Travel bloggers who spent £9,400 on Maldives getaway warn it's not always how it looks on Instagram – after spending holiday in thick clouds and pouring rain

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  • Oskar Kappland and Dan Goz, from Gothenburg, both 26, travelled in December
  • READ MORE: Solo traveller declares ‘stunning’ Lake Ohrid one of Europe’s most UNDERRATED spots 

A couple warned tourists ‘don’t take travel advice from social media’ after they spent almost all of their £9,400 Maldives holiday in – ‘thick clouds and pouring rain’.

Oskar Kappland and Dan Goz, both 26, from Gothenburg, Sweden, booked the no-expense-spared nine-day trip to celebrate their nine-year anniversary of being together.

They were expecting to experience picturesque sunsets and shimmering crystal seas at the two resorts where they stayed.

They had seen countless Instagram posts of the Maldives featuring perfect weather and never considered it might not be like that all the time.

Instead, more than half of the pricey trip was spent under shelter due to poor conditions – despite them going in December, which is the ‘high season’ for weather.

Oskar Kappland and Dan Goz, both 26, from Gothenburg, Sweden, went to The Maldives for their nine-year anniversary but spent days in overcast, rainy surroundings

Oskar Kappland and Dan Goz, both 26, from Gothenburg, Sweden, went to The Maldives for their nine-year anniversary but spent days in overcast, rainy surroundings 

An overcast Maldives on Oskar and Dan's holiday. The couple travelled in December, which is meant to be ideal for good weather

An overcast Maldives on Oskar and Dan’s holiday. The couple travelled in December, which is meant to be ideal for good weather 

Dan, a travel reviewer, said it was ‘the opposite of travel inspo’.

He said: ‘We tried to see the funny side because all you can do is laugh.

‘We knew it was normal for afternoon showers, but we had four days straight of thick clouds and pouring rain!

‘Our message in general is don’t set your expectations based on travel advice from social media.

‘Do your research, social media doesn’t represent reality.

‘Make sure you know what to expect and prepare for the good AND the bad.’

Oskar and Dan in the Maldives in 2019 when they enjoyed sunny conditions

Oskar and Dan in the Maldives in 2019 when they enjoyed sunny conditions 

Dan, a travel reviewer, said the trip was 'the opposite of travel inspo' and warned people not to go by everything they see on Instagram

Dan, a travel reviewer, said the trip was ‘the opposite of travel inspo’ and warned people not to go by everything they see on Instagram

The couple were hoping to go snorkelling and swimming but the rainy conditions meant they could not enjoy outdoor activities

The couple were hoping to go snorkelling and swimming but the rainy conditions meant they could not enjoy outdoor activities 

Due to constant 'thick clouds and pouring rain' most of the time they were there, it turned out to be a very different holiday to what they expected

Due to constant ‘thick clouds and pouring rain’ most of the time they were there, it turned out to be a very different holiday to what they expected 

The couple, who post their travels on social media @oskaranddan, had been to the Maldives before and loved it.

So they never considered their return between December 6 and 14 would be any different.

They had four days booked at a hotel in Dhigurah, which is famous for whale shark sightings.

But it was constant ‘thick clouds and pouring rain’ and they didn’t see any sharks.

Oskar, a musician, said: ‘The whole place is weather-dependent – we went for the swimming, snorkelling and sun.’

Dan said they were trying to escape the dull weather in Sweden but it was just like being at home

Dan said they were trying to escape the dull weather in Sweden but it was just like being at home 

When the pair visited The Maldives in 2019, they enjoyed perfect weather conditions (pictured) and that's why they were eager to return

When the pair visited The Maldives in 2019, they enjoyed perfect weather conditions (pictured) and that’s why they were eager to return 

The travel bloggers said that people should be aware that social media only shows the best side of any potential trip

The travel bloggers said that people should be aware that social media only shows the best side of any potential trip 

On the second part of the holiday they stayed in a fancy resort costing £1,170 a night, where there were indoor activities on offer to compensate.

They saw grey skies and rain for seven of the nine days they were away.

They tried to enjoy the trip, but said the weather was just as bad as at home.

Oskar said: ‘We’re originally from Sweden and the weather was like our winter there, apart from Sweden is colder. It’s what we were trying to escape in northern Europe!’

They wanted to warn people to be careful with their expectations when travelling – even to a destination with an ‘Instagrammable’ reputation.

Dan said: ‘We know a lot of people who want to go just for pics – for those people, it’s not a worthwhile gamble.

‘We’ve been using social media for years, people always see the best version online and it gives a false perspective of how the world is.

‘People might be willing to spend thousands of dollars to go to the Maldives and they’re not aware half of more of their stay could be bad weather.

‘It’s paradise when it’s sunny – but when its not, you’re just stuck there.’