Things to do in Maldives – Make the Most of Sun Sand and Surf

The Maldives has some of the best scuba diving locations from across the globe. It is a sought after destination for it warm tropical waters, abundance of marine life and beautiful coral gardens. The archipelago offers endless diving opportunities infused with adventure and explorations. Dive through underwater channels, explore overhangs and watch out for elusive creatures such as whale sharks. Enjoy the thrill of wreck diving, swim with the dolphins and dodge the turtles. The possibilities are endless and utterly thrilling.

Expounding on the topic of diving in the Maldives a visit to Manta Reef must be noted. The place is close to a channel that brings in loads of plankton along a powerful current; this in turn attracts the giant Manta Rays who consider this their personal feeding grounds. Best times to visit are between December and April when the northeast monsoons drive plenty of plankton from the atolls across the channel.

Snorkelling is the easiest and most interactive water sport in Maldives. Able to be enjoyed as a family the only skills required are the ability to swim. You can book a snorkelling tour from your Maldives hotel and get taken out to hidden coves and glistening bays for uninterrupted snorkelling fun. The islands are surrounded by an abundance of treasures waiting to be explored; best of all many of the luxury Maldives resorts located over coral reefs offer one the satisfaction of simply slipping into the water right from their ocean villas. The North and South Ari Atoll close to the diving resort Kandolhu Island Maldives is one of the most popular sites for both snorkelling and scuba diving.

Getting away from the ocean you can enjoy the warm sunny weather by savouring a bit of history; visit the centuries old Friday Mosque better known locally as Hukuru Miskiiy. Dating back to 1656 this is the country's oldest mosque made up of beautiful pink coral walls, intricate wood carvings and Arabic scripts on the walls. There are intricate panelling's to admire within the structure and most famous is the 13th century panel done in commemoration of Islam being introduced to the islands. The mosque curiously is built to face the setting sun in the west and not Mecca which is in the northwest; due to this a stripped carpet is laid out in the prayer hall for devotees to know which side to face when praying.

The National Museum is located within an unattractive modern building; it is however a huge contrast to the cultural and historical treats located within. A visit to the museum is recommended to all culture buffs for savouring a marvellous collection of historical artefacts. Starting from the Maldives Medieval era to pre-Islam periods and beyond the faculty offers well chronicled displays to admire.