Joanna James
If you want a holiday full of action-packed thrills and equally engaging underwater discoveries, then plan a holiday to the Maldives! Water sports abound in this enchanting south Asian nation catering to all members of the family and providing plenty of activities to enjoy.
These are two different water sports yet provide similar thrills and fast-paced action for those with a need for speed! Wakeboarding involves being pulled along by a speedboat as you balance on a board similar to that used for snowboarding. Jet-skiing, on the other hand, puts you in control of a personal watercraft and you can just zip along the water to your heart's content.
Being an activity that doesn't require prior experience and which gives you the chance to witness stunning marine life, it is little wonder that snorkelling is one of the best things to do in Maldives. An ideal family activity, it can be easily tried at resort house reefs close to shore. Depending on the resort, you can also look forward to night snorkelling or exploring key attractions like the well-known Blue Hole and Hanifaru Bay where you can even swim alongside manta rays!
For more in-depth underwater discoveries, scuba diving is a must-try activity especially at places like the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Resorts in this atoll the likes of Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences provide training and certification for diving as well as excursions to top dive sites along with nitrox dives and guided night dives. On your adventures, you may spot manta rays, whales sharks, turtles, giant frogfish, ghost pipefish, parrotfish, soldierfish, cleaning wrasses and more.
Two water sports in Maldives that are very similar, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular non-motorised activities worth trying. They can both be enjoyed by young and old alike and provide an ideal way in which to explore a lagoon or the coastline of an island. As you paddle across the water, you may also get a chance to glimpse the colourful marine life beneath the surface; as an added benefit, you will get in an effective cardio workout too!
For those looking to try more modern water sports and want to take flyboarding to the next level, Jetblade experiences await. This unique hydroflight gear by X Jets features a special board that is powered by water into the air and is perfect for adrenaline-junkies in search of extreme thrills. You can go quite high up and depending on your experience level, try some acrobatic manoeuvres and tricks both in and out the water.
Fishing in Maldives is another enjoyable activity and though it may not be fast-paced, doing "battle" with denizens of the deep offers just as much action-packed excitement! While some look to enjoy modern big game fishing when here, not to be missed is a chance to experience more traditional methods. Certain resorts offer sunrise, sunset and night fishing excursions where you will be guided by Maldivian fishermen who will demonstrate how to use and cast your line the traditional way.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
