When you picture the Maldives, it’s usually all luxury resorts, honeymooners and sky high prices. You also picture beautiful blue water and incredible marine life. I wasn’t staying at a high end resort and I was definitely not on a honeymoon but I still got to enjoy all the natural beauty on a small local island called Rasdhoo.

Rasdhoo is much more down to earth than the resort islands yet it still delivers the essentials of stunning beaches, vibrant reefs and local culture. Tourism on local islands is really starting to grow and with Rasdhoo’s mix of charm and affordability, it’s a fantastic alternative especially when the resorts can be eye-wateringly expensive.

For context, I spent just under £700 for accommodation for four nights, six dives, equipment, a Nitrox course and food. Diving and courses aren’t cheap, so if you cut back on the number of dives and don’t do the course, the cost drops quickly.

I stayed at Family Divers for four nights and they were reasonably priced and although the guesthouse was quite basic (like everything else on the island), it was still clean and comfortable.

I also did the diving with them which I also highly recommend. The instructors are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I did six dives over three days and the diving was incredible and the reason I came here in the first place. I saw so many reef sharks, eagle rays, moray eels, turtles and many different fish, just to name a few.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. Despite it not being monsoon season, the weather was variable to say the least – rain most mornings (including during the first dive of the day), a brief stretch of sunshine in the afternoon then another downpour in the evening. But when the sun did come out, it genuinely felt like paradise.

The mosquitoes attacked me and I felt a little underfed on the island as Maldivian food isn’t exactly on the global culinary scale. The local food options are limited – there’s Lemon Drop, Drop Beach Club, Club Gabbiano, Tramonto and Coffee Tribe. You will be sure to try each place once even if you’re there for a few days.

Despite this, the views and the marine life you saw diving made up for it. I still had a fantastic time and for an authentic and genuinely budget‑friendly way to experience the Maldives, I’d highly recommend it.