Joanna James
Often described as one of the last remaining paradises on earth, the Maldives is a beach Mecca like no other. Here are some of the most enjoyable things to do during a holiday in this breath-taking corner of the world.
With so many breath-taking coral reefs and fish species occupying its waters, the Maldives is the perfect location to enjoy a snorkelling tour. Visitors do not need any prior experience or even the ability to swim to sign up for snorkelling adventures as most house reefs in the resort islands are fantastic snorkelling locations in their own right.
Diving deep onboard an air-conditioned submarine, visitors based in the Maldives can experience a once in a lifetime view of the Maldivian seabed from the comfort of their underwater vessel. Setting out from Male, the tour, which lasts around 45 minutes, gives travellers an in-depth look at the whale sharks and other species occupying the shipwrecks and reefs below the ocean's surface.
As one of the region's most popular destinations for spa holidays and retreats, no trip to the Maldives would be complete without indulging in therapeutic treatments at a local spa. Using traditional Ayurvedic remedies and spa techniques as well as popular Swedish, Balinese and Thai massage therapies, a spa day in the Maldives offers guests the chance to relax and unwind in style.
Whether you are based at Reethi Faru Resort or any other resort hub, scuba diving is one of the top things to do in Maldives. This is due to the large number of excellent dive sites located in the archipelago as well as the ideal weather conditions that prevail in the archipelago for most of the year. From Banana Reef and HP Reef to Manta Point and countless shipwrecks, diving fans will marvel at the sheer variety of dive sites in this island nation.
Having been a surfer's paradise for decades, a vacation in the Maldives is also a great opportunity to try one's hand at wave riding. With surfing hotspots suitable for beginners as well as seasoned surfers located within close range of most resorts, tourists need not venture far to find point breaks and waves that are a perfect match to their skill level.
The Maldives is one of the best spots in Asia to go on a whale and dolphin spotting safari as these magnificent creatures occupy this area of the Indian Ocean for most of the year. Setting out in the wee hours of the morning or late in the afternoon (depending on your tour package), travellers can catch a glimpse of the world's friendliest mammals in their natural habitat.
Home to not just one but three underwater restaurants, the Maldives can rightly be called a hub for "submerged" dining. The Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Subsix and S.E.A offer tourists the chance to wine and dine while marine life swims past their dinner table that's quite literally contained in an underwater setting.
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.
