When researching pricing and popularity of a region, you'll find that for the Maldives, the high season for resort prices basically runs from December and into April, with December and January easily being the busiest months. This is because it's when most Europeans take their winter break. The rest of the year is considered the “low season” for Maldives resorts, even though the Maldives weather is almost exactly the same the whole year round and therefore there is no best month to go to the Maldives in terms of climate.

With that said, you'll find that July and August tend to be the cheapest months for resorts in the Maldives, as it's quite a popular destination for Europeans who take one of those months off. Better still, many resorts offer drastic discounts during the off-season months, so it's very possible to get a water villa for literally half the price you'd pay during the high season.

Contents [Show]

Most Maldives resorts have “dynamic pricing” and you can save big by being flexible

There are dozens of water-villa private-island resorts within the Maldives, with many of them being very similar to one another. However, with that said, due to most of them using a dynamic pricing policy to try to fill rooms at the highest possible price, you can find nearly-identical resorts charging drastically different prices for any given night during high season resort periods.

 

Most hotels will lower their rates if they have plenty of availability for about 3 to 4 months in advance. Once each hotel gets to around 50% full or so it will charge more for the rest of the rooms, and as the remaining rooms are reserved, the price will continuing going up. The trick is to shop around and find the resorts that still have many available water villas for the dates you want to travel, and you can get the cheapest possible rates.


9 Best Maldives water villa resorts with great off-season rates

Below you’ll find a list of high-rated water villa resorts that cut their prices way down outside of the high season, which is the best period to go to the Maldives if you’re on a budget. We didn’t even include resorts that don’t receive good reviews because it’s not wise to try to save money by going to a place you won’t like. Fortunately, most of the top-rated resorts also have the best summer deals, so each one listed below offers big savings at a great hotel.


Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

  • Water villas: 71
  • Total rooms/suites: 150

 

Both an amazing and unusual property, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is actually situated on two different islands that are connected by a footbridge. The larger of the two islands grants guests a long list of activities and amenities, while the smaller island is reserved solely for adults and is better suited to honeymooners and romantic couples. Here you’ll find 10 different dining options as well as a large number of amenities to choose from including 2 spas, one of which is located over the water.

 

There are 71 water villas here, in addition to 79 island rooms and suites, and are all quite large even by Maldives standards. This resort offers what it calls “barefoot luxury”, where guests are encouraged to enjoy their vacation while dressing casually. You’ll want to note that this resort has won several awards so these off-season discounts are quite welcome considering the popularity of this resort during the high season.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$1,059 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,737 per night
>More information about the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island >Check rates

Velassaru Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 45
  • Total rooms/suites: 129

 

Standing as a solid 4-star private island resort, the Velassaru Island features 45 water villas in two different classes as well as 84 rooms and suites that sit on the island itself. For a mid-sized resort, this one is quite special with its selection of four very unique restaurants. The rooms themselves really impress with a wine chiller, mini bar, bathroom and slippers.

 

Each of the water villas here is very large and topped with luxury amenities, one of which is a home theater system. Another helpful aspect is that the Velassaru is relatively close to the Male Airport, so it’s a reasonably priced and quick speedboat ride instead of an expensive sea-plane flight.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$962 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,022 per night
>More information about the Velassaru Maldives Resort >Check rates

COMO Cocoa Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 33
  • Total rooms/suites: 36

 

Even among Maldives resorts, COMO Cocoa Island stands out as something special and something a bit different. Each of the 33 overwater villas is shaped like a traditional Maldivian fishing boat. In addition, you won’t find any beach villas here. Better still, the COMO Cocoa Island Resort gets some of the best and highest guest reviews in the Maldives, so it offers value and quality at the same time. Each of the rooms impress with a split level bedroom, a sitting area, and a private terrace with direct access to the ocean below via wooden steps.

 

The high-season rates put this small resort into the super-luxury category, and it stays quite full from December through April at those rates. But the summer rates where the water villas go for half the price are quite astounding, thus making June to August the best months to travel to the Maldives. Read the reviews for this resort and you’ll see what we mean and if you can get a discounted off-season rate you’ll be thankful.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$1,243 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,835 per night
>More information about the COMO Cocoa Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives

  • Water villas: 60
  • Total rooms/suites: 164

 

Featuring 60 water villas in addition to 106 island rooms and suites, the Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is a very good deal even during the high season. With that, his hotel also gets very good reviews for its moderate price range, and when the off-season rates are cut down, it makes for a fantastic bargain.

 

The cheapest category of water villas is relatively small, though still larger than what you’d find in typical city hotel room, but the next category up is only a bit more expensive. Each of these come with a Jacuzzi and a private sundeck. On island you’ll find 2 infinity-edge pools as well as great diving and a long list of other activities. Because of this, you’ll find it’s a great choice for very active guests as well as those who’d just prefer to relax. Those who are really seeking an ultra-relaxing vacation will find just that at the resort’s spa which features a garden alongside treatment rooms.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$464 per night
  • High season online specials from US$650 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives >Check rates

LUX* South Ari Atoll Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 87
  • Total rooms/suites: 193

 

A long standing and very popular 5-star resort that was once called Diva Maldives, the LUX* Maldives has seen some big upgrades. There are 87 water villas here that range from large to huge, with each and every one offering complimentary wi-fi access. Rooms also feature room service and a minibar alongside an outdoor shower.

 

The resort has 2 swimming pools plus tennis courts, a fitness center, and the usual range of diving and water sports. There are also 8 different restaurants plus a champagne bar and a nightclub, giving guests far more choices than nearly any other resort of this size. The off-season deals here are very solid if you can get them, and quite amazing for a 5-star private island resort.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$567 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,019 per night
>More information about the LUX* South Ari Atoll Maldives Resort >Check rates

Vakarufalhi Island Resort – Maldives

 

  • Low season online specials from US$544 per night
  • High season online specials from US$705 per night

 

With 25 water villas that pair with the 50 island rooms, the Vakarufalhi Island Resort is a relatively small but also quite popular resort. Check the reviews and you’ll see the word “paradise” used in almost all of them, referring to the fact that this is more of a simple and traditional Maldives resort rather than a modern international chain hotel.

 

The resort operates mostly on an all-inclusive basis, so the below room rates are a better value than you might think. The low-season rates are reasonable enough that the rest of us should probably book it to find out why the repeat visitors keep coming back every year.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$544 per night
  • High season online specials from US$705 per night
>More information about the Vakarufalhi Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort

  • Water villas: 80
  • Total rooms/suites: 150

 

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort, formerly known as the Hilton Maldives, offers great value in the Maldives. This is a deluxe 5-star resort with 80 water villas in different classes that serve as additional accommodations to the 70 island rooms and suites, plus a long list of restaurants and available day to day activities. Some of these activities include jet-skiing, scuba diving, sailing, and a selection of tours to enjoy.

 

Each water villa here is very large, which makes it all the more surprising that this resort has such aggressive discounts when they are slow. Most Maldives resorts hesitate to discount deeply even during the slow season, but the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort offers amazing online specials at all times of the year if you happen to catch a slow week, meaning that there is no best month to go to this Maldives resort.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$1,286 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,346 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort >Check rates

Kanuhura Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 20
  • Total rooms/suites: 95

 

With a small number of water villas in addition to 75 island rooms and suites, the Kanuhura Resort is an exclusive place, with each room coming with a private resort host, among other amenities. The water villas are both impressive and gigantic with each featuring an outdoor shower and a freeform bath that is semi-open to the sky above.

 

You can tell by the high-season room rates that this is a full-on 5-star resort that accommodates those who can afford the best of everything. The off-season online specials put it into the low end of the super luxury category, so while still expensive, it’s a relative bargain and a good chance for 4-star travelers to experience some serious 5-star hospitality.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$1,320 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,611 per night
>More information about the Kanuhura Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Mirihi Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 30
  • Total rooms/suites: 36

 

With only 36 total villas, 30 of which are water villas, the Mirihi Island Resort is one of the smaller and more intimate resorts of its kind in the Maldives. It does not have special facilities for children or families, so it’s unofficially an adults-only resort, which should make it popular with many who are seeking a more romantic experience. Guests here will find a beautiful spa to enjoy with the cleverly named Adam and Eve treatment, which is a massage followed by champagne to be shared on a private balcony.

 

The reviews for the Mirihi Island Resort are phenomenal, so it’s easy to see how they can charge a luxury price during high season.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$1,349 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,408 per night
>More information about the Mirihi Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates
RELATED POSTS
The Largest Overwater Bungalow In The World BY FAR
All-inclusive Overwater Bungalow And Water Villa Resorts And Where To Find Them
Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives Water-villa Resorts With Excellent Scuba Diving
8 thoughts on "Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives water-villa resorts with excellent scuba diving"

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All Comments

  1. We have a group that is looking for a resort with scuba diving for the end of July. It would be several couples and some teenagers. Are there any resorts where the diving is included?
    Thank you
    Sam

    Reply

    1. Sam,

      I’m not aware of any Maldives resorts where scuba diving is included or even heavily discounted. The good news is that almost every island offers diving and most offer instruction. So your best bet is to find a resort that you like at a reasonable price, and the diving package will probably also be reasonably affordable. Best of luck with this. -Roger

      Reply

    1. Kelly,

      I’m glad this site has been helpful. Our list of scuba diving resorts will cover snorkeling as well. For the most part, snorkeling below water villas in the Maldives isn’t very exciting because there aren’t large reefs inside the lagoons where the resorts are located. In general the resorts all offer boat rides to nearby reefs, and many of those boats to go the same places. Most resorts seem to offer at least one if not two snorkeling boats per day, and they are usually included in your room price. There are probably some exceptions though. And of course the larger resorts are more likely to have more boats and departures than small resorts. So my advice would be to choose a resort based on everything else and then check to see if they offer snorkeling trips. If so then check the TripAdvisor reviews by searching for "snorkeling" and you’ll get the reviews that mention it. -Roger

      Reply

  4. Hello
    We are looking for an OWB that has a pool for May. Would you have a recommendation for which would be best? We have heard you want to be in the Northwest in May to avoid bad weather

    Reply

    1. Lori,

      After having read literally thousands of Maldives resort reviews, I see very few that ever mention any weather disappointments. Still, the weather in the north might be less volatile during the summer season, and you can get a great deal at some of the resorts up there.

      Specifically, have a look at the Beach House at Iruveli Maldives, which is a 5-star resort that is as far north as you can go in the archipelago. In May they are offering their huge water villas (110 square meters) for only around US$550 including all taxes, and each has a plunge pool out on the terrace.

      If that one doesn’t work for you, let me know and I can probably find one or two others, but this is the best one that comes to mind. -Roger

      Reply