If you can decide whether to visit Bali or Maldives then we may be able to help you to decide.
Both Bali and the Maldives are very popular resort islands and each tropical destination has stunning beaches, amazing marine life, tasty local dishes and more to enjoy.
So, we decided to put the two places head-to-head based on criteria that you are likely to be weighing up before you decide on your holiday destination.
That way, you can be properly informed when you choose between Maldives or Bali.
Bali In Brief: What’s It Like?
Bali is possibly the most famous island in the world. Its beach clubs, coral reefs, private villas, nightlife and cultural attractions are well-known throughout the world.
Bali is part of Indonesia, but it stands out as a Hindu gem in a predominantly Muslim country. It boasts a unique and rich culture all its own.
Visitors often fall in love with the Balinese people, known for their warm and inviting nature. They make everyone feel right at home, turning Bali into a real welcoming escape.
It’s a top spot for island hopping too. Just offshore, you’ll find a handful of smaller islands, easily reachable and perfect for those wanting to truly unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle.
Maldives In Brief: What’s It Like?
The Maldives is an island nation, just like Indonesia, but it’s on a much smaller scale. You can actually compare it more to Bali than to the entire Indonesian archipelago.
It’s built its reputation on stunning beaches and its luxury resorts cater to those looking to get away from it all and are willing to pay a premium for uninterrupted peace.
Like Bali is has wonderful coral reefs and marine life, but most people who come to Maldives are simply there for the high-end pampering they will recieve inside the 5-star hotel and villa complexes.
Famously, it’s illegal to wear a bikini in the capital city Male and most tourists spend very little of their time in the capital at all.
Bali Vs Maldives Head-To-Head Comparison
Just so you know, FINNS is based in Bali, and we absolutely love the place we call home.
To make a fair comparison, we’re putting together some factors to measure both Bali and the Maldives head to head.
What we do know for sure is that whether you go for the tropical bliss of a Maldives resort package or a classic beach holiday in Bali, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time in either spot.
These are both world-class holiday destinations and you can find private villas and gorgeous sands in both Bali and the Maldives.
So, with that out of the way, let’s get our two contenders in the ring.
Maldives Vs Bali Weather
The first category in our Bali Vs Maldives round-up is weather. As you might expect from a pair of tropical islands, the weather in both places is quite lovely.
They both have two seasons, one rainy season and one dry season. The Maldives has its rainy season from June to September and Bali has its between November and March.
The “rainy season” in the Maldives is a bit more intense than in Bali, but both places enjoy heaps of sunshine, even during the wettest times of the year. You won’t be stuck with weeks of non-stop torrential rain in either destination.
Both places even have roughly the same average temperature all year round and thus, there’s really nothing in this category that sets one apart from the other.
That means in our first Bali Vs Maldives category, we have a tie. The weather in these two destinations is fabulous all year round, and the half of the year containing the dry season is just about perfect in each.
Maldives Vs Bali Location
The Maldives holds the title of the smallest country in Asia, made up of nearly 1,200 islands across 27 atolls, including the stunning Baa Atoll. You’ll find it sitting pretty in the ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka.
Bali, on the flip side, isn’t a country; it’s an island that’s part of the larger Indonesian Republic, which boasts over 18,000 islands—there’s just too many to count accurately!
It’s located north of Australia, south of Malaysia, and west of East Timor and New Guinea.
If you’re in Southeast Asia or Australia, getting to Bali is a whole lot easier compared to the Maldives. Sure, where you start your journey matters in terms of location, but we’re giving the edge to Bali here. Most of our readers hail from Australia and Indonesia, and for them, Bali is much closer than the Maldives.
Beaches In Bali Vs Beaches In Maldives
We love the beaches in Bali, we wouldn’t have built the world’s best beach club here in Canggu if we didn’t.
However, we have to acknowledge that not all of Bali’s beaches are ideal for sunbathing and water sports.
There is also a plastic pollution problem that is under control in that there are beach clean-up crews working tirelessly across the island to keep the sands clean – can be a bit off-putting at times.
Bali certainly has the most diversity in beaches, mind you, with black sands through to white sands and interesting cliffs and coastlines.
The Maldives, on the other hand, is mainly a stunning collection of private, mostly untouched beaches featuring overwater bungalows and luxurious private villas.
The sands are soft and white, while the water is crystal clear.
So, with a bit of hesitance, we’ve got to give this category to the Maldives.
Water Sports In Bali Vs Water Sports In Maldives
You might think that, since the Maldives is mostly water with limited land activities, it would easily take the win in this Bali vs Maldives showdown.
While there’s no denying that snorkeling, diving, and boat trips are fantastic in the Maldives, you can find those same experiences in Bali.
The catch is, in the Maldives, that’s often your only choice. Each resort is isolated, creating its own little enclave away from everything else, which means they typically don’t offer many other water sports. They miss out on the benefits of sharing resources because of their separation.
Bali, on the other hand, has a huge variety of water sports opportunities and in places like Sanur, Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa, you can try nearly every sport known to man and a few that are unique to Bali.
Better still, water sports in Bali are cheap and you get amazing value for money particularly compared to Western countries, everything in the Maldives costs a bit more.
So, Bali is a surprise winner in this category even though we thought the Maldives would walk it.
Maldives Vs Bali Safety
The most recent advice from the Australian government about the Maldives states to “Exercise a high degree of caution in the Maldives due to the risk of civil unrest and the threat of terrorism.”
While we might think that risk isn’t as high as they suggest, it’s always smart to play it safe.
What we do know is that while violent crime is rare, petty crime is more common. In the capital city of Male, like in any other city, it’s best to avoid wandering through unfamiliar neighborhoods alone at night.
Bali is also relatively safe and we examine “Is Bali Safe” in detail elsewhere on our site.
As with the Maldives, there’s little risk of violent crime and petty crime is common but not as rampant as some media sources might have you believe.
In this round of Bali Vs Maldives, we’d say it’s a tie. Both places are amazingly safe and ideal for female solo travellers.
Things To Do In Bali Vs Maldives
People go to the Maldives precisely because they don’t want a huge amount to do, they’re looking to rock up at a luxury resort and then just unpack and chill.
If there is anything to do, it’s usually organized by the resort and is limited to a few localized activities.
Sure, you could visit Male, but most people don’t because it’s not really tourist-oriented.
Bali, on on the other hand, there are more than 100 things to do in Bali. The island is full of endless entertainment options.
Bali wins this round with ease. If you want to get out and experience island life then Bali has far more to offer.
Nightlife In Bali Vs Maldives
When it comes to the Maldives, there are very few places for nightlife. You can stay at a resort with a built-in club or bar or visit some of the bigger public beaches and use the bars nearby, but this island nation is an Islamic state and drinking is frowned upon.
There’s not much to choose from at all.
After Ibiza, Bali is, perhaps, the world’s most famous party island and there are so many places to go out and have a good time that you could party in a different place every night for months without repeating a joint.
Come to FINNS, the world’s best beach club, and see just how good Bali’s nightlife can be.
A big win for Bali but we have to acknowledge there are plenty of tourists who aren’t looking for nightlife on their holidays too.
Cultural Highlights In Bali Vs Maldives
The Maldives is more than marine life and overwater bungalows. It has a strong Islamic culture but one that tends to stay very separate from the tourists who visit the island.
Most tourists will not encounter many locals as they explore the atolls and the only real cultural hotspot is the capital, Male. Though you may hear the call to prayer, whether you want to or not.
Bali, on the other hand, not only has a unique and exciting Hindu culture but it’s one that it is proud to share with the world.
You can’t come to Bali and not take part in the culture, it’s in every single aspect of life here and it’s a warm and wonderful thing.
This isn’t even close, if you love cultural activities on your holidays Bali is the place to go in our Bali vs Maldives round-up.
Cuisines In Bali Vs Maldives
Balinese cuisine stands out as a unique slice of Indonesian fare, drawing influences from all over the archipelago and putting its own spin on them.
One of the standout features is that you can enjoy pork in Bali, as it’s a Hindu enclave. Dishes like babi guling (roast suckling pig) have gained worldwide fame.
Bali boasts an incredible restaurant scene, ranging from cheap local warungs to some of the finest dining options you’ll find anywhere.
On the flip side, Maldivian cuisine blends Sri Lankan and Indian flavours, often packing a bit more spice than Balinese dishes.
We’re big fans of food in both countries, but we reckon Balinese cuisine is better known globally due to its appeal to all sorts of tastes. That gives Bali the win in this Bali vs Maldives culinary battle, though it’s a close call!
Aesthetics Count: Maldives Vs Bali
We will leave Male and Denpasar aside in this round up as capital cities in developing nations are never all that pretty.
However, there’s no doubt that the unspoiled islands of the Maldives and their overwater bungalows and private resorts are full of charm and these islands are yet to experience overtourism (which we think is down to the expense of being there, mind you).
Whereas Bali is beautiful and it’s still paradise in many places, but some of the towns aren’t too pretty and the traffic can spoil things at times too.
So, we will give this category of Bali vs Maldives to the Maldives, but it’s closer than you’d think. Bali is still a very pretty destination.
Bang For Buck: Which Offers Better Value For Money Bali Or Maldives?
The Maldives just can’t catch a break in this round because of its location. Nearly everything there has to be shipped in from far away.
This leads to higher costs for getting goods to the islands, which drives up prices across the board.
Now, it’s not ridiculously expensive when stacked against places like London, Sydney, or New York, but it’s definitely not cheap, either.
Bali, on the other hand, sits right next to Java, one of Southeast Asia’s manufacturing hotspots.
While not everything in Bali is budget-friendly, it’s usually cheaper than the Maldives for similar offerings. Sometimes, it’s even considered “cheap” on a global scale.
So, Bali takes this round in the Bali vs Maldives match-up, and it’s an easy win!
Which Has The Better Shopping? Bali Vs Maldives
The Maldives isn’t a shopping destination. As you’d expect from a place where you will spend all your time at one resort, nobody’s building a mall or a parade of shops to cater to a single resort.
Bali, on the other hand, is a shopper’s paradise. There are endless boutique stores, plenty of shopping malls and markets and other stores galore.
It’s not always cheaper than at home (we wouldn’t recommend buying electronics here, for example) but it is usually pretty good value.
This is an easy win for Bali in the Bali Vs Maldives stakes.
Which Is Better For Digital Nomads? Maldives Vs Bali
We admire the fact that the Maldives has pitched itself to digital nomads but given that most people in that community aren’t exactly flush with cash, it’s priced out of the market for most nomads.
Bali’s long-awaited digital nomad visa still hasn’t arrived, mind you, but it’s easy enough to stay for long periods and there are loads of coworking and coliving spaces on the island (and next to none in the Maldives).
This is an easy Bali win in our Bali vs Maldives round-up.
Which Is Best For Expats? Bali Vs Maldives
This one’s a no-brainer since Bali boasts a massive expatriate community while the Maldives doesn’t have nearly as many.
The Maldives is primarily a holiday destination, and it’s tough to find a life there unless you’re working in tourism. There simply isn’t enough to keep most folks entertained long-term.
Sure, there are some expats living in the Maldives, but when it comes to this Bali vs Maldives category, the verdict is clear: Bali wins hands down. It’s cheaper, visas are easier to get, and there’s a whole lot more to do.
Overall Scores Bali Vs Maldives
So, in our round-up, we found that it was a tie between both places for the best weather and for the safest destination.
The Maldives won the best beaches and was the most aesthetic destination (though only by a little).
And Bali won for location, water sports, things to do, nightlife, culture, cuisine, value for money, shopping and as a preferred destination for digital nomads and expats.
That means in our head to head of the Bali Vs Maldives, we’d recommend choosing Bali over Maldives if you can only visit one or the other.
Once again, we’d like to stress they’re both great holiday destinations and you’re going to have a good time in either place but we think, for now, Bali has the edge for most holidaymakers.
FAQs
Is Bali Better Than The Maldives?
If you see our round-up above, you can see that we think yes, Bali is better than the Maldives because it has more to offer most visitors than the Maldives does.
Which Is More Costly, Bali Or Maldives?
The Maldives offers a luxury lifestyle, but it does so from a rather remote spot in the ocean, with this tiny island nation having no real neighbours.
This means that aside from a few local dishes (both meat and vegetarian) and specific local products, pretty much everything else must be imported from far away. The transport costs get added into the overall price of things.
In short, the Maldives is an upscale and relatively pricey destination.
Bali, however, is part of the Indonesian archipelago and sits right next to Java, the most populous and productive island in Indonesia.
While things aren’t always “cheap” in Bali, they’re usually a lot more affordable than similar offerings in the Maldives.
Budget travellers will likely have a much better experience in Bali compared to what they’d find in the Maldives.
Bali Vs Maldives Language
We didn’t put this in our list of criteria above because we don’t think when deciding “Bali vs Maldives which tropical destination?” that most people spend too much time worrying about the local language.
The truth is that while Dhivehi (the Maldivian language) is the dominant language in the Maldives, if you’re in your resort then you can guarantee they’ll speak enough English for you to be kept happy.
In Bali, English is widely spoken alongside Bahasa Indonesia (the official language of the archipelago as opposed to Bahasa Bali which is the original language of Bali).
In fact, you will find that staff in supermarkets, hotels, bars, taxis, etc. speak very good English in many parts of Bali, though occasionally you may run into someone who speaks only a little.
Overall, we just don’t think it’s a deciding factor in booking your flights, but if it is super important to you that English is commonly spoken, it’s another win for Bali.
Is Bora Bora Or Bali Better?
Fiji is one island that we haven’t spent a ton of time on but overall, Bora Bora is simply another island destination like the Maldives which is all about luxury resorts.
There’s nothing much else there to do. So, if you’re looking for a place to take your gorgeous partner and do a little shark watching or visit a private island, then you may find Bora Bora wins out in your assessment.
But for most people, Bali is going to be the better place to go on holiday because it offers far more things to do than Bora Bora.
If you’re looking at a family holiday, in particular, Bali should win hands down in a decision between these two places. Kids are going to get bored fast in Bora Bora. (They may even dub it “boring boring”).
Which Is Cheaper Bali, Maldives Or Mauritius?
A lot depends on the kind of holiday that you’re trying to have. The isolated island republic of the Maldives is generally quite expensive due to the fact that it’s a long way from anything but the local islands.
Mauritius is not particularly cheap and travel costs can be heavy if you visit this island nation from Australia (though it’s often very cost-effective for travellers from India).
Whereas Bali is “cheapest” overall but we should point out that if you want to visit local islands, stay in overwater bungalows, enjoy candlelight dinners at fine dining restaurants, etc. that Bali can accommodate people spending as much money as you want to.
In fact, Bali has more \$1,000 or more a night hotel rooms than anywhere else on Earth.
We’d also note that purchasing alcohol in any of these destinations is quite expensive when compared to other destinations in South East, East and South Asia.
Are Maldives Like Bali?
No, the Maldives isn’t much like Bali at all. The Maldives is an atoll made up of numerous tiny islands.
While it has a capital city, hardly any tourists venture there; the main focus is on getting to your resort and settling in.
Most visitors look for a spot with beach access, a pool, butler service, and plenty of peace and quiet. It caters to a very specific type of tourist.
Bali, on the other hand, is a large island with a few small islands offshore for those keen on island hopping, but that’s not the main draw for most visitors.
The mainland is expansive, brimming with places to explore. You can hop between resorts and stay in different areas to really dive into the culture or switch things up from nature walks to water sports.
Bali has been built around tourism, making everything easy to access, and it’s one island you’ll never want to leave.
Is It Better To Go To Indonesia Or Maldives?
This isn’t an easy comparison, unlike Bali Vs Maldives. That’s because Indonesia is such a big place.
It’s the world’s fourth biggest country both by land area and by population, but that doesn’t really help to explain the scale of a nation spread out over 18,000 individual islands (so many islands that we still don’t have an accurate count of them).
That means whatever you want from a holiday, you can find it in Indonesia. From big cities to dramatic temples, to every romantic option that you can think of.
You will also find that Indonesia is far cheaper than the Maldives and thus, you get a lot more bang for buck in the archipelago.
Having said that, if you’ve always wanted to see the Maldives and are looking for a romantic break where everything is on tap (as long as you don’t mind paying a premium for it) you might find that the Maldives is just fine too.
Is Bali Or Maldives Better For Kids?
We just don’t see the Maldives as being very family-friendly at all. If you’re after activities for the whole gang, Bali is the clear winner with loads of options that kids will love.
When it comes to food in the Bali vs Maldives debate, Balinese cuisine is world-renowned. You can easily find a budget-friendly or mid-range restaurant for a family meal without a hassle.
Maldivian cuisine might be delicious, but it’s mostly served in fine dining spots aimed at couples seeking a romantic getaway.
You can take your kids to either destination, but if you choose the Maldives, you’ll likely spend a lot of your time trying to keep them entertained. In Bali, there’s plenty of built-in entertainment.
This is especially true for young children. Bali’s kids’ clubs are the perfect way to ensure your little ones have a blast while you kick back and relax.
Is It Cheaper To Fly To Bali Or Maldives?
It depends on where you’re coming from. The answer is that for most people flying from Southeast Asia or from Australia, it’s going to be much cheaper to fly to Bali which is much closer.
The average direct flight from Australia to Maldives takes over 25 hours! Though the most popular route which is Perth Airport to Male Airport takes around 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Compare that to the 6-hour average flight time from Australia to Bali and you can see why it costs more to fly to Maldives.
In fact, if costs are the big question when it comes to deciding which resort island to book, you’re going to find that in the case of Bali vs Maldives, Bali is nearly always cheaper in every respect even if you can find a shorter flight.
Is Bali Or Maldives On The Indian Ocean?
Both of these resort islands are located in the Indian Ocean. However, don’t le that fool you into thinking it would be easy to go island hopping between Bali and the Maldives.
Bali and the Maldives are over 4,800 kilometres apart and a flight between the two islands (which is the fastest way to go) would take 6 hours and 30 minutes from Denpasar International Airport to Male International Airport.
Direct flights between these two places are also quite expensive and many people opting to fly choose a flight that stops in another destination before reaching the Maldives and that means even longer travel times.
On average, we suspect that for most travellers (and particularly solo travellers on a budget) that a trip across the Indian Ocean from Bali to the Maldives is around 12 hours long!
Flight fares seem to range from $200 (one way with a stopover) to $600 (one way to direct) and that’s USD, so $300 AUD or $900 AUD if you’re coming from Australia!
How To Book A Holiday In Bali?
We always recommend that you book a holiday to visit Bali through the amazing folks at the Bali Res Centre.
They can ensure that every step of your journey is taken care of in the way that you would expect.
From flights to Ngurah Rai International Airport to tickets to the safari park or transport to local markets to booking honeymoon resorts or Bali tour packages, they’ll get it done and at very competitive rates.
If you’re on a tight budget, they can help you get the most from it and make certain that you get the most of Bali island.
Final Thoughts On Maldives Vs Bali
From our Bali vs Maldives comparison, it’s clear that Bali is the way to go if you have to pick between the two.
There’s just so much more on offer in Bali. You can enjoy private bungalows, sea walks, nature walks, resort hopping, and plenty more. While you can do some of these things in the Maldives, Bali has a much broader range of activities.
Whether you’re looking for fun for the whole family or seeking out romantic walks to hidden waterfalls, Bali is definitely the best choice.
They’re both super busy places during the high tourist season, mind you, and we’d recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a spot near the best beaches whether you choose Maldives or Bali.
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