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Leisure in the Maldives

Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 14 December 2018

One of the worlds most popular vacation destinations, the Maldives offer plenty to do and see. Famous for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, beautiful lagoons, and picturesque small islands, the country is, first of all, a great destination for nature lovers. However, this does not mean that you will have to spend all your free time lying on the beach. The bustling capital of Male, for one, offers a fast-paced urban alternative to the overall calm setting of the islands. Learn more about what to do in the Maldives in this article.

Nature

One of the main attractions of the Maldives is definitely the country's beautiful nature. Comprising a total of 1,190 islands only 200 of which are inhabited, the Maldives are a joy to explore. The white sandy beaches framed with coconut palms have inspired millions of postcards and create one of the most idyllic tropical sceneries in the world. Quadcopter photography and videography are popular among tourists: seeing drops of white sand scattered in the blue water from above is truly a sight to remember ' and a great digital memory to bring home.

Explore the islands

Island hopping is one of the most obvious Maldives activities. With each hotel or resort occupying their own private island, this is where you can indulge in the ultimate tranquillity and truly get away from it all. Exploring the country's islands is definitely an exciting adventure ' but also a costly one. While travelling between nearby islands on a speedboat is quite affordable, taking a seaplane for longer distances can get quite costly.

Water activities

With the sea comprising about 99% of the country, it's no surprise that most of the sports activities revolve around water. Scuba diving and snorkelling are very popular on the islands as there is a lot to see underwater. There are more than 2,000 species of fish found around the islands as well as manta rays, anemones, jellyfish, octopuses, and more. All resorts and hotels in the country will have snorkelling equipment available for rent and you will also find scuba diving schools on most islands. Kayaking, surfing, SUP, jet skiing, and other types of water sports are also available.

Themed resorts

The Maldives are world famous for their luxury resorts ' and each one of them offers something unique for its guests to explore. From the picture-perfect on-the-water villas and private pink flamingo beaches to pampering spa experiences and gourmet culinary classes, everyone can find something to their taste in the Maldives. Wellness retreats are also very popular: here, you can take yoga lessons, explore gourmet health cuisine, meditate, relax, and more.

Culture

If you want to learn more about the Maldivian culture, it's best to head to Male, the country's capital. A mix of Malaysian, Arab, Sri Lankan, Indian, Persian, and African traditions, Maldivian culture can be explored through local events, cuisine, national holidays, and more. Here, you can visit the country's main museums and architectural monuments, learn about the history of the Maldives, try traditional snacks with afternoon tea, and more.

Useful links:

Maldives Ministry of Tourism
Visit Maldives

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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