Feel like giving up with my Maldives trip! I am SO confused by it all...!!

[pinkysmamma]

I am planning a special trip to the Maldives in July, for my partner and I. It is to celebrate my Birthday :)

We are flying our from Dubai, x10 nights - and have already booked our flights on a non-cancellation rate (as they were so much more affordable!!)

I know it was VERY naive of me, but I didn't think it would be even half as hard as it is proving to be, to find somewhere to stay!

My partner doesn't fly well at the best of times, so he'd really like to avoid the sea plane. He's fine with boats, so we are happy to use ferries or speed boats.

I am looking for somewhere not too costly, since we are usually out and about / on trips during the day, so we aren't fussed about luxury or all inclusive. Ideally B&B or 1/2 board would suit us well.

Can anybody recommend a LOCAL island with great ferry / speedboat transfer links, please?

Having tried to look up the transport info online for the public ferries from Male, its proving nearly impossible and I'm almost at the stage now where it would be considerably less stressful to just give up and try again somewhere more simple 😅

Isn't it rainy season in July?

Living in Dubai, rainy season is welcome for us!

The most easily accessible resort we've been to is the Four Seasons in Kuda Huraa, which I seem to recall was only about half an hour on the hotel speedboat. (I'm also former DXB expat so have been about 9 times). You won't be 'out and about' though as pp said - you're pretty much marooned in your resort unless on a boat trip somewhere. It's one of the reasons we stopped going - DH was just bored by day 3 and would speculate wildly as to how we could possibly escape in the event of a terror attack. That was a bit of a buzz-killer tbh! 😂

We loved Sri Lanka though.

This. OP, it’s not like looking for accommodation options in Majorca (for example), it’s generally a collection of beach villas on tiny islands. And it’s currently the rainy season.

We stayed at Summer Island, it was about a 40min boat journey from Male, and not too expensive. It’s a small island that takes about 20 mins to walk around.

tbh I’m confused when you say you want to go out and about, there’s only so many things you can do in the Maldives, unless you’re into your diving. Not many motorboat excursions as it’s bad for the reefs, snorkeling is good, as is seeing turtles and maybe a trip to Male, but most of the time is swimming and enjoying the weather.

we did 5 night in Dubai and 5 in the Maldives which was about perfect

There are two things wrong here OP, if you don’t mind me saying. First, going during rainy seasons and the second being on a budget. The Maldives is about relaxing in luxury. There are activities like snorkeling which is wonderful but you mainly relax.

I flew from Oman to Maldives for Christmas last year and like you spent ages trying to figure out the public boat timetable.

I’d decide which island you want to stop on then google speedboat transfers for that island (do that before you book/confirm your accommodation) and book direct with the speedboat company.

I stayed on Dhangethi and my transfer was about $70 return and took about 2 hours each way.

I’m sure you are probably aware the local islands are dry so unless you are stopping at one of the resorts they’ll be no alcohol in case that is something that would bother you.

Once I’d decided on an island and checked the transfer I used booking.com to book a local guesthouse which was lovely.

Yes agree with PP about “out and about” there is no out and about - we stayed for 4 nights during our honeymoon and honestly I wouldn’t bother again it really isn’t our style

Sri Lanka is fab

I stayed in karumba. A short speed boat journey and a lovely little island. Worth a look

We stayed at the Hilton Saii Lagoon a couple of years ago. Speedboat transfer from Male, lots of stuff to do, amazing snorkelling. Good food.

It's significantly cheaper than honeymoon islands, we paid around £8000 with flights for 6 of us all inclusive

It really is the most boring place. Everyone was in bed by nine when I did a season repping there. I had a wonderful season on the Seychelles but Maldives was all honeymoon couples

Scrap it and go to Sri Lanka. 10 days would give you an nice mix of tea plantation, jungle and beach. We are looking at the Seychelles.

The last time we went, we booked a chalet on an island, I think this is more the norm - they don’t do hotels in the conventional sense

Or scrap it and book a package through Kuoni, they sort out all the travel arrangements and transfers

Purely Maldives are a UK-based online travel agent but I'm pretty sure you don't have to be in the UK to book through them. They'd be able to sort you out with a hotel and speedboat transfers.

Is that possible as it’s a UK site? OP is in Dubai

You don't have to book flights with them, you email them with your requirements and they give you options. So yes, I think they'll be able to help.

Trust me. Constant tropical downpour does not make for an enjoyable holiday, especially when 90% of the activities are outdoors and water sport based. It would be miserable

We did Meeru which was about a 45 min boat ride. It was great. X

Its fine! We are actually looking forward to some rain. We've endured 46-48 degree heat here the past few weeks with not even a cloud in sight! The rain never lasts long. Just short and sharp.

@pinkysmamma I get you. We live in Riyadh and love a downpour on holiday 😂

Island hopping cruises might be more your thing. This is how I spent my time in the Maldives and had a great time

I’ve just came back from the Whitsundays during rainy season. Incredibly unpleasant and ruined our whole trip - it most definitely wasn’t just short and sharp! Constant, heavy tropical downpour. I can understand that you’d want a bit of rain but there really is a big difference in regular rain and rainy season in the tropics.

PM me and I can give you the name of an independent agent in Dubai who is absolutely not MLM!

Another vote for Bandos. A shortish boat ride away from Male. Great snorkelling which is really what going out and about is in the Maldives. Yes, it is a hotel and not exactly what you’re looking for, but I think that’s what you get in the Maldives.