Joanna James
From snorkelling with whale sharks and discovering tropical fish to paddleboarding and kayaking along the archipelagos’ silent and scenic coasts – adventurous things to do in the Maldives are truly many! Here are the top five!
Growing 20ft long with a life span of 150 years old, whale sharks are the largest fish in the world, and are known fondly as the gentle giants of the Indian Ocean. Whale sharks are filter-feeders and process more than 6, 000 litres of water and munch on shrimp, plankton, and other small fish. To spot and swim with these beautiful creatures, make your way to the island of Dhigurah (which also happens to be home to the longest beach on this island nation). If you are keen on signing up for this magical experience of swimming alongside these gentle giants, do make sure to choose a responsible tour operator who adheres to a code of conduct that protects whale sharks.
The Maldives is home to a whopping 2500 reefs! Most are colourful and functioning reefs that offer excellent conditions for snorkelling. Marine life one will hopefully get the opportunity to observe up close include eagle rays, sea turtles, sharks, sting rays, manta rays to a plethora of tropical fish. Consider snorkelling in the company of a good local guide as they will be able to amplify almost every aspect of your experience – as they will not only act as spotters but also impart and explain valuable knowledge about the rich marine life of this island nation. Maldives luxury resorts the likes of Milaidhoo Island Maldives will be more than happy to arrange for a snorkelling tour in the best reefs in the country upon the request of their guests.
There are numerous conservation projects one can visit in the Maldives to learn what local NGOs are doing to preserve these wonderful marine environments. To do so consider visiting Villimale with an accompanying guide from Save the Beach Maldives to learn about the challenges the Maldives faces from climate change and the role coral reefs play in alleviating them.
The best part of travelling is discovering new cultures and there is truly no better way to do so than by spending time with the local communities. In the Maldives, the iconic boats are traditionally made of the country’s most common tree – coconut wood and are used to serve a multitude of purposes. These include everything from fishing to trading to ferrying people from island to island. There are several islands in the archipelago where one can head to meet Dhoni boat builders and gain insight into how these unique boats are made.
The calm and gin-clear waters of the Maldives make for a smooth and memorable kayaking experience. Dhigurah in particular is a nice area to kayak around and grab the opportunity to drink in the mesmerising views of a beautiful lagoon, possibly catch a glimpse of sea turtles and end the session with an unforgettable sunset!
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.
