There’s no better tropical hotspot to chillout and unwind in than the Maldives. They may not be known as an adrenaline-fueled destination however, many of the 200+ Maldives resorts offer up way more than just squishy sun loungers and sun-bleached hammocks. Most Maldives resorts provide a generous selection of facilities, amenities, activities and excursions that entertain and inspire even the most restless of souls. From private dinners on deserted sands banks to sunrise morning yoga classes, read on for some of our favourite things to do in the Maldives.
Hit the Spa
If you are going to the Maldives on vacation, then you have to check out the spa at least once on your trip – that’s the rules. Maldives resorts will often offer up a variety of uber indulgent treatments, such as aromatherapy massages, luxury manicures, and facials than will leave you with a dewy glow. A spa visit in the Maldives is a pretty magical experience.
One of our favourite spas is located in Tripadvisor’s top ranked resort, Milaidhoo Island. Here they have four treatment rooms which overlook the bluer-than-blue lagoon. The couples massage package is a decadent treat, and involves massages, facials, scrubs, a couples flower bath and herbal teas. They also offer a more unusual range of treatments which have been inspired by African healing therapies. If you’re intrigued by the Milaidhoo Island Resort, then you can check out more of their spa offerings here. Click here for the latest rates on a stay at Milaidhoo Island Resort.
Eat all the Food
Let’s not kid ourselves, a holiday to the Maldives means that you are going to be eating a lot of food. Breakfasts are usually buffet style and include everything that you can dream of wanting – from fluffy scrambled eggs to exotic fruits and buttery European pastries. Lunches can be enjoyed by the gentle sounds of the lapping ocean, while dinners can be everything from 10-course degustation testings and vegetarian feasts, to dining underwater or a candlelit dinner for two under the light of a thousands stars.
Many of the resorts here offer all-inclusive packages, which means that all of your breakfast, lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks are included in the price. So yes, expect to be eating a lot. But that’s great, because you’re on the holiday of a lifetime and the Maldives food is likely to be exceptional, so make the most of it and eat all you can! If you’re worried about putting on the pounds, then please don’t be. There are plenty of ways to stay fit while on vacation here, and we reveal them below.
Learn to Scuba Dive
One of the highlights of any stay in the Maldives is exploring the rainbow-colored, marine-life-filled underwater world. The Maldives are hailed as having some of the best diving spots in the world. Here you’ll find all sorts of creatures, including turtles, dolphins, rays, eels, friendly sharks, and even Nemo!
Many Maldives resorts have a dedicated PADI center, where trained professionals will take you out on a scuba diving trip. Often, they will have short courses available for nervous first-time divers, as well as more advanced dive options for long-time pros. If you feel at home in the underwater world, then you may want to opt for a night dive. When diving in the dark ocean you’ll see a lot more creatures that only like to make an appearance at night. It’s an incredible experience (if you’re brave enough), and one that you’ll remember for years to come.
Go Snorkeling
If you’re not set on scuba diving, don’t worry! There is another way that you can view the seascape, and that is by snorkeling. Many of the Maldives resorts will have a house reef which is located just a short swim (or even a waddle in the ocean) away from the beach. These house reefs will be filled with neon corals and friendly fish, just waiting to be admired. The resort will be able to offer you a snorkel for hire, as well as flippers if you wish. Something to remember is that coral is a living creature too, and it should never be stood on (which can happen accidentally with flippers), so be careful when you are out snorkeling in the sea. Most Maldives resorts will also put on a snorkeling trip, or be able to arrange private snorkeling tours for you if that’s your thing.
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Another option that may be hard to find but still is possible if you plan your trip right, is to go underwater walking. This is an unusual way to checkout the underwater life, and it involves placing on a larger clear helmet (kind of like an astronaut one but transparent). This helmet is attached to an oxygen supply, and it allows you to be able to breathe underwater and then you can actually walk along the ocean floor. It’s a great option for those who may be scared to dive but want to get that feeling of breathing under the water.
Head to the Gym
If you’re a gym bunny then you can make use of the huge array of fitness equipment that can be found in many Maldives resort gyms. Most gyms comes fully stocked with everything that you need to workout including weights, treadmills, bikes and bench presses. Another plus is that most are also open around the clock, so you can still get your fix if you are an early riser, have jetlag or just too much energy at night. Even if you’re not the gym kind, you may still want to check out the facilities on offer. Many gyms will have spectacular panoramic oceans views, so working out can be a very different experience from heading to a drab gym back home.
As well as the gym, many resorts will put on a range of exercise classes for you to choose from. One of the most popular classes to take in any Maldives resort has to be a yoga class. These will often be held in the morning in some form of an outdoor shala, often that is on stilts in over the water. You may be lucky and have a resort that also offers Sunset yoga, where you can do tree pose while watching the blazing sun descend over the glittering Horizon. And if you’re staying in a mega family resort like the One and Only Reethi Rah, then you can have access to your own a private yoga teacher who can come and listen to your needs and create classes that are designed just for you. Some teachers will offer full meditation classes to guess. Other classes can include Tai Chi, Karate, Hiit, Crossfit, Pilates and even dance classes.
Some Maldives resorts will have things like large tennis courts, volleyball courts and beach volleyball, football fields, swimming pools and lanes designed for laps rather than just splashing around, and squash courts. Of course, what you will find on your island depends on the type of resort that you choose to go for. If staying fit is high priority to you, then go for somewhere such as Centura Grad Resort. Click here to see more photos and get the latest deals on Centura Grand.
Take Time to Tee-Off
Do you love golf? You probably thought that a Maldives resort wouldn’t be the place to go and play a few rounds, but there are several resort that offer this sport. Out favourite is on Kuredu Island Resort. This resort has its own golf club, golf pro and golf bar. Here, you can find a full-sized driving range, a 6-hole par three course and a putting green that is surrounded by lush tropical jungle. You can play in the daytime, or for a more unusual (and cooler) experience, you can play at night.
A head PGA pro lives on site, and offers golf lessons for all ages. Group or personalized golf sessions are available too. There is also a golf bar where you can enjoy a handcrafted mojito after a round of golf on the greens. Click here to see more pics and grab the best deals on Kuredu Resort.
Go Dolphin Watching
Dolphins frequent the warm Maldivian waters, and the best way to spot them is to go out on a dolphin watching trip. Many of the larger resorts can arrange this for you, and they can even put together a private cruise complete with sunset dinner and champagne. it’s a magical experience to behold these creatures which will quite often swim alongside the boat and put on a show for guests.
Test out the Watersports
Another thing to do in the daytime the Maldives is to hit the water sports center and try out the selection of goodies on offer. Many will rent kayaks that you can use to paddle around the entire island that you are staying on (depending on the size, obviously). Some Maldives resorts rent out transparent kayaks, which allow you to view the marine life below. If you don’t have access to one of these and you can also just bring along a snorkel and pop your head underwater that way.
Other water sport options include things like kitesurfing, sailing, catamaraning and tube rides. Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is also becoming increasingly popular, and some spots even offer SUP yoga out on the board on the ocean, which requires a lot of balance but will have you will be in fits of laughter. It’s worth noting that motorized water sports are not offered by many of the Maldives resorts. This is because they can be rather noisy for guests trying to lounge on the beach and soak up the silence. But there are often so many other options to choose from that you won’t miss the jetskis.
Indulge in Some R&R
Let’s not forget the number one reason why many people choose to travel to the Maldives, and that is to really soak up that super chilled, laid-back Island life. Modern day life back home can be incredibly hectic: We are always on the move, and always have things to do. The Maldives provide a chance to get away from all that and simply indulge in being rather than doing. There are plenty of ways that you can kick back and relax while on your Maldives vacation. One of the simplest is to bask on your private sunlounger and enjoy the surroundings, or read a good book or listen to your favorite podcast.
Photo credit: www.travel2-us.com
Another, is to make it your mission to scout out the best hammock spot on the island, and then spend a good couple of hours swinging underneath a palm tree.
You can always reenact that scene from castaway. You know, the one with the volleyball called Wilson that was Tom Hanks best friend. Okay, maybe that’s taking it a little too far! But the truth is the Maldives are so achingly, heart-piercingly beautiful, that you’ll never have a dull moment.
If you’re traveling with children then it’s a wise idea to pick a resort that really goes above and beyond to make sure that kids are both welcomed and kept entertained. Quite often you’ll be able to find a kids club that’s packed full of games and other fun things to help keep them occupied. There will also have babysitters available, who can look after your children while you and your loved can enjoy a candlelit dinner and some much-deserved alone time.
If you’re thinking of booking a stay at one of the Maldives resorts, and want somewhere that has a huge range of facilities and activities, then we can recommend both the One and Only Reethi Rah as well as the Centara Grand.
You can also swot up on your Maldives knowledge with our best time to visit the Maldives article as well as this one which offers some stellar advice on everything you need to know before you go. Happy travels.
