A holiday in the Maldives is pretty special, expect crystal clear waters, beautiful coral reefs and deserted islands with fine white sandy beaches. The destination has become one of the iconic long haul destinations for UK holiday-makers, synonymous with tropical luxury. In saying that, if you use the dealchecker search it is still possible to find a cheap holiday. Maldives resorts and hotels range from luxury to budget and although it?s long haul you can still find cheap flight deals so there is something to suit everyone.

The Republic of the Maldives consists of 26 natural atolls or coral islands set in the Indian Ocean and is home to a little over 300,000 local people. Not surprisingly for a nation made up of islands it is a paradise for fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving among other watersports, and aside from this, Maldives holidays consist largely of beach-bound, sun drenched relaxation.

When to go
Flights to the Maldives from the UK take about 10 hours and operate all year round. The best weather is between December and April when the days are longest and there is the least rainfall to blight your holiday. Maldives lovers however do tend to flock to the islands in this period so if you're looking for a cheap trip this is not the best time. Maldives summers might be more to your liking and certainly they'll ease the strain on your wallet as low season prices are considerably less than peak season.

Where to stay
Many of the atolls are not inhabited and the majority of the tourist islands are located close to the capital, Male. The larger islands tend to be home to younger tourists wanting a cheap holiday in the Maldives while the smaller islands are often exclusive, more expensive resorts.