Six fun and unusual things to do in the Maldives

You’ve spent hours lounging on the beach, making sandcastles, walking hand in hand with your loved one, occasionally venturing out into the warm waters of the lagoon situated a few steps away from your villa.

You’ve also been out in the ocean, experiencing the thrill of snorkeling with manta rays or diving deep to witness whale and hammerhead sharks from up close.

Now what?

The beautiful island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean is unquestionably famous for its white sandy beaches, colorful marine life, and luxurious water bungalows. However, if you look a little closer, there are several unusual and fun things to do in the Maldives that will leave you in a state of awe and permanent euphoria.

From luxury resorts that go out of their way to please their guests to excursions that let you enjoy Maldives’ underwater wonders without getting wet, here are some fascinating experiences to enjoy during your tropical holiday.

Booze boats

To appreciate the “real” Maldives, you need to skip the resorts and stay on an inhabited island. Although a budget holiday option, your sojourn on islands like Maafushi comes with certain limitations, and not having access to alcohol is one of them.

Still, if booze is what you want, there is a way around this restriction. A few safari boats, in this case, termed as booze or alcohol boats, visit Maafushi (and a few other islands) to take passengers out in the sea for a night of entertainment. The boats have a bar, a small dance area, and a DJ. Surprisingly, the drinks are cheaper than what you would pay at resorts, with a bottle of beer costing around $5. Booze boats are a lovely attraction where you can meet fellow travelers and spend the night away dancing and drinking.

Underwater nirvana

You’ll be surprised by the number of things to do in the Maldives, where you can indulge in underwater experiences without having to get wet. In fact, there is one where you go eight meters below the surface to eventually attain pure bliss.

Huvafen Fushi is a multi-award-winning resort famous for having “the first and only underwater spa treatment rooms in the world.” An almost spiritual experience, the spa rooms have a zen-like aura that elevates the mind while the reef views are a visual delight bar none. The spa also has on-water rooms with glass bottom floors.

Deepsea dining

Forget about the underwater restaurants in the Maldives, for a minute, because unknown to many travelers, it is possible to go deep-sea dining in Malé. Yes, you heard us, that’s dining, not diving!

The Whale Submarine is a top daytime family excursion in the capital, but in the evening, it transforms into DeepSea Restaurant, a culinary event that takes place at a depth of 120 feet. Once on the seabed, diners have an hour to enjoy a lavish buffet. The submarine’s surroundings are lit up during this time, allowing passengers to observe sharks and rays swim about and have a feast of their own.  

Glass-bottom bathtubs

As a top honeymoon destination, Maldives attracts couples from across the globe, providing them with extraordinary opportunities to be intimate and cozy. Adding to the romantic appeal of the islands is a somewhat risqué, unique, and at the same time, a wickedly fun option for lovebirds to relish.

While you might have enjoyed a ride on a glass-bottom boat or sat on a patio with a see-through glass floor, the Six Senses Laamu resort has a transparent glass-bottom bathtub in their water villas. That’s not all. Besides the views underneath, you get to admire uninterrupted seascapes from the window next to your bathtub. Now, how cool is that!

A starry night to remember

Most excursions in the Maldives focus on what’s beneath the water. Amidst all the beauty you can discover while snorkeling and diving, it is understandable if you forget to look up into the sky. Remember, though, far away from pollution, cloudless nights in the Maldives are a real treat, as the sky above comes alive, shimmering brightly, giving us a glimpse into the secrets of the universe.

One of the best places to explore our galaxy and beyond is Anantara Kihava resort. The luxury escape has an observatory, SKY, with “Maldives’ most powerful telescope.” Featuring daybeds to lie on, an evening at the observatory includes cocktails, information on planetary objects from their in-house “guru,” and an exclusive stargazing affair ideal for couples and families.  

Fun at the movies

Maldivian resorts undoubtedly take you far away from the humdrum of daily routine, but they also make sure you get to savor some of the best things that make everyday life pleasant. Amongst the most treasured moments we typically have at home is the simplistic pleasure of a dinner and a movie. 

Giving the notion a Maldivian touch is the presence of open-air cinemas at several resorts across the islands. Moreover, each resort adds their own special touch to the celebration. Soneva Jani, for example, has a large screen in the middle of a lagoon, where you can watch the movie lying over water on a catamaran hammock. Gili Lankanfushi’s cinema is surrounded by lush green vegetation, whereas the one at Kurumba Maldives lets you get comfortable with your partner on large couple-sized beanbags.

N.B.: all information is correct as of the post-publication date, and prices are subject to change.