When we bring up the Maldives on a budget as a holiday destination, those words don’t seem to belong together.
In fact, they are perceived as expensive with their luxurious resorts with overwater villas and it doesn’t have to be. While we can usually cover the cost of the stay of Marriott’s overwater villas with rewards points, we still have to pay for the expensive seaplane transfer and/or the pricey food and drinks on the site. Although that can also be done with travel rewards points you can apply on any travel purchases, it’s still a hefty bill.
A shoestring trip is definitely doable as there are tons of local guesthouses, free things to do and independent operators.
The best islands for a Maldives on a budget trip
There are over a thousand islands grouped together in clusters or atolls. Thankfully, there are plenty of choices for a Maldives on a budget holiday.
Other than not breaking the bank, this way of exploring the Maldives will allow you to interact more closely with the locals and have a more authentic experience of the Maldivian culture.
How to choose your island?
In order to pull off the Maldives on a budget trip, you should aim for those that are easily accessible by public ferries and speedboats from Male thus avoiding expensive seaplanes. There are three kinds of islands in the Maldives:
Private islands
Inhabited islands
Uninhabited islands
Obviously, to travel on a budget, you’ll have to avoid the private islands that are often quite secluded from local life; while it feels like being in paradise on your own little island, you are confined to the properties’ restaurants and tour operators.
The majority of the local inhabited islands in the archipelago harbour local life which centres around Muslim culture. Therefore, you will have limited choices for a designated “bikini beach”; while the water is as pristine as everywhere else, you might have to swim fully clothed. Most guest houses will be able to help you navigate through them on the island.
Also, you’ll have to abstain from alcohol during your stay on local islands.
As there’s over a thousand islands, it’s impossible to talk about all of them. Here are the standouts for a Maldives on a budget trip.
Maafushi
Maafushi is the main island that comes to mind when you think about the Maldives on a budget trip. The island is just 27 kilometres from Malé so it’s very easily accessible. There’s a prison located on the island, but you won’t notice it as tourism is concentrated on the other side.
A lot of tour operators are based on the island and they offer a variety of excursions such as whale shark spotting and scuba diving trips. You won’t find any shortage of hotels or guesthouses either; pretty much everyone who lives on Maafushi works in tourism.
The bikini beach is a bit small and can be overcrowded even during the off season. Therefore, I won’t recommend coming to Maafushi if your intention is to lay all day on the white sand. Also, the house reef isn’t in good shape due to mass tourism.
What is interesting about Maafushi are the snorkelling sites nearby as they are blooming with marine life and beautiful coral gardens. You’ll have to check with your guesthouse or a tour company as you need to book a group tour.
Also, there’s a lot of watersports available on Maafushi such as water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, kite surfing, parasailing, etc. as well as a huge playground for kids.
Maafushi is a perfect base for exploring the Maldives on a budget.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.
Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.
These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:
No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
Legal
* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:
$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;
$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;
$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;
$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.
In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.
Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.
Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus: As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.
Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.
Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.
Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.
Savings at Shell
Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:
Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power® gasoline, or V-Power® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.
Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.
Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)
Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.
To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.
The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.
The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.
The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.
Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.
All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$150
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
0%
Earning rate
3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$604
2nd Year Value$397
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Fulidhoo
Fulidhoo is known for its authenticity, beauty, charm and local vibe. The island is easily incorporated in an itinerary with Maafushi by public ferry and public speedboats.
The rates of scuba diving and snorkelling are on the cheaper side here making it a prime choice for a Maldives on a budget trip.
Wildlife is diverse and amazing over here: hammerheads, manta rays, dolphins and whale sharks! The visibility is pretty great all year round so you can’t really go wrong with Fulidhoo if you want to explore the seabed.
The beach is amazing and the turquoise water is spectacular; there’s a spot where sting rays hang out by the shore!
Rasdhoo
Rasdhoo is a very nice island for a Maldives on a budget trip as it caters to most types of travellers. It is situated about 60 kilometres west of Malé.
There are affordable guesthouses, restaurants and stores along with some dive shops to keep you busy.
The vibe on Rasdhoo is definitely an island one so you should expect “slow”.
In terms of bikini beach, there’s a small one (about 100 metres in length) with a lovely house reef just a bit off shore which is perfect for some snorkelling. Be wary of the low tide and coral though; you should wear special water shoes to avoid injuries if you are walking.
The house reef is more lively on the outer side, but be careful of currents which are constantly changing being easy to swim on one day to impossible on another.
Rasdhoo is famous for black and white tip reef sharks along with the reef regulars (parrot fish, barracudas, batfish, etc.). If you want to get a good taste of marine life in the Maldives on a budget, this is a good one.
Nearby, there are also a few uninhabited islands and sandbanks that are beautiful for a day trip either to wander around paradise or to snorkel or dive.
Ukulhas
This one is also easy to incorporate on a Maldives on a budget trip as there’s a public ferry connecting it with Rasdhoo. You’ll have to plan accordingly though as it doesn’t operate every day of the week.
The 1-kilometre long bikini beach is great on Ukulhas so this is where you should aim if you want to sunbathe. Indeed, there are a lot of trees for shade, sunbeds and umbrellas which are perfect for a day at the beach.
For families, especially those with younger children, Ukulhas is perfect because hotels and guesthouses are not that far from the beach.
The reef is also pretty great for snorkelling with lots of life such as stingrays, manta rays, turtles and huge schools of fishes although the coral might be dead or unhealthy.
Unlike other islands, it’s fairly easy to organize a private candlelight dinner on the beach on a sandbank. Your hotel can help you with that and the cost starts around $125 US for two.
Thoddoo
Thoddoo is also a good option for a Maldives on a budget trip.
There’s a lot of agriculture on Thoddoo so you can expect a lot of fresh fruits. In fact, they often export their sweet watermelons and juicy papayas to other islands!
There are two splendid and clean beaches on Thoddoo and you can reach them while passing through farms on a bicycle! This is actually a very nice way to explore this island; you can usually rent them from your accommodation.
There’s a small reef near the bikini beach but the current can be quite strong so don’t swim alone.
There’s a manta ray station near Thoddoo which is a good place to see them as they usually prefer deeper waters and stronger currents.
How to get to the Maldives on a budget?
According to Google Flights, airfare to from Montreal to Malé can easily reach over $2,000 CA per person for a round trip. Is this a result of Revenge Travel? Maybe. But whatever the reason, that’s the cost to fly to the Maldives now.
Thankfully, there are great options with Aeroplan points!
You can fly to Malé for 70,000 points on a one way from Canada which is the fixed price on a partner airline under the Air Canada Aeroplan award chart from the North American zone to the Atlantic zone.
However, there is a nice trick here; if you input Singaporeas your destination and Malé as your stopover point, you can visit both the Maldives on a budgetand Singapore for only 65,000 Aeroplan points!
Singapore is also doable on a shoestring and a gateway to a whole lot of budget-friendly destinations such as Thailand or Bali.
Singapore is located in the Pacific zone; therefore, if we are flying from Eastern Canada, we move on to a cheaper mileage bracket in the North American-Pacific chart and make use of that amazing 5,000 points stopover option. The best thing is that you can book all of this online yourself!
Here’s the award price from Montreal:
And here’s the same routing trick from Toronto:
Air Canada partner airlines can be tricky to juggle with as availability isn’t always there. You can use a tool such as ExpertFlyer to monitor award space and be alerted when it opens up.
So for only 130,000Aeroplan points, you can fly round-trip to the Maldives and to South-East Asia. While that amount still might seem high, Aeroplan points are quite easy to accumulate with the many credit card sign-up bonuses offered in Canada; a card or two will do the trick.
They do have high annual fees, but think of them as the cost of your airfare; you are, in a way, buying the points to make your trip. When viewing the fees with that perspective, $599 is quite fitting for a plane ticket to the Maldives on a budget as compared to our $2,000+ prices found on Google Flights earlier!
Also, award flights in the Aeroplan program for infants (below the age of two) are fixed to 2,500 points per direction which is a steal whether you fly economy or in a premium cabin (should you want to have a family holiday).
How to get around the local islands in the Maldives?
From the airport
You’ll be landing at the international airport (MLE) located on Hulhumale Island. The first step is to get to the capital island of Malé which you can do with a ferry boat ride; the ferry terminal is on the left side of the airport. This will take about 10 minutes and set you back around 30 rufiyaa (CA$3).
This ferry unfortunately takes you far from the local island public ferry terminal, so you’ll have to fork out around 85 rufiyaa (CA$7) for a taxi (especially if you have lots of luggage). Alternatively, you can walk between the airport terminal and the public ferry terminal in about an hour.
Alternatively, to save on time, you can also take a speedboat transfer directly to Maafushi (and back) from the airport (approximately CA$34). This is also something to consider as accommodation on Malé or Hulhumale is more expensive than on a local island such as Maafushi.
From Malé
The Villingili ferry terminal is where most of the boats leave for local islands. While some timetables can be found online, they are not always reliable so it’s best to ask the ticket office directly in Malé.
Once you’re there, it’s best to plan out your Maldives on a budget trip. This is especially crucial if you are visiting more than one island; some routes require backtracking to Malé while some islands are linked.
Prices for public ferries can be as cheap as 5 rufiyaa which is about 50 cents. On the flip side, they can be incredibly slow compared to speedboats.
From Malé to Maafushi, we paid around CA$7 per person for the 90-minute trip on the local ferry.
The speedboats cost between CA$35 and CA$170 per person depending on the destination. While that is significantly more expensive than public ferries, it might be worth it to avoid losing precious vacay time. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons for your situation.
To get back to Malé after our Maldives on a budget trip, we took a speedboat because the public ferry did not match our schedule at all. The 30-minute journey set us back around CA$25 per person.
You can also ask your accommodation if they offer a pick-up service by private speedboats and compare prices; it is sometimes included in your package so it’s best to check. How pleasant would it be if it was complementary?
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$800Annual fee rebated$139Total$939Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 160,000 TD Rewards Points† as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†:
20,000 TD Rewards Points for the first purchase made with your card†
140,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of account opening†
A Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points†
Get an annual TD Travel Credit† of $100 when you book at Expedia® For TD, and enjoy your time at the airport with global airport lounge access and 4 complimentary lounge visits with Visa Airport Companion Program (a value of up to $277)†.
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn:
8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
6 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on your grocery, dining and public transit purchases
4 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on your recurring bill payments and purchases of streaming services as well as digital games and media
2 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on all other purchases made with your card
This card also allows you to enjoy a range of travel benefits, including an annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge visits, and a birthday bonus that boosts your points each year†.
Legal
†Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$139
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
6xGroceries
6xRestaurants
6xTransit
4xBills & recurring payments
4xStreaming
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,430
2nd Year Value$531
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$160
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 4 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Where to stay in the Maldives on a budget?
On local islands mentioned in this article, you’ll have plenty of options between hotels and guesthouses. While they may not be as cheap as some real backpacking destinations such as Thailand or Bali, you will get your money’s worth with a superior quality and standard.
Most of these accommodations can be booked on Booking.com or on Airbnb. Therefore, you can easily use reward points such as Scene+ points to cover those costs.
In addition, by using a card such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you are avoiding a foreign exchange fee that most other cards pass on to you. Also, the welcome bonus for that card is actually almost enough for a week of lodging in the Maldives on a budget trip! Talk about a triple win!
Most places offer food as well and it’s almost always better to eat where you stay (and pass off those costs on your hotel bill in order to use points). In fact, restaurants can be limited in some places so it’s best to have a wander around town and look at your options before declining the food plan at your accommodation.
Scene+ points are quite simple to use; you can simply book whatever place you like and take care of redeeming points for your stay when you get back home. They’re my favourite for budget travel as they allow me to plan whatever I see fit without being restricted.
Some activities can even be covered with points as well such as scuba diving (if the operator is listed as a travel agency).
How to get to an all-inclusive resort island in the Maldives on a budget?
While this article centres around visiting the Maldives on a budget, there’s a way to incorporate a little day trip to a resort island without going broke. You know, just to get that little taste of Maldivian luxury and to be pampered a bit!
All-inclusive resort – The day trip experience
I previously mentioned that Maafushi is a good island as a base for exploring the Maldives. Well, from there, you can also easily book a day trip that includes boat transfers, entrance fees, resort amenities as well as food and drinks between CA$135 to CA$275 per person.
Check out the activities you can do on your local island first so you don’t pay for something you could have done cheaper elsewhere.
All-inclusive resort – The full overnight experience
Technically, the cheapest resort to get to is the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa because they offer a complimentary speedboat transfer while the others require boarding a seaplane and the rate (either with cash or points) is lower than their sister properties in the Maldives. The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa also offers overwater villas that are quite nice if that is the experience you seek.
You can also use your annual free night award certificate from either cards and top it up with points for an amazing value since the redemption is worth far more than the annual fee you pay to earn the free night award certificate.
This hotel is also in a perfect location to book-end your trip as it is close to the airport; this will be a nice way to relax before the journey home, especially if you’ve got a early flight out.
Then there’s also the issue of pricey meals, but at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, half board and full-board plans are available at CA$135 and CA$200 respectively (per person, per day).
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card is again quite useful as the welcome bonus is enough to cover a few days of food here. Should you have a status with Marriott, you can save even more as breakfast is usually one of your welcome gift choices.
Marriott has quite a few amazing properties in the archipelago, 7 to be exact, which we reviewed here:
What activities can you do in the Maldives on a budget?
Bikini beaches are free, as is snorkeling off shore. Bring your own mask and snorkel.
The price for scuba diving in the Maldives is pretty standard though with each dive (tank) costing about CA$55 to CA$80.
Dolphins can be spotted while walking on the beach so there’s no incentive to book a tour for that; ask your host for the best spots around the island!
As for exploring the islands, they can often be done on foot, so no expenses to be had there!
You can also book a handful of excursions at a very reasonable price on local islands.
The tour operator we chose on Maafushi was Travel Scape Maldives; the reason we went with them was because they are a local operator who went out with small groups of 10 at the most with 3 local guides. We did not want to go with a major company because they took up to 35 people on their excursions.
Our cost and use of reward points
To sum up, here is the rundown of our 4 nights and 5 days Maldives on a budget trip in Canadian dollars. We were a party of 2 adults and 1 child and chose Maafushi and Fulidhoo. Excursions for our toddler were free, but we did opt for a bigger hotel room and ordered more food for him.
We could have gone more frugal and brought it down to less than CA$50 per person per day, but we just followed our heart’s desires without looking at cost so much.
Category
Cost
Accommodation
$229.68
Restaurants
$230.48
Groceries
$12.84
Activities and excursions
$136.11
Transportation
$82.64
Cash expenses
$95.53
Grand total
$787.28
Everything was paid with the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® with the exception of the cash expenses. Upon our return home, I applied 135,000 HSBC Reward Points for a CA$675 statement credit.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.
Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:
30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year
This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:
Grocery stores
Restaurants
Entertainment centers
And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.
You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.
Legal
* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:
$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months
$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months
$59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on the average annual amount of foreign currency purchases made per account over the last 24 months (saving on the 2.5% foreign transaction fee typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the Annual Bonus: Bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately eight weeks after you qualify for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 bonus points and the 20,000 additional bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000 or $7,500) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months or the first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 30,000 bonus points or the 20,000 additional bonus points, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. Points can be transferred between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, co-borrower or supplementary cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not delinquent, the credit limit is not exceeded, and the holder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement applicable to the account. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Eligibility and exclusions: You are not eligible for the Offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or if you have been within the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are eligible for this Offer.
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates currently applicable to the account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). Rates, fees, features and benefits, which are described in the application statement, are subject to change.
Savings at Shell
Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 5 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with a Scotiabank Gold American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:
Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power® gasoline, or V-Power® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 5 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 5 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.
Note: Highest value of 12 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Gold American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.
Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)
Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.
To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.
The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.
The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.
The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.
Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.
All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$29
Annual income required
Individual$12,000
Household$12,000
Conversion fees
0%
Earning rate
6xWith the partner brand
5xGroceries
5xEntertainment
5xRestaurants
3xGas
3xStreaming
3xTransit
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,460
2nd Year Value$461
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days
Useful tips for your trip to the Maldives
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The high season (dry season) in the Maldives runs from November and April. Therefore, for a Maldives on a budget trip, it’s best to aim for October or May to get the best of both worlds in the shoulder months; a bit cheaper but not too wet either.
We were in the Maldives during the last two weeks of October and we had about 5 days with brief showers (mostly early morning and during the late afternoon).
Are credit cards accepted on local islands in the Maldives?
Most guesthouses and tour operators will accept credit cards, but it is always better to carry some cash around. This is especially true if the island is more remote.
We mostly had to bring out the cash for taxis and ice cream shops.
Unlike the resort islands where everything is quoted in US dollars, you’ll pay with either the local currency or dollars. In fact, we could have paid with US dollars all the way but the exchange rate was not always in our favor so we were glad to have some rufiyaa (the local currency).
I’d recommend getting your rufiyaa at an ATM while in Malé or Hulhumale to get the best exchange rate. Alternatively, foreign exchange kiosks aren’t so bad either. Also, I’d carry a bit of US dollars in cash just in case I’d run out of local currency in a place where there’s no working ATM.
Bottom line
A trip to the Maldives on the budget can be done if you are open-minded; it’s not just filled with expensive resorts. Then again, even if you wanted to stay in an overwater villa in the Maldives and call it a budget trip, you can do so with the magic of points!
Why visit the Maldives while you can go gallivant somewhere else that is also a budget destination? The marine life is quite incredible, the scenery is majestic and the sunsets are beautiful. In addition, for me personally, it was a way to stay in an overwater villa without going broke.
So there you have it, a real local inexpensive option and how to stay in a deluxe property without breaking the bank for your Maldives on a budget holiday.
My family and I wandered around the Maldives both on a budget and deluxe style; a trip made possible with the use of many reward points program. I documented my adventure with stories. To follow me on Instagram, it’s this way: wanderingaline
Frequently asked questions about the Maldives
Are the Maldives expensive?
The Maldives, often considered luxurious, offers affordable options. Choose budget accommodations on local islands, focus on inexpensive activities such as snorkeling, and opt for less expensive means of transportation such as public ferries. With clever planning, a trip to the Maldives can be more affordable than expected, despite the slightly high cost of living.
When is the cheapest moment to visit the Maldives?
To save money, avoid the high tourist season from November to April and favor the low season from May to October. Although this is the rainy season, showers are generally short and pleasantly cool.
How much does a trip to the Maldives cost?
The budget for a trip to the Maldives can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of accommodation, choice of island, activities and season. For a low-budget trip, expect to pay between CA$50 and CA$80 per person per day, staying on a local island with daily activities. On a resort island, budget at least CA$200 per day per person for a half-board stay, with no activities.
What language is spoken in the Maldives?
The official language is Dhivehi, used in all aspects of daily life. Although Dhivehi is predominant, many Maldivians also speak English, especially in tourist areas.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$469Annual fee rebated$120Total$589Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
5x BMO Rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries, meal delivery or takeout, rideshare, public transit, and gas*
1 BMO Rewards point for every dollar spent on all other purchases*
10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account*
Mobile device insurance offering coverage up to $1,000*
The Pay with Points feature, which allows you to redeem your points on recent purchases starting at $1*
Six months of Instacart+ membership plus a monthly $10 Instacart credit with an eligible card*
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$60,000
Household$100,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xTransit
5xGas
5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,128
2nd Year Value$365
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 21 days
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Our editorial integrity
Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.
