The Maldives conjures up unique images of over water bungalows and pristine beaches. However, visitors are often surprised that there is more to do in the Maldives than expected. Whether you prefer an active or passive holiday, there is something for everyone. This makes the Maldives a very diverse destination! See 10 of the best things to do in Maldives.
01. Snorkeling
There are over a thousand coral islands in the Maldives. So the diving is naturally spectacular! All Maldives resorts offer this activity. Ideally, you’ll want to choose an island with an inner reef where you can snorkel directly from the beach (or water villa!) rather than on a pre-arranged boat trip.
02. Being able to go on Wonderful Boat Rides
The quality of coral reefs varies. Angsana Ihuru in North Male Atoll is considered by many to have the best inland reef in the Maldives and is easily accessible by speedboat from Male. Fihalhohi Island Resort in the same area is also excellent.
03. Overnight at Luxury Resorts
Other luxury resorts with great inland reefs and diving include Diamonds Athuruga, Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa, Mirihi Island Resort, and Lily Beach Resort. All of these are located in the South Ari Atoll. Conselho dominates North Ari Atoll. Park Hyatt Hadahaa and Robinson Club are remote options located north of Hobadoo, one of the deepest atolls in the Maldives. If you’re on a tight budget, try Biado Island Resort in the Southern Atoll.
04. Dive into Coral Reefs and learn about Sea Creatures
The Maldives are one of the best diving destinations in the world. Get up close and personal with abundant marine life, including sea turtles, eels, and the rare whale shark. A variety of rock formations and deep waterways offer exciting diving opportunities.
If you’re serious about diving, booking a boat tour is best. These luxury yachts will take you to some of the most remote reefs and explore places Maldivian resorts can’t reach. The greatest months to go diving are January through April. However, most live boards operate from November to May. The top options are Carpe Diem Maldives and Maldives Mosaic.
Banana Reef in the north of Male atoll was the first dive site discovered in the Maldives and is still very popular today. Some of the surrounding islands are Falkolofushi, Full Moon, and Kurumba.
The stunning inland reef at Angsana Ihuru in the northern Atoll has its shipwreck, the Rannamari.
Ari Atoll (one of the largest atolls in the Maldives) has many popular dive sites and is visited by most dive boats. The area also has several dive centers and resorts that offer diving tours. Maaya Thila in the North Ari atoll is particularly famous and is one of the best spots for swimming with sharks. South Male Atoll is less developed than North Male Atoll, but the dive sites there are just as good, and whale sharks are there year-round. All of these resorts are highly rated for diving on TripAdvisor.
If you want to stay at a resort but have access to remote dive sites, COMO Maalifushi is the only resort in the pristine Thaa Atoll, home to 66 islands and diverse marine life.
Are you looking for a cheap independent diving company? Try Passions Maldives Dive School or Maafushi Dive & Water Sports on the residential island of Maafushi (the heart of the independent travel scene).
05. Spotted Solphin
The Maldives is not only known for diving and snorkeling. It is also known as one of the top dolphin destinations in the world. Dolphins are everywhere in the Maldives. They are very friendly and have been learned to swim up to tourist boats. They may pass your blue villa!
Many resorts in the Maldives offer dolphin-watching trips as part of the standard guest experience. However, it does not guarantee to view it. For maximum exploration chances, head to the lesser-known area of Mimo Atoll and its Murray Strait (with a famous 85% success rate). There are only two resorts in this area, Medhufushi Island Resort, and Hakura Hula.
Located in the South Male Atoll near Male, the beautiful COMO Cocoa Island is close to popular dolphin spots. We offer dolphin sunset cruises. If you’re on a budget, opt for a dolphin-watching cruise offered near Biado Island Resort.
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06. Enjoy Water Sports
A variety of water sports are possible in the Maldives. Kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, surfing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, you name it. Many resorts offer these activities for free.
For an adrenaline rush, the Four Seasons Hotel Landa Jiravaru and the Lily Beach Resort are two resorts in the Maldives that will take you out of the water.
The extreme Maldives at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on Furanafushi Island offers a wide range of water sports and is well maintained. Alternatively, some inhabited islands near Male, such as Maafushi, have independent water sports companies.
07. Catch the Wave
You can even catch waves in the Maldives! Most of the famous surf breaks are located around Male. The surfing season lasts from March to October, with high waves from June to August.
Atoll Adventures offers surfing packages to Cinnamon Dhonveli on Falcolfushi Island in North Male Atoll. With private access to Pasta Point Surf Resort, the most sustainable break in the area. The resort has a program designed specifically for surfers and only allows 30 surfers at a time.
08. Surfing Area
Louis Surf Break is a popular alternative in North Atoll. Its name is derived from the island of Lohifushi (now Hodharanfushi). This island is considered the main surfing island of Maldives. Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi is recognized as one of the leading surfing resorts in the Maldives and offers unique surfing packages. Due to booming popularity, accommodation is limited to 45 surfers.
The surfing scene at Hula Island in Male’s northern atoll is also bustling, with numerous surf breaks available and numerous guesthouses offering budget accommodation. Famous rest stops include Sultans, Honky’s, and Chickens. The Four Seasons Resort Maldives in Kuda Huraa has an in-house surf school with Australian instructors.
09. Touring around the Maldives
Want to spend only some of your time at a resort in the Maldives? Boat cruises are popular, with options ranging from sunset cruises on local dhoni to longer overnight or multi-day trips on luxury yachts.
Many resorts have boats for guests to use. The Four Seasons Explorer is one such boat that doubles as a floating resort. Yacht Maldives also offers private charters. If you want to join a group, G Adventures offers a 7-day Maldives Dhoni Small Group Cruise from Male to Male. Airbnb also has options for boat rentals.
In addition, it is possible to visit luxury resorts in the Maldives on day trips such as Maldives cruises. Maldives Cruises also offers affordable boat cruises.
10. Being able to visit beautiful Mosques, Museums, and Street Markets
Male, the capital of the Maldives, is packed into an island of about 2 km2 (1.25 sq mi). It is one of the smallest capitals in the world. Most visitors bypass it and see the country’s uninhabited islands as idols, though culture vultures will find it an exciting place to explore. There are mosques, museums, and markets. And the compact size of the Marais means that the walk takes only a few hours.
The National Museum provides an insight into the country’s heritage. Its collection includes royal antiques, artifacts, coins, photographs, and other memorabilia of the Sultanate era. The throne, palanquin, and statues are prominent. This museum is located in Sultan Park, which was a part of the Sultan’s Palace. The National Gallery is also located in this complex.
The Great Friday Mosque of the Islamic Center is the largest in the Maldives. Opened in 1984, it has a modern simple white marble facade and golden dome. It contrasts with the historic Old Friday Mosque (Hukur Miskiye) and the nearby cemetery. The oldest mosque in the Maldives dates back to the 17th century. In particular, this mosque is built using coral stones. You have to go inside to appreciate its beauty. Menu Ziyaalai, the tomb of Abdul Barakat Yusuf Al Berberi, a Moroccan who introduced Islam to the Maldives.
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