Maldives Travel Forum

Hi everyone – I have always fancied the Maldives – beautiful beaches and snorkelling, but I don’t like the idea of luxury spa hotels and private islands. I prefer basic beach huts/cabanas or hotels, interesting local markets and local restaurants. (I like places like Goa and Sri Lanka) Can anyone tell me where you would go in the Maldives to find this? And also what kind of prices to expect for simple 2* accommodation and simple local restaurants? It can’t all be private islands! Also – in terms of weather – which months are the best time to go? Thanks everyone.

I don't know of anywhere that isn't resort islands in the Maldives. The lowest rating I've seen is 3* Deluxe. European winter time presents the best time to go, although generally, even during the rainy season, it is tropical climate so when it does rain it is rarely for the whole day or days on end (that's NOT saying that cannot happen, though). Feel free to browse my Maldives page for a personal insight and other information.

thanks very much for your quick responce! much appreciated!

Darn! Male, of course, isn't resort islands but I don't think there's the snorkelling opportunities there. Male is the capital island of the Maldives. You see, you go at it quickly and then forget a simple fact like that! LOL!!!

I'm afraid Maldives is mainly resort islands. Though you can try to get to one of the local islands, I'm not sure if they have any accommodation there and it's pretty expensive just to go there on your own.

I've been to Maldives in Mar, Sept and Dec over 2006-2007. Had absolute sunny days in Mar, 1-2 days of rain in Sept and lots of rain in Dec. With the changes happening to the weather, you got to take a chance. But Maldives is still nice even with rain as it doesn't rain the entire day, usually.