Our 3‑Night Maldives Tag‑on at JOY Island
Busting Maldives Myths
We added 3 nights in the Maldives to the end of our Sri Lanka itinerary. Why? Well… why not?! It is only a short flight from Sri Lanka, so it felt like the perfect way to finish our trip. We chose JOY Island for our stay. This was our fourth visit to the Maldives, and it is a destination I book a lot for my clients, so it felt like the ideal opportunity to bust a few common Maldives myths…
1. “The Maldives is just for couples.”
❌ Wrong.
Yes, it is incredibly romantic, but so many resorts are fantastic for families too. At JOY Island there is:
- An inflatable waterpark
- A water sports centre
- Free trial dives
- Games centre
- Pool, paddle and tennis
- Table football and darts
- Kids’ club and entertainment
- All‑inclusive options that keep even the fussiest little ones and hungriest teenagers happy
It is certainly not just about candlelit dinners, although you can absolutely have those too.
2. “I can’t afford the Maldives.”
Maybe… but do not rule it out.
Yes, the Maldives can blow the budget if you go all‑out in peak season, but with the right resort and travelling in shoulder season, it can sometimes cost less than you might think. In some cases it can even compare surprisingly well with a summer all‑inclusive in Greece.
There is a huge range in price points once you know where to look, and how to package things like transfers, meal plans and room types.
3. “The weather is terrible in our summer.”
❌ Not necessarily.
I have now been to the Maldives three times in August and have had beautiful weather every time. Of course, nobody can ever guarantee the weather, but summer definitely should not mean automatically writing the Maldives off.
With realistic expectations and the right island choice, it can be an amazing time to travel.
4. “It is too far to travel.”
❌ Again, not necessarily.
Getting to the Maldives is easier than many people think. There are:
- Direct British Airways flights from London available year‑round
- Seasonal direct flights with Virgin Atlantic
- Plus other route options via the Middle East and Europe
Once you arrive in Malé, JOY Island is just around a 10‑minute seaplane journey or approximately 40 minutes by speedboat. We did the seaplane there and the speedboat back, so we got the best of both worlds.
Yes, it is a long‑haul destination, but the journey itself is surprisingly straightforward and well worth it.
5. “You have to stay in an overwater villa.”
This one might be a little controversial… but I actually prefer the beach villa.
Stepping straight out of your room onto your own stretch of white sand and into that warm, turquoise Indian Ocean is hard to beat. Upgrade to a beach villa with a pool and you have the best of both worlds: beach, sea, your own pool for the kids, and you are never too far from a bar for those all‑important cocktails.
Overwater villas are, of course, absolutely stunning and I can definitely book them, but they are not the only way to do the Maldives. In fact, if it is your first time and you want to experience both, a split stay can work brilliantly: a few nights in a beach villa to feel the sand between your toes, then a couple of nights in an overwater villa for that iconic “Maldives postcard” moment.
It is all about finding the right balance for you.
So… Is The Maldives Right For You?
Is the Maldives expensive? Is it just for couples? Is summer a no‑go? Sometimes the answer is not quite as simple as it first appears.
That is exactly where having someone who really knows the islands and resorts can make such a difference. Matching you to the right island, room type, meal plan and time of year can completely change what is possible for your budget.
If you are wondering whether the Maldives could work for you, whether as a stand‑alone holiday or as a tag‑on to somewhere like Sri Lanka, I would love to chat through the options and help you find your perfect island.
Contact me and let’s start planning your Maldives escape.
