excursions to do in maldives

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1. 4 Hour Highlights of Malé Walking Tour

2. Sandbank, Snorkeling, Dolphin Cruise, Picnic, Local Island Tour

3. Maldives Adventure Trip

4. Maafushi: Adaaran club Rannalhi resort day trip

5. 3 Point Snorkeling Safari

6. 3 Hour Male' City Tour with Local Guide

7. Sandbank Snorkeling and Sunset Cruise

8. Full Day Fully Loaded Picnic Experience

9. Multi-Day Maldives Island Hopping Tour

10. Private Male City Walking Tour with optional Vilimale tour

11. Maafushi: Ship wreck & Nurse shark snorkeling with Dolphin watching

12. Maldives Full Fun Adventure Trip

13. Maafushi Parasailing Experience

14. Honeymoon on Maldives

15. 2-Hour Maldives Submarine Tour From Male

16. Discover Maafushi in 4 Nights 5 Days (Tour A)

17. 4-Night Maldives Guided Local Experience from Male' Airport

18. Maafushi: Gulhi Island Full-Day Tour By Jet-ski

19. Half Day Private Sunset Fishing Tour in Maafushi With Bbq Dinner

20. Maafushi: Discover Scuba Diving in Maldives (for Beginners)

21. Underwater photoshoot in Maldives

22. Full Day Maldives Adventure

23. Half-Day Original Eco Tour to Villimale From Malé

24. Full Day Male' Walking Tour

25. Maafushi: Snorkeling in Maldives half day trip

26. Local Island Day Trip from Hulhumale

27. Ukulhas Tour D - Whale Shark Snorkeling & Coral Garden Tour

28. The Best Of Maldives For Solo Traveler

29. 4 Hour Private Sports Fishing Charter in Maldives

30. Dolphin Cruise in Dhiffushi

What travellers are saying.

• Sandbank, Snorkeling, Dolphin Cruise, Picnic, Local Island Tour
• 2-Hour Maldives Submarine Tour From Male
• 4 Hour Highlights of Malé Walking Tour
• Private Male City Walking Tour with optional Vilimale tour
• 3 Point Snorkeling Safari
• DivePoint Rannalhi
• Family Divers Maldives
• Scubaspa Maldives
• Euro-Divers LUX South Ari Atoll
• Euro-Divers Dhigali
• Papa Fish Excursions
• Euro-Divers Club Med Finolhu Villas
• Euro-Divers Club Med Kani
• Island Divers
• Secret Paradise Maldives
• Dive Club Furaveri
• Dharavandhoo Divers
• Rasdhoo Dive Club
• Atoll Scuba
• Big Blue Divers Rasdhoo

8 top things to do in the Maldives beyond your villa

Feb 16, 2024 • 6 min read

Go beyond the walls of your luxury resort in Maldives by visiting a “local island” like Maafushi © Vitaly Khodyrev / Shutterstock

It’s time to bust the myth that there’s nothing to do in the Maldives apart from sipping rainbow-hued cocktails, snapping beachfront selfies and sprawling on chaise longues.

Don’t get us wrong – we love doing all of these things. But there’s more to this archipelago than just relaxation. The Indian Ocean’s most popular holiday destination offers something for everyone.

Today, in addition to lying out in the sun, the most popular activities in the Maldives include skydiving, art master classes and visits to islands where locals live. Read on to discover the best things to do on your next Maldives getaway.

1. Get a scuba certification

This is an obvious one. The topography of the Maldives’ atolls means the water in which you’ll learn is clear, calm and shallow. The nearest beach is always close by, meaning beginners can head right into the ocean for introductory sessions that would be done in a pool elsewhere. This also means you’ll quickly become accustomed to sharing the sea with a wide range of stunning marine life. And since dive instructors in the Maldives are on longer contracts than freelance instructors elsewhere, you’ll gain an insight into the region’s waters through the people who know it best. The Maldives is also a great place to gain additional qualifications, such as those for technical or shipwreck diving. 

What’s more, resorts are going all-out to offer qualified divers a wider range of experiences. On the Noonu Atoll, for example, Siyam World now offers blue-light diving: night dives with blue illumination that reacts with the fluorescent pigments in certain types of marine life, causing them to glow. 

2. Admire the Indian Ocean’s marine life

Not up to scuba diving? No problem. The Maldives’ waters are teeming with marine life that are just as accessible through other means. Most resorts offer excursions for guests keen to see brightly colored fish up close. At Anantara Dhigu resort, just a short speedboat ride away from Male , you can sign up for marine-biologist-led excursions to see (and swim with, if you’re feeling brave) nurse sharks. Similarly, at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort , close to the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve , guests can join resident marine biologists from the Manta Trust on ray-spotting excursions.

Planning tip: Pack your own fins and goggles if you’re planning on snorkeling – you’ll avoid equipment-rental fees and reduce the risk of having to use ill-fitting kit.

3. Immerse yourself in Maldivian history

A growing number of resorts are paying homage to the region’s heritage by giving visitors the chance to learn about the Maldives’ history. At the Raa Atoll’s Cora Cora Maldives , guests can visit the Dutch Onion Museum to admire artifacts found around and near the island – including two ancient, onion-shaped bottles for which the museum is named. Also on display are stone tanks once used to collect rainwater, and which date back to the 12th century.

Similarly, the Heritance Aarah resort on the Raa Atoll has the Maldivian Village, an immersive museum where guests can learn about the region’s earliest inhabitants and life in the Maldives some 4000 years ago.  

4. Dine, drink or detox underwater

There’s little you can’t do underwater in the Maldives. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has an underwater suite for guests who fancy sleeping with the fishes. Several resorts offer swank underwater restaurants, including Hurawalhi Island Resort ’s 5.8 Undersea Restaurant – a spot on most people’s Maldives must-do list.  Niyama Private Islands Maldives is home to Subsix restaurant, where underwater highlights include sea-urchin-like chairs, while  Ozen Life Maadhoo  welcomes diners to take the plunge at its M6m restaurant.

To sip wine that’s been aged underwater (as one does), head to the Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa . For a different kind of indulgence, head to Huvafen Fushi , where you can enjoy one of the resort’s legendary detoxifying treatments in the underwater spa. The large number of options for couples make this a wonderful option for lovebirds searching for memorable (if unusual) romantic activities.

5. Go skydiving

Skydiving is new to the Maldives. In 2023, the enterprising owners of Ifuru Island Maldives resort, which has its own small runway, realized their stretch of tarmac made it the perfect place to set up the Maldives’ first permanent skydiving facility. Currently, the skydiving school is led by world-champion skydiver Will Penny, who has over 21,000 jumps under his belt.

You don’t have to be a resort guest to take the leap. And if you opt for the VIP package, you’ll land next to a table on which you’ll find a chilled bottle of champagne and a selection of canapés.

Planning tip: If you plan on skydiving during your Maldives trip, aim to stay close to Ifuru Island – there are plenty of resorts in the same atoll.

6. Visit a “local” Maldivian island

Believe it or not, not every one of the Maldives’ islands has been taken over by glitzy resorts. Hundreds of them still have vibrant local communities, and many resorts offer guests the chance to visit these villages and to get a sense of the Maldives life beyond the ’gram.

At the Fairmont Maldives – Sirru Fen Fushi , guests can visit a nearby island and clear litter from its beaches. The Cora Cora Maldives offers guests the opportunity to visit an island abandoned due to rising sea levels – an excursion that provides sobering insights into the heightened risks faced by these low-lying atolls.

Planning tip: Not all resorts formally advertise a trip to a Maldivian island. Ask if yours can organize private visits to local communities; most are happy to help facilitate such excursions for guests. 

7. Master a new skill

These days, many resorts go way beyond beachfront service, offering such self-improvement activities as art lessons ( Joali Maldives is one of several resorts with an art studio and in-house art teacher), photography master classes or workshops specializing in traditional Maldivian crafts. At  Gili Lankanfushi , on the easily accessible North Male Atoll, guests can try their hand at kajan thatch-roof making, practice speaking Dhivehi bas (the local dialect) and join a Maldivian drum lesson.

8. Adopt your own piece of coral

The Maldives wouldn’t be the Maldives without its stunning reefs, which encircle the islands on which you’ll find the most popular resorts. While these reefs have not always been well looked after, most resorts today have in-house marine biologists tasked with caring for the corals and nurturing newly-planted coral fragments – a process known as coral propagation.

Check out a vast range of coral-related activities, ranging from opportunities to plant and adopt your own coral fragment ( Vakkaru Maldives is one of many resorts to offer this) to underwater master classes led by marine biologists where you can help log details about the house reef surrounding your resort. The best part? Since resorts know that a pristine reef will attract more guests, coral-related activities are often free of charge – making them one of our favorite free activities in the Maldives, too.

This article was first published Oct 20, 2021 and updated Feb 16, 2024.

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Maldives   Travel Guide

Courtesy of levente bodo | Getty Images

11 Epic Things to Do in the Maldives

With 1,190 islands scattered across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, including close to 200 resort islands and 200 inhabited islands, there are plenty of places to explore in the Maldives. Despite the numerous options, most visitors choose to lounge at

• All Things To Do

Maldives Beaches Maldives Beaches free

Many vacationers head to the Maldives solely to relax on the beach – and for good reason. The sugar white sand and striking turquoise water – practically unmatched in its clarity anywhere in the Caribbean – make for the perfect beach vacation backdrop. Every resort island has at least one beach with lounge chairs or salas to relax on. Most also have a "house reef" where you can cool off and admire the marine life.

Some resorts that boast notably beautiful beaches include:

Go scuba diving and snorkeling Go scuba diving and snorkeling

With exceptionally clear visibility of up to 131 feet, an average sea temperature of 85.5 degrees Fahrenheit, bucket-list opportunities to swim with whale sharks and manta rays, and an abundance of marine life, the Maldives makes for a great environment for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many resorts feature a house reef (a coral reef easily accessible from shore), while most also offer snorkeling excursions where a boat and tour operator transport you to even more vibrant reefs around the atoll. Most resorts and many inhabited islands have a dive center, so beginner and seasoned scuba divers alike can enjoy dive trips to the most stunning "giris" (shallow submerged reefs), drop-offs, "thilas" (pinnacles), channels, caves and shipwrecks around the area. With typically a medium to strong current, most dives in the Maldives are drift dives from boats.

Try must-do water sports Try must-do water sports

Your trip to the Maldives would be incomplete if you didn't explore the glassy waters of the Indian Ocean or stick your head beneath the surface to check out the colorful world below. After all, the official territory of the Maldives is 99% water and 1% land, so if you only explore the islands, you're barely scratching the surface.

Snorkeling and diving are the top two activities in the Maldives, with wreck dives, pinnacles, reef walls and channel dives being just some of the options on offer. Swim with dozens of nurse sharks in Fulidhoo, whale sharks at Maamigili and tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah, or check out some of the incredible shipwrecks, such as Kuda Giri. You'll never get bored if you embrace the plethora of water sports available in the Maldives.

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Swim with manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay Swim with manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay

U.S. News Insider Tip: If seeing mantas and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay is on your bucket list, choose a resort in Baa Atoll, such as Anantara Kihavah and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. You'll avoid a lengthy journey and expensive private charter fees. – Sarah Harvey

Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve was created in recognition of the incredible biodiversity of the underwater ecosystem, and Hanifaru Bay is the jewel in this atoll's crown. Hanifaru is a monitored snorkeling site that's renowned for attracting exceptionally high numbers of manta rays. During the southwestern monsoon (May to November), huge quantities of zooplankton become trapped in the horseshoe-shaped bay, creating a kind of zooplankton "soup," which in turn attracts remarkable numbers of zooplankton-loving "megafauna." In peak season, there could be as many as 100 mantas, plus maybe even several whale sharks feeding there. Hanifaru is one of the only places in the world where so many mantas and whale sharks aggregate in such unusually high numbers. 

Authentic cultural experiences Authentic cultural experiences

U.S. News Insider Tip: Many souvenirs are imported from China. Look for souvenirs that are actually made in the Maldives, including thundu kunaa woven mats, striped feyli sarongs, lacquerwork from Baa Atoll and wooden miniature dhonis (boats). Or, check out Authentic Maldives . – Sarah Harvey

Influenced by sailors, traders and other explorers from India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and even further afield over a period of more than 2,500 years, the Maldives is a melting pot of cultures. Prior to the country's official conversion to Islam in A.D. 1153, the Maldives was Buddhist and Hindu. You can see evidence of the Maldives' fascinating past through a number of authentic cultural experiences.

North Malé Atoll North Malé Atoll free

This atoll, also known as Kaafu Atoll, is where you'll find the international airport, the capital city, plenty of popular dive sites, several "guesthouse islands" and more than a dozen resorts. A lot of people incorrectly refer to Velana International Airport as "Male airport" (and confusingly, it even has the airport code "MLE"), but it's actually located on an island called Hulhule, which is adjacent to Malé. Most visitors don't ever set foot in Malé, and are instead whisked from Hulhule straight to their resort or guesthouse. However, while most visitors aren't sad to skip Malé, the atoll named after the country's capital city is an extremely popular spot to visit.

Visitors who don't want to hop on another plane after a long journey to the Maldives often pick resorts or guesthouses in North Malé Atoll because they know it's a quick speedboat ride to their accommodation. The closest resorts to the airport, such as Kurumba and Bandos, are only 10 to 15 minutes by speedboat. However, the furthest away islands, which could take from 45 minutes to an hour to reach by speedboat, do have the benefit of not being under flight paths and not having the capital city and other urban developments on the horizon, which guests sometimes complain about. What's more, speedboat transfers are also cheaper than seaplane transfers.

Banana Reef Banana Reef

This vibrant site in North Malé Atoll is popular with divers and snorkelers alike. Its name comes from the curved shape of the reef when seen from above. You can admire a wide variety of marine life, including schools of jacks as well as Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, barracudas, snapper, groupers, reef sharks and, if you're lucky and it's the right season, maybe even mantas too.

Divers who visited the site recently raved about the excellent visibility and abundance of aquatic life, while snorkelers liked how easy it was to see the reef, as the shallowest parts are at only about 4 feet.

Maafushi Maafushi free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're looking for an island where you can hang out with other travelers, this one is a great option, although those wanting a more idyllic escape might prefer a less built-up island, such as Fulidhoo or Dhigurah. – Sarah Harvey

Maafushi is the most developed inhabited island in the Maldives when it comes to guesthouse tourism. When guesthouses were first legalized, it was on Maafushi that the first one opened in 2010. Prior to that, it was difficult for visitors to mingle with the average Maldivian and get a sense of what island life was like in the "real" Maldives. Today, Maafushi is home to dozens of guesthouses ranging in size and budget, from simple lodgings to stylish hotels. There are also plenty of cafes, watersports centers and dive centers to keep you entertained.

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Hulhumalé Hulhumalé free

Hulhumalé is an entirely artificial island built over a shallow lagoon adjacent to Malé. Construction began in 1997, and the rapidly expanding island is currently well on its way to doubling in size from the original 1.5-square-mile plot. The main purpose of creating Hulhumalé was to provide more housing for the overflowing capital city, and it remains a largely residential island. However, Hulhumalé also attracts travelers thanks to its dozens of guesthouses (which mostly line the long sandy beach), as well as several watersports centers and dive centers, a skate park and its very own Central Park. You will also find a variety of cafes and restaurants, ranging from Maldivian cuisine at The Maldive Kitchen to international options like Korean Food Zone.

The main reason visitors choose to stay in Hulhumalé is because it's close to the airport. If they arrive to the Maldives at night, it means they can't hop on a seaplane (which only operate during day), so Hulhumalé is a handy pit stop for many. While it's quieter and greener than Malé, it is becoming busier every year, and some parts of it are beginning to look in need of repair. However, the beach strip, which most tourists stick to, is fairly well looked after. The second phase of this land reclamation project is newer, and the buildings and streets are in better condition there. It is separated from the rest of the island by a series of bridges over a small channel of water. 

Huraa Island Huraa Island free

Huraa is a relaxing, friendly and uncrowded island village best known to tourists for guesthouses, snorkeling and surfing opportunities. There are several surf points in the vicinity, but surfing in the Maldives is best suited to intermediate to advanced-level surfers because all of the breaks are coral breaks. There are souvenir shops, cafes, small grocery shops, two dive centers and a football field, but the white sand beaches fringing the island are probably the biggest draw, along with the unique insights you'll get into how Maldivians really live. Guesthouses on the island can also organize day trips and activities, such as sandbank trips and fishing excursions.

Past travelers love the fact that there are only electric vehicles on the island, but say it's still being developed for tourism. Some were disappointed to find that there is no "bikini beach" anymore (a tourist beach where you can wear a bikini, as it's illegal to wear skimpy swimwear on any island that isn't a resort island). However, many said the island was beautiful and they enjoyed exploring the mangrove area too.

Maldives Victory Maldives Victory

The Maldives Victory, a 262-foot-long cargo ship, sunk in 1981 after hitting a reef in North Malé Atoll . Now, the dive site attracts scuba aficionados thanks to the beautiful corals that have covered it, as well as the rich sea life that has made the wreck a sight to behold, including turtles, trevallies, grouper, batfish, pufferfish and lionfish. For macrolife-lovers, there are also nudibranchs on the stern.

The Maldives Victory rests upright off the coast of Hulhule Island, not too far from the southern end of the Velana International Airport runway. Experts say this site is best seen between late May and July. Recent reviewers recommended a penetration dive so you don't miss the marine life inside the wreck and touted it as one of the most thrilling dive sites in the country.

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The 11 Best Things to Do in the Maldives

February 22, 2021 · In: Asia , Destinations , Maldives , Travel Guides

The Maldives is not just a place to spend your days sunbathing on the soft sandy beaches. There is so much to do and explore amongst these islands that you’ll never get bored. Excursions are the best way to do just that and luckily there are plenty of them to choose from. These are the 11 best things to do in Maldives during your vacation. These excursions can be done whether you are staying on a local island in a guesthouse or at a resort. 

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Table of Contents

Stay in a Maldives Overwater Bungalow

Staying overnight in a Maldives water villa is one of the most iconic things to do in this island paradise. Located on most of the resort islands, these stilted Maldives overwater bungalows are private suites situated directly over the ocean.

From your over water villa Maldives you can jump right into the ocean from private steps and snorkel around the house reef. The area surrounding the villas is filled with flourishing marine life and plenty of small reef sharks.

Many of these Maldives overwater bungalows have their own private infinity pool or small hammock hanging over the ocean. The water villas range in price depending on the location, resort and size of the villa.

You can also stay in an all inclusive Maldives resort such as Lily Beach Resort and Spa . The benefits of staying at an all inclusive resort in the Maldives is that the fee includes all alcohol, food and non-motorized water activities. This way you won’t have any major surprises at the end of your stay.

Keep in mind that staying at a resort in the Maldives typically does not include the transfer cost of either a speedboat or sea plane. These costs can be upwards of $200 per person one way depending on how far the resort is from the Malé airport.

Also, check with the resort to see if the 12% goods and services tax is included from the booking rate. There will also be an environmental tax of $6 for resorts and $3 for local islands. This fee will be per person per night. Additionally there is a 10% property service charge for the resorts.

Must Read: Maldives: How to Have an Affordable, Luxury Vacation

Maldives Diving

Scuba diving is one of the top things to do during your Maldives vacation and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some incredible marine life. 

You can either do a shore dive or a boat dive while in the Maldives. Both offer incredible views of the reefs. Typically during a shore dive you will explore around the house reef. Whereas a boat dive will take you out to small reefs within the atoll. 

Depending on what marine life you want to see you should research while atoll you’ll want to be in. The whale sharks can be seen year round in the South Ari Atoll and the mantas are seasonal in the same area. Additionally, there are hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks and thresher sharks which can be seen around different islands as well. Keep in mind that some of these species can be seen year round while others pass through seasonally. 

Even if you aren’t scuba certified you can still dive with certain restrictions. This is called a Discovery Dive and is ideal for people who are interested in diving but don’t want to commit to an open water certification course just yet. During a Discovery Dive you’ll be fitted with a BCD, regulator and weight belt. a one on one dive instructor to a maximum depth of 12 meters (39 feet). Luckily in the Maldives the opportunity for marine life sighting are still incredible even at such a shallow depth. 

Most of the dive shops in the Maldives also offer courses where you can complete your open water certification all the way up to your diver master certification. Can you imagine a better place in the world to get scuba certified?

In addition to dives through the guesthouse or resort, you can also join a Safari boat. This is basically a liveaboard boat that you will stay on the entire time which travels around to different atolls and islands for the daily dives. Most safari boat packages include multiple dives per day, full room and board and transfers if applicable. 

Maldives Private Island- One of the Best Things to do in Maldives

One of my favorite excursions is to head out to a Maldives private island first thing in the morning and stay all day. The small islands are uninhabited and are the perfect place to spend the day soaking up the sun along the white sand beaches. 

Referred to as ‘picnic island’ by the locals, these island vary in size. Some are super small, resembling a large sandbank and some can be quite large.

The best thing to do during a Maldives tour to a private island is to snorkel around the house reef. Here you’ll see tons of marine life which will probably include turtles, spotted eagle rays, reef sharks and a variety of fish species.

A lot of the resorts have their own private islands nearby the resorts. This means you’ll most likely have the place all to yourself. However, some of the guesthouses on the local islands frequent the same uninhabited island so you might have to share it with other guests. Luckily, the islands are large enough that you never really feel bothered by other people anyways. 

Maldives Snorkeling

Snorkeling in the Maldives is one of the best ways to get out and explore the underwater world. There are multiple options for getting out and snorkeling including excursions to different reefs or the house reef. The house reef in the Maldives is basically the reef that surrounds each island whether it be a resort or a local island.

The resorts and local guesthouses have snorkel gear that you can use if you don’t bring your own. The snorkel gear will include a mask, snorkel and fins. Typically snorkeling the Maldives house reef is free while exploring nearby reefs will cost a little bit of money.

Whenever I am in the Maldives I snorkel at least once a day. You will see incredible marine life including rays, sharks, octopus and many species of fish. Make sure that you always go with a local guide while snorkeling (even the house reef) so that you can be safe. The locals understand the currents and will also point out any unique sea life that you may miss!

Swim with Sea Turtles

The Hawksbill sea turtle is the most common species that you will see in the Maldives. However, there is a chance that you could spot one of the other species as well. Unfortunately most sea turtles are on the endangered species list. Therefore, it is important to respect these creatures and help protect them from going extinct.

While in the Maldives you can increase your chances of a sea turtle encounter by taking a specific tour to a nearby reef. Most local Maldivian’s know the location or reef where sea turtles are frequently seen and will take you there on a tour.  

In addition to spotting some sea turtles, snorkel hopping excursions are a great way to explore other nearby reefs. 

Visit a Sand Bank in the Middle of the Ocean

During low tide head to a nearby sandbank to experience one of the best things to do in Maldives. Hidden during high tide, these sandbanks appear when the tide goes out. The Maldives sand banks come in all shape and sizes. It’s especially fun to head out to the sand bank by jet ski!

Just make sure you put your stuff in a waterproof bag if it can’t get wet. The tide can come in pretty quickly and you won’t want to ruin your expensive camera gear!

Must Read: 15 Useful Tips for Planning a Maldives Vacation

Go on a Dolphin Watching Sunset Cruise

Pods of playful dolphins are commonly seen around the open waters in the Maldives. In fact, you have a pretty high change of encountering a group while on one of your daily excursions. However, if you want to head out for a gorgeous sunset cruise around the Maldives then you should definitely do so on a dolphin watching boat ride.

The sunsets in the Maldives are exquisite and you may be lucky enough to witness a pod of dolphins. For your excursion your guide will take you out into the open waters in an area where dolphins are more likely to pass through. While dolphin spotting isn’t always a guarantee there is a very high probability that you will spot some along the way!

Go on a Day Trip to a Nearby Maldives Resort

Staying at an expensive resort in the Maldives may not be possible for everyone’s budget. The good news is that you can cut costs of your trip by staying at a local guesthouse while also getting to enjoy some of the resort amenities.

Select resorts offer a day pass excursion for visitors who are not staying at the resort. Each resort has their own specific fee and details of what is included in the cost. Be sure to find out exactly what is included before you arrive on the resort island so you aren’t surprised with any outstanding fees. Your local guesthouse can set up the day trip for you including the transportation to and from the resort island.

Must Read: Maldives on a Budget: How to Visit the Maldives for Less

Swim with the Whale Shark–One of the Best Things to Do in Maldives

Swimming with the whale shark is one of the top things to do in the Maldives. As year round visitors to the warm waters of the Maldives, the possibility of seeing a whale shark is very high.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea and is a permanent resident of the Maldives. It is a filter feeder that only eats plankton making it harmless for humans to swim with. Whale sharks can reach lengths of 12 meters (~40 feet).

There are two options for visitors to have an encounter with a whale shark: snorkeling or scuba diving. Even though whale sharks are slow moving, they do swim against the current which can make it harder to keep up when swimming with them. It is advised for guests to wear life jackets if they are not strong swimmers.

In the Maldives, the whale sharks are most commonly seen in the South Ari Atoll just outside of the Maamigili Island house reef.

The whale shark is a protected animal and therefore you are forbidden to touch or interfere with it in any way. Like all wild animals you need to respect their space and not get too close.

Snorkeling With Giant Manta Rays

Manta Rays are large, harmless rays that can reach up to 23 feet (7 meters). They are the world’s largest rays and are easily identified by their unique horn shaped cephalic fins that are located near their mouth. Manta Rays are filter feeders and only eat large quantities of plankton.

Manta Rays are completely safe for humans to swim with and are mostly curious creatures. They usually swim in groups and live in tropical waters. The manta ray is commonly seen in the Maldives due to the constant warm temperature of the ocean water.

The Manta Rays tend to travel around in the Maldives meaning that they may not be in the same spot year round. The Manta Rays can be seen on the western side of the Maldives from November to April and on the eastern side from May to October. Of course it is always best to check with your resort or guesthouse. Two of the best atolls for swimming with Manta Rays are the South Ari Atoll and the Baa Atoll.

Go Night Snorkeling

The underwater world becomes a different universe at night. From seeing the bioluminescent plankton to the iridescent colors of certain sea life, night snorkeling offers a unique experience. While jumping into the dark waters can be a bit intimidating at first, your fears will subside as soon as you get your first glimpse of how magical things can look with a different perspective.

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February 27, 2021 at 2:49 pm

These pictures are incredible! Wow. And your underwater shots are unreal. Love it!

February 27, 2021 at 8:15 pm

I cannot wait to eventually get to the Maldives. It looks absolutely beautiful! I love all of these adventures and definitely would want to swim with the sea turtles. 🙂

February 27, 2021 at 9:03 pm

Your photos are so beautiful! Needless to say the Maldives is on my bucket list and you made me want to go even more. I’d love to swim with the sea turtles there, and the resorts look like a dream!

April 22, 2021 at 6:58 pm

Thank you so much! Maldives is easily one of my favorite places in the world! Hope you can make it there and swim with the seas turtles one day!

February 27, 2021 at 9:38 pm

I haven’t been to the Maldives yet! It looks absolutely stunning and I would love to go swimming with the sea turtles.

April 22, 2021 at 6:57 pm

It’s such an amazing country with so much sea life! Really is such a wonderful place to visit!

March 11, 2021 at 4:04 am

The pictures look breathtaking, especially your underwater shots. Maldives is such a stunning place; I would love to visit it someday. And I am going to bookmark this post as it will surely come in handy when we travel there.

April 22, 2021 at 6:56 pm

Oh yes, the Maldives is an amazing country with so much beauty! Hope you can make it there one day!

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The Top 11 Things to Do in the Maldives

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The Maldives conjures up idyllic images of over-water bungalows and pristine beaches. However, visitors are often surprised to find that there are more things to do in the Maldives than what they expected. There's something for everyone, regardless of whether you prefer an active, or inactive, vacation. This makes the Maldives a very versatile destination! Read on to see what activities are popular.

Go Snorkeling

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

The Maldives is made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. Therefore, the snorkeling is naturally spectacular!  All resorts in the Maldives offer this activity.  However, ideally, you'll want to choose an island with an in-house reef where you can go snorkeling directly from the beach (or your over-water villa!) instead of by a prearranged boat trip.

The quality of the reefs does vary. Angsana Ihuru , in North Male Atoll, is regarded by many to have the best in-house reef in the Maldives and the resort can easily be reached by speedboat from Male. In the same area, Fihalhohi Island Resort is excellent.

Other luxury resorts with outstanding in-house reefs and snorkeling are Diamonds Athuruga , Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa , Mirihi Island Resort , and Lily Beach Resort. These are all located in South Ari Atoll. In North Ari Atoll, Kandolhu is excellent. The Park Hyatt Hadahaa and Robinson Club are remote options situated within North Huvadhoo, one of the deepest atolls in the Maldives. If you're on a budget, try Biyadoo Island Resort in South Male Atoll.

Dive to Reefs and Meet Sea Creatures

The Maldives is regarded as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. You'll be able to get up close and personal with an abundance of sea creatures including turtles, mantra rays, moray eels, and rare whale sharks. Varied reef structures and deep channels provide exciting diving opportunities. 

If you're super serious about scuba diving, the best option is to book a liveaboard boat trip. These luxury cruise boats visit some of the most remote reefs and will allow you to explore places beyond the reach of resorts in the Maldives. The optimal time to go scuba diving is from January to April. However, most liveaboards operate from November to May. Top options are Carpe Diem Maldives and Maldive Mosaique.

Banana Reef, in North Male Atoll, was the first Maldives dive site to be discovered and remains very popular. Some islands surrounding it are Farukolhufushi, Fullmoon and Kurumba. 

The superb in-house reef at Angsana Ihuru , in North Male Atoll, has its own shipwreck called the Rannamaari.

Ari Atoll (one of the largest atolls in the Maldives) is home to many popular dive sites and most liveaboards visit it. There are also numerous resorts in the area that have dive centers and offer diving excursions. Maaya Thila, in North Ari Atoll, is particularly famous and one of the best spots to swim with sharks. South Male Atoll isn't as developed as North Male Atoll, but the dive sites there are just as good and whale sharks can be found there throughout the year. These resorts all rate well for diving on Tripadvisor.

If you do want to stay at a resort but have access to remote diving sites, COMO Maalifushi is the only resort in pristine Thaa Atoll, with 66 islands and diverse marine life.

Looking for an inexpensive independent dive company? Try Maldives Passions Dive School or Maafushi Dive & Water Sports on inhabited Maafushi Island (the center of the independent travel scene).

Spot Dolphins

The Maldives isn't just known for its snorkeling and scuba diving. It also ranks highly as one of the world's top dolphin destinations. Dolphins are everywhere in the Maldives. They're really friendly and are frequently known to swim up to tourist boats. They may even swim past your over-water villa!

Many resorts in the Maldives offer dolphin watching trips as part of their standard guest experiences. However, sightings aren't guaranteed. To maximize your chances of spotting some, head to little-known Meemu Atoll and its Muli Channel (the success rate is said to be 85%). There are only two resorts in the area -- Medhufushi Island Resort and Hakuraa Hura.

Closer to Male, in South Male Atoll, luxurious COMO Cocoa Island is situated near a populous dolphin spot. Sunset dolphin cruises are offered. If your budget doesn't extend that far, the dolphin-watching cruise offered by neighboring Biyadoo Island Resort gets good reports.

For travelers who aren't staying at one of the resorts, the dolphin-spotting trips run by Cruise Maldives on Hulhumale Island are recommended.

Enjoy Water Sports

All kinds of water sports are possible in the Maldives. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, wake-boarding, kite-surfing -- you name it! Many resorts provide a selection of these activities for free.

For an extra adrenaline rush, the  Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavar and Lily Beach Resort are two resorts in the Maldives that have jet-blades that will propel you out of the water.

Extreme Maldives at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on Furanafushi Island offers a wide variety of water sports and is well-managed. Alternatively, there are independent water sports companies on inhabited islands near Male, such as Maafushi. 

Catch a Wave

You can even catch a wave in the Maldives! Most of the renowned surf breaks are located around Male. The surfing season runs from March to October, with the bigger swells from June to August.

Atoll Adventures offers surfing packages to Cinnamon Dhonveli on Farukolhufushi Island in North Male Atoll, with exclusive access to the resort's Pasta Point surf break (the region’s most consistent break). The resort has a program designed especially for surfers and a maximum of only 30 surfers are allowed there at a time.

Lohis surf break is a popular alternative in North Male Atoll. It's named after Lohifushi Island (now Hudhuranfushi), which it breaks off. This island is considered to be the main surfing island in the Maldives. Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi has been recognized as the Maldives' leading surf resort and offers special surfing packages. Due to spiraling popularity, a cap of 45 has now been placed on the number of surfers permitted to stay there.

The surfing scene on Huraa Island in North Male Atoll is buzzing as well, due to the large number of surf breaks within easy reach and several guesthouses that provide inexpensive accommodations. Famous breaks include Sultans, Honky's, and Chickens. The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has an in-house surfing school with instructors from Australia.

If you want to escape the crowds, head south. The secluded surf breaks there are best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. Beacons and Tiger Stripes, two of the most powerful waves in the Maldives, are on Huvadhoo Atoll. Addu Atoll (previously Seenu Atoll) has some standout spots too.

More centrally located Thaa and Laamu atolls are also starting to attract surfers wanting to get away from the north. However, accommodations are limited, so you may need to take a surf charter to reach the breaks.

Surf Atoll is recommended for those who are keen to go on a multi-day liveaboard surfing charter trip to various surfing spots in the Maldives.

Cruise Around the Maldives

Don't want to spend all your time at a resort in the Maldives? Boat cruises are a popular thing to do, with various options from sunset cruises in local dhonis to longer overnight and multi-day luxury yacht cruises.

Many resorts have their own boats, which are available for guests. The Four Seasons Explorer is one such boat, which functions as a floating resort. Alternatively, Yacht Maldives operates private charters. If you'd prefer to join a group, G Adventures offers this 7-Day Small Group Maldives Dhoni Cruise from Male to Male. Airbnb has some options for boat rental as well.

What's more, it's possible to visit some luxury resorts in the Maldives on day trips, such as those offered by Cruise Maldives.   Cruise Maldives also operates reasonably priced boat cruises.

Explore Male

Male, the capital of the Maldives, is densely compressed onto an island of about two square kilometers (1.25 square miles). It's one of the world's smallest capitals! Most visitors bypass it in favor of the country's idyllic uninhabited islands. However, culture vultures will find it an interesting place to explore. There are mosques, museums and markets. And, Male's compact size means it only takes a couple of hours to stroll around it.

The National Museum provides insight into the country's heritage. Its collection encompasses royal antiques, artifacts, coins, photos and other memorabilia from the days of the Sultanate. Thrones, palanquins and statues are highlights. The museum is located in Sultan Park, which was part of the Sultan's palace. The National Art Gallery is within the complex too.

The Islamic Center's landmark Grand Friday Mosque is the biggest mosque in the Maldives. Opened in 1984, it has a modern plain white marble exterior and gold dome. Nearby, the historic Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiiye) and graveyard provide quite a contrast. It's the oldest mosque in the Maldives and dates back to the 17th century. Notably, the mosque was constructed using stone made from coral. You'll need to go inside to appreciate its beauty. Medhu Ziyaaraiy, the tomb of Abdul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary from Morocco, who introduced Islam to the Maldives in the 12th century, is in the same area.

Head towards the harbor to see the fascinating local market where fruit, vegetables and freshly caught fish are sold.

The area around Alimas Carnival, next to the Hulhumale ferry terminal, is known for its hip coffee shops and cafes.

If you'd prefer to take a guided tour, Secret Paradise offers comprehensive full and half day Male city walking tours. The Male walking tour conducted by S&Y Tours and Travel is shorter.

Do keep in mind that the Maldives follows strict Islamic practices. So, be sure to dress respectably, covering your legs and shoulders. In addition, women must cover their head with a scarf or cloth to enter mosques. Men will need to wear a shirt and trousers. No t-shirts or shorts.

Island Hop and Visit Local Villages

Due to a change in law, tourism is now permitted on inhabited Maldives islands. Many resorts offer excursions by boat to these islands and fishing villages, where you can interact with local communities and enjoy local food.

And, if you think visiting the Maldives is expensive and perhaps even unaffordable, think again! Tourists can stay in village guesthouses (some of which are quite boutique and attractive) and experience the simple local way of living. Most are close to Male, on islands such as Hulhumale, Maafushi, and Guraidhoo.

Guests at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa have the option of exploring five neighboring islands by bicycle or on foot.

Secret Paradise on Hulhumale Island offers full and half day island hopping tours, plus activities such as cooking lessons and meals with local families. S&Y Tours and Travel on Male is also recommended.

Get a Massage or Spa Treatment

Need to relax and rejuvenate? There's possibly no better place to get a spa treatment than the Maldives, with the soothing ocean as a backdrop. Many resorts in the Maldives have spas. However, some really stand out for their unusual settings. 

The spa at Huvafen Fushi is the world's first underwater spa, with two glass-walled treatment rooms. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa spa is situated on its own separate island, which guests are transported to by boat. Its defining feature is its Night Spa with four special lunar rituals on the beach. If you're a nature lover, don't miss the spa at the Six Senses Laamu . Its cocoon-shaped treatment rooms are made from twigs and branches twined together! Drift Spa at Niyama Private Island Resor t also has a delightfully intimate setting.

Veli Spa at Kurumba wows guests with its lush garden spa, the first spa in the Maldives to feature traditional herbal remedies.

Award-winning Duniye Spa has locations at many resorts in the Maldives.  Other top spas in the Maldives are Talise Spa at Jumeirah Vittaveli , Banyan Tree Spa Vabbinfaru , and Angsana Spa Ihuru.

Peal Sands Hotel is a relatively inexpensive option on Huraa Island. Secret Paradise offers lunch and spa trips there .

Practice Yoga

Yoga retreats are growing in popularity in the Maldives. Secret Paradise arranges reasonably-priced seven day yoga holidays , with twice-daily sessions. A range of yoga styles are practiced.

Some resorts also offer in-house yoga classes, including morning and sunset yoga on the beach, followed by pranayama and meditation. Kurumba Maldives , Baros ,  Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru , COMO Coco Island , and Jumeirah Vittaveli are all known to have decent yoga classes.

Just Relax!

With a view like this, you can't miss spending some time (or a lot of time) soaking up the sun in a strategically placed hammock. It's certain you won't want to move!

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