Things to Do in the Maldives
Things to Do in the Maldives
Things to Do in the Maldives : Maldives is more than just sun, sea and a sand destination with powder soft shores, the beautiful Maldives Island boasts with plenty of activities, magical sights and experiences fit to each and every traveler on a holiday.
Our guide takes lists the best things to do in the Maldives
- Go diving and snorkeling
Maldives is known as one of the best locations in the world to dive or snorkel, the underwaters host multi-colored tropical fish, sea turtles, manta ray and whale sharks among others. The coral reefs surrounding the Maldives islands host over 1,200 species of life, regardless of your diving or snorkeling experience, expert and passionate instructors will ensure that you get the most of your diving experience in Maldives.
Where to do diving in Maldives
There is a wide range of luxury resorts with fantastic diving facilities set in the Lhaviyani Atoll with its own fully – equipped dive centre, Cocoon Maldvies, these sites offer guests a chance to obtain their PADI Certificate and boast close to 50 dive sites including two shipwrecks and the Kuredu Express known for its shark-watching opportunities.
Ari Atoll is one of the superior diving locations, also known as one of the best for divers consistently getting up close with a great variety of marine life. This spot is popular for photographing the underwater world, if you are keen to exploring yourself. LUX South Ari Atoll is a great base for diving in these waters.
Lankan Manta Point is well known manta cleaning station and is a great location for seeing diverse underwater life particularly the Manta Rays, the best time to go diving at this point is between May – November when cleaner wrasse feed on parasites from the Mantas’ wings. The waters at Lankan Manta Point go as deep as 15 metres deep and more, as you dive in you will be surrounded by rays.
The best places to stay at to be close to Lankan Manta Point are Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Paradise Island Resort & Spa.
- Visit to Malé
Malé is a vibrant, bustling city and a start point for holidaymakers to the Maldives island, it is worth spending a day exploring this beautiful city. Take a walk through tightly packed streets lined with brightly painted buildings that fit together like a game of Tetris.
Malé City is at a size of 5.8 square kilometers making it to easy to get around and explore seeing many sights in shortest period of time.
Things to do in Malé City
Indulge in some retail therapy (shopping)
For the shopping therapy, head to the Chaandhanee Magu shopping area which has many small, locally – owned shops selling various items from antique souvenirs and distinctive jewellery to textiles and clothing.
The fish market is a must visit, you will find hundreds of fresh fish for sale. All these fish are locally caught, though you may end up not buying the fish, it is an interesting spot to look around and see how vendors prepare their catch.
Look out for the golden dome of this incredible religious building built from white marble dominating the Malé skyline, you can visit the mosque outside of prayer times that is between 9 am and 5 pm.
Note – modest dress is required that is trousers and a shirt for men and women should keep their shoulders covered and wear a long skirt or dress.
Visit the tsunami monument
The tsunami monument is a commemorative sculpture looking out over the sea and is a place to stop and take a moment to reflect on the natural disaster that shook the islands in 2004.
- Cool off on a man-made beach
Malé City has two public man – made beaches ideal for cooling down after a day of exploring the markets and cultural sites, visitors should note that Maldives is an Islamic country so you should remain appropriately clothed on the beaches (this means no bikinis). Swimwear and bikinis are of course fine to wear on the Maldives resort islands.
- Book an indulgent spa experience
Rejuvenate your body and soul in a comfort of a relaxing spa while taking in the sprawling powder white beaches, cloudless skies and sapphire waters.
Indulging in a treatment in an over – water spa is a unique experience allowing you to watch the sea life below as you cares are soothed away, the recommendations include the Duniye Spa at Kuredu Resort Maldives and the Ocean Spa at Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives (one of two spas at the resort). Note that the spa credit cames as part of the Ultimate All Inclusive Package at Centara Grand Island Maldives.
- Head out on a watersports adventure
Getting active is a must do at Maldives Island during your holiday, some of the watersports to try out in the Maldives include surfing, parasailing, banana boating, fun tubing and windsurfing.
Where to find the best watersports experiences in the Maldives
The most spectacular places to surf in the Maldives are
- North & South Malé Atolls also known as the Northern Atolls which have become increasingly popular, particularly during the surfing season between March and October.
- The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kudu Huraa boasting an in – house surfing school where the aim is to make visitors able to stand on the board after just one lesson. Some of the water activities available are Jet Skiing, waterskiing, windsurfing and banana rides.
- Seaside Finolhu is an ideal spot for visitors seeking thrills in the water offering various activities such wakeboarding, hydro flights and speedboat boats. Non-motorized watersports include kayaking and catamaran sailing.
- Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the islands
Truly, the sugar-soft sands are the big draw card for most travelers heading to the Maldives, the islands have a picture – perfect beaches worth trying and are photo worth. However, the sands and the beaches are not the only natural wonders in the Maldives islands.
At certain times of the year, an incredible natural phenomenon occurs on the inhabited Vaadhoo or Mudhdhoo island in the Raa Atoll. This happens whenever there is a mass gathering of bioluminescent organisms known as ostracod crustaceans and has become known as the Sea of Stars.
If you are seeking for pure, unadulterated relation on a white – sand beach, head to the resort islands within the Baa Atoll – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The beaches here are considered to be some of the best beaches in the world, spend a day at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru or Best at Travel favourite, One & Only Reethi Rah.
- Go fishing
If you are a keen angler, then Maldives Island is the perfect destination for you. The endless blue sea stretching to the horizon and boasts a bounty of marine life below the waves, always remember that use of nets is forbidden and locals use handlines and raw fish as bait which is a skill handed down from generation to generation.
Fishing is not just an experience, it is a way of life for much of the local population.
For a traveler who wishes to taste their skills, most island resorts offer a number of fishing experience from big game and sunset to handline. You may even have the opportunity to bring your catch such as tuna, snapper and marline which are some of the species living in the waters and have it cooked for you by the chef.
Where to go fishing in the Maldives
The popular destination for fishing in Maldives is the island of Kanifushi in the Lhaviyani Atoll where the 5 star Atmosphere Kanifushi is located, at the tip of the island you will find a large spit of shallow sand flats stretching to the next island where it is possible to wade into the water and practice self – guided fly fishing for giant and bluefin trevally, bonefish and lemon sharks on a catch and release only basis.
For any other marine experience, stay at the Kuredu Resort Maldives and book a night fishing excursion, suitable for both novice and expert trawlers. Cast your rod under the stars and try your hand at tradition Maldivian fishing, using handlines and raw fish as bait. If you are lucky enough to reel in a great catch, you can have the fish cooked to perfection for you the next day.
Makaira Maldives Sport Fishing Charters based in Malé City offers game fishing within the North and South Malé Atolls. The site aims at providing the clients with an exceptional fishing experience using techniques including trolling, popping and jigging.
- Sample the local cuisine
At your island resort, you will enjoy international gastronomic delights from undersea dining to the Maldives’ first vegetarian – only resort. Here are some of our favorite Maldivian dishes.
Mas huni – a typical breakfast dish made from smoked tuna, coconut, onion and chilli served with roti. Fish for breakfast seems to be a straight concept for some but mas huni is popular among the locals in the Maldives.
Freshly caught seafood – with an abundance of fish in the ocean waters, seafood is a staple dish in the Maldives, Tuna is the most common option but you will also be able to try other fish types such as octopus, grouper and smaller fish including mackerel.
Garudhiya – translated as tuna soup is a clear fish broth flavored with curry leaves and chillies, this is a traditional meal served at dinner across the islands of Maldives.
- 8. Entertainment after dark in the Maldives
While in the Maldives, you will enjoy sunny days and chilled out evenings, at the island entertainment tends to be low – key but that doesn’t mean you will run out of things to do once the night falls.
Depending on where you stay on your Maldives Holiday, you can expect to dance at parties, live music, traditional Maldivian entertainment and much more
Popular evening activities in the Maldives
Sunset Cruise – the cruise is one of the best ways to watch the sunset dip below the horizon in the Maldives, aboard a traditional dhoni or catamaran. Many cruises like the one offered at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island include champagne and canapés.
Cultural Performances – Most resorts on the islands host the Maldivian Night where traditional food and drinks are accompanied by a Bodu – Beru band composed of drummers and singers.
Outdoor Cinema – snuggle up under the stars and watch the latest blockbusters or classic movies screening with complimentary popcorn. Six Senses Laamu schedules its cinema under the stars’ three times a week as well as private screenings on request.
Crab racing – pincered critters are placed in a circle and the first to exit it wins, you can play too that is by choosing a crab and if it makes it over the line first you get a prize.
There are many other amazing activities which you can do on your Maldives Holiday such as Island hoping and gazing the stars.
