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The Caribbean has its famous laid-back vibe that continues to engulf the islands with music and dance long after the sun goes down. In Ibiza, renowned as the “party capital of the world,” tourists often spend their days sleeping or lounging on the beach, saving their energy for the iconic foam parties that only start post-midnight.
The nightlife in Maldives, on the other hand, is quite uncharacteristic of your typical holiday island. Travelers visiting the archipelago for the first time might find it to be a little mellow, definitely romantic, but at the same time unconventional.
However, in the Maldives, there is a right time and place for everything. The nightlife here is as individual in nature as the many activities you can enjoy on the islands during the daytime.
Now, due to the traditionality of the island nation, there are restrictions and limitations one must adhere to. For example, on inhabited islands, you will not find a drop of alcohol. Nor can you bring your own and drink any. There also aren’t any dance clubs on these islands.
It doesn’t mean the nightlife in Maldives is dull or that you cannot have a good time. The atmosphere on private islands and liveaboards is entirely different. It’s more accommodating, diverse, and dynamic.
Therefore, depending on your likes and place of stay, there are many things to do in Maldives post sundown.
A drink, a coffee, and some jazz
Maldives nightlife begins around sunset and usually extends till a little past midnight. Cafes and restaurants on public islands typically stay open till late. Travelers on these islands have the option of enjoying a romantic dinner or can head back for an early night.
The more bustling inhabited islands like Malé and Maafushi now have a growing café culture. In the capital city, many locals and tourists enjoy a late-evening coffee while grooving to live music at the Jazz Café.
When it comes to private resorts, guests typically dress up and head over to a beach bar for a sundowner. Drinks flow freely, as do conversations where tourists interact with each other about swimming with manta rays, taking a seaplane ride, or going wreck diving.
Most resorts have at least two bars for guests to enjoy. While some bars are idyllic for watching the sunset, others create an exclusive island ambiance with live music and mood lighting.
A walk on the promenade
A quiet and refreshing way to spend an evening in the Maldives is a walk alongside the waterfront. Most island residents come out at this time, mingling with each other and taking in the fresh ocean air while admiring spectacular sunsets. Finished with the day’s work, everyone is in a light mood. For travelers, this is the perfect time to strike up a conversation with the locals.
The promenade in Malé is particularly excellent for a stroll. Shops across the road light up the area. Children run around their parents as they walk from one corner of the city to another. The view of the lit-up Sinamalé Bridge in the distance adds to the ambiance.
A late evening walk is ideal for gathering your thoughts, preparing the body for an eventful day or an early transfer, and for realizing that you are, at present, in paradise!
Party on a boat
We mentioned Maafushi as being one of the more popular inhabited islands among international tourists. The first guesthouse in the country opened in Maafushi in the year 2010. It has since developed into a hotbed for budget travelers in the Maldives.
Since there is no alcohol on the island, locals have developed a novel way to entertain tourists who enjoy a drink or two. Docked just off the island’s coast are booze boats, also known as party boats or floating bars, open to tourists from the afternoon till late in the night.
Travelers wishing to have alcohol while staying in Maafushi can take a speed boat to the floating bar and taste various beers and spirits along with snacks.
Moreover, these boats usually have DJ nights where you can dance away till early morning. Dance parties on booze boats don’t start till 10:00 PM, so plan your night accordingly. With budget travelers recently exploring more of the archipelago, you can expect to see party boats at other public islands soon.
The freedom of a liveaboard
A liveaboard in the Maldives is an absolutely fantastic experience you have to try once in your life. The opportunity to island-hop while diving and snorkeling at beautiful spots, liveaboards seamlessly mix luxury with adventure.
On a safari boat, travelers have fewer restrictions than on inhabited islands. For example, you can lounge in your bikini all day or drink alcohol. Furthermore, liveaboards have extra-curricular activities planned for their guests, over and above diving excursions.
A night on a liveaboard can include a gourmet dinner, light music, and dancing. On occasion, they might call a DJ onboard from a nearby island and host a theme party.
However, since most people on a liveaboard are there for diving and want to wake up early, these late-night parties are few and far between. Before booking a safari boat, always check to see what activities they offer besides watersports.
Cinema under the stars
A common observation about holidays is that not only adults but children also love to stay up till late. With this in mind, resorts offer activities that aim to please a variety of preferences and ages.
Thanks to plentiful rain-free nights around the year and skies devoid of air pollution, cinema under the stars is a wonderful entertainment option for families to relish in the Maldives.
For the event, resorts set up a large screen on the beach, serve snacks, put out comfortable couches, and create a pleasant atmosphere for a memorable cinematic night.
DJ nights
Guests who prefer a more energetic end to their day will find music and DJ nights at resorts to their liking. The venues of these lavish gatherings can range from the beach or the poolside to a deserted sandbank or a deck in the middle of the ocean.
Furthermore, many private retreats also fly in internationally acclaimed DJs during the tourist season and on festive dates for exclusive events.
Night fishing barbeque
Among the top attractions in the Maldives that you can partake in is night fishing. A fun adventure for everyone, line fishing after sundown is commonly doable on most touristic inhabited islands.
Those looking for that offbeat Maldives nightlife adventure can sail with locals to the nearby fishing spot. Once there, you drop a hand line with bait in the hope of attracting tuna, jackfish, and grouper.
The most amusing aspect of this excursion is the barbeque that follows and includes cooking all the fish you manage to catch.
Dhoni sunset cruise
Water plays an essential part in every aspect of island living, including nightlife in Maldives. Travelers who are also avid ocean-lovers will thus find a dhoni sunset cruise very much to their liking.
A family excursion, the sailing trip includes heading out into the waters as the sun begins to disappear into the horizon. A dhoni sunset cruise is one of the best opportunities to take spectacular photographs in the Maldives.
There are different variations of the cruise available, depending on its price and time. While some tours last an hour or two and might include drinks, longer cruises further add diner on the boat or a sandbank.
Bonfires on the beach
What could be more tropical than bonfires on the beach? Sitting around the burning wood, gentle waves crashing onto the shore nearby, and great company all around. It’s Maldivian nightlife at its classic best.
Guesthouses typically organize beach bonfires on public islands at the request of their guests. On private retreats, though, this is a regular feature. Bonfire on the beach typically includes drinks, snacks, and cultural music and dance performances such as Boduberu.
Theme parties at resorts
Resort islands have a difficult task on hand as they try to please all of their guests. Tourists arriving in the Maldives have varied tastes, ranging from couples looking for privacy and tranquility to groups that want an energetic and loud time.
Designing spaces and occasions for everyone, retreats have several secluded areas and rooms for couples. Away from the main resort, they are in a primarily noise-free part of the island. For guests who wish to end the day with a bang, the staff often hosts theme parties.
These get-togethers are the perfect occasion to meet with other guests in a casual, fun-filled setting. Themes for these events can range from karaoke, black and white, and jungle to pirate or a white night party.
Dancing under the sea
We’ve talked about a number of ways to indulge in Maldives nightlife. However, the island nation has a reputation for going over the top and presenting experiences that you cannot find elsewhere in the world.
Since there are underwater spa rooms, bedrooms, and undersea restaurants in the Maldives, it should come as no surprise that you’ll also find underwater clubs here.
If the name isn’t enough of a hint, SubSix is the world’s first underwater nightclub, situated at a depth of six meters. Located in the ultra-luxurious Niyama Private Islands, the restaurant has a contemporary aquatic-inspired look. Adding to the design are the glass windows that allow guests to dine while admiring the vibrant marine life of the Indian Ocean. SubSix regularly hosts special events in addition to serving a champagne breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
W Maldives’ 15 Below is a proper club where the resort brings international DJs on a three-month rotation system. Situated 15 feet below the water’s surface, the club is open only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Besides dance and music, it has a well-stocked bar that boasts a collection of over 95 different vodkas.
So, whether it’s a soothing and traditional night with coffee and music you want or something compelling and unmatched like the chance to dance underwater, Maldives nightlife has it all.
