside of the hotel but always within walking distance.
Food & Drinks
The hotel where I was staying in Maafushi had a restaurant right outside its premises, offering an à la carte menu with half-board or breakfast-only options.
I chose a breakfast-only menu, since I knew I would spend most of my time on excursions during the day and wanted to explore other restaurants in the evening anyway. In fact, each hotel has their own restaurant which is accessible by everyone.
Food was delicious and restaurant prices were fair (around 20-30 USD per person for a full dinner).
Unlike most island resorts, on inhabited islands like Maafushi the consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
Interestingly enough, there's a workaround: A “bar boat” anchored just outside of Maafushi serving alcoholic beverages almost 24/7 !
Yes, that's right:
If you’re wondering how to get there, there’s a free shuttle service from Maafushi pier. It takes just 2 minutes to get there, making it possibly one of the most unusual drinks I've ever had !
Snorkeling & Excursions
To be honest, snorkeling options in Maafushi were not as “WOW” as what I experienced on a resort island.
On the other hand, excursions were much more affordable than in a high-end resort. I did two excursions with Kaani Tours (there are also a few other tour companies on the island): The “Sand bank” excursion for 20 USD and the “Whale Shark” excursion for around 80 USD.
Both excursions were pretty spectacular and fun, spending the whole day island hopping, snorkeling and enjoying the company of other tourists.
We didn’t see whale sharks in the end, but the tour guides took us to another spot where we swam with sea turtles. Nice!
Some excursions to luxury island resorts nearby let you experience a full day there, making Maafushi a good base to explore nearby islands.
Make sure to check with the tour company whether it’s the right season to spot whale sharks, mantas etc. before booking an excursion.
Weather in Maldives during shoulder season
The dry season in Maldives is usually between January-March, while December and April are called “monsoon transitional months”.
I travelled to Maafushi in the beginning of April, which can be considered shoulder season. The weather was always sunny, with just a few rain showers late at night (everything was dry in the morning), and clear waters for snorkeling.
Some mistakes to avoid when visiting Maldives
Whether you’ll choose to visit the Maldives on a budget or in an island resort, here are some things you should always pay attention to:
Avoid flights landing too late in Male - To maximize your first day, make sure transfer service is still available at the time your flight lands in Male. Some transfer services stop in the early afternoon and you'll need to spend the first night in Male.
Don’t forget your snorkeling gear - This one seems obvious: Take snorkeling gear and underwater camera with you (I have a GoPro + Floating grip, but there are other options too).
In fact, the Maldives offer some of the best snorkeling experiences in the world and renting the gear at your hotel will cost you money.
Some other accessories I’d recommend buying in advance: A water-dry bag and rock shoes.Take into consideration the transfer costs - When comparing hotel prices, keep in mind that transfer costs are often not included in the final price and need to be paid separately.
Don’t choose a full-board package if you don’t need it - Consider carefully if you really need a full board package when you’re staying at an island resort. Breakfast and dinner are usually pretty generous, and if you’re planning to go on a couple excursions, you’ll skip lunch anyway.
Take some snacks with you - These can be either difficult to find or expensive, or both. Nuts or dry biscuits can be very handy while lying on the beach, during an excursion or after a long snorkeling session!
Visiting Maldives on a Budget: Is it the right option for you?
As I said in the beginning, I've experienced Maldives “on a budget” as well as staying in a high end resort.
I definitely enjoyed the vibes of both experiences. As a solo traveller, visiting Maldives on a budget means spending less money for hotel, transfers and excursions. There are also many more opportunities to meet new people.
Also families will find a local island like Maafushi more budget-friendly, while still enjoying all facilities they'll need.
On the other hand, couples and travellers looking to switch off completely will most likely find an island resort a more attractive option. The feeling of having the entire beach for yourself and that level of privacy is something I couldn’t find on Maafushi.
And if you love the idea of waking up, jumping straight into the water and snorkeling by the coral reef, then an island resort is a better option for you.
Therefore, choosing for your holidays in Maldives between an island resort or an inhabited island really depends on what you are looking for.
About me:
As a passionate traveler and airline & hospitality expert I've been lucky to experience travel from behind the scenes -From crossing the Andes by bus, to flying Business class to the Maldives.
Some fun facts about my trips:
I’ve visited 5 of the 7 New World Wonders
Lowest point I’ve reached: Death Valley, California at -86 mt (-282 ft) altitude
Highest point I’ve reached: The Andes, 5,050 mt (16,568 ft) altitude
I've stayed at 100+ accommodations, from a tent in the Savannah to a houseboat on a French river
I’ve travelled 350,000+ km across 45+ countries and 5 continents by bus, car, boat, bike, hiking and so much more…
In my blog Beating Jetlag I share my travel experiences, insider tips and behind-the-scenes content for smart adventurers, as well as travel marketing recommendations for Creators. You can read more about me here.
Such a useful post. Thanks for all the advice. I’ve always been reluctant to fo to the Maldives because of what I heard of their strict application of Muslim law and what it could mean for women. But maybe It’s not like that?
Thanks. I meant for women there.