Joanna James
A country surrounded by a seemingly unending playground of water, the Maldives offers plenty of thrilling activities in the Indian Ocean. From exciting water sports to enthralling excursions, here are some of the best things to do both above and beneath the waves.
If you have a need for speed and are looking to satisfy this desire, then jet-skiing is not to be missed! This jet-propelled vessel zips along the water and you can enjoy the ride by yourself or riding tandem with an instructor. Certain resorts in Maldives offer more than just jet-ski rentals too; depending on the property, you can enjoy various jet ski excursions be it to a secluded sandbank, to areas where you can go snorkelling or even to spots for encounters with manta rays or dolphins.
When it comes to activities in the Maldives, water sports such as snorkelling provide the perfect opportunity to witness a colourful underwater world. No prior experience is required and it can be tried by the whole family including at easy to reach house reefs; when snorkelling, you can look forward to encountering a huge array of species be it clown triggerfish, fusiliers, butterflyfish, palette surgeonfish, octopuses, mantas, sharks or turtles. Featuring an even more unique perspective, some resorts offer night snorkelling excursions which give you a chance to see nocturnal marine life.
The deep seas offer even more marine treasures to discover making diving in Maldives another key activity to try. Resorts the likes of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu have dive centres which not only feature excursions to key areas, but also expert training for beginners along with the needed certification. Places like the Raa Atoll are amongst the best spots for diving and give you a chance to explore intriguing reefs full of vibrant corals and marine life; these include manta rays, grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, groupers and more.
For fishing enthusiasts, one of the best things to do in Maldives it to head out to sea and take on the challenge of catching big game fish. Morning and afternoon fishing excursions are ideal for this and depending on where you head to, you can catch dogtooth tuna, marlin, giant trevally, groupers or sailfish. Some resorts additionally offer the chance to enjoy more traditional fishing experiences; generally, such excursions take place at sunset and feature line-fishing techniques with the option of having your catch being made for dinner the following day.
A great water-based activity to end the day, a sunset cruise is also one of the most rewarding experiences. Depending on the property, you get special cruises on a traditional boat called a "dhoni" along with the chance to snap some unforgettable pictures; this is an ideal way to capture those magical moments when the sun descends to the horizon, painting the skies in fiery hues. Some cruises will also include a complimentary cocktail or glass of wine, while you may even catch glimpses of dolphins swimming wild and free as well.
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