What to do in the Maldives: our highlights guide

By Maldives specialist Francesca

Most of the islands in the Maldives are home to just one hotel each, surrounded by sand, sea, and a coral reef full of fish. Although the appeal of these isles is their isolation, there’s plenty to do in the Maldives beyond beach days, and you can choose to be as active as you wish.

With expert marine biologists, world-class dive centres, access to pristine reefs, and exceptional food and dining experiences, the Maldives are far more than just a destination for pure relaxation. Having been lucky enough to sample many of the activities, here are some of my favourites.

1. Snorkelling among the corals and swimming with turtles

For both dive enthusiasts and those who prefer to float along on the surface, the Maldives offer a vast breadth of marine life.

Most resorts have a dive centre with professional guides and instructors, offering basic open-water dive training, as well as refresher and specific courses. The house reef around your hotel is likely to be home to the same species as in other areas, but you can also choose to join a boat trip to dive sites around the islands, where you can either dive or snorkel.

On a recent trip to Baros, I snorkelled straight from the beach and was rewarded with some of the best marine sightings I’ve ever experienced. Swimming across the lagoon, the reef suddenly drops down, and from out of the sunken dhoni boats that lie on the seabed came turtles, an octopus, and a rainbow of brightly coloured fish.

For the ultimate relaxation, guests at Huvafen Fushi can simply enter the water at one end of the beach and be carried along by the drift current, bobbing gently down the full length of the island, all the while observing the vivid underwater spectacle below. Another house reef that really stands out is the one at Makunudu Island, where turtles, sharks, and rays are often spotted.

Then, after a day of snorkelling or diving, joining the resident marine biologist to discuss the day’s sightings is a particular highlight offered by most resorts.

2. Cocktails and canapés on a dolphin cruise

You don't have to go in the water to get close to the marine life, and I always suggest a sunset dolphin cruise. This is one Maldives experience that’s best shared with a group, offering better value for money and the added buzz of mutual excitement when dolphins are spotted.

During my own cruise, we were on the only boat in the water that evening, so when, seemingly out of nowhere, a pod of dolphins arrived, it felt as though they were there solely for our entertainment. They stayed for half an hour, putting on quite a show for their enthralled audience, playing, diving, and darting around us. There’s something about seeing them in the wild that is truly mesmerising.

If spotting dolphins is top of your list, I suggest staying at either Dhigali Maldives or Heritance Aarah. They’re both located on the Raa Atoll, which is known for spinner and bottlenose dolphin sightings.

3. Sandbank dining experience

With a picnic blanket in the middle of the ocean, uninterrupted views, and only a few curious fish as neighbours, the private sandbank dinner offered by both Baros and Velassaru is the epitome of Maldivian luxury. As your waiter lays out your meal on the thilas (sandbank), sit back with a glass of Champagne and enjoy the complete isolation, where the only interruption between the sea and the sky is an occasional passing dhoni sailing boat.

4. Wine tasting with reef sharks

For something different, Constance Moofushi's wine tasting is an experience without compare. Wade out to a table set in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and sample a number of wines while the baby reef sharks swim around your knees and the island’s sommelier talks you through the nuances of flavour. Having tasted a variety of wines, you can then select a bottle to take back to your table for dinner.

5. Snorkelling with whale sharks

From May to October, whale sharks migrate to the waters off the Maldives and, while you should be able to see them from most islands, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll is one of the best-located resorts. It also works closely with Maldivian whale shark specialists to ensure the best possible experience.

I remember speaking with some of our travellers about a trip they'd taken a few months prior. Having snorkelled all morning without any luck, they were about to return for lunch when their guide received word of a sighting. Their patience was rewarded by an amazing dive with a number of these playful, and harmless, sharks — the excitement in their voices was palpable. I’d say it’s one of the most captivating activities you can do in the Maldives.

6. Manta ray sightings

Another common sighting in the Maldives is manta rays. They’re attracted by the plankton that cluster in the waters around resorts. Again, these are found around most islands, though Milaidhoo Island Maldives is just a 10-minute boat ride from Hanifaru Bay. From June to November, they come in their hundreds to this plankton-rich reef to feed, and Milaidhoo is one of the only hotels with access to the heavily protected area.

As manta rays are an endangered species, I found it a privilege to be able to spend time just watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

7. Fresh seafood and fine dining in the Maldives

Sampling the islands’ best dishes is always top of my list of things to do in the Maldives. Seafood platters laden down with lobster, cuisines from around the world, and fish so fresh you may have snorkelled past them that morning — the food in the Maldives deserves its reputation.

For romance, the sandbank dining at Baros is rivalled only by the private piers that stretch out from Velassaru, with just enough space for a table for two.

If you’re looking for authentic local food, inspired by old spice trading routes, Milaidhoo has one of the only Maldivian restaurants in the archipelago. Think slow-braised lamb curry, fresh fish poached in coconut milk, and delicately spiced mahi mahi. You’ll also find Maldivian and Sri Lankan-inspired dishes at the Ambula Overwater Restaurant at Heritance Aarah, which serves an indulgent eight-course tasting menu.

For a more restrained, though equally delicious, dining experience, the nutritious menu at COMO Cocoa Island is designed to complement their ethos of health and wellbeing. And for a meal worthy of a celebrity chef, the Raw restaurant at Huvafen Fushi is said to be a favourite of Gordon Ramsay's.

8. Spa treatments & luxury relaxation

While simply being in the Maldives, with nothing but crystal-clear waters and an occasional palm-fringed island on the horizon, can induce an immediate sense of absolute calm, all resorts have a spa for guaranteed relaxation.

For an immersive experience, the glass walls of the underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi provide a subterranean view into the ocean that is immediately calming. Numerous brightly coloured fish dart and dive around you, an occasional turtle may swim by, and I left feeling both relaxed and eager to get into the water to meet the marine life up close. At night the spa transforms into a sociable space for cocktails, canapés, and a chance to join the marine biologist to learn more about the multitude of life swirling around you.

I would suggest pre-booking spa treatments so that you can arrive knowing everything is in place — and a massage on arrival will set the tone for the rest of your trip.

Family activities in the Maldives

The Maldives might not immediately come to mind as a destination for families, but a number of resorts are perfectly set up for children. With children's clubs and babysitting services, both Kurumba and Conrad Maldives Rangali Island are popular with families looking for a trip that suits both parents and children.

Only a ten-minute speedboat journey from Male Airport, Kurumba is both well located and excellent value. The dedicated play space and pool area ensure that parents can relax, knowing their children are being well looked after.

Children can also join the resident marine biologist at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, who’ll bring the seabed to life as they point out turtles, octopuses, manta rays, and exotic fish darting in among the reef.