The Island country of Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, in the Indian Ocean is made of 26 ring-shaped atolls comprising of more than 1,000 coral islands. Technicalities aside, Maldives is spectacular! Perfect for an exotic island vacation, the island’s stunning white sandy beaches and the cyan-blue water team up with world-class luxurious hotels to create an unrivalled travel experience.
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With attractions like Hulhumalé, Ari Atoll, and Villingili, it's impossible to have a bad holiday in the Maldives. Here is our pick of some of the top places to visit & things to do in the Maldives.
1. Escape to the Ari Atoll
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One of the largest atolls and a must do in the Maldives, Ari Atoll is peaceful and off-the-grid. The Northern Ari Atoll and Southern Ari Atoll consists of 105 islands and offers the crème-de-la-crème of luxurious accommodation. 30 minutes by a seaplane from the capital Male, here at the Ari Atolls you can sizzle up a seafood barbeque, toast to a sunset, or laze on the hammock-strung palms. Dhigurah, Maamigili, and Mahibadhoo are the top islands of the Ari Atoll.
2. Visit the local-favorite island of Maafushi
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Located at the South Male Atoll, the island of Maafushi is small and far from the luxury. Maafushi is still not overly commercialized and that’s what makes this place so special! This island has four beaches, snorkeling & diving sites, sandbanks, dolphin safaris, and plenty of local culture for visitors to explore. One of the biggest islands of Maldives, a visit to this place is highly recommended.
3. Tour the ambitious island of Hulhumalé
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The island of Hulhumalé is a reclaimed island located in the North Male Atoll, Maldives. Life on this artificial island is extremely relaxed. While here, you can travel in a public ferry to the nearby islands and explore the locally inhibited islands, meet with the locals and exchange stories of daily life, relax at a roadside café, or learn to cook a traditional Maldivian meal. Do not let the what to do in Maldives question bother you anymore, head to Hulhumalé today!
4. Find your own favorite spots at the island of Kuramathi
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Kuramathi is a 2-kilometers long island and a part of the Rasdu Atoll. Home to the Kuramathi Island Resort, you can come here to relax to try its range of activities like water skiing, banana rides, or fun tubes. The island is a real paradise. There are sandbanks to walk on, sunsets to chase, spas to relax at, and bars to unwind!
5. Seek peace at the Malé Friday Mosque
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As the oldest mosque in the country, the Male Friday Mosque is definitely one of the top Maldives attractions. Dating from 1656, the mosque building is beautifully made in coral stone with Quranic script inscriptions. On the inside, you will be charmed by its fine lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings. All Muslims are welcome, but non-Muslims seeking to view the mosque from inside are required to seek permission from an official of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
6. Take a glimpse of paradise at the Vilamendhoo Island
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Yet another beautiful place to see in the Maldives, Vilamendhoo is an island of the Alif Dhaal Atoll. The island is home to the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, which is one of the top hotels in the Maldives. The resort occupies ‘900m in length and 300m in width’ of land in the vast Indian Ocean and is nothing less of a paradise. Island activities include the regulars – scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling among many others. As for the food, you can try their Asian cuisine, Teppanyaki, a special Champagne breakfast and so much more! A beautiful sandbank juts out of its western tip and is perfect for sunbathing.
7. Relax at the Reethi Beach
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Fonimagoodhoo, also called the Reethi Beach, is a tiny island in the Baa Atoll. Home to the Reethi Beach Resort, this island is one of the best places to visit in the Maldives with family. Bringing together a casual island vibe, friendly service, and a great value for money, this resort has managed to charm the best of island lovers. Surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, the resort features Coconut Spa, one of the largest sports complexes in the Maldives, PADI certifies dive center, spectacular villas, and restaurants serving a range of Maldivian and international cuisines.
8. Visit the National Museum Maldives
This is the country’s the first-ever national museum! The National Museum Maldives opened on November 11, 1952, with a purpose of preserving the history and instilling patriotism among its nationals. Situated in the Sultan Park in Malé, this museum is housed inside a three-storied building and features diverse collection artifacts, relics, thrones, royal sunshades & furniture, paintings, costumes and shoes, coins, ornaments, arms, and armor. A must visit for history-buffs!
9. Get harmonious with the natures at the island of Villingili
Villingili is an island in the North Male Atoll and is a satellite suburb of the Maldivian capital. 10 minutes’ ferry ride from Male, this island will charm you with its greenery and quaintness. Villingili has two beaches, many diving spots, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the Maldives. The plentiful foliage, sandy streets, traditional houses, and enthusiastic locals will make up for the obvious lack of cocktails and sun loungers.
10. Explore a local island of Thulusdhoo
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Oh, Thulusdhoo! Bursting with abundant colors and life, the island of Thulusdhoo is the capital of Kaafu Atoll. Home to the Coca-Cola factory, this island’s primary industry is tuna drying and sea cucumber drying. Also called Coke’s Island, this island has some of the best surfing spots in the Maldives. 18 miles from Male, this vibrant local village has many white sandy beaches, reefs, and abundant dolphin sightings.
11. Enjoy snorkeling at the Naifaru Island
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The capital and the most populous island of Lhaviyani Atoll, the Naifaru Island is perfect for rolling in the waves and taking in that salty ocean air. Home to one of the best snorkeling sites in the Maldives, Naifaru is great to catch a glimpse of Maldives’ underwater kingdom. Dive in and you will love the big shoals of blue fusiliers, schooling blue striped snappers, and oriental sweetlips seeking shelter beneath the table corals.
12. Watch the Bioluminescent Phytoplankton at Mirihi Island
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Coming face-to-face with these incredible ostracod crustaceans and the phytoplankton is on everyone’s bucket list! Mirihi is one such island to watch this phenomenon live in action! A part of the Alif Dhaal Atoll, this island is tiny, really tiny. But there are plenty of dive sites nearby that lit up by clouds of bioluminescent plankton at night. One of the best places to visit in the Maldives, this island will fast-track your mind to mindfulness and relaxation.
13. Stay at one of the most luxurious resorts in Maldives
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The Maldives is a sprawling luxury playground with the very best of luxurious properties from all over the world. The ultimate destination for the sun worshipers, scuba divers, and the celebrities, Maldives boasts of unequaled resorts. Some of the best in the Maldives are Soneva Jani, One&Only Reethi Rah, Cheval Blanc Randheli, The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Velaa Private Island, and Six Senses Laamu. But these are just a few of the many.
14. Visit New Island Every Day – go island-hopping
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If you cannot decide which island to choose for your perfect Maldivian holiday, worry not! You can literally visit a new island every day. Here is our pick of some of the islands that you can ‘hop’ on.
Amilla Fushi – This island hotel has plenty to do. Yoga, fitness classes, healthy eating are some of the top choices.
VELAA Private Island – This island speaks of sheer luxury. You can spend your days lazing while making the most of the island’s bespoke services.
Niyama – Perfect to chill and play, this island has one-bedroom villas, each with its private lagoon.
COMO Maalifushi - Stunning yet intimate, the extremely white beach houses of this island offer best of the views.
15. Have a perfect beach wedding in the Maldives
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Whatever you envisioned your perfect wedding to be like, Maldives will go a step forward to surprise you. Sugary white beaches, effortlessly romantic skies, endless sunshine, crystalline waters, and true Maldivian style of romance will make your wedding ceremony nothing less of extraordinary. Some of the best Maldives wedding destinations to choose from are Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, and LUX* South Ari Atoll.
The Maldives epitomizes grandeur, divinity, and ultimate peacefulness. Do you plan on traveling to the Maldives? Do let us know in the comments section below!
