When you began researching both pricing and the popularity of a certain region, you'll find that for the tropical Maldives, the high season for resort prices generally runs from December into April, with December and January standing in as the busiest months. This is because most Europeans take their winter break during this time period. The rest of the year is considered to be the “low season” for Maldives resorts, even though the Maldives weather is pretty much exactly the same the whole year round and therefore there is no best month to go to the Maldives in terms of climate.

Now that you know the high season, 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. With this said, it's good to note that many resorts offer drastic discounts during the off-season months. This makes it so that it's very possible to get a water villa for half the price you'd pay during the high season.

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

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

 

However, most hotels will lower their rates if they have lots of availability for about 3 to 4 months in advance. But generally speaking, once each hotel gets to around 50% full it will charge more for the rest of the rooms, and as the remaining rooms are reserved, the price will continuing going up. Because of this, 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.


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

Below you’ll find a list of high-rated water villa resorts that like to cut their prices way down outside of the high season, which happens to be the best period to go to the Maldives if you’re on a budget. We didn’t include resorts that don’t receive good reviews because it’s just not a good idea 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 a large savings at a great hotel.


Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

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

 

Both an amazing and what most people would considered to be an unusual property, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is situated on two different islands that are connected by a footbridge. The larger of these islands grants guests a rather long list of both activities and amenities, while you’ll note that the smaller island is reserved solely for adults. Because of this, the smaller island is better suited to honeymooners and romantic couples. Here you’ll also find 10 different dining options in addition to a large number of amenities to choose from that include 2 spas, one of which is gracefully located over the water.

 

All together, there are 71 water villas at this resort, which is in addition to the 79 island rooms and suites, and are all quite large even by Maldives standards. This resort offers what it likes to refer to as “barefoot luxury”. This is where guests are encouraged to enjoy their vacation while dressing in a casual manner. It’s also important to note that this resort has won several awards so these off-season discounts are quite welcoming 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

 

Coming in as a solid 4-star private island resort, the Velassaru Island Resort houses 45 water villas that have been placed into two different categories, as well as 84 rooms and suites that sit on the island itself. For a mid-sized resort, this one is very special with its selection of four very unique restaurants. That’s a lot of restaurants for a small number of guests to select from. The rooms here also impress by featuring a wine chiller, a mini bar, a private bathroom, and slippers.

 

When looking through the list of amenities for each of the water villas here, you’ll find that each villa is on the large side and topped with luxury amenities, one of which is an impressive little home theater system. Another helpful aspect is that the Velassaru resort is relatively close to the Male Airport. This makes it so that 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 resorts in the Maldives, the COMO Cocoa Island stands out as something particularly special and, just a touch different. At this particular resort, there are 33 overwater villas that are shaped to resemble a traditional Maldivian fishing boat. In addition, it’s important that you note that there are no beach villas here. Even with only offering overwater suites, the COMO Cocoa Island Resort receives some of the best guest reviews in the entire Maldives, proving that it offers value and quality at the same time. Each of the rooms at this resort impress with a split level bedroom, a sitting area, and a private terrace that grants guests direct access to the ocean below by way of wooden steps.

 

What you will find is that the high-season rates do put this small resort into the super-luxury category, and that is where it stays from December through April at those rates. The summer rates, however, provide a bit of relief because the water villas go for hundreds of dollars less, thus making June to August the best months to travel to the Maldives.

 

  • 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

 

A large resort that features 60 beautiful water villas in addition to 106 island based rooms and suites, the Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is an extremely good deal, even during the high season. With that, this resort also receives very good reviews for its moderate price range.

 

The cheapest category of water villas here is what most would think of as relatively small, though still larger than what you’d find in typical city hotel room, but the next category up, thankfully, 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 very popular 5-star resort that was once known as Diva Maldives, the LUX* Maldives has seen some big upgrades. The 87 water villas here range in size from large to huge, with each and every one offering complimentary wi-fi access. In each of the rooms here, guests will find room service, a minibar, and an outdoor shower.

 

The resort has 2 swimming pools, a couple of tennis courts, a fitness center, and the usual range of diving and water sports. There are also 8 different restaurants here, along with 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

 

With 25 water villas that pair with 50 island based rooms, the Vakarufalhi Island Resort is a relatively small that’s also quite popular. 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, which was formerly known as the Hilton Maldives, offers great value in the Maldives. This is a deluxe 5-star resort that houses 80 water villas in different classes. Guests will also find additional accommodations in the 70 island rooms and suites, along with a long list of restaurants and daily activities. Some of these activities include jet-skiing, scuba diving, sailing, and a few 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 when it comes to discounting deeply, even during the slow season, but the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort offers amazing online specials at all times of the year.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$534 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,346 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort >Check rates
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8 thoughts on "Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives water-villa resorts with excellent scuba diving"

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  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