Maldives is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean region of South Asia. This beautiful country is popular for its stunning white sand beaches, and pristine coral reefs. It is famous for world-class luxury hotels and resorts, smiling and friendly locals, and a laid-back vibe. Maldives is an archipelago of 1,1,92 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. The country has around 200 inhabited islands and 154 islands with tourist resorts. Holidaymakers come to Maldives to laze on its pristine beaches and stay in several eco-friendly and luxury travel resorts. The resorts and hotels extend out to the seas with stunning infinity pools, lush green rainforests, and crystal-clear blue waters.
Maldives holidays are in much demand for their scenic beaches. This small Indian Ocean Region country has over 1200 islands and plenty of beaches, some of which are on the map of the world’s best beaches. The country’s beaches are famous for soft granules of powdery white sand beaches and cyan-blue waters. The Maldives draws over a million tourists annually from all over the world to this stunning country. Another aspect of the country is the availability of several world-class luxury resorts. The country has five-star luxury resorts to 3-star budget-friendly resorts and hotels to eco-friendly family-operated bed and breakfast accommodations.
Maldives is also a famous honeymoon destination in the world, attracting plenty of couples to this beautiful country. Honeymooners love the isolated cottages with private pools, sauna and spa therapies, and sunset beach dining. Honeymooners can also have plenty of relaxation in the tropical lush green islands and sun-drenched white sand beaches. In this article, TravelUp presents a list of the best things to do in the Maldives holidays!
1. Scuba Diving in Maldives
Maldives is one of the best scuba diving destinations on the planet and it is the place to try your hands at scuba diving. The country has several affordable PADI dive centres which are affordable, certified and run by highly professional divers. Here, you can opt for a discovery dive if you are not a certified diver and dive under the watchful eyes of a trained diver. However, if you are a certified diver, you have several options, including coral reefs and diving spots.
The country has plenty of marine life that can be explored by divers as they will get the chance to see stingrays, whale shark migration, reef sharks, sea turtles and several colourful schools of fish. Another interesting aspect of diving in the Maldives is known for its warm waters and crystal blue transparency, allowing great underwater visibility.
2. Go Snorkelling in Maldives
With over 1,000 coral islands, Maldives is home to some of the world’s best snorkelling. All resorts in the country offer snorkelling with several islands and snorkelling sites. Snorkelling in Angsana Ihuru in North Male Atoll is famous as the best reef in the country.
Meanwhile, another snorkelling spot is Fihalhohi Island Resort which is also popular in the country’s snorkelling scene. There are several islands with resorts in South Ari Atoll which also offer amazing snorkelling experiences. The North Huvadhoo is one of the deepest and remotest atolls in the country and is also highly rewarding snorkelling spot.
3. Dolphin Watching in Maldives
The Maldives is famous in the world as one of the world’s top dolphin-watching destinations. The majestic creatures of dolphins are present all around the country. These majestic dolphins are quite friendly and swims frequently close to tourist boats. Some dolphins even swim past your over-water villa. There are several resorts in the country that offer dolphin-watching trips as part of their package.
If you wish to spot some dolphins in their natural settings, check out the little-known Meemu Atoll and its Muli Channel where guests have a high chance to spot dolphins. If you are staying in Male, check out the COMO Cocoa Island which lies in South Male Atoll, a popular dolphin viewing spot. Embark on a sunset dolphin cruise and spot these magnificent dolphins playfully roaming around your boat.
4. Enjoy Water Sports in Maldives
One of the popular things to do in the Maldives is to enjoy world-class water sports. This small island nation with multiple islands and atolls has plenty of resorts and hotels offering unmatched water sports activities like kayaking, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, wake-boarding, kite-surfing, scuba-diving, snorkelling, Big game fishing, glass bottom ride, catamaran sailing, banana rides and much more.
Most of the resorts offer water sports activities as part of their experiences. However, guests can also do these activities as per their preference and budget with several independent operators and companies offering several water sports activities on several islands.
5. Sunset Cruises around Maldives
One of the most sought-after things to do in Maldives for couples is to enjoy sunset cruises around the islands of the country. These magical sunset cruises sail from the resort islands in stylish boast with food and drinks and cruise around the scenic atolls and islands. Enjoy a glass of champagne as you watch the sun setting with a beautiful evening shade of crimson-coloured sunsets.
Take as many pictures as you like before coming back to shore to enjoy a candlelight dinner on the beach. Some sunset cruises even offer onboard dining for guests to have a special moment with their partners. There are several boat operators in the country that offer sunset cruises as per budget and activities.
6. Candlelight Beach dinners in Maldives
Maldives is one of the most romantic destinations in the world that attracts plenty of couples on their honeymoons. This tropical island country is all about relaxing and getting to know each other better in a beautiful and inspiring setting. One of the highly recommended activities for couples is to opt for a candlelight beach dinner in the country. Several luxury resorts and hotels with their strip of white sandy beaches offer candlelight beach dining for couples as part of their stay experiences.
Just put on some cocktail dress and casuals and walk up with your partner to your booked table that is set on the beach and decorated with flowers and a candle. Catch the sunset and sip some cocktails and juices while sharing your stories. After the sun goes down, light the candle, order some delicious food featuring some fresh seafood and savour them under the stars while listening to the sound of the waves and enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
7. Explore the capital city of Male
Male, the official capital of Maldives is a densely compressed city on an island which is two square kilometres in size. Male is one of the smallest capital cities in the world. However, a lot of visitors tend to skip this city and simply rush to the idyllic islands and luxury resorts for the famous beaches, lush green islands and plenty of massages and spa treatments.
However, Male’s small and compact city has plenty of interesting attractions to explore. The city has several markets, museums, and mosques. It also has plenty of good quality restaurants that serve delicious fresh seafood. The compact size also allows travellers to explore the city within a couple of hours as well.
Check out the National Museum which provides plenty of insight into the country’s heritage. The museum’s collection comprises royal antiques, artefacts, coins, pictures, and other memorabilia from the days of the Sultanate. See the official thrones, palanquins, and statues and explore the Sultan’s Palace. Check out the National Art Gallery which is also part of the complex.
See the Grand Friday Mosque, the biggest mosque in the country. Opened in 1984, it has a white marble exterior and a gold dome. Visit the nearby historic Old Friday Mosque with a graveyard that offers a unique contrast. This is the oldest mosque in the country and dates to the 17th century. This mosque was constructed using stone made from coral. Inside the mosque, there is the tomb of Abdul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary from Morocco, the person who introduced Islam into the country.
Check out the harbour and visit the local market where there are plenty of fruits, vegetables, and freshly caught fish are sold. Visit the area around Alimas Carnival which lies next to the Hulhumale ferry terminal which is a popular area for stylish coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Check out: How To Plan Your Honeymoon Destination
