Explore a breathtaking underwater world

The Maldives is defined by their post-card perfect, crystal clear blue water. Dive underneath these warm waters to find spectacular coral reefs abundant with marine life, including stingrays, reef sharks and sea turtles.

For your best chance at spotting these incredible marine creatures, we recommend scuba diving while holidaying in the Maldives. If you’ve never dived before, not to worry – the Maldives is a great place to learn. In fact, many resorts, including OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and Radisson Blu Resort Maldives offer PADI-certified dive courses for beginners.

If you don’t wish to scuba dive, snorkelling is another great option. Most resorts in the Maldives have their own-in house reefs, meaning that you can simply swim out from your villa and explore a breathtaking underwater world. Plus, some resorts offer private snorkelling tours led by marine biologists, helping you spot the best marine life.

Set sail on a traditional Maldivian dhoni at sunset

As an archipelago of low-lying islands and atolls, the best way to explore the Maldives is via boat. In fact, the dhoni, a traditional Maldivian boat often made from coconut wood, is considered a symbol of this idyllic destination.

For a Maldives experience you won’t forget, we recommend joining a sunset cruise onboard one of these traditional dhonis. Offered by many resorts, including Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, you’ll set sail as the sun sets behind the horizon, offering brilliant views from every direction.

The best bit? Sunset in the Maldives is when the local dolphins come out to play. Chances are that you’ll spot wild dolphins as you cruise along the ocean – these playful creatures may even come right up to your dhoni!

Pamper yourself with an indulgent spa treatment

As one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the world, the Maldives is the place to go all out. For next-level relaxation, book a treatment (or two) at your resort’s spa. Trust us when we say that your body will thank you for it.

For a more destination-immersive experience, many Maldivian spas use island-sourced ingredients in their treatments, such as coral sand, seaweed, pineapple and papaya. Services range from traditional massages, facials and body wraps to more signature options, like intimate couples treatments complete with champagne and chocolate. Most spas also have a Beauty Salon, providing manicures, pedicures, hairdressing and makeup services.

Get an adrenaline rush with exhilarating water sports

On the other side of the spectrum, the Maldives is also an incredible destination for those who seek a little bit more action on holiday. The Maldives is a playground for water lovers, with most resorts offering a wide range of both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

Some of the exhilarating water sports you can enjoy in the Maldives include jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, tubing, banana boating and more. If you can splurge on only one water sport, we recommend parasailing, both for an adventurous kick and to view the beautiful Maldives from above. For those who prefer calmer waters, most resorts also offer non-motorised water sports like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Dine at an underwater restaurant

When staying at a luxurious, five-star resort, exquisite dining experiences are to be expected. We’re talking restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs, serving cuisine from all over the globe. In the Maldives, you’ll also find a range of unique dining experiences – this destination pioneered the concept of dining under the sea, with a handful of resorts offering underwater restaurants.

One such restaurant is Subsix, located at Niyama Private Islands Maldives. This three-storey, subaquatic entertainment venue offers a divine seafood lunch menu, before turning into a nightclub, where adults-only glow parties illuminate the night. The décor here is also on theme – think chairs that look like sea anemones and a shell-shaped bar.

Watch vibrantly-coloured fish and other marine life float by while dining at Only BLU, accessible from both OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi. Located 6.8 metres below sea level, Only BLU is the largest underwater restaurant in the Maldives and serves a selection of seafood, meat and poultry, and vegetarian dishes, all paired with red and white wines.

Stay in an overwater villa

Imagine waking every morning to the sound of lapping waves, before hopping in a swimsuit and diving straight from your deck into the clear blue waters the Maldives is so famous for. Staying in an overwater villa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many holidaymakers, and the Maldives is simply the best place to do it.

Despite what you may think, there is a Maldives villa to suit all budgets, from smaller, one-bedroom bungalows to extravagant abodes complete with water slides, glass floors and retractable roofs. We love the extra-spacious decks at Taj Exotica Resort and Spa – perfect for soaking in the sun with a good book – while the overwater villas at Radisson Blu Resort Maldives all boast private swimming pools. Whichever resort you choose, you’ll never forget your stay in a Maldivian overwater villa.