Joanna James
Ranked among the world's leading water sports hubs, the Maldives offers holidaymakers the chance to engage in a host of water-bound activities. Here are five of the best water sports adventures to sign up for during a trip to the paradise isles.
When it comes to thrilling water sports activities, nearly anyone can enjoy in the Maldives; jet-skiing around the coastline is undoubtedly the most popular option available. Accessible through nearly every resort base in the country, the joys of gliding across the water at break-neck speeds is difficult to put into words. Tourists who are adept at driving the vehicle, which has often been described as a motorbike one rides in the ocean, can have a go at it by themselves and race around the coastline. Meanwhile, those who are inexperienced at this activity will be able to ride a jet ski in tandem with an experienced tour operator.
Blessed with some of the most breathtaking underwater landscapes on the planet, it should come as no surprise that the Maldives is among the top scuba diving destinations on the globe. Home to more coral species than found anywhere else on the planet, the sheer biodiversity of the country's ocean floors makes it a treat for avid scuba divers. Manta Point, Banana Reef and HP Reef are just a handful of the countless dive sites in the Maldives where one can spot majestic marine creatures ranging from sharks and manta rays to moray eels and tropical fish species. Wreck divers will also find the shipwrecks found in murky graves beneath the sea bed of the Maldives enticing attractions.
As an activity that's as daring as it is memorable, flyboarding is surely not for the faint of heart. Offering tourists the chance to quite literally fly above the surface of the ocean for a few minutes at a time, this one-of-a-kind water-bound adventure provides panoramic views of the Maldivian coastlines. Visitors who wish to enjoy this activity, however, must time their visit to coincide with the dry season as this is when Maafushi Island and the Lhaviyani Atoll make this particular water sport available to travelers.
Whether one is based at the OZEN Life Maadhoo or any other resort island, one is bound to come across the chance to take part in this wild water-based activity. As one of the few Maldives watersports activities that can be experienced as a group, banana boating involves bobbing along on an inflated boat that's attached to a speed boat. Riders need not be expert swimmers nor have the ability to swim to take part in this fun-filled activity as all participants are made to wear life jackets in case they are thrown out of the boat by accident or some mishap. A single ride lasts a little over twenty minutes and the chief joy of signing up for a banana boating experience is how bumpy and unpredictable the ride is.
Those with a penchant for water sports may also want to try their luck on a waterskiing excursion in the Maldives. This high-speed sport is reserved for those with a specific set of skills although those who are proficient in wakeboarding or surfing can pick it up easily.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
