Traveling to the Maldives on a budget, you can have fun in Male
I have lived in the Maldives for more than a year.
A friend asked me how to travel on a budget.
Then I will share a "five days and four nights" route.
It is possible to travel on a budget by staying in Male or Hulhumale for four nights.
flight:
Transportation is probably the biggest expense in travel expenses.
As of December 2023, there are not many direct flights.
You may consider flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or Bangkok, Thailand before transferring.
DAY 1 Arrive at Male, Maldives, check in to hotel, book a guided city tour
On the first day, you can adjust the route according to the flight.
The main arrangement is to visit the city of Male. Most hotels can arrange free local tour guides, and all the main attractions can be visited. In the evening, when the sun is good, you can go to the beach opposite the seafood market to see schools of manta rays, or go to the tsunami monument to watch local people surfing, and go to the beach restaurant to enjoy local specialties in the evening. Manta rays are out and about, and when the weather is fine, they appear on time every evening.
DAY 2 One-day trip to Kani Island. Free activities include snorkeling (swimming test required), canoeing and windsurfing. Sign up immediately when you arrive on the island.
Kani Island is an "oasis garden" in the Indian Ocean. It is a poetic island, quiet and natural but full of vitality. It is a fun holiday island with a unique atmosphere, especially the butler service (Chinese service) is very enthusiastic. The dhoni boat takes an hour and a half, but you can go sea fishing all the way. Drinks are free on the island. You can go to the bar by the beach and watch the sea slowly. In the morning, there is a pool party, aerobics, dance, and games in the pool. This is the charm of Kani.
DAY 3 Kings Island Night Tour
In the morning, you can hang out on the artificial beach on the island.
In the afternoon, we took a night tour of King Island, which is also called Centara Fuji Island. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from Male Pier 2. You can also see Male from afar on the island. Usually the boat departs at 2pm and returns at 11pm, so you can enjoy the charming scenery of the island at night.
It incorporates the traditional architectural style of Jirabaru Island. The hotel has a swimming pool by the sea, free drinks and a Chinese menu. Buffet and night view are the themes of the evening. Listening to the sea, the island is romantic and passionate at night.
DAY 4 Visit the resident island.
Go to Vilingili or Hulhumale, the inhabited islands near Male, but please note that bikinis and overly revealing clothes are prohibited on the inhabited islands! ! !
The island we chose here is Vilingili Island, which is quiet, with clear water and white sand. It is very cost-effective. You need to take a special Vilingili Ferry and it takes only ten minutes to get to the island. There is a water sports center on the island, where you can enjoy motorboats, atoll snorkeling and other activities.
If you don't feel tired in the afternoon, you can go dolphin watching + sea fishing + sunset on the sea. Usually, you set out at 4 pm and come back around 8 pm. Some routes can arrange barbecue on the boat, or go to Hulhumale Island for barbecue. There are also special arrangements for sea fishing. You can fish until 11 pm and come back. At that time, your whole body will smell of salty sea water.
DAY 5
Before leaving, go to the artificial beach for another walk. If you have time, it only takes an hour to go around Male Island.
To go along the longest seaside promenade, Boduthakurufanu Magu
Don’t underestimate the artificial beach in Male. Sometimes it is so beautiful that it is beyond words.
If it is a night flight, you can relax more freely during the day.
Not all resort islands in the Maldives are open for day trips. Most hotels in Male city can be booked, but don't expect too much. As long as you plan well, city hotels generally cost $100-150 per night, and island hotels start at $600.