How To Do A Budget Maldives Trip For 4D3N Under S$2,000 (Snorkeling Trips Included!)
Maafushi itinerary
Public ferries are even cheaper (from US$1), but they don’t run on Fridays, so if you're arriving then, a speedboat is your only option.
Hotel in Maafushi, The Maldives
What to do in Maafushi, The Maldives
Things to do in Maafushi, The Maldives
Maafushi is a tiny island—you can walk across it in about 45 minutes. Most of our time was spent relaxing on the beaches. There's a place called No Bikini Beach, where tourists can swim and sunbathe in covered swimwear.
The water here is clean and beautiful, though sea shoes are a good idea because of the rocks. There are also other public beaches around the island, all free to access, along with sunbeds for your use!
The highlight of our trip was definitely the snorkelling excursions. We booked everything on the island—just walk up to any of the beachside tour shops, and you can book up to the night before. Most shops offer similar packages, starting from US$30.
On the first day, we booked a Whale Sharks & Manta Rays (US$100) scuba trip with SeaMonkey Maldives. This was a full-day tour that included: snorkelling with whale sharks and manta rays, coral reef snorkelling, lunch on a nearby island, equipment, water and light snacks, as well as free underwater videos!
For the second day, we booked a Nurse Sharks & Stingrays (US$60) scuba trip with Seadrop Tours. This was a cheaper, more popular, and more crowded tour. For an additional US$10, we included a drone photo. The itinerary featured snorkelling with nurse sharks, stingrays, and unicorn fish, lunch on a sandbank, a coral reef visit, free underwater videos, as well as equipment rental.
This trip had more people and was a bit chaotic—half of the boat got seasick due to the choppy waters. Additionally, feeding the animals for the drone shot felt somewhat unethical. I definitely preferred the more organised and chill vibe of the first day.
Food in Maafushi, The Maldives
We had everything from Pakistani curries to bistro-style burgers, and even stumbled upon a place serving decent Singapore chicken rice. The burgers were a standout — hearty portions for around S$13, usually served with fries. One local drink worth trying is Mangjo Juice, a mango-based beverage that's a bit pricey but incredibly refreshing. And yes, there's even a Baskin-Robbins on the island if you're craving something familiar. While food prices are generally wallet-friendly, drinks like coffee, juice, or milkshakes tend to be more expensive, costing around S$7 each.
Notable mentions include Navio Restaurant, Mr. Octopus, and Kaani Palm Beach's unique local buffet, which costs US$20.
Other things to note when travelling to Maafushi, The Maldives
When it comes to money, both US dollars and Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) are accepted across Maafushi. You can also use cards like YouTrip or Revolut for convenience. If you need to change currency, it’s safest to do so at the airport’s official bank—we avoided the unofficial money changers.
Although Maafushi does attract a lot of couples, we also met backpackers and families. Some solo travellers shared that they felt judged at resort islands for being alone, but Maafushi had a much more relaxed and welcoming vibe.
Spending four days in Maafushi, The Maldives
This trip cost us about S$2,500 in total, including flights, accommodation, food and activities. We saved by skipping the resorts, but still got to enjoy the Maldives’ crystal-clear waters and warm hospitality! Would I return? Absolutely—maybe next time I’ll try a resort, but I honestly loved our chill, budget-friendly Maafushi experience. If you’re thinking about the Maldives and don’t want to break the bank, skip the clichés and try Maafushi instead.
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