Known for its crystal-clear water and palm-fringed beaches, the Maldives is on everyone's dream destination list. But I know what you're thinking, it's too expensive, right?
Well, it's time to start packing that suitcase of yours because the Maldives is becoming more and more accessible for people on a budget.
Jump ahead to discover:
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Getting to the Maldives is now easier than ever!
Velana International Airport (MLE) has quickly become accessible to many airlines, making it easier than ever to get to the capital of Malé. Only a short ferry ride away from the capital, this is the perfect place to start your Maldives adventure.
Depending on your budget, you can either stay on resort islands or local islands.
Resort islands are famous for their iconic overwater bungalows, ocean view cinemas, and facilities that will make your jaw drop. Popular resorts include LUX* Resorts and the Four Seasons - which often come with the hefty price tag that the Maldives is known for!
On the other hand, the local islands are a great option for you to consider when booking a trip to the Maldives. With more and more local islands opening up to tourism, it's becoming a great way to see this beautiful country for only a fraction of the price.
Here are some of the popular local islands to visit:
Located 85-minutes via ferry ride away from the capital Malé, Thulusdhoo is one of the easiest local islands to get to.
There's a great selection of accommodation on the island for all budget types, as well as many activities to keep you entertained from paddle boarding to the pod of local dolphins that swim past most days. What's not to love?!
The island is also well known for its famous surf break 'cokes' - named after the Coca-Cola factory located nearby.
Take a 2-hour ferry from Malé and you'll find yourself in the beautiful island of Maafushi. It's popular with tourists for its sandy beaches, colourful houses and snorkeling.
This Maldives island makes for the perfect beach bum destination and can easily be linked up with visiting Fulidhoo.
A little more off the beaten path, Fulidhoo is certainly a little piece of paradise that's calling your name! With a ferry leaving Malé 3 times a week and only costing $4, it's certainly a must-visit.
Fulidhoo is known for its diving and being located in the heart of the channel means it's likely you'll get to see a variety of sharks, manta rays and turtles.
Getting around the Maldives is surprisingly easy! With a variety of different transport options designed to fit most budgets.
The more expensive mode of transport in the Maldives is, of course, the seaplane. But with spectacular views over the islands, it's certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Plus, you'll enjoy the sceneic ride!
Travel Tip: Some of the remote private islands are only accessible via seaplane so be sure to check beforehand about how to reach your island.
Shared or private, speedboats are a great mid-range transport option to get around the Maldives, with the bonus of being a faster alternative to public ferries.
With a vast network of ferries covering many of the islands, and only paying a few dollars a journey, it's certainly worth considering. They are clean, comfortable and easily accommodate tourists and their luggage.
Being known as a tropical destination, most of the activities to do in the Maldives are water-based. Here's a list of the must-do things while visiting:
When you think of going to the Maldives, budget holiday options probably don't spring to mind. However, it's not as unrealistic as you may think.
With choosing to stay on public islands instead of private island, and opting for ferries instead of seaplanes, it's definitely possible to see the Maldives without breaking your bank!
Other money saving travel hacks include:
Dreaming about exploring the Maldives? Consider protecting your trip with travel insurance.
Stace Kerr has been travelling the world for the past few years with her boyfriend, Craig, while sharing their journey along the way with the hope of inspiring others to get out and explore this beautiful world, too! Stace was lucky enough to win Cover-More’s #UltimateTravelTales competition in 2019, meaning they’ve been able to carry on exploring and doing what they love – travelling! Check out her website and Instagram for some ultimate travel inspiration.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and are meant as travel inspiration only. They do not reflect the opinions of Cover-More Insurance. You should always read the Policy Documents available from your travel insurance provider to understand the limits, exclusions and conditions of your policy and to ensure any activities you undertake are covered by your policy.