The guys over at Visit Maldives know a good thing and are getting ready for when Aussies can travel coming up with an inspiring and absolutely stunning dozen must do experiences in the Maldives!
So after you read all this, just close your eyes and dream about these incredible experiences on offer in the Maldives, some unique to the atolls, with the Maldivian sands as white as the smiles of the locals, with fish swimming happily in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with the weather a dream and the deep rays of the sun illuminating each island, so question, waste no more time, it’s time to start planning your next adventure to this heaven on earth with this sublime dozed…..
- Fly Above The Islands
Witness the beauty of the Maldives from above on a thrilling seaplane ride, with the Maldives having the world’s largest seaplane fleet, taking you from Velana International Airport in Malé to your island holiday destination, with a bird’s-eye view of lagoons, islands and sandbanks scattered across the deep blue ocean on surely be one of the most incredible plane rides you will ever experience and what an arrival!
- Enjoy A Floating Breakfast
Maldivian resorts love an innovative dining concept. Imagine yourself in the private pool of your overwater villa with a large floating tray filled with delicious breakfast foods, coupled with the mesmerising views of the Indian Ocean in the background. There are a number of luxury resorts that offer this incredible spread, including the luxurious Ayada Maldives and the stunning Sun Siyam Iru Veli Maldives.
- Live Like A Local
Besides from the luxury resorts and overwater bungalows, the Maldives has one of the most unique and authentic cultures in the world. Venture to one of the many local islands scattered across the Maldives and get to know the friendly residents. Join their laid-back lifestyle and play football with the children, enjoy a home-cooked meal or simply just sit on the beach and watch the sun set. To get a taste of local Maldivian life, Secret Paradise offers a range of guided tours that are educational, sustainable, and unforgettable!
- Stay In An Over-Water Bungalow
Perched over crystal clear blue waters with iconic boardwalks and thatched roofs, over-water bungalows are the ultimate source of luxury and privacy. With the one-island, one-resort concept in mind, visitors are guaranteed a romantic holiday in complete seclusion. Some of the most lavish over-water bungalows include Soneva Jani’s Water Retreat, which comes equipped with a retractable roof, private pool, open-air bathroom and even a water slide, and The Muraka at the Conrad Maldives, which boasts an infinity pool, a private butler, private jets skies and three bedrooms – one of which is submerged 16-feet below sea level for the ultimate underwater sleeping experience. 
- Swim Freely With The Fishes
The Maldives is one of the best countries in the world for swimming, snorkelling and diving. You can snorkel at a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with manta rays, nurse sharks, turtles, and even whale sharks, Bar Atoll and Ari Atoll are the best locations for this incredible experience, where you will almost certainly find a wide range of stunning marine life.
- Dine Underwater
Exceptional dining experiences await under the sea amidst vivid views of fascinating coral gardens, deep blue water and stunning marine life. With impressive menus on offer and luxury guaranteed, this is one experience that you will never forget. The Maldives has several underwater restaurants including 5.8 Undersea Restaurant – the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant – and Subsix, submerged off a private island 500 metres from Niyama’s main island.
- Book A Treehouse Adventure
Looking for a unique adventure or an escape among leafy green trees? Book yourself a resort with a luxury treehouse villa. Wrapped in a canopy of coconut trees, serenity infuses every part of these exceptional spaces. Amilla Maldives offers an incredible Treetop Pool Villa which boasts two bedrooms, an outdoor rain shower, private freshwater pool and wine cellar – all sitting 12 metres above the ground amongst the palm trees.
- Stay In A Beach Bubble Tent
A spectacular luxury ‘glamping’ concept, these beach bubble tents provide a whole new meaning to ‘sleeping under the stars’. The stylish Finolhu on Baa Atoll was the first resort in the Maldives to offer this type of experience, which includes a private butler and chef, four-poster bed, luxurious bathroom and an exclusive beach barbeque and breakfast. The best part about the Beach Bubble experience is that the tent is nestled in a secluded spot along a 1.5km sandbank, ensuring the ultimate socially-distanced holiday.
- Sunset Fishing Excursion
With over 2,000 species of fishes, the Maldives is one of the world’s top destinations for sustainable fishing excursions. One stand-out experience to try is sunset fishing, which is not only a fun activity for anglers, but also for those wanting to watch the skies turn into magical shades of pink and orange. Como Cocoa Island offers guests the chance to catch their own fish at sunset, which can be taken back to the resort and cooked by its chefs for the freshest of seafood dinners.
- Replenish And Conserve Coral
Help the Maldives save and preserve its underwater beauty by planting coral during your next stay. Many resorts have programmes available for guests to help rejuvenate and restore reefs affected by coral bleaching. For instance, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort gives guests the opportunity to join their reef regeneration project, by adopting coral and planting it on the reef, with instruction from its resident marine biologist.
- Experience Illuminated Waters
Have you ever walked along the seashore at night and seen it completely lit up like stars in the sky? Caused by bioluminescent planktons, this incredible phenomenon is only found in a few places in the world, with the Maldives being one of them! The best time to witness a glowing beach in the Maldives is mid-summer through to winter, with Vaadhoo Island on Raa Atoll being one of the best places to see it. Other resorts include the sleek Farrufushi Maldives and the romantic You & Me by Cocoon.
- Watch Movies Under The Stars
Spice up your holiday date night with an epic outdoor cinema experience. Cinefushi at Constance Moofushi gives travellers the chance to watch a film under the stars on an idyllic Maldivian beach. Choose your film from a selection of more than 100 to watch on a private screen, with the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore and soft powder sand beneath your feet. Lie back on loungers and enjoy a unique luxury cinema experience complete with popcorn, ice cream, canapés and sparkling wine served to you on the beach.
So, when can you go?
The Maldives reopened its international borders to all tourists for the first time since March on July 15th 2020 and since reopening, the island nation has welcomed back over 50,000 travellers, with the Maldives government following advice from leading health professionals and the World Health Organisation to implement strict health and safety protocols before they allowed foreigners back into the country. Such protocols include having visitors present a negative PCR test within a maximum of 96 hours prior to departing their country of origin; a staggered resort reopening approach; strict health and safety guidelines for airlines, airports, resorts, and liveaboards; developing isolation and quarantine facilities for tourists; and requiring a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure from the Maldives if the traveller stayed in a guesthouse on a local island.
So, I reckon once Scomo gives the green light for travel overseas, we should all head off to the Maldives for as they say in the Maldives, “the sunny side of life”!
For more information on the Maldives, click here visitmaldives.com/en.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
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