A savvy traveller has revealed her secret to an affordable Maldives getawaySWNS_KARA_TRAVELS_005.jpg (Image: SWNS)
A savvy traveller has revealed her secret to an affordable Maldives getaway, spending under £500 for a six-day tropical escape.
Kara Wilbur, 23, alongside her friend Natasha Whitley, 28, bagged a bargain with £950 return flights from London Heathrow on April 1, heading to the local islands of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi in the Maldives.
While the archipelago is famed for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, with luxury water hut resorts charging up to £1,300 per night, Kara opted for a more economical approach by booking accommodation on the local islands. She found a charming ocean-view hotel room at just £25 per night.
On a daily budget of approximately £50, Kara covered her expenses for food, activities, and transport, including a ferry ride costing a mere £1.70, dining out for £7, and enjoying the sun-kissed beaches without spending a penny.
Despite the local island’s restrictions on alcohol and early closing times around 8:30pm, Kara appreciated the tranquil mornings, saying it ensured she woke up feeling rejuvenated each day.
Kara and her friend bagged a bargain with £950 return flights from London Heathrow (Image: SWNS)
The Welsh travel content creator from Denbighshire couldn’t hide her enthusiasm for the trip, saying: “It was an insane adventure, as soon as we left we wanted to go back.”
She expressed her initial surprise at the affordability of the destination, adding: “When we arrived we were so surprised, it is one thing being told it is a cheap place to travel and then experiencing it yourself.
“When we realised that we could actually do this for £500 it was a nice experience. I will definitely be going back.”
Kara said she was surprised at the affordability of the destination (Image: SWNS)
Kara and her friend, Natasha, embarked on an adventure on April 1, spending six blissful days in the Maldives before jetting off to their current location in Sri Lanka.
Their tropical escapade saw them hopping between the idyllic islands of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi, where they indulged in the luxury of beachfront accommodations at the Beach House by Sii Hotels and the Batutu Surf View Hotel.
Natasha, from Bournemouth in Dorset, and juggling roles as a pharmacist and content creator, shared: “Rooms on Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi islands were around £30-a-night for a room per person.”
She added that transportation costs were surprisingly low, stating: “Ferries and transport were also cheap so it was much more affordable than it looked.”
The adventurous duo didn’t shy away from excitement, plunging into the ocean to swim with sharks at a cost of £88 each, and exploring a secluded island for just £28 each, both activities including thrilling jet ski rides.
For a mere £12 each, they experienced the unique local nightlife by visiting a floating bar, a necessity since alcohol is not served on land within the local islands.
Kara enthused about their experiences, saying: “Thulusdhoo is really well know for its surfing and we made the most out of the beaches.”
She explained the local liquor laws, noting: “It is illegal to drink on the islands themselves but legal to drink on the water so we took a boat out to have a drink and watch the sunset.”
Kara appreciated the tranquil mornings on her trip to the islands (Image: SWNS)
Dining was equally budget-friendly, with daily meals averaging at £7 per person, and breakfast included with their stay.
However, the most significant expense was air travel; flights from London to Male and then onward to Colombo totalled £905.
Kara Said: “The food there was unreal, on average we would spend £6-a-head on food which is really good.
“The advantage of the Maldives is that you can walk straight out of your hotel and you will be on the beach.”
Dining was equally budget-friendly, with daily meals averaging at £7 per person (Image: SWNS)
“The views were insane and the locals on the islands are lovely.”
Here’s a breakdown of her costs:
Flights came to £950, while transport including four ferries and one speedboat totalled £32. Food expenses averaged at £95, which works out to about £7 per meal.
An exhilarating experience swimming with sharks cost £88, and a trip to a deserted island was £28. A visit to a floating bar amounted to £12, and miscellaneous expenses such as ATM fees, souvenirs, and airport storage came to £28.
Accommodation for the stay was £133 (Image: SWNS)
Accommodation for the stay was £133.
In total, excluding flights, Kara spent £416 per person over six days, which averages out to roughly £70 per day.
