Joanna James
The Maldives is not only a tropical paradise where you can spend your days lazing on secluded shores, but also take part in exciting water sports. From thrilling activities on the waves to intriguing discoveries underwater, here’s a glimpse of some of the best water-based activities you can try.
If you have a love for speed, then you will enjoy jet skiing in Maldives; while this watercraft can reach significant acceleration, the relatively calm waters that surround the islands provide a vast playground to explore. You can typically ride tandem with a skilled instructor who will take you on a ride you won’t forget, while those old enough can look to get the needed training to manoeuvre a jet ski on their own. Some resorts will also offer special jet ski excursions where you can head off to deserted islands and snorkelling hotspots.
Some of the most spectacular natural wonders of this destination can be found beneath the waves, easy to discover when going scuba diving in Maldives. Beach villas aside, some resorts will additionally feature a PADI-certified dive centre, multilingual diving instructors and all the needed equipment to head off on underwater adventures. As you descend to the depths, you will come across a stunning array of corals as well as diverse denizens of the deep; these include everything from swift moray eels and majestic manta rays to huge whale sharks and stealthy nurse sharks. For something different, you can try night diving too!
Snorkelling is easily one of the most popular water sports here since it can be tried by the entire family and no prior experience is needed. Resorts like VARU by Atmosphere make it even easier to enjoy by offering complimentary snorkelling equipment and unlimited snorkelling excursions in their all-inclusive plans as well. While you can expect to see colourful coral and fascinating reef fish, you do get special trips to spot specific marine life too; these can include reef sharks, nurse sharks, sting rays or turtles in their natural habitat.
While these are technically two water sports, they are often grouped together because they are very similar; while one requires you to be standing up and the other in a seated position, they both feature paddles for manoeuvring and make for great cardio workouts too! Apart from offering great ways to explore the waters surrounding an island, these activities also provide an ideal way to see marine life in the crystal-clear water below. Some resorts will also offer stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking as part of the complimentary non‐motorised water sports in an all-inclusive plan which is another reason you should opt for such packages.
When it comes to family activities in Maldives, one of the most thrilling water sports both young and old can enjoy together would be a banana boat ride which is a perennial favourite. This activity does not require any prior experience either; after donning a lifejacket, you and your loved ones will have to straddle a long inflatable (often shaped like a banana) and hold tight. The inflatable will be pulled along by a speedboat but don’t expect a slow experience; you will be taken on an action-packed ride bouncing and skidding across the water at exhilarating speeds that will have you screaming in delight!
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.
