Want to visit this island paradise but put off by the sky-high price tag? Donna Richardson reveals how to visit on the cheap…
1. Swim with whale sharks or manta rays. The Maldives is one of the few places where you can snorkel alongside these gentle giants.
2. Visit a traditional Maldivian village to meet the locals.
3. Explore the country’s capital, Malé.
4. Join local fishermen on a deep-sea fishing trip.
5. Take to the sea on board a dhoni, a traditional wooden sailboat.
6. For the ultimate romantic treat, enjoy a sunset champagne cruise while spotting dolphins and flying fish.
7. Adopt your own coral reef at one of the local resorts.
8. Be a castaway. Most resorts offer the option of time on a deserted island.
9. Cross the equator – flying to Gan you cross the equator
10. Surf the breaks in Male, or take a surf safari to the other atolls
A version of this appeared in Wanderlust Magazine
Backpack Maldives 
Nice suggestions!
I concur with this 10 things to do in Maldives because they are very important to understand better the destination.
Culture and Heritage of Maldivian people is something that you can hardly experience in a Maldives Island Resorts. A tourist should try to experience a trip to local islands, fishing, dolphin watching, sunset cruise and cast away on a deserted island.
The soul of Maldives is not only sun, sea, sand but there are a lot fun and educational things to do, like exploring cultural museums and art galley in the capital city or heritage sites in local islands.