One woman traveled to the Maldives on a budget and spent just £416 on a six-day holiday that included food, activities and a room with an ocean view.
Travel influencer Natasha Whitley, from Bournemouth, Dorset, had planned a trip to Sri Lanka and as the Maldives was just a 90-minute flight away, she decided to make a stop there along the way.
Accommodation in the Maldives, known for its sandy beaches and turquoise waters, can cost up to £1,300 per night.
But rather than stay on the tourist islands, the 28-year-old decided to stay on the local islands and was able to book a room with ocean views for just £25 a night.
The local islands, which only opened to tourists in 2009, are less popular with tourists because alcohol is prohibited and only some beaches allow wearing bikinis.
Natasha Whitley, from Bournemouth, Dorset, pictured on Dhiffushi, a local island in the Maldives.
The pharmacist enjoyed a stunning sunset during her budget trip to Thulusdhoo
Natasha thought about passing through the Maldives on her trip to Sri Lanka and appears in the photo enjoying a beautiful sunset in Dhiffushi
Natasha and Kara enjoy a jet ski ride during their stay in Dhiffushi, where they only spent £416 on accommodation, food and activities.
Natasha strolls along the stunning beach in a bikini on Thulusdhoo, a local island in the Maldives.
Natasha said: “It had always been at the top of my wish list but I never thought I could afford it.”
“Ever since I saw a TikTok about traveling to the Maldives on a budget, I Googled it and looked at what the hotels cost and was shocked at how cheap it was.”
The pharmacist and her friend Kara Wildbur, 23, set out on their trip on April 1 and spent six days in the Maldives before heading to Sri Lanka, where they are both now.
They split their time between the islands of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi and stayed in two beautiful beachfront rooms at Beach House by Sii Hotels and Batutu Surf View Hotel.
Natasha said: ‘Rooms on Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi islands were around £30 per night per room per person.
“The ferries and transport were cheap too, so it was much more affordable than it seemed.”
Natasha, who is also a content creator, and her friend took advantage of the cheaper prices and did many activities.
They went swimming with sharks for £88 and took a trip to a desert island for £28, which included jet ski rides.
They also paid a modest £12 each to go to a floating bar, which is common on the local islands because they can’t serve alcohol on land.
Natasha said: ‘We went swimming with sharks and got a trip to visit a desert island.
Natasha, wearing a summery yellow dress, smiles for a photo next to a fresh coconut stall in Dhiffushi
The view from where the two friends were staying in Thulusdhoo, in the Maldives.
Content creator overlooks where she’s staying in Dhiffushi for just £25 a night
Natasha photographed beautiful palm trees, flowers and a turtle mural in Thulusdhoo
The view from Natasha and Kara’s room in Dhiffushi, where they stayed for just £25 a night
‘We also took a jet ski ride and saw dolphins, stingrays, stingrays, turtles and flying fish.
“For religious reasons, alcohol consumption is also not allowed, so we also took a boat to a floating bar in the sea.”
The food was also very affordable – a meal cost an average of £7 a day per person with breakfast included in the room.
The most expensive part of their trip were the flights, from London to Male and then Male to Colombo, which cost £905.
Natasha has also started organizing affordable group trips for solo travelers and has trips planned to Iceland and Costa Rica.