The beautiful Republic of the Maldives is the alluring island holiday destination in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of twenty-six atolls that lie between the Chagos Archipelago and Minicoy Island.
While the Maldives is famous as a honeymoon destination, these islands have so much to offer. There are the fantastic beaches that the many atolls feature. For the adventurous traveller, numerous water sports activities await! You’ll also have the opportunity to discover the Maldives’s interesting architecture and evidence of its rich history. Here are some of the top things to do in the Maldives:
Water Sports
The island nation is more water than land. It’s no surprise then that water sports are one of the popular things to do in the Maldives.
The warm waters surrounding the country are so clear that you can see the fish passing by as far as 50 metres away! There are thousands of species to view while diving here, such as barracudas, manta rays and napoleons. An absolute must!
Some of the best diving spots in the Maldives include:
- Baa Atoll
- Kuramathi (in Rasdhoo Atoll)
- Madivanu Corner (in Lhaviyani Atoll)
- Manta Point, Baros (in North Male Atoll)
The country is also a dream come true for experienced and aspiring surf-enthusiasts, especially from June to September when the monsoon weather brings massive swells. The breaks of the North and South Male Atolls are the most popular and surfers from around the world travel there to experience it.
Other surfing hotspots around the Maldives are:
- Cokes (in the Malé Atolls, for intermediate surfers)
- Mulhaku Rights/Lefts (in the Central Atolls, for beginner and intermediate surfers)
- Beacons (in the South Atolls, for advanced surfers only)
Maafushi, Meeru and Thoddoo also provide the perfect conditions for thrilling experiences above the waterline, with opportunities for water-skiing, kiteboarding, jet-skiing, flyboarding, stand-up paddle boarding and more.
Day Excursions
Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy day tours around the islands and visit the more modern areas. Many of the resorts in the Maldives offer you the chance to explore the country’s seemingly countless islands. You could go on walking tours around the island of Malé, exploring markets, discovering historical sites and admiring the grand historic architecture.
Some of the best markets to explore around the Maldives include:
- The Malé Local Market (where you can get fresh coconut milk and souvenirs, such as miniature boats)
- Majeedhee Magu (a shopping street linking the east to the west in Malé, home to all kinds of textiles, clothing and electronics)
- Malé Fish Market (as the name implies, this is where you get fresh fish and seafood)
There are many historic mosques, monuments and landmarks in the island nation, such as:
- Hulhumalé Mosque
- Grand Friday Mosque
- The Tsunami Monument
- The Victory Monument
For more adventurous things to do in the Maldives, go island hopping with amazing boat tours to the more-than-a-thousand islands, including Hulhumalé, Baros, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, Rasdhoo and Thinadhoo.
The day tours around the Maldives are known for scenic cruises, awesome photo opportunities and catching sights of more of the marine creatures around the islands.
Relax
The mesmerising beaches of the Maldives speak for themselves, with their clear waters and pristine white sands. They’re the perfect solution for anyone looking for relaxing things to do in the Maldives.
There’s the tiny island of Reethi Rah¸ home to 12 incredible beaches that will have you longing to escape to paradise. There are also endless resorts, which are tailor-made for different travellers, including families, kids and adults only. Many of the beach resorts in the Maldives feature spas and wellness centres, where you can just relax.
If you really want to wear your bikini (with the Maldives being an Islamic nation), head to Rasdhoo and discover a small yet charming stretch of coastline where you can enjoy your holiday stay as you wish. Simply relax and unwind as you drift away from your everyday life.
On the island of Malé, don’t miss out on the chance to explore Artificial Beach. As the name implies, it’s a man-made beach that was created due to the island not having any beach of its own to compare to those of the other islands. While it has the calm waters the Maldives are known for, visitors and locals head to Artificial Beach to watch water sports, live concerts and carnivals!
Nightlife
While the country is generally seen as a honeymoon destination, that doesn’t mean there is no nightlife scene to add to your list of things to do in the Maldives!
At the 4.5-star Kurumba Maldives Resort, enjoy jazz performances, DJ nights, dance nights and live bands every night.
Another top-rated resort, Kuredu, has a White Night party every Friday night. Don’t miss out on this party scene and help recreate the magic of a true tropical island experience as you dance under UV lights.
One of the most iconic parties you must attend is the Underwater Party at Subsix in the Per Aquum hotel. As the name implies, you’ll be heading six metres below the sea to the biggest underwater nightclub in the Maldives! Enjoy delicious delicacies as you watch the various creatures swim by outside.
Take a Seaplane
Seaplane photo flights are a delight and a great way to see the islands from above. There’s nothing like viewing the Maldives from the sky. It’s one of the many thrilling things to do in the Maldives. You can catch a seaplane as part of your transfer when landing at any airport in the Maldives. A definite once in a lifetime opportunity! You may be surprised upon arriving in the Maldives that you’ll be transferred by seaplane.
These are just a few of the many fun and memorable things to do in the Maldives. You’ll definitely discover more of what this archipelago of islands has to keep you returning. Find out when you should visit the Maldives.
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