It’s true, over the water bungalows are a spectacular sight and those images are what drew us to the Maldives in the first place. But are there things to do in Maldives besides relaxing? Definitely!
The Maldives are made for adventure, water sports, and romance. We stayed at two private islands in the Maldives but we managed to do several day trips to explore the surrounding atolls and the capital city of Male. These are the best things to do in the Maldives for everyone!
1. Scuba Diving
The Maldives is one of the premier scuba diving destinations on earth and if there is one place you need to give it a try, it’s here. There are many affordable PADI dive centers where you can take a discovery dive if you are not certified, or sign up for several dive options to one of the many reefs.
The Maldives has an abundance of marine life for its stingrays, whale shark migration, reef sharks and sea turtles. The crystal clear blue waters offer incredible visibility and there’s no need for a wetsuit here, the water’s warm and inviting.
2. Snorkeling Trips
Snorkeling in the Maldives will offer you many opportunities to enjoy incredible reefs often voted some of the best in the world. Situated in the Indian Ocean the Maldives are a set of islands that are encircled by reefs. Snorkeling Maldives is truly a magnificent experience due to the beauty of the reefs on offer and also a wide array of marine species including the bigger pelagics. Enjoy the snorkeling here in blue lagoons, over incredible reefs and in a tropical heat that will keep you warm throughout the day
3. Dolphin Watching
The Maldives is blessed with abundance of islands, abundance of sandy white beaches, abundance of palm trees, abundance of sunshine, abundance of coral reefs and an abundance of majestic sea life including dolphins. As a result it is counted as one of the top destinations in the world for watching dolphins and whales.
Dolphin watching is a popular past time, both relaxing and thrilling as you spot these beautiful, gentle creatures of the sea prance and play in warm Indian Ocean.
It is believed that 20 difference species of dolphin call the Maldives home. These include Spinner, Bottlenose, Risso’s, Spotted and Striped Dolphins. The most common seen in the region are Spinner dolphins which are said to number thousands. They gather in droves to feed on the fauna and are a magnificent site when frolicking in huge groups in the waters around the islands.
Dolphin watching can be done from the beach at your resort or if you have a water villa, sightings are common literally from your own private deck.
To get a closer look, however, it is best to do a cruise where the tour guide can take you to the areas where dolphins are most prolific. A traditional Maldivian dhoni is usually used adding to the authenticity of your tropical island experience. The best time of the day is the evening, where you can enjoy watching both the sunset and the dolphins that are particularly active as they come out to feed.
4. Island Hopping
Go island hopping in Maldives and get the best of these islands! Take a look at this list and we hope it makes things easier!
5. Meet the Locals
Visit any one of the country’s two hundred inhabited islands and observe our unique lifestyle, shaped over millennia, by the unique make-up of the tiny islands they inhabit and the seas that surrounds them. Experience the relaxed attitude and style of islanders, which modernization has found impossible to change. Stroll on the beach, engage with the locals and get an insight into their lives. Who knows, you could get invited to visit one of their homes and meet their families.
6. Surfing in the Maldives
The Maldives is a world-class surfing destination. The Cinnamon Dhonveli Hotel attracts top surfers from around the world to face its awesome break free from crowds. For adrenaline junkies surfing is, definitely one of the best things to do in Maldives.
This break is considered one of the best on earth and Dhonveli is even a stop on the pro circuit. If you aren’t a pro, don’t worry, there are other islands in the Maldives where you can take some surfing lessons.
7. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
If you aren’t into surfing, paddleboarding is another great option. You can paddle in safe bays with water so clear you can see fish swimming right below your boards.
The Maldives is great for (SUPping) because most islands are surrounded by calm shallow waters that only ebb and flow with the rising tides. Both resorts rent paddleboards.
8. Visit the Spa
The Maldives was made for romance and when visiting the island paradise, you must take some time to pamper yourself. Most people visiting the Maldives were couples and families and we highly recommend a couple’s massage for upping the romance factor.
As soothing music plays, skilled masseurs rub away the aches and pains from your long flight or day out in the sun. After an hour and a half of luxury, make sure you have nothing else on your to-do list for the day, as you’ll want to relish in relaxation.
9. Sunset Romantic Dinner
Sunset beach dinners in Maldives are extremely romantic, but when they are set up at the center of a heart made of candles, they truly become magical.
Maldives resorts master the art of creating romantic moments. They know how to create sumptuous settings to make your very special dinner unforgettable and truly beyond compare.
From a table immersed in the lagoon or in an infinity pool, on the beach, in your villa, in a tree, on a private sandbank, in a jungle, with a private cinema screening…romantic dinners come in many flavours in Maldives.
One of the most romantic and eye striking set up is probably the one that consists of a table, dug in the sand or traditional, surrounded by multiple candles lights installed in a way that they form a big bright heart around you.
This romantic dining experience is a feast for the senses.
The spectacular natural landscape and settings around you are accompanied by the fine-dining dishes only prepared by top culinary team that will prepare you the most exquisite meal.
10. Underwater Dining
Speaking of underwater adventures, the Maldives is one of the only places in the world where you can dine underwater in several locations. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel is the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant. Found 16 feet below sea level it offers incredible 180 degree views of the Maldivian marine life to go with your caviar and lobster dinner. You can also enjoy underwater dining at Sea at Anantara Kihavah Villas, which uses mirrored ceilings to amplify the aqua views, and hit the dancefloor 20 feet below sea level at Subsix, a nightclub which is accessible only by boat from Niyama Private Island Resort.
11. Scenic Flight over Maldives Islands
There is something magical about seeing the different shades of water below as you fly over the Maldives. Many resorts require a flight on a twin-engine float plane to get out to them.
If you don’t have the good fortune of staying on a private island that requires a flight out over the Indian Ocean, we highly recommend booking a scenic flight over the many atolls. The islands create a pattern in the sea as the deep ocean crashes into sandbars and coral reefs.
12. Over the Water Bungalows
The overwater bungalow is one of the most impressive hotel species in the world. The very first were found in Tahiti in the 1960s, but the islands of the Maldives are now their dominant habitat.
Did you know that two-thirds of the planet’s overwater bungalows live in the Maldives? It’s true. The rare structural species makes its home in the shallow waters that surround the country’s atolls — standing above the gentle waves on long, narrow legs. You’d be remiss to visit the Maldives and not spend at least one night enjoying their many charms.
13. White Sand Beaches
The Maldives are known for their white sand beaches that stretch along the atolls. and the sand is smooth and easy to walk on. Beachgoers will love visiting the Maldives as you can walk far out along the sand bars enjoying the crystal clear waters.
What’s even better, is if you stay at an over the water bungalow, you can walk directly from your deck basking in paradise. And that is exactly what the Maldives are. Paradise Islands.
14. Fishing
If you are really into fishing then you will want to try it out here in the Maldives. Tuna is the most popular catch and you can either fish the Maldives way, where you go out spearfishing with a local, or you can go out on a regular fishing expedition.
15. Parasailing
If a scenic flight is not in your budget then another great way to see the beautiful atolls of the Maldives is to go parasailing. There is no better way to appreciate the beauty of the Maldives than from above.
It is an exhilarating feeling to feel the wind in your hair as you soar high above your boat taking in the beautiful scenery all around you. This is definitely one of the coolest things to do in the Maldives.
16. Explore Malé
You’ll be flying into the Maldives through Male and it’s worth spending a day or two exploring the capital of the Maldives. Male is completely different from the tranquillity of the atolls.
It is a small island with a population of more than 227,000 it is one of the densely populated cities on earth. Spend a day exploring its top sites like the Male Fish Market and the Old Mosque.
The Male Fish Market is the heartbeat of the city with a hectic energy of the catch of the day coming through. The National Museum is worth a stop to see the history and artifacts from the Maldives past and the Old Friday Mosque is the oldest mosque in the Maldives dating back to 1656. And make sure to visit Sultan Park.
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