Top Things to Do in Maldives

Maldives is a destination that fascinates and attracts people from all over the world. People wish to enjoy this chain of islands and all it has to offer but some might find the country lacking in what can be done to have fun. We are happy to tell you that there are activities that you can indulge in that you may have never thought of. And some that are obvious but deserve to be mentioned due to what they have to offer. 

What can you do in Maldives? Let’s find out. Here are the top things to do in Maldives, in no particular order.

1. Island Hopping

Island hopping in Maldives can be a confusing endeavour, as it’s tough to find clear cut directions and fares for travelling to islands, if you want to travel on a budget that is. Travelling to islands on a budget means you’d have to take traditional Maldivian boats (boat = dhoani in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language) which are cheap but takes time and possibly multiple trips across several islands. Travelling via speedboat is much easier to do as a lot of accommodation options and locals know who you can contact. And even with these minor inconveniences, island hopping in Maldives is an incredible time to be had and very worth it. The sights, the culture, the people, the experiences, all of these are a lot more potent and truer to the Maldivian way of life. 

If you prefer going by seaplane, check out our guide to island hopping for all the pertinent info.

2. Food Tour

If you’re travelling to Maldives and expect to be dazzled by the food here, you’re going to have an excellent time. The food at the resorts are fantastic, with Michelin-level chefs catering to your nutrition needs. There’s tons of cuisine options you can try from different resorts and from all over the world, making Maldives the stuff of dreams for foodies all over. 

If you’re interested in trying out the local cuisine, head to the capital Male’ or better yet, chow down on some truly Maldivian flavours while you’re island hopping on various well known islands. Maldivian guesthouses and island accommodations tend to have a free breakfast for holiday-goers staying at their premises so you’ll get to truly taste the Maldives in all its glory. Click here to check out 12 dishes you need to try in Maldives!

3. Diving & Snorkelling

The underwater world of Maldives is just as beautiful as the world above the water, if not more so. Maldives is home to 1,100 species of fish, a lot of which can be seen by going to the right reefs and dive spots. Almost all resorts and islands have a dive centre for enthusiasts and professionals alike so this is not that hard of an activity to find. Just ask any local on the island and they’ll be happy to help!

If you’re just the type to get your feet wet, check out our post on the underwater world of Maldives to get all your info.

4. Skydiving

Skydiving in Maldives is relatively new and is held at a resort by the name of Ifuru Island Maldives. This resort opened in September 2023 and has been serving customers with passion and grace. They have six resorts and four bars spanning cuisine from all over the world, beachfront accommodations with unbeatable views and a wide array of activities to keep you entertained during your trip. It is 178 km / 111 mi from Velana International Airport and can be reached via plane within 30 minutes for a fee of $220, which is a return flight as well.

Ifuru Island Maldives has its own airstrip which allows for transporting guests from the airport, saving tons of time. This airstrip doubles as a take-off and landing point for skydiving, with the activity having a few options to choose from.

• Tandem Skydiving: Jump with an experienced skydiver, with them strapped to you to navigate the dive, making it safer and allowing you to enjoy the dive to its fullest potential. They have a few packages you can choose from:
  • Silver: $650
  • Gold: $750
  • Diamond: $850
  • Platinum: $1,100
  • Bespoke Experience

Each package has their own perks, which you can read up on by clicking here. 

• Boogie Bookings: If you’re an experienced skydiver, this one’s for you. A 15-jump ticket that takes place over the course of a week (aptly named Skydive Boogies week). It has its own set dates throughout the months. Click this link for more details!

Ifuru also has skydiving packages that you can indulge in if you want more, which goes by Skydiving VIP Packages and Free Skydive. 

It might also be wise to check out their other offers before you book to see what catches your fancy!

5. Sea of Stars

The Sea of Stars is located at Vaadhoo Island, which is in Raa Atoll. It is 195 km from Velana International Airport and can be reached via speedboat or by taking a domestic flight to the Ifuru Island Maldives airport and then a speedboat.

The Sea of Stars is basically a natural phenomenon that goes by the name of bioluminescence. Tiny organisms by the name of dinoflagellates (plankton / phytoplankton) are carried by waves while resting on the surface that gets washed up onto shores or just chills in the middle of the ocean. It occurs during very specific conditions, with a bit of luck required to witness this beautiful event.

If you’d like to read up a bit more about this occurrence, check out our post on the Sea of Stars!

6. Whale Submarine Ride

In Maldives, you have the option of going on a submarine ride, where they’ll take you for a 45 minute dive located on the western edges of the capital. The teardrop reef close by is the main attraction and is home to more than 100 species of fish with underwater caves and more. You can also combine the dive with an excursion in Male’ to add on to your trip. 

In South East Asia, this Whale Submarine is the sole passenger submarine. It’s also the biggest and deepest passenger submarine in the world. If you’d like more information on the Whale Submarine ride, click here.

7. Horseback Riding

Imagine walking down the beach at sunset, with the ocean breeze grazing by. The soft sand giving way beneath your feet as you stroll along the coastline. Now imagine that scenario but you’re riding on a horse. The elegance as the horse trot and the pumping of adrenaline as the horse takes off at full speed. 

Horseback riding is also an activity that is relatively new in Maldives. Currently, there are two resorts that offer this service: Kihaa Maldives and Siyam World Maldives. If you’d like to take a look for more info, press the links on the resort names!

8. Underwater Living

While this may be an accommodation option, the sheer beauty and awe it radiates is not to be missed. At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, there is an accommodation option where you get to spend your days living underwater. 

Introducing The Muraka, a two-storey residence that resides 16 feet below sea level at this amazing resort. The upper level (above water level) has two bedrooms, a bathroom with a tub facing the ocean, an outdoor deck with an infinity pool and a private 24 hour butler that’ll wait on you hand and foot. On the lower level (below the surface), a master bedroom awaits with an acrylic dome that has a 180-degree view of the waters outside, making for one of the most unique accommodation options in the world. The Muraka comes with more amenities as well and if you’re curious, click here to find out more!

9. Boduberu Show

Bodu Beru is a cultural show in Maldives and is theorised to be inspired by or introduced by sailors from the Indian Ocean and shares similarities to East and Southwest African song and dance. It is the art of singing and dancing to the beat of drums with slowly escalating tempos, rhythm and lyrics, with a climax at the end bringing the music to an abrupt but sensical close. 

Boduberu has been around Maldives for a long time now and is still widely practised today in all areas of the country. The shows are held usually during celebratory times such as Ramadan, Eid, birthdays, weddings and so on. If you’re a tourist and are interested in seeing this wonderful spectacle, your best bet is to plan your trip around Eid, right after Ramadan. You can also book your trip to a local island and stay at a guesthouse or local hotel to further increase your chances.

10. Spa Time 

Almost everyone who comes to Maldives has relaxation in mind and boy do they know how to relax. The resorts can sometimes be the best for relaxation as it can be quiet, with all your needs met without much hassle and because resorts make it a point to have a spa at their premises. A spa experience with an ocean view is beyond calming and almost unbeatable in Maldives. Here are some of our best suggestions for a spa day in Maldives:

• Resort 1: Six Senses Laamu Maldives
• Resort 2: Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives
• Resort 3: Villa Nautica Paradise Island Maldives
• Resort 4: Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
• Resort 5: Joali Maldives

We hope you enjoyed reading up on the top things to do in Maldives. If you’d like to read up a bit more on some other stuff you can do while you’re here, check out this post from us at MadlyMaldives!