Few fail to be charmed by the wonders of the Maldives, with its sparkling waters, rich marine life, tropical island interiors and plush hotels. No wonder it remains one of the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations.
Add in top-class diving, sumptuous spa treatments, amazing seafood and sunset boat trips – and the only problem is the price.
‘Affordable Maldives’ may sound like a contradiction in terms – but we’ve picked the most enticing packages. All with flights and transfers included.
CHIC AND CHEAP
Coco Bodu Hithi is sleek and minimalist, although thatched roofs provide a traditional feel
Indulge with spa treatments inspired by ancient Indonesian, Thai and Indian techniques
Indulge with spa treatments inspired by ancient Indonesian, Thai and Indian techniques at the chic Coco Bodu Hithi, while staying in a sumptuous villa with plunge pool. The resort is sleek and minimalist, although thatched roofs provide a traditional feel. The reef surrounding the island is alive with colourful fish. Diving trips are offered, as are snorkelling excursions led by marine biologists.
Don’t miss: A sundowner at Stars bar on stilts over the water.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,999pp all-inclusive including London flights and speedboat transfers (trailfinders.com).
GLORIOUSLY REMOTE
On the tiny island of Gan you’ll find the excellent value Equator Village Maldives hotel
Addu Atoll is in the far south of the Maldives – just below the Equator – where on the tiny island of Gan you’ll find the excellent value Equator Village Maldives hotel. Some of the buildings were once used by British naval and RAF officers; the Royal Navy established a base in 1941 and the RAF came from 1957 to 1976. Now it’s a peaceful, down-to-earth resort with smart rooms, a big pool and excellent diving, including the chance to explore the wreck of the Second World War ship British Loyalty.
Don’t miss: Cocktails in the former officers’ mess, complete with the old snooker table.
How to do it: Ten nights from £1,441pp B&B including Heathrow flights and transfers; or £1,571pp from Manchester (tui.co.uk).
LAIDBACK AND HOMELY
Oblu Xperience Ailafushi resort is one of the Maldives’ more laidback properties
You reach Oblu Xperience Ailafushi resort via a 15-minute speedboat ride after landing at Velana International Airport, connected to Male, the Maldivian capital. This is one of the Maldives’ more laidback properties – and it’s one of the few resorts to have a shop selling booze (keeping bar costs down), while there’s also a cafe/pastry shop. Rooms are decorated with colourful modern art on whitewashed walls, designed to create a ‘homely haven’ feel. The spa is massive and there’s a diving school with lessons for beginners plus boat trips to nearby reefs.
Don’t miss: A sunset tour on a traditional wooden dhoni.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,569pp all-inclusive with Heathrow flights and transfers (travelbag.co.uk).
MANTA RAY HEAVEN
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives is a resort reached by speedboat
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives is another resort reached by speedboat – this one a 45-minute ride away. Indulge at the 11 restaurants and bars, then burn off the calories with a kitesurfing masterclass or by exploring the shipwreck while snorkelling or diving at nearby Vaavu Atoll. Watch manta rays from the island’s pier and there’s live music at the cocktail bar each night.
Don’t miss: Dinner on a floating platform just off one of the beaches.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,739pp all-inclusive including Heathrow flights and transfers (travelbag.co.uk).
GOLF AND TENNIS
Don’t miss dining out at the Hurawalhi underwater restaurant at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa
Get sporty at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa on Lhaviyani atoll. One of the highlights is a fun six-hole golf course – packages include a half-hour golf lesson. Meanwhile, there are tennis/padel tennis courts, a diving centre and spa with treatments in over-water massage rooms. Dining includes a pizzeria and a sushi restaurant. Kureda is a sister resort of nearby Kudadoo, one of the most luxurious and expensive in the Maldives, with rooms from £2,550 a night all-inclusive (kudadoo.com).
Don’t miss: Dining out at the Hurawalhi underwater restaurant.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,614pp full-board with Heathrow flights and transfers; or from £1,713pp from Manchester (tui.co.uk).
AFFORDABLE LUXURY
SAii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton, boasts eight bars and restaurants including one specialising in Maldivian food
Enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional dhoni boat or go sailing on a catamaran further out to sea
Enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional dhoni boat, go sailing on a catamaran further out to sea or plunge into the Indian Ocean in a ‘semi-submarine’ (which only dips a short distance and is great for kids) at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton. This is a 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé. It’s got a huge spa, kids’ club and eight bars and restaurants including one specialising in Maldivian food.
Don’t miss: A traditional fishing trip (from 4pm to 6pm).
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,255pp B&B including Gatwick flights and transfers (travelrepublic.co.uk).
GREAT FOR FAMILIES
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is particularly family friendly and offers paddleboarding and children’s snorkelling sessions (File image)
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is particularly family friendly, offering children’s snorkelling sessions, a kids’ club for four- to 12-year-olds with a pool with waterslides, and activities such as pizza-making.
There’s one of the best surf breaks in the Maldives, attracting expert surfers, though beginner lessons are available, while three-day kids’ surfing camps are from £200.
Yoga classes and paddleboarding are offered and there’s a nearby shipwreck for divers.
Don’t miss: An amazing (and completely safe) whale shark snorkelling experience.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,643pp B&B with Manchester flights and transfers (thomascook.com).
FISHING AND ISLAND-HOPPING
Bandos Maldives, on Bandos Island, pictured, is just a ten-minute boat ride from the airport
Join a fishing expedition to cast for marlin, tuna, barracuda and red snappers – or go on a whale shark-spotting boat trip – while staying at Bandos Maldives, just a ten-minute boat ride from the airport.
This resort is so close to Male that excursions are arranged to visit the bustling Maldivian capital with its markets, history museum, and government buildings.
Don’t miss: Spotting batfish on the reef.
How to do it: Eight nights from £1,444pp B&B including Heathrow flights (virginholidays.co.uk).
SERENITY FOR LESS
Rahaa Resort is on the wonderfully peaceful Laamu Atoll and is surrounded by pristine coral reefs
Rahaa Resort is on wonderfully peaceful Laamu Atoll, reached via a 45-minute domestic flight followed by a short speedboat journey. It’s worth the effort, surrounded by pristine coral reefs and offering a wide range of watersports. These include paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing.
Don’t miss: A stargazing cruise.
How to do it: Seven nights from £1,228pp all-inclusive including Manchester flights and transfers (destination2.co.uk).
FIVE-STAR ESCAPE
Cocoon Maldives is a stylish resort with smart villas
Learn to dive at the diving centre or just go snorkelling on the reef by the beach at Cocoon Maldives, a stylish resort with smart villas. Pilates and yoga classes are offered, as are spa treatments and – during evenings – Maldivian cultural shows with dancing and music. There’s a kids’ club pitched at three- to 12-year-olds, and babysitting is available.
Don’t miss: A sunset dolphin cruise.
How to do it: Seven nights in an ‘overwater lagoon villa’ from £1,719pp all-inclusive including Heathrow flights and seaplane transfers (destination2.co.uk).
AMAZING ACTIVITIES
Join an island-hopping tour or a sunrise fishing trip at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi Premium resort
Head off on a half-day excursion to see Male, the capital, or join an island-hopping tour or a sunrise fishing trip at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi Premium resort. ‘Photo flights’ (15-minute seaplane flights to take pictures of the island from above) are also available. There’s a kids’ club and a spa with Chinese reflexology.
Don’t miss: Spotting hawksbill turtles and huge humphead wrasse fish.
How to do it: Nine nights in a ‘garden villa’ from £1,699pp all-inclusive including Heathrow flights and speedboat transfers (awayholidays.co.uk).
SPORTS FOR ALL
At Reethi Faru, you stay in one of the resort’s elegant little villas
Play tennis, squash and badminton at Reethi Faru resort, which also offers yoga classes and watersports galore. You stay in one of the elegant little villas and there are no fewer than five beachside bars (one with a speciality gin menu).
Don’t miss: A catamaran sailing lesson.
How to do it: Ten nights from £1,643pp B&B including Birmingham flights and transfers (tui.co.uk).
