Overview

The magical Maldives Islands are a dream vacation destination for romantic getaways and honeymooners seeking unrivaled luxury, seclusion, tranquility, and solitude on the stunning white-sand beaches. The tropical island setting of the Maldives archipelago leads visitors to spectacular plush resorts, many of them are overwater bungalows that sit over the tranquil turquoise lagoons with amazing views and amenities for ultimate relaxation.

The waters around the famous islands and atolls offer endless opportunities for snorkeling and diving with world-class dive sites, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life. Over 2,000 species of fish roam the clear waters around the islands, anemones and different kinds of rays, octopus, squid, and giant clams can be seen along with numerous dolphins, turtles, and sharks. Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere, home to one of the richest coral reefs in the entire world, snorkeling and diving here are a dream. The island resorts boast some amazing spas where vacationers can enjoy the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation with some fantastic spa treatments. World-class cuisine can be enjoyed on the islands, many of the excellent eateries are located at the luxury resorts with unique dining opportunities, such as a candlelit dinner on the beach.

Things to see and do

Most of the Maldives Islands experiences are found along the stunning coastline on the beaches and beautiful glistening waters. Watersports are plentiful in the stunning archipelago surrounding by calm clear waters and breathtaking lagoons, visitors can go swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, fishing, island hopping, stand up paddle boarding, and boating. There are 1,200 islands, and 26 atolls that make up the Maldives Islands, and the island country is dominated by water sports.

Banana Reef is located in North Mal-Atoll, world-renowned as one of the best dive sites in the world. Shaped like a banana the vibrant reef is brimming with colorful marine life, gorgeous corals, amazing cliffs, overhangs, and caves to explore. There is an abundance of activities to enjoy here, like jet skiing and scuba diving, it’s a great place for adventure junkies.

South Ari Atoll is a well-known destination for spotting whale sharks throughout the year, it is one of the top locations in the world to see them. Dolphin pods are also common around the atoll and there is a high concentration of majestic manta rays. Hammerhead sharks can be seen at the Rasdhoo Atoll along with sea turtles, reef sharks, and thousands of colorful fish.

Most guests don’t have to travel far to experience the wonders of the underwater world in the Maldives. Most resorts feature house reefs just offshore where visitors can easily swim from the beach and snorkel in the translucent waters spotting abundant sea life.

The Maldive Victory rests under the seas on the Hulhule House Reef, stretching between Male and Hulhule, it sunk in 1981 after hitting a reef. There are scuba diving excursions to this fantastic dive site which attracts avid scuba divers from all over the globe. The site is brimming with rich sea life including thriving corals and vibrant tropical fish

Spa’s in the Maldives are the gateway to ultimate relaxation with many resorts offering their own on-site spas with out of this world treatments using locally sourced ingredients such as papaya, seaweed, and pineapple. Spa services range from your typical massage and facials to some serious indulgences like hydrating treatments, acupuncture, and chakra balancing. Guests can enjoy massages inside seaside cabanas with panoramic views of the beach and waters or check out the Kuda Huraa for its transparent floor panels in treatment rooms showing the colorful marine life below. The Maldives is home to, Huvafen Spa, the first underwater spa in the world. Many of the resorts also offer wellness programs with yoga, pilates, and more combined to provide the best experience.

Visiting the bustling tiny island of Male, the capital city of the Maldives and the world’s smallest capital city offers many unique and interesting sights and attractions. Republic Square is a charming palm-lined square constructed in 1989 where the nation’s largest flag proudly flies and the fascinating Male Fish Market is found.

The National Museum is located in the former Sultan’s Palace, established in 1952 housing preserved valuable relics and displaying coins, jewelry, thrones, and artifacts from the pre-Islamic era. Sultan Park is a wide-open green space on Male Island featuring playgrounds, greenery, fountains, and sculptures.

Beaches

The Maldives islands are sprinkled with some of the most beautiful exotic beaches in the entire world, travelers flock here for the best beach holidays ever. Sugar like soft white sands encircles the islands and atolls which lead to crystalline lagoons and azure waters. Many visitors flock to these exotic islands just to solely relax on the beaches and most of the island’s resorts boast their private islands and beaches; some of the iconic beaches include the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, COMO Cocoa Island, Fihalhohi Island Resort, and Angsana Ihuru.

COMO Cocoa Island offers visitors an unforgettable experience in a tropical island paradise. The cocoa offers a discreet luxury at its finest in its private Boathouse Water Villas surrounded by tranquil turquoise lagoons, unparalleled views, excellent food, a holistic Como Shambhala spa. Cocoa boasts one of the most astonishing beaches in the Indian Ocean, a perfectly formed strip of soft white sand stretching for 120 steps from one end to the other and just 1,400 steps to circumnavigate with clear calm waters lapping onshore, its a great place to collect shells and soak up the sunshine.

Bikini Beach is one of the top beaches in the Maldives and a beautiful place to visit lined by swaying palm trees, stunning soft white sand, and spectacular blue waters with great activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, and more.

Nalaguraidhoo Island nestled in South Ari Atoll is one of the top points of interest in the Maldives. This astonishing idyllic island is adorned with breathtaking beaches, colorful tropical flowers, verdant green backdrops leading to unparalleled nature. Fabulous resorts are lining the sparkling beaches and charming blue waters that bring immense serenity to guests.

Baros Islandis one of the top-rated islands in the Maldives known for its natural elegance and beauty and home to a luxurious boutique resort and simply awe-inspiring beaches. The resort boasts several iconic water villas, making it a sought after location, with first-class services and the utmost privacy. There are a few restaurants, and bars on premises creating the ideal vacation destination.

Dining and Nightlife

The Idyllic Maldives Islands boast many exquisite eateries, menus feature freshly caught fish and seafood and others truly devine dishes. The dining experiences in the Maldives take guests from the serenity of a beach for a candlelight dinner, waterfront dining on private islands, underwater restaurants, and dining in other spectacular locations. Dining in the archipelago in some of the most surreal, stylish surroundings is all possible with delicious gourmet meals served to you in many exciting places.

Maldivian Curry is one of the tasty local dishes worth trying in the Maldives, freshly caught and prepared seafood like Garudhiya, which is a fish soup made with lime, chili, rice, curry leaves, onions and coconut is another specialty. Mashumi Roshi Tuna and Chapati and Hedhikia Tuna with egg, potato, and coconut are worth sampling along with street food Mas Kashi which is dried fish with mango and coconut.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort, an exquisite venue that specializes in European cuisine of the highest quality. There are six-course dinners to enjoy in this unique setting watching reef sharks and manta rays sail by. Malosol imperial caviar, yellowtail kingfish with saffron champagne risotto are just a few of the delectable dishes served here.

Sandbank Dining at Baros Maldives offers guests the ultimate romantic dining experience with exquisite meals served on a small, secluded Thila (sandbank) in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a fantastic oceanfront dining experience with a multi-course gourmet menu accompanied by chilled champagne at the perfect ocean breeze.

Sea.Fire.Salt Restaurant is located at Anantara Veli Resort and Spa, a simply captivating dining experience over the water with alfresco dining on the wooden deck that floats over a tranquil lagoon. The menu features Maldivian seafood specialties and top-class grilled steaks.

The nightlife options in the Maldives are quite exciting, with some fun and unique ways to spend your evening. Many resorts offer dining and entertainment options on-site and there are some great options to choose from including bar-hopping and exclusive beach parties.

Subsix is an underwater restaurant, bar, and nightclub, the biggest in the Maldives, loved by many for delicious food, tropical drinks, and the sights of the underwater world swimming by.

Kurumba is a great place for dancing with something different offered each night of the week. DJ night, live bands, jazz night, social guest gatherings, and the local dance of Bodu Beru, a popular Maldivian folk dance.

White night party is one of the most sought after things to do and attend in the Maldives at night. Kuredu is the host of this enchanting island night.

Historical Sights

Male has the main historical sights to visit including the National Museum of Maldives, part of the 17th century Maldivian Royal Palace, which also houses the public park of Sultan Park.

The Grand Friday Mosque is part of the Islamic Center located in proximity to the main jetty of Male. It was established in 1984 and is one of the most popular and biggest mosques in the Maldives, named after Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu-Al-Auzam, it can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers.

The Male Friday Mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in the Maldives and a well know tourist destination. It was built in 1658 and features distinct architecture with detailed carvings on the walls and its glistening gold dome, it is listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Culture Site in 2008.