Multi destination holidays

Ms_Chocaholic

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895894#Comment_81895894

You can get accommodation on a tourist island for much less than £800 per night.

In terms of the seaplane transfer v speedboat transfer, the seaplane is a treat in itself, being able to see all the atolls as you fly over is absolutely amazing and something I think you should consider.

Ms_Chocaholic

How luxurious do you want to go, you can get deals for tourist islands for as low as £2k per person (full board for 14 nights) to £10k+ per night (I just checked TUI for two weeks in September and the price includes transfers).

strawb_shortcake

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898167#Comment_81898167

I'd like a seaplane transfer, especially as I can get seasick, but the one that doesn't really like flying isn't keen, so far he's doing all the compromising

strawb_shortcake

Yes, we can get a holiday in just the Maldives completely within budget, but our initial plan was to do more hopping between different countries which 2 is affordable 3 like planned seemed to blow the budget out the window. Though I have now seen that Ethiad can get us to 3 countries but not home for around £1k pp flights only. So I think I need somewhere like Trailfinders as suggested by others to see if it can all come together by them and in budget

I'd then gone to looking to book a Maldive resort and limiting to boat transfer I was struggling to find under £5k for a week.

Theres 1 resort we could get 2 weeks for not far off £3k total, but there's a few downsides to that

daveyjp

Its many years since we visited, so don't know if it is still the case, but Kerala in India was once a very popular destination for arranging a visit to the Maldives as there were direct flights from both main airports to Male.

A number of people we met in our hotel had booked a cheap trip out to Kerala and on arrival used an Indian travel agent to arrange a 4-5 night Maldive trip. Far cheaper than a UK booked Madives holiday.

Archergirl

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898167#Comment_81898167

You do see the atolls when flying in to Male anyway…..

Archergirl

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895894#Comment_81895894

The local island are usually 'dry' and I don't think they are what you are looking for.

Ms_Chocaholic

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81903869#Comment_81903869

You do but the view from the seaplane is much better IMHO

twopenny

Just in the hope it's more information, there are no news, no shoes islands which are a better price.

My information may be out of date so you'd need to ask on the forum and read reviews.

Vilamendhoo, beach villas

Chaaya Elladhoo has beach bungalows

are the two I remember. The reef is close enough to need some gentle snorkeling and there's probably diving there as I picked them for the reef.

It is a seaplane transfer but that's very different to an ordinary flight.

Coming into the Maldives this is what you see……..and you land by the sea.

Air temp 29c, water temp 29c, yes AI is good because drinks are expensive. And it includes water which you'll need a lot of with swimming and warmth all day. I also learned to change clothes at the airport into something light and comfy.

Its a darn shame the boat isn't running at the moment. I think you'd both like that though luxury it's not, but good food and bed and a different reef every day and no transfers. It's waiting across the road from the airport!

Had to laugh at the people who thought a water villa with a glass floor was a good idea. You get snorkellers looking up as well as you looking down 😄

Oh and a complaint by a lady in a beach villa, it was very bad to be disturbed by the sound of someone sweeping the paths. It's a swooshing sound as it's done by hand……….

But be careful if you go, it's addictive 😉