6   Unusual and Exciting Water Sports Every Traveller Must Try in the Maldives

Banana boating used to be one of the few water sports you could enjoy as a group, that is until fun tubing entered the fray. Although the concept of funtubing is no different to banana boating, the joy of riding on this inflatable tube propelled by a speedboat is no less exciting. As swimming skills are not required, it's also suitable for kids and adults of all ages. The 20-minute ride does require donning water shoes and a lifejacket, however, as the ride can get quite wet and bumpy. The best time to go funtubing in the Maldives is between April and October.

Although scuba diving has long been considered the only way to immerse yourself in marine environments, underwater walking now allows those without a PADI certification or even the ability to swim, the chance to explore the sea bed at their own pace. A special mask that funnels oxygen is all you need to wear to enjoy a stroll on the ocean floor as it is connected to a boat on the surface. The period between January and April is deemed the best time to engage in "sea walks" as the skies and the water visibility are both crystal clear.

While flyboarding may not be for the faint of heart, thrill seekers based at Dhigali Maldives or any similar water villas in Maldives will find this high-flying activity difficult to resist. As one of the newest water sports varieties accessible to holidaymakers, flyboarding is a relatively recent invention. At its core, flyboarding involves mounting a flyboard connected to a jet ski by a hose that's capable of propelling the board skyward in a burst of power. The months between May to October are regarded as the best time to go flyboarding in the Maldives although first-timers should not attempt this activity without wearing the appropriate safety gear.

Jet skis are old news as the Seabob is the latest marine toy rapidly overtaking the ocean's "motorbike" in terms of popularity. Called the SEABOB-Jet, the driving device lets vacationers glide across the waves at high speeds while also allowing them to dive deep beneath the surface of the waves. Although a few practice sessions may come in handy before driving a Seabob on your own, the adrenaline rush of being able to navigate the ocean like a dolphin is the main highlight of this experience.

While it is categorized as an "extreme" water sport, knee boarding is a perfectly safe activity to sign up for provided that you're a decent swimmer. Although the activity is often compared to wakeboarding, what sets kneeboarding apart is that you are strapped to the board in a kneeling stance rather than a standing position.

Replacing the two skis used in waterskiing for one wider ski, mono skiing is a challenging and fun water sports activity anyone with basic swimming skills can try in the Maldives. Although the single ski does take some getting used to, mono skiers can achieve great speeds once they put in some practice time.