The best things to do in the Maldives – on land and sea

Pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, luxury resorts – the Maldives really is a paradise on Earth. From land to sea, there are lots of activities to choose from. We’ve pulled together our top picks from experts who have trawled the islands looking for the most fun, exciting and adventurous things to do in the Maldives.  

Fun things to do on land in the Maldives 

The Maldives are low-lying coral atolls formed from volcanic rock, promising fresh ocean breezes, incredible underwater life and year-round sunshine. From golf courses and discos to secluded sandbanks just made for romantic picnics, you’ll not be short of things to do on land in the Maldives.   

Stay in an overwater villa 

The gin-clear waters of the Maldives are one of its biggest draws. Book an overwater villa at Emerald Maldives and you can stay right above the big blue. These exclusive villas feature a sleek bedroom and bathroom with a patio that juts out over the sparkling ocean – upgrade and you can also get your own hot tub or private infinity pool. Watch manta rays and reef sharks glide past your patio as you relax with a chilled beer from the mini-bar, or pad down to Aqua restaurant to feast on freshly prepared dishes. 

Dance under a disco ball 

Stay at The Standard, Huruvalhi Island and you’re guaranteed a private plunge pool and lounge deck at any one of its 115 villas, whether you choose overwater or beachfront. Enjoy everything from floating breakfasts and private starlit dinners to weekly live music and fun-filled pool parties. Dance the night away under the Maldives’ largest disco ball at Beru Bar, on a see-through dance floor perched over the ocean. 

Picnic on a secluded sandbank 

Escape from life’s hectic hustle and bustle with a picnic on a secluded sandbank at Coco Bodu Hithi – a romantic idyll for couples who want to leave the rest of the world behind for a little while. And time really will stand still when it’s just you, the ocean, the sand and the sky. Expect gourmet breakfasts and lunch picnics in the sun along with dinners on the sand lit by nothing but shimmering candles and an overhead blanket of twinkling stars. 

Dine underwater 

Get a front row seat to the daily show of brilliantly coloured coral reefs and tropical marine life at Only Blu, a horseshoe-shaped restaurant under the ocean as part of Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. Start with a triple-tiered platter of hot and cold appetisers, followed by three courses of your choice from meat, fish or vegetarian seasonal menus – all while gazing at the incredible ocean life. 

Watch a movie under the stars 

Relive Hollywood’s Golden Era with a well-loved classic or a rom com, screened just for you on the beach at Constance Moofushi Maldives. Munch on popcorn and gourmet canapés washed down with a glass of fizz or a cold beer and kick back on beanbags with the sand between your toes as your favourite film is projected under the stars.  

Play a round of golf 

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa is home to a glittering lagoon, spectacular white sand beaches and a six-hole academy golf course. Sharpen up that all-important short game with a PGA Pro on hand to offer tips and advice. No wonder this is such a bucket-list venue for golfers. Treat yourself to a spa experience afterwards for a post-round relax and reset.  

Visit a local island 

The very first resort opened in the Maldives, Kurumba Maldives has a charming village vibe with a modern twist. Try local activities ranging from palm leaf folding to coconut painting, visit the shisha bar or sample one of several outstanding international restaurants, which all offer cuisines from around the world. Don’t miss the change to get an insight into Maldivian culture by visiting a local island, where you can see fisherman bringing home their catch, hear the call to prayer and shop for handmade souvenirs. 

Fun things to do in the sea in the Maldives 

The waters surrounding the Maldives are renowned for their turquoise brilliance. Teeming with marine life, let yourself be hypnotised by the colours and creatures or get your adrenaline fix with some water sports.  

Take a sunset dolphin cruise 

Playful, intelligent and supremely joyful to watch, we just can’t get enough of dolphins. At Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort you can take a sunset dolphin cruise and get to see these agile creatures in their natural habitat. Dusk is one of the most active times of day for dolphin spotting, so hop on board a cruise and watch their nightly dance first-hand. 

Swim with whale sharks 

Dubbed the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks remain one of the ocean’s biggest mysteries. Stretching the length of a double decker bus and covered in intricate patterns of spots, these behemoths should be easy to monitor. Yet baby whale sharks are rarely seen, leaving humans still scratching their heads when it comes to this fascinating species. At Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives you can swim with adult whale sharks between May and November, along with manta rays swirling and looping in search of plankton. 

Catch your own dinner with big game fishing 

Discover traditional Maldivian fishing techniques and go after big game fish with a sunset fishing trip at Gili Lankanfushi. Learn how to target edible species of snapper, tuna and grouper with bottom line fishing techniques. And, if you’re lucky enough to reel something in, you can have the expert chefs prepare your catch for dinner or lunch the next day. 

Explore coral reefs by night 

The rich marine life of the coral reef surrounding Sandies Bathala comes into its own at night. Take an after-dark snorkelling trip and discover what goes on beneath the surface of the waves once the sun sets. Swim through schools of technicolour tropical fish, manta rays and turtles, with an expert guide on hand to show you exactly where to look. 

Go parasailing over the ocean 

Thrill-seekers will find more than enough to get their adrenaline pumping at Dhigali Maldives, including parasailing over the ocean – a bucket list item if ever there was one. Get a bird’s eye perspective of the glistening waters and the life that teems beneath them, then touch down and go for a deep dive to see things close-up. 

Unleash your inner zen aboard a dhoni 

Get those all-important ‘golden hour’ Instagram shots on a sunset cruise aboard a traditional wooden dhoni boat at LUX* South Ari Atoll. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the waters appear to turn into shimmering liquid gold. Then it’s time to put your phone away and soak in the beauty of the scene as you float on the rhythm of the waves, accompanied by guided Tibetan meditations including breathwork, yoga and sound bowl therapy. 

Explore beneath the waves on a semi submarine 

See thousands of fish, sharks, giant clams, turtles and other marine life with a semi submarine trip from Kuramathi Maldives. Explore this fascinating underwater world without even having to get a toe wet. Panoramic windows mean you won’t miss a thing, with trips running twice weekly.  

This feature was created on 2nd December 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.