If there is a paradise on earth, it’s got to be the Maldives. Picture stunning white sand beaches, dreamy turquoise lagoons and a heavenly sun shining over the Indian Ocean; it’s no wonder the Maldives is one of the world’s top choices for honeymoons.
For such a gorgeous place, many would assume that the Maldives is both an expensive place to visit and only for couples. However, these two statements are wrong! Luxurious doesn’t always translate to expensive, as there are many things you can do in the Maldives that don’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Don’t believe us? Just read on below:
1. Have a picnic on the deserted Villivaru Island
Source: dsw-photo
Once a popular resort throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the island of Villivaru is now deserted and beautifully taken back by nature. Makes for the perfect picnic spot!
What to expect:
- Relatively small at only 350 metres across, this abandoned island is open for tourists to explore its natural wonders
- Go snorkelling at the abandoned jetty port. The waters are safe and there’s no fee needed!
- Explore the remnants of the once popular Villivaru Island resort’s buildings which gives this place its unique history
- Buy local delicacies from nearby islands and bring it with you here for an amazing beach picnic under the sun
Price: Free! There’s no entry fee to visit the island.
Source: dsw-photo
Source: dsw-photo
2. Explore the beautiful sandbanks of Maafushi Island
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Looking for a unique experience? Why not have lunch at these gorgeous sandbanks surrounded by pristine blue waters near Maafushi Island?
What to expect:
- The sandbank is a landform consisting of a sandbar in water that makes you feel like you’re on your very own private island!
- The sandbanks near Maafushi is considered a resting spot for visitors after a half day trip out of their resort on Maafushi Island
- Immerse yourself in the white powdery beaches, pristine water lagoons, sunny skies together with its crystal clear water
Price: Excursions to the Maafushi Island sandbanks starts from RM84 AND it’s inclusive of food!
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View this post on Instagram
3. Go kayaking and paddleboarding through the clear waters
Source: thelostkids
Venture out into the clear pristine waters and discover the joys of kayaking in the Maldives. If you prefer something a little more challenging, try out paddleboarding!
What to expect:
- Enjoy a relaxing sightseeing kayaking adventure and marvel at the beauty of the surrounding islands and atolls
- Paddleboarding is a unique sport where you stand up on your board and paddle through the waters at your own pace
Price: From RM40 per hour for kayak rental and RM50 per hour for paddleboarding.
Source: Maldives.com
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4. Go snorkelling and explore the Maldives’ magnificent coral reefs and aquatic life
Source: Budgetresortsmaldives
What’s a trip to the Maldives without going snorkelling, right? It’s home to an abundance of tropical marine life and hundreds of beautiful coral reefs, which makes it a snorkelling paradise!
What to expect:
- A breathtaking experience of exploring the warm, crystal clear blue waters with excellent visibility
- Most of the waters nearby the Maldivian islands are pretty shallow, so you don’t need much experience to try it out!
- Marvel at the beautiful coral reef gardens, as well as hundreds of brightly-coloured tropical fish as they swim around you
Price: RM125 per person on average.
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5. Swim and sunbathe at the many tourist beaches
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There are many designated beaches for tourists scattered across the Maldivian islands where you can swim and sunbathe to your heart’s content.
What to expect:
- There’s typically a barrier between the beach and the streets of the island for privacy purposes
- Stunning white-sand beaches with the backdrop of the magnificent Indian Ocean
- Swim the pristine shallow waters where you can see the surrounding marine life clearly even without having goggles on!
Price: Free!
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View this post on Instagram
Woah, didn’t know the Maldives could be this affordable! All the activities look amazing and perfect for that beach getaway you’ve been craving for so long. Vitamin sea, anyone?
Well, if you’re planning on leaving for the Maldives soon, AirAsia actually flies directly to the Maldives with an all-in member fare that starts as low as RM239 one way! Non-member fare starts at RM244 one way.
So cheap, weh! What’s more, if you’re trying to find for more ways to cut down on travel expenses with AirAsia, here are a few tips to follow:
- Enjoy an RM5 discount when you log in to AirAsia.com
- Pre-book baggage during your initial flight booking to enjoy the best rate!
- As extra charges are applicable to oversize or overweight cabin baggage, be sure your cabin baggage is below 7kg as the total permitted weight for (2) pieces must not exceed 7kg
- If you want to bring more, you can pre-book your checked baggage via “Manage my Booking” in your AirAsia account tab
That’s awesome! So, what are you waiting for? This is the perfect opportunity to visit this paradise on earth without breaking the bank. The booking period is from 31 December 2018 till 6 January 2019 while the travel period is from 31 December 2018 till 30 June 2019.
For more info and other amazing deals from AirAsia, click here.