Most Popular local Islands for Budget Holiday in Maldives
Maldives Cheap Vacations
Updated June, 2024
The 10 best Budget Islands give you the chance to get cheap everything what Maldives has to offer. These local islands certainly appeal to all those who prefer to spend their money to incredible sights and getting experience local life affordable on these charming tropical islands than to the luxury resorts with water villas.
The best islands for budget holiday in Maldives are not only the best value, but also an excellent location close to Male airport, beautiful beaches, clean room, a great food, interesting excursions and an exceptional service. From snorkeling on house reef to dolphin watching tours, and diving with Manta rays and Whale Sharks, and much more, this list of 10 Maldives islands will certainly give you many interesting discoveries, a glimpse of Maldives culture and unforgettable experience.
1 Maafushi, South Male Atoll
Best Experience: Close to Male Airport, a huge choice of accommodation on any choice, a great offer of excursions, restaurants, and a fun diving
With beautiful coral reefs, world-class dive sites, white sandy beaches, azure waters, a great choice of budget hotels and guest houses, plus a lot of interesting tourist attractions and excursions, Maafushi is a stunning island located just 35 minutes by speedboat or 1.5 hours by ferry from Male. An uncrowned capital of budget tourism, today Maafushi has more than 50 economy hotels, and this is the only inhabited island with the largest number of guesthouses in the country. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS2 Ukulhas, North Ari Atoll
Best Experience: budget experience holiday, couples, family, beaches, honeymoon, house reef snorkeling, diving, big game fishing
With unique features for the Maldives, Ukulhas is one of the inhabited islands of Alifu-Alifu atoll, that's opened for budget tourism with a range of guest houses and economy-hotels on the island. Known for good ecology, clean environment and high marine biodiversity, today affordable vacation on Ukulhas island is one of the best ways to open the sun, sand and the sea of paradise Maldives without breaking your budget! Staying here allows you to immerse yourself in the local fishing community and get an authentic Maldives experience. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS3 Thoddoo, North Ari Atoll
Best Experience: A fabulous beaches, authentic Maldivian experience holiday, for family, for couples, snorkeling, diving, fishing
Emerald in a setting of golden sand, Thoddoo is one of the inhabited islands of North Ari atoll, in the Maldives. Located 67 km from Male Airport and 20 km north of Thulusdhoo Island, Thoddoo is a great option for a budget barefoot holiday. With more than 20 economy hotels and guest houses, and surrounded by warm turquoise waters and abundant marine life, the beautiful island offers for travelers boundless opportunities for a cheap snorkeling, diving, water sports and island hopping tours, including an amazing sandbanks. Thoddoo island is also a delightful nature, a vibrant underwater world and a large white sandy bikini beach ... of course for tourists. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS4 Dharavandhoo, Baa Atoll
Best Experience: Easy to reach by air, cheap, for family, for couples, snorkeling with manta rays and whale sharks, diving
The affordable beach experience in Dharavandhoo Island will surpass all your expectations; the main theme in this part of the Maldives is not to miss the spectacular water adventures, where each excursion will be filled with new vivid impressions. Result? An unforgettable journey and memories that will remain with you forever. Located 117 km from Male Airport, the beautiful Dharavandhoo Island is located in the heart of UNESCO's only marine biosphere reserve in the Maldives and is ideal for everything that Maldives has to offer. Must do thing - do not miss snorkeling with Manta rays in Hanifaru Bay . READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS5 Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll
Best Experience: budget experience holiday, beaches, for family, for couples, swimming with mantas and whale sharks, snorkeling, diving
"Long island" in Dhivehi, Dhigurah is located in the South Ari Atoll in the Maldives in 20 minutes by domestic flight from the Velana (Male) airport. Budgetary in width, and stretching for a length of 3 kilometers, a beautiful populated island is considered to be one of the longest in the Maldives. Around Dhigurah there are some of the most world class dive sites in the country, including Kuda Rah Thila, Manta Point and Reethi Thila. Dhigurah Island is also a perfect place for snorkeling with whale sharks and manta rays. So, if your ideal holiday is an under-the-sea adventure, then start planning your trip to this gem of an island. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS6 Thulusdhoo, North Male Atoll
Best Experience: Close to Malé Airport, for budget trip, beach, couples, surfing, a great scuba diving
You do not need to be a surfer to open Thulusdhoo, a beautiful island located in North Male Atoll in 30 minutes by speedboat from Male airport. The same ocean, clear turquoise waters, white sandy beach, big waves, palm trees, amazing marine life and lots of fun in 25 kilometers from Velana airport, but much cheaper. Thulusdhoo today is not just a surf. On the island there is a beautiful beach of white fine sand, part of that is called "bikini", and is designed specifically for foreign travellers. Snorkeling and diving (there is a diving school), water sports, exciting fishing or lazy beach experience - all this can be found in Thulusdhoo. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS7 Omadhoo, North Ari atoll
Best Experience: authentic Maldives, beach, house reef snorkeling, couples, famiies, swimming with whale sharks, diving
With love, the well-groomed and hospitable Maldives Island, Omadhoo is a picturesque fishing village in the heart of Ari Atoll. In contrast to the 5-star resorts on Omadhoo you will find idyllic Maldives with a quiet island life and local traditions. A beautiful house reef boasts healthy and colorful corals with an amazing marine life, including sharks and turtles, and is ideal for snorkeling and diving. The island has a diving center PADI. For newbies there are many world-class dive sites around Omadhoo. With soft white sand and decorated with umbrellas, a bikini-beach is in the southwestern part of this island. Accommodation is limited to a few guest houses, but generally positive reviews, excellent food, and in general you will be pleasantly surprised by such a classy budget vacation! READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS8 Bodufolhudhoo, North Ari Atoll
Best Experience: for Couples, guiet and private, beach, value, house reef snorkeling
A great option for a a fun-filled budget holiday in the Maldives, Bodufolhudhoo is a small island in the North Ari Atol. The beautiful island is well known for its spectacular marine life with a beautiful house reef ideal for snorkeling and is surrounded by a some famous resorts including Nika Island Resort, Velidoo and Gangehi. The name of the island translates as "great folhudhoo" and next, ironically, is the smaller island of Kudafolhudhoo "little folhudhoo". Today, apart from the guest houses there are 2 local cafes, a large children's playground, and a PADI dive shcool and water sports center on Bodufolhudhoo. The tiny size of the island and the hospitality of the islanders allows you to enjoy a relax and authentic Maldives experience. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS9 Dhiffushi, North Male Atoll
Best Experience for: Couples, families, groups, solo vacation, beaches, activities
Located in Kaafu Atoll in the heart of the Maldives, the breathtaking Dhiffushi Island is 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé. With gorgeous crystal blue waters and white sands, the island is an escape to a sanctuary of tropical blissa and great option for budget holiday in the Maldives. Dhiffushi island is home to one of the most authentic fishing village in island nation and if you want a real Maldivian experience, then you should definitely go there! READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS10 Thinadhoo, Vaavu Atoll
Best Experience: couples, families, beaches, activities, scuba diving, house reef snorkeling, deap sea fishing
Home for Plumeria Maldives, Thinadhoo is one of the populated islands of Vaavu atoll in Maldives. Surrounded by dazzling sandy beaches and turquoise waters with a great house reef snorkeling, Thinadhoo is a perfect place for a holiday to suit all budgets. Today, the island of Thinadhoo it is a favorite place for Big-game fishing, snorkeling and diving. An affordable way to explore the country, we can safely say that in Thinadhoo you will find your own piece of paradise. READ FULL REVIEW
FIND HOTELS11 Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Best Experience: Easy to reach by air, holiday in Maldives with a small budget, beaches, a great offer of excursions, yoga, big game fishing, diving
Hanimaadhoo is one of the inhabited islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll in the unspoiled north of the Maldives Well connected to Male international airport by numerous daily 45 minutes flights Hanimaadhoo offers to budget travellers it's miles of white sand beaches, turquoise lagoon, luxuriant vegetation and privacy in an untouched nature, living the genuine and natural Maldives with all modern accommodation facilities. Suited for a water adventures and nature lovers, Hanimadhoo is genuine gateway where to be spoiled with an authentic Maldivian warm hospitality. READ FULL REVIEW
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