Things To Do in Maldives

Granted, lazing on one of the tropical beaches here is guaranteed to leave you feeling pretty relaxed. But it wouldn’t be a once-in-a-lifetime holiday if there wasn’t an added dose of pampering thrown in. As such, you’ll find most resorts come with an ultra-plush spa offering a long list of treatments. And, as it’s the Maldives, only the most luxurious remedies make it on to the list.

This South Ari Atoll gem has a real ace in its pack. It’s got a wraparound house reef, so you can snorkel all the way round the island if you fancy. Beach bums might prefer to stretch out on the white sand – it rivals Johnson’s talc in the powderiness stakes – and gaze at the other islands across the water.

This festival celebrates Mohammed Thakufaanu’s victory over the Portuguese in 1573, which ended 15 years of colonial rule in the Maldives. Make your way to Malé, the capital, for the main hub of activity. You’ll spot people marching down the streets waving the Maldivian flag, and parades of people in national dress – a white top and sarong for men, and a brightly-coloured Dhivehi Libaas dress for women.

There’s no shortage of shady spots on this long, skinny island in North Ari Atoll – one whole side is packed with trees. On the other side, you’ll find a white sandy beach, a top-notch lagoon, and watersports including windsurfing and sailing. Plus, the house reef is home to manta ray, stingray and sharks.

Fishing is big business in the Maldives, and there are two main times to go. Head off on a dhoni in the early hours of the morning to net swordfish, marlin and yellow-fin tuna. Or set sail just as darkness sets in, and emperors, snappers, and squirrelfish are on the menu. Talking of which, you can even get your prized catch cooked to order at some restaurants.

Farukolhufushi is a good-looking place. The white sandy beach backed by thick palms is straight out of a luxury holiday brochure, and the wraparound reef is teeming with fish. Vibe-wise, it pulls in a young crowd, who often take the 10-minute speedboat ride to Male, the Maldives’ lively capital.

This forested island is home to a 3-kilometre wraparound strip of sand that’s dotted with beach bars. Plus, it makes a great diving base – not only does it have its own house reef, but there are 50 dive sites within boating distance. Sail out to Kureda Express, for example, and you can clock giant eagle ray.

It takes a bird’s-eye view to truly appreciate the beauty of the Maldives. These tiny isles are strung out in the ocean like splodges of paint on an otherwise all-blue canvas, and the best way to get a glimpse is from a seaplane. They’re the quickest way to get around, so you’ll probably arrive at your hotel in one – A-lister style. If not, just go all out and set up a private charter instead.

If skimming the surface with a snorkel has whetted your appetite, go the whole hog and scuba dive. Never tried it? You’re in luck – pretty much every resort in the Maldives comes with its own PADI-approved school. It means you can just book in for a taster, or take a full course and head home with a new qualification under your belt.

There are about 20 species of whales and dolphins in the waters around here, so excursions that take you out on the water to see them are big news. The spinner dolphin is the one you’re most likely to spot, but there are bottlenosed, spotted and striped varieties, too. And if you’re not likely to know the difference, don’t worry. There’ll be an expert in all things aquatic onboard.

There’s always one exception to the rule. And in the Maldives, where tropical seclusion is the name of the game, Male is that exception. A hub of high-rise blocks and neon lights, the island capital is the closest thing you’ll find to a city round here. Aside from that all-important airport, it packs in things like a National Museum and the Grand Friday Mosque that make it well worth a look.

The action isn’t reserved for beneath the water – there’s plenty going on up top, too. If you’re not worried about getting wet, you’ve got the likes of kite-boarding, windsurfing and canoeing to keep you busy. Plus, banana boats are ten-a-penny in these parts. And if you’re wearing your handwash-onlys, or just fancy splashing out, you can live it up – Bond-style – onboard a luxury yacht.

This 3-day celebration is one of the most important festivals in the Maldives, and marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. As you can imagine, everyone’s ready for some serious partying when Kuda Eid comes round, and it’s celebrated on virtually every island. Head to Malé and you’ll clock a huge parade of people dancing down the street, banging drums and singing. On quieter islands, there’ll be traditional Boduberu dancing and plenty of feasting

Forget black cabs – dhonis are the way to get around the Maldives. Traditionally used for fishing, these wooden boats are now used for everything from short island-to-island hops, to day- or even week-long cruises. Fishing at sunrise is one of the most popular jaunts, and a sunset cruise is a must for both newlyweds and old romantics.

If you thought snorkelling and scuba diving were pretty impressive, take a trip into the deep on a whale submarine. This nifty bit of kit will take you 120 feet below water, past gardens of coral, shoals of tropical fish, and – if you’re lucky – a whitetip reef shark or two. The best bit? You don’t even need to get wet in the process.

Budding Robinson Crusoes should head straight for this place. It’s in off-the-radar Raa Atoll, where most islands are uninhabited. As well as a ribbon of white sand backed by thick vegetation, you’ll find a lagoon where you can do everything from windsurfing to water-skiing. Plus, you might spot turtles at the house reef.