Activities
THE MALDIVES – SIGHTEEING & ACTIVITIES
The Maldives will disappoint culture-vultures and heritage buffs. Only in the capital, Malé, is there evidence of the hand of history and footprint of time! ‘Action’? Well, there are no nightclubs or discos – except perhaps at some resorts. There ARE watersports, sunsets and stars. That’s the Maldives for you . . .
WHAT TO SEE
Malé
All visitors to the Maldives pass through the little capital Malé en route to or from their island resort. Should you want to renew acquaintance with ‘civilisation’ during your stay there are excursions to Malé from most nearby resorts (in the North or South Malé atolls, for example). Not a lot happens in this clean and tidy little city with its maze of small streets – aside from its 70,000 inhabitants going about their everyday lives. Explore the shops of the busy main Majeedhee Magu Street and in the local market. Wander around the colonial-style National Museum in the pleasant Sultan Park and admire the imposing white Islamic Centre and 17th century Friday Mosque which dominates the skyline.
WHAT TO DO
Scuba-diving & Snorkelling
Many resorts provide sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and reef sightseeing trips by glass-bottomed boat but above all the Maldives are prized as one of the world’s best diving and snorkelling destinations, thanks to their outstanding and easy-to-access underwater life. Every major resort can offer a professional dive school (with courses for both beginners and experienced divers with daily boat trips to sites around the islands throughout the year. Night dives and special dives for experienced divers are also a feature.
Lionfish Maldives
Fishing
Water makes up over 99% of the Maldives‘ total area – so it’s no surprise that these islands boast some of the world’s best fishing grounds. Some resorts offer fishing trips on modern speedboats equipped for big-game fishing. Fishing trips can often end with a barbecue at which the day’s catch is cooked and eaten! Night fishing is also popular. Harpoon guns are prohibited.
Island-Hopping
Many resorts arrange visits to fishing villages on neighbouring islands – and to uninhabited islands, with a beach barbecue the day’s highlight. Moonlight island excursions are another magical Maldives experience.
Photo Flights
A number of resorts make it easy for you to view the magic of the Maldives in the most amazing way of all – on a seaplane or helicopter photo flight. When it comes to description, it’s hard to resist traditional lyrical metaphors about green-and-gold jewels scattered over velvet seas of sapphire blue. That’s exactly how this spectacular cluster of coral atolls appears when first seen from the air and yes, the sea really is that translucent blue seen in the photos.
Dolphin & Whale-Watching
You’ll probably see dolphins on almost any boat journey here. Special dolphin and whale-watching excursions are popular, with spinner dolphins the most numerous and acrobatic and blue whales and other whale species regular visitors.
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Shopping
You’ll need to take a day-tip to Malé if your holiday feels incomplete without a little retail therapy. The main street presents a variety of shops offering both local goods and keenly-priced imported items. Try the market and the Singapore Bazaar for local produce and handicrafts.
Nightlife
Late-night revellers be warned. Nightlife at the resorts is pretty low-key – although most do have informal discos around the bar, sometimes featuring live bands. Beach parties and barbecues are popular and many resorts also have regular cultural shows. On some islands there are a few restaurants in addition to those run by the resorts – but the only bars are those at the resorts. Even in Malé (where no alcohol is available) ‘nightlife’ is confined to teahouses and a few western-style restaurants.