Over one thousand islands across twenty-six atolls sparkle like jewels scattered across the Indian Ocean making the Maldives the epitome of heaven on earth but there’s so much more to this exquisite island holiday destination than postcard perfect beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters. If you are looking for unique experiences we’ve got you covered. From underwater dining and marine safaris to cultural tours and the sea of stars our list of cool and unusual things to do are guaranteed to ignite your wanderlust.
Image credit: Niyama Private Islands Maldives
If fine dining 20 feet below the surface in the Indian Ocean sounds like your ultimate dining experience, then the uber stylish Subsix gourmet restaurant is guaranteed to delight. Situated at the PER AQUUM Niyama resort in Maldives, the restaurant sits central to a thriving coral reef which means you’ll dine surrounded by a kaleidoscopic array of colourful marine life including Hawkbill turtles, eels, and parrotfish. Sea anemone chairs and soft blue lighting complement the experience, inviting you into the depths of the exquisite underwater ocean world.
Beyond beautiful beaches and sandy shores, the Maldives boasts a vibrant culture just waiting to be explored. If you are keen to discover authentic Maldivian traditions, art, and history a cultural tour of Malé’ the captial of the Maldives, should definitely be on your itinerary. On a guided tour you’ll get to see cultural landmarks like the Hukuru Miskiy (Grand Friday Mosque) and Muliaage (Former sultan’s residence, now the President’s office), and watch (or join in) traditional dance and music shows like the Bodu Beru, a drumming show with singing and dancing that celebrates Maldivian heritage. Visiting local fishing villages, making local crafts or taking a cooking class with traditional dishes will deepen your appreciation for the local way of life.
Snorkelling and diving here is incredible, within moments of getting in the water, you will spot an incredible variety of colourful fish and corals and there’s a good chance you’ll get lucky and come across some rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, or even dolphins. If you are looking for some fun and adventure, many resorts here offer an array of watersports like kite-surfing, wind-surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), parasailing, tubing and water flying – if you can picture yourself on a hydrojet hoverboard propelling you several feet above the water!
Marine life is one of the Maldives biggest attractions so it’s no surprise that one of the best experiences to be had is under the water. If you can imagine cruising through the beautiful underwater world that lies beneath the Indian Ocean, a Whale submarine tour will deliver the most stunning views of underwater gardens featuring vibrant corals, schools of tropical fish and many other creatures that live in these pristine Maldivian waters. The tour lasts two hours on the largest and deepest diving passenger submarine in the world, capable of carrying 50 passengers and offers a unique glimpse into marine life at depths of up to 150 meters
During late summer in the reefs of the Maldives, bioluminescence causes the sea to glow creating an incredible shimmering effect that looks like the sea is full of stars. The water here is filled phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum and when the waves move, the water lights up like a starry night sky. While it may occur on any of the islands, Vaadhoo Island in the Raa Atoll is the most well-known spot for viewing the enchanting ‘sea of stars’ phenomenon.
This rounds up our top 5 unique things to do in the Maldives, but there’s so much more to discover! Get in touch with us to find out more, simply visit our website www.bestofsouthafricatravel.couk or gives us a call on UK 01233 80 27 27.
Fond memories of Thanda !
In spite of the weather playing havoc with our travel plans , Ash Jarvis of Best of South Africa Travels took everything in hand and ensured that our party of 9 which had managed to meet up in Johannesberg could relax and wait in comfort before continuing our journey to Kwazulu-Natal. There began the trip of a lifetime surpassing the …
