5 Best Things to Do in the Maldives – Awesome Tropical Escapades

Banana Reef is one of the world's top scuba diving locations. It is the first dive location to put the Maldives on the international scuba diving circuit. Located close to the North Male Atoll, Banana Reef is named thus because it is shaped like a banana. The area is home to several reefs, over-hangs and a multitude of soft coral. Towards the middle of the reef is an overhang influenced by strong currents. And it is there you can see the myriad of ocean life Banana Reef is famous for. Snappers, sweetlips, fusiliers exist there as well as reef sharks, triggerfish hiding in caves and lots more. Choose to stay at resorts similar to Saii Lagoon Maldives and enjoy indulging in the best things to do in Maldives, which include scuba diving and a variety of other water sports.

As strange as it sounds for an archipelago of over 1000 islands to have a manmade island, the Maldives has some. The most popular is Hulhumale, which has given the overcrowded capital island of Male some extra space. Connected to the mainland via a causeway, Hulhumale was made from sand and coral dug up from the house lagoon. Go there to join local Male families on snorkelling and diving expeditions, to enjoy tea on sandbanks, and to savour laidback island vibes.

That's right! In addition to artificial islands, the Maldives has an artificial beach too. This one is located on Male, which, due to overcrowding, lacks beach space. Located on the eastern edge of Male, this is the only beach available for swimming. Protected by the breakwater, Male's artificial beach is a popular haunt for the locals. Go there to enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere, swim in the Indian Ocean, and enjoy sultry island vibes. Make sure to wear conservative beachwear as this is a public beach and you must be mindful of the conservative customs.

It would be a shame to leave the Maldives without a taste of the culture. As an Islamic nation, the islands are rich in history and heritage. The oldest mosque on the archipelago is Hukuru Miskiiy or the Old Friday Mosque. Established in 1658, this mosque is built from pink coral. The intricate woodwork consists of Arabic lettering while in the adjoining cemetery are the graves of past sultans, kings, queens and national heroes.

While an all-inclusive Maldives island resort is the perfect answer to an amazing tropical holiday, you must try to experience other islands too. Island-hopping tours will be organised by your resort in the Maldives. On these tours, you will be taken to isolated islands for picnics on the soft sand and swimming in secret coves. Next, visit the local islands to see how the simple islanders live. Chat to the locals and experience their way of life.