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5 Stunning and Budget-Friendly Tropical Islands That Are Better Than Maldives

The Maldives is a dream destination for many travelers who want to experience the ultimate tropical paradise. With over 1,200 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives offers clear blue water, pristine white sand, and luxurious overwater bungalows. However, the Maldives is also one of the most expensive destinations in the world, with an average cost of $500 per night for a hotel and $100 per day for food and drinks. Not to mention the long and costly flight to get there from most parts of the world.

The Maldives is a dream destination for many travelers who want to experience the ultimate tropical paradise. With over 1,200 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives offers clear blue water, pristine white sand, and luxurious overwater bungalows. However, the Maldives is also one of the most expensive destinations in the world, with an average cost of $500 per night for a hotel and $100 per day for food and drinks. Not to mention the long and costly flight to get there from most parts of the world.

But what if I told you that you can enjoy the same beauty as the Maldives but at a fraction of the price? Yes, it’s possible! There are many other destinations around the world that offer similar or even better features than the Maldives, such as stunning beaches, coral reefs, sea caves, and more. And the best part is, you can visit these places without breaking the bank.

In this blog post, I’m going to show you 5 budget alternatives to Maldives where you can find clear blue water and pristine white sand. These destinations are perfect for a tropical getaway that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You’ll discover how to reach these places, where to stay, and what to do. Whether you’re looking for snorkeling, diving, sailing, or just relaxing, these 5 budget alternatives to Maldives will satisfy your wanderlust.

So, without further ado, let’s get started with the first alternative to Maldives: the Gili Islands in Indonesia

Gili Islands, Indonesia

The Gili Islands are a group of three small islands near Bali that offer beautiful beaches, palm trees, and snorkeling. You can easily hop from one island to another by boat and explore the different vibes and attractions of each one.

Gili Trawangan is the largest and most popular island, with a lively nightlife and a variety of restaurants and bars. It’s also the best place to enjoy the sunset and watch the stars at night.

Gili Meno is the smallest and most tranquil island, with a romantic atmosphere and a turtle sanctuary. It’s also the best place to enjoy the sunrise and swim with turtles in the crystal-clear water.

Gili Air is the closest island to Lombok, with a laid-back vibe and a mix of local and tourist culture. It’s also the best place to enjoy water sports such as kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking.

The best part about the Gili Islands is that they are very affordable compared to the Maldives. You can find beach bungalows for as low as $40 per night on Booking.com or Airbnb.com , and enjoy local cuisine for a few dollars per meal on Warung.com or Tripadvisor.com . You can also save money by renting a bike or walking around the islands, as there are no cars or motorbikes allowed.

The Gili Islands are also easy to reach from Bali or Lombok by fast boat or ferry. You can book your tickets online on Gilitickets.com or Gilibookings.com , or buy them at the port. The journey takes around an hour or two depending on which island you’re going to.

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to Maldives that offers beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and nightlife, then the Gili Islands are a great option for you.

Ko Lipe, Thailand

Ko Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea that is known as Thailand’s Maldives for its turquoise water and powdery sand. It’s part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, which means it’s surrounded by coral reefs and marine life.

You can snorkel or dive right off the beach and see colorful fish, turtles, rays, and even sharks. You can also take a boat trip to nearby islands and explore more of the park’s natural beauty.

Ko Lipe has four main beaches: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach, and Karma Beach. Each beach has its own charm and vibe, but they all offer stunning views of the ocean and the islands.

Ko Lipe is also very affordable compared to the Maldives. You can stay in a beachfront resort for around $80 per night on Agoda.com or Booking.com , and sample delicious Thai food for a few dollars per dish on Tripadvisor.com or Foodpanda.com . You can also enjoy massages, yoga, shopping, and nightlife on the island or just relax on one of its hammocks or swings.

Ko Lipe is a bit harder to reach than the Gili Islands, as it requires a flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai (which you can book on Skyscanner.com or Kayak.com ), followed by a bus or taxi ride to Pak Bara pier (which you can book on 12go.asia or Busonlineticket.co.th ), followed by a ferry ride to the island (which you can book on Tigerlinetravel.com or Andamanferryservice.com ). The whole journey can take around 6 hours or more, depending on the season and availability. But once you get there, you’ll see why it’s worth it.

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to Maldives that offers stunning water and sand, snorkeling, and diving, then Ko Lipe is a great option for you.

Whitsunday Islands, Australia

The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef that boast secluded bays, lush forests, and white sand. The most famous island is Whitsunday Island itself, which is home to Whitehaven Beach – a 7-kilometer stretch of pure silica sand that is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.

You can also visit Hamilton Island – the largest and most developed island – which has resorts, restaurants, shops, golf courses, and an airport. Or you can explore some of the other islands that offer camping, hiking, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and more.

The Whitsunday Islands are not as cheap as the Gili Islands or Ko Lipe but they are still more affordable than the Maldives. You can stay in a four-star resort for around $180 per night on Expedia.com or Hotels.com , or opt for cheaper accommodation options such as hostels or campsites on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com . You can also enjoy Australian cuisine and beer for a reasonable price on Tripadvisor.com or Menulog.com.au .

The Whitsunday Islands are also easy to reach, as you can fly to Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne (which you can book on Skyscanner.com or Kayak.com ) and then take a domestic flight to Hamilton Island or Proserpine (which you can book on Jetstar.com or Qantas.com ). From there, you can take a ferry, boat, or helicopter to the other islands (which you can book on CruiseWhitsundays.com or AirWhitsunday.com.au ).

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to Maldives that offers secluded bays, lush forests, and white sand, then the Whitsunday Islands are a great option for you.

El Gouna, Egypt

El Gouna is a modern resort town on the Red Sea that offers azure waters, coral reefs, and watersports. It’s a man-made oasis that features lagoons, islands, marinas, golf courses, and luxury hotels.

You can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, diving, kite surfing, wakeboarding, sailing, and more. You can also visit the nearby Hurghada city or take a day trip to Luxor or Cairo.

El Gouna is also very affordable compared to the Maldives. You can stay in a four-star hotel for around $450 per night on Booking.com or Expedia.com , and enjoy Egyptian cuisine and drinks for a fraction of the price of the Maldives. You can also save money by taking advantage of the all-inclusive packages that many hotels offer on Elgouna.com or Loveholidays.com .

El Gouna is also easy to reach, as you can fly directly to Hurghada and then take a taxi or shuttle bus to El Gouna (which you can book on Suntransfers.com or Hoppa.com ).

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to Maldives that offers azure waters, coral reefs, and watersports, then El Gouna is a great option for you.

Northern Palawan, Philippines

Northern Palawan is a region of the Philippines that is home to stunning sea caves, beautiful beaches, and limestone cliffs. It’s part of the Palawan province which is often called the last frontier of the Philippines because of its pristine nature and biodiversity.

You can visit El Nido – which has over 50 islands and islets that offer lagoons, coves, and hidden beaches. You can also visit Coron – which has shipwrecks, lakes, hot springs, and mangroves. Or you can explore some of the other islands that offer camping, hiking, island hopping, and more.

Northern Palawan is also very affordable compared to the Maldives. You can stay in a beachfront cottage for around $50 per night on Agoda.com or Airbnb.com , and enjoy Filipino cuisine and drinks for a few dollars per meal on Tripadvisor.com or Foodpanda.ph . You can also save money by taking public transportation such as buses, tricycles, or boats instead of taxis or private tours.

Northern Palawan is also easy to reach, as you can fly to Manila (which you can book on Skyscanner.com or Kayak.com )

and then take a domestic flight to El Nido or Coron (which you can book on Airswift.com or Cebupacificair.com ). From there, you can take a ferry, boat, or van to the other islands (which you can book on 12go.asia or Phimaldives.com ).

If you’re looking for a budget alternative to Maldives that offers stunning sea caves, beautiful beaches, and limestone cliffs, then Northern Palawan is a great option for you.

So, there you have it: 5 budget alternatives to Maldives where you can find clear blue water and pristine white sand. These destinations are perfect for a tropical getaway that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You’ll discover how to reach these places, where to stay, and what to do. Whether you’re looking for snorkeling, diving, sailing, or just relaxing, these 5 budget alternatives to Maldives will satisfy your wanderlust.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might be interested in visiting these places. And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more travel tips and inspiration. Thanks for reading and happy travels!