9 Fun Things To Do in the Maldives

Think the Maldives are just about lazing on the beach? Think again — from snorkelling to yoga, there’s so much to do on these stunning islands.

The best honeymoon spot. The most beautiful islands in the world. The greatest beaches on the planet. It seems the Maldives wins these awards so often that inhabitants greet the news with a sense of “what else is new?” as they gaze at yet another jaw-dropping sunset.

But when it comes to Maldives attractions, there is both style and substance. This destination is about so much more than just eye-candy beaches. There’s a wealth of unique, exciting things to do in the Maldives. Ready to dive in?

Beaches in the Maldives are gorgeous — that’s a given. But they become something even more beautiful between May to June. Why? Because in this period, turtles undergo their most active nesting season, swimming ashore to lay eggs on the beach.

A few months later, between July and August, the frenzied hatching season begins, and swarms of cute baby turtles head for the sea. 

Did you know? There are seven sea turtle species in the world. And five of them can be found in the Maldives!

Visiting this aquatic paradise without knowing how to dive might have you feeling like, well, a fish out of water. Not to worry. You can still get close to marine life, while remaining dry as a bone.

That’s thanks to Whale Submarine, a tour experience that bills itself as the only passenger submarine in Southeast Asia. The tour, which kicks off from Male, sees you submerging to 45 metres in prime coral reefs.

Once there, the sub’s exterior lights mean that you can view lion-fish, yellow box fish and turtles in all their glory. Other sites even include shipwrecks and underwater caves.

If you find a normal dive session fun but want to inject some extra magic, go scuba diving in the Maldives — at night.

The best time to dive in the Maldives is between January and April, before the wet season starts. But the best time of day to dive may just be after the sun sets. You will see a whole new side to marine life: the nocturnal side.

Want to spy on nurse sharks as they feed in their dozens, or peer at coral lighting up the dark water with their fluorescence, like an aquatic disco? Then a night dive is for you.

Snorkelling in the Maldives is a perfect opportunity to interact with nature like never before. Fulfil your fantasies of becoming the host of your own wildlife show by trying to spot the local Big Five sea-life species.

Wave at a wise-looking sea turtle. Gaze at the slow-moving majesty of an eagle ray. Say hi to a manta ray. Be awed by a whale shark, the biggest fish in existence. And chuckle at the antics of playful dolphins. Note: while whale shark season in the Maldives is pretty much all year, the animals migrate to different areas. You can even download an app from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

If you manage to snap a photo of a particular whale shark, just upload it and the app can recognise the unique markings of the individual, and share its movements, vital stats and “name” with you.

The best beaches in the Maldives don’t just offer gorgeous views, but beautiful memories too. And what better way to fire up romance than to treat your partner to dinner as you wiggle your toes in the sand?

At the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru resort, you can dine al fresco, with the sound of waves in your ears and the stars overhead. Or just watch the skilled chefs as they prepare a fab four-course dinner right before your eyes.

It’s often overlooked, but the capital Male is an intriguing place to visit in the Maldives. Yes, it is quieter than what you might experience at your resort, but there are still interesting things to do here. Like the noisy spectacle of the island’s Fish Market, for one.

Eyeball massive whole tuna, glistening octopus and more, pulled fresh from the turquoise waters just hours before. And if the wriggling sea life gets a bit much, walk a few blocks to the produce market, brimming with bright bananas and delicious papayas.

Even a super-quick jaunt to this area is a great way to get a feel for real Maldivian life, beyond the resorts.

Step away from your average yoga session back in the real world: the Maldives is the perfect opportunity to take your standing tree pose up a notch or three. Many Maldvies hotels and resorts offer classes either on a beach or a platform right above the water. 

Head out on a traditional dhoni fishing vessel and catch your own dinner like a local. Should you come back empty-handed after chugging around the islands of the Maldives, no worries. Your Maldives resort will have you sorted with gourmet waterfront dining.

In 1999, the ship Rannamaari sank to a depth of 26 metres. In doing so, it became the only shipwreck in the Maldives that also sits on a house reef.

Nowadays, the wreck is swarming with moray eels, nurse sharks and scorpion fish. Visit the Dhawa Ihuru resort and you too can explore this unusual site for an unforgettable dive.