When you think of the Maldives, you probably imagine luxurious overwater villas, private infinity pools, and five-star dining – all of which is far out of reach for the average traveller's. While the Maldives is famous for its high-end resorts, it’s also possible to experience this tropical paradise without spending a fortune. Whether you’re a budget traveller or simply looking to save on your dream trip to a luxury Maldivian resort, this guide will show you how to visit the Maldives more affordably.
The Maldives has two main seasons:
Peak Season (December–April): Prices for flights and hotels skyrocket.
Off-Peak Season (May–November): You’ll find lower accommodation rates, discounted flights, and fewer tourists.
While the off-peak season sees occasional rain, showers are usually short-lived, and you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine.
Most visitors stay at private island resorts, but you can save significantly by opting for local islands, which offer affordable guesthouses and hotels.
Here are some budget-friendly options:
Maafushi: The most popular local island with budget hotels, guesthouses, and water activities.
Dhigurah: A quieter island with beautiful beaches and incredible snorkelling opportunities.
Thulusdhoo: A great choice for surfers and travellers looking for an authentic Maldivian experience.
Transportation can be a major expense in the Maldives, due simply to its geography: the island nation consists of around 1,200 islands spread across a narrow chain of coral atolls spanning over 9,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean. So, unless you're super rich and have a private helicopter or the like, transport between the islands is going to cost you.
That said, you can save money by:
Taking public ferries: Ferries connect Malé to many local islands and cost as little as R50 to R100 per trip. Top Tip: Always check the ferry schedule in advance, as services are limited on some days.
Choosing shared speedboats: If ferries aren’t available, shared speedboat transfers are cheaper than private ones.
Avoiding seaplanes: These can cost a whopping R5,000 to R10,000-plus per person, making seaplanes one of the most expensive ways to island hop the Maldives. This won’t be a concern, however, if you opt for an inclusive package that includes seaplane transfers, like World Leisure Holidays' current promotion that offers complimentary seaplane transfers to several Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives (scroll to the end of this blog for deal details).
Dining as a non-resident at resort restaurants can be costly, whereas local eateries offer delicious Maldivian cuisine at a fraction of the price. Some must-try dishes include:
Mas Huni: A breakfast dish made with tuna, coconut, and chapati.
Garudhiya: A fragrant fish soup served with rice.
Hedhikaa: Maldivian short eats (savoury snacks) like tuna rolls and samoosas.
A meal at a local café costs around R50 to R150, while resort dining can easily exceed R500 – R900-plus per person. But you won’t have to worry about the cost of meals at resorts if you book an inclusive package that includes all or most meals (depending on the package type). With these meals-included packages you can dine out in style every day and night without worrying about the cost.
Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, alcohol is banned on local islands, and is often super pricey on private resort islands where alcohol is allowed.
However, you can still enjoy drinks legally – and affordably – by:
Visiting floating bars: These are anchored offshore, allowing them to serve alcohol, but you need to catch a boat out to the bar!
Booking a resort day pass: most private resorts allow non-guests to drink alcohol when visiting on a day pass.
Booking a resort package: not only is alcohol allowed and served at all private resorts, but some packages include select drinks in the total price, helping travellers stay well within budget.
A fantastic way to experience all-out luxury at exclusive Maldivian resorts at a fraction of the cost is to book an inclusive package.
These packages typically include:
Flights: Bundling flights with accommodation often results in big savings.
Return hotel/airport transfers: Including speedboat or even seaplane transfers.
Accommodation: Luxurious overwater villas or beachfront bungalows.
All or most meals: Enjoying world-class dining without additional costs.
Entertainment & activities: Including water sports, snorkelling, and live shows, to name a few.
Taxes & levies: Avoiding hidden costs at checkout.
Not only do these inclusive resort packages reduce stress by covering everything upfront, but they offer unbeatable value, especially compared to booking each component separately.
South African travellers can further cut costs by looking out for the special promotions that local tour operators frequently run. These can include discounted rates, room upgrades and/or complimentary perks such as free seaplane transfers — a thrilling and scenic way to arrive at your ultra-luxurious island retreat!
Top Tip: Take advantage of World Leisure Holidays’ current special promotion offering up to 30% off packages for five exclusive Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives. Plus the deal includes complimentary seaplane transfers for all five-star resorts (deal details further below).
If a cost-effective resort package is not an option, then consider:
Guesthouses: There are plenty of cosy stays with a homely feel on offer at a price range of around R800 – R2,000 per night.
Budget hotels: While by no means luxury, these offer comfortable stays with modern amenities from around R800 – R3,000 per night.
Hostels: Few exist, but some local islands have budget dorms ranging from R500 to R1,000 per night.
While these budget accommodation options may seem cheaper than a luxury resort at face value, travellers need to compare the nightly accommodation cost against the cost of a package that includes flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and more. Often, you’ll find that when you add up all the DIY costs it tallies up to far more than an inclusive package (learn more on the hidden costs of DIY travel booking here). This is especially true if you take advantage of special promotions, like World Leisure Holidays’ current offer of up to 30% off inclusive packages for several luxury resorts in the Maldives.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of thousands to experience the beauty of the Maldives. By visiting local islands, using public ferries, eating at local restaurants and choosing affordable activities, you can enjoy this tropical paradise without breaking the bank.
For those who dream of a luxurious Maldives getaway without the luxury price tag, inclusive resort packages are the best way to enjoy five-star experiences for less. Keep an eye out for incredible deals like those below, and you might just find yourself sipping cocktails in an overwater villa at a fraction of the regular cost!
Sure Travel, in partnership with World Leisure Holidays, is offering up to 30% off packages for five exclusive Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives. Plus the deal includes complimentary seaplane transfers for all five-star resorts, so you can arrive at your resort like royalty!
7 Nights at the 5* Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort for 30% less. Deal now priced at R40,700 pps and includes return flights; return seaplane transfers; accommodation in a Deluxe Beach Villa; breakfast daily; daily entertainment; and approximate taxes, levies and surcharges. Book by 15 March 2025. Full package details here.
7 Nights at the 4*Sun Siyam Olhuveli Beach & Spa resort for 15% less. Deal now priced at R49,700 pps and includes return flights; return speedboat transfers; accommodation in a Beach Pavilion Room; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; daily entertainment; and approximate taxes, levies and surcharges. Book 60 days prior to arrival. Full package details here.
7 Nights at the 5* Sun Siyam World resort for 30% less. Deal now priced at R62,100 pps and includes return flights; return seaplane transfers; accommodation in a Water Villa with a pool and slide; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; selected drinks daily; daily entertainment; and approximate taxes, levies and surcharges. Book by 15 March 2025. Full package details here.
7 Nights at the 5* Sun Siyam Iru Veli resort for 25% less. Deal now priced at R70,600 pps and includes return flights; return seaplane transfers; accommodation in a Beach Vila with pool; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; selected drinks daily; daily entertainment; and approximate taxes, levies and surcharges. Book by 15 March 2025. Full package details here.
7 Nights at the 5* Sun Siyam Vilu Reef resort for 20% less. Deal now priced at R94,700 pps and includes return flights; return seaplane transfers; accommodation in a Deluxe Beach Villa; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; selected drinks daily; daily entertainment; and approximate taxes levies and surcharges. Book by 15 March 2025. Full package details here.
To book, contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency. Find yours here.
