If you’re after a holiday that offers sun, sea, sand and serious luxury, then you may want to add the Maldives to your bucket list.
After all, it’s got everything you could want for a beach holiday; pristine white sands, spectacular landscapes, and crystalline waters that are perfect for snorkelling and watching the wide array of tropical fish go by.
Then of course there are the breathtaking resorts offering guests luxury spas, fine dining, and beautiful bedrooms – including those lagoon villas that have become iconic.
No wonder it’s such a hit with celebrities.
Unfortunately, holidaying in paradise comes with quite a hefty price tag – the islands aren’t exactly renowned for offering budget-friendly rates, especially with the focus on luxury stays.
But the good news is there are ways to get the best value for your money, and find deals that won’t leave you having to break the bank.
We take a look at how to find great value holidays in the Maldives…
(Image: Digital Vision)
Best time to go for a cheaper break
The Maldives is an ideal winter sun destination, with peak season falling from December through to March.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, it’s worth looking at either end of this season, for example travelling late November or early April when things are starting to wind down – increasing your chance of finding late deals.
However, although the Maldives does boast year-round sunshine don’t get caught out by cheap prices that are found from May to October; this is monsoon season which is why rates are so low.
The waters are ideal for snorkeling (Image: Moment RF)
Look for an all-inclusive offer
An all-inclusive package can be a great way to get the most bang for your buck, especially as your travel, accommodation, food and transfers will be included.
Which, considering how far you’re travelling and the fact you’ll need to organise transfers from Male to the islands, could be the way to go.
In fact, TravelSupermarket can be a great source for comparing all-inclusive packages and finding the one that’s best suited to the holiday you’re after.
Meanwhile, Virgin Holidays also offers all-inclusive holidays, with over 21 hotels for you to choose from, while TUI also offers up some great all-inclusive deals for holidaymakers.
A trip to the Maldives involves flights to Male (there are no direct routes from the UK), transfers to the island – and then all of the food, drink and activities you’re planning to enjoy out there.
If you can find a package that already includes your flights and accommodation, that could save you a significant chunk of budget rather than booking everything separately – freeing up your pennies should you want to indulge with a fancy spa treatment/diving session/excursion instead.
The good news is there are plenty of firms offering tempting holiday deals for Brits.
Thomas Cook and TUI tend to offer packages on a half board or bed and breakfast basis, while On the Beach , British Airways Expedia can also be good sources for a flights and hotel combo.
Leaving it a bit late? Check out Lastminute.com for some brilliant deals.
Look for ATOL protected holiday package to ensure your money is protected should the travel firm go bust.
How to find cheap flights to the Maldives
British Airways is the only airline to offer direct flights from the UK to the Maldives , departing from London Gatwick.
However, if you don’t mind a stopover then you have a few other options including flights with Emirates via Dubai , or Qatar Airways via Doha .
It’s also worth checking out websites like Skyscanner and Cheapflights where there are great deals to be had.
(Image: Lonely Planet Images)
Best resorts in the Maldives
With almost 2,000 islands, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking where to stay in the Maldives. (Although not all are inhabited which helps narrow it down a little bit!).
For inspiration, it’s worth checking out TripAdvisor’s top 10 best cheap Maldives resorts – or if you don’t mind splurging a little, you can check out the top 10 Maldives resorts for 2018 ,