Maldives is one of the most beautiful countries in the world in terms of holidays or travel. This island country in the Indian Ocean is the smallest country in Asia in terms of population and area. Let us tell you, that there are a total of 1,192 islands in Maldives, out of which only 200 islands are inhabited by people. This country is also very popular for its water sports activities all over the world.
This extremely picturesque location is a popular spot for photographers who love to capture the unique natural beauty of the islands. Here are the most beautiful places to visit in Maldives
1- Fulhadhoo Island
Fulhadhoo Island is located about 100 km from the capital Male. Unlike most tourist destinations in Maldives, this island is actually inhabited by locals who have made their home among the lush green forests of the island. The island is perhaps less visited by tourists as it is a little far from the city of Male.
You can reach the island by private ferry or boats and spend a day strolling on the white sandy beach. You can also interact with the locals, who are warm and friendly to all tourists. The island offers some beautiful panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding brilliant blue waters. It will be a fun place for those who want to explore new places in Maldives.
2- Male City, Maldives
One of the smallest national capitals in the world, Male is known for its ancient mosque and colorful buildings. Today Male has become one of the favorite places among honeymoon couples and water sports lovers due to its beauty. The tall buildings, trees and blue waters of the island here force tourists to come here.
Male City also has an artificial beach, where tourists come to enjoy many recreational water activities like swimming, kayaking and wakeboarding. There is also the Old Friday Mosque here, which is the oldest mosque in the city and is known for its magnificent architecture.
3- Addu Atoll
Seenu Atoll or Addu Atoll is a great place to visit in Maldives at any time of the year. Located south of the city of Male, this place to visit in Maldives has some natural islands that are relatively crowd-free. If you are looking for a quaint beach away from the busy city and islands, you can visit Seenu Atoll and explore the area.
The resorts and hotels here are also more affordable and economical. You can visit these islands and spend some time in their serene environment. It is a perfect place to relax in between tourism and adventure.
4- Banana Reef, Maldives
Adorned with mighty overhangs, colorful coral reefs, majestic cliffs and beautiful caves, Banana Reef is counted among the most pristine reefs in the Maldives. Sharks, barracudas and groupers also live in Banana Reef, making it one of the most popular diving spots in the world.
Banana Reef is one of the best places in Maldives for scuba diving, as here you can go up to the surface of the water and see the beautiful world here with your own eyes. The diving range in Banana Reef starts from five meters and goes up to thirty meters underwater.
5- Maafushi Island
Maafushi Island is an uninhabited island that has been opened only for tourists to visit and spend time. The beautiful empty beaches of the island make this place one of the top tourist places in Maldives near the main city. You can easily reach the village by ferry or private boat.
There are plenty of options for staying on the island, and you can choose one according to your budget. You can swim in the clear waters or stroll on the white sand and enjoy the coastal weather of the island. Kids will also love this place as there are not too many people here.
6- National Museum
The National Museum of Maldives is an ancient building that houses a well-organized collection of artifacts, which aims to instill a sense of patriotism among the citizens of Maldives. The museum has a vast collection of royal antiquities from the Buddhist and Islamic eras, and lovers of history and crafts visit this place with great enthusiasm.
From various costumes and jewelry of ancient kings and queens, from fabric and paper manuscripts and anthropological objects to weapons and armor, you will find everything here. Whenever you come to visit Maldives, do visit this museum.
7- The Muraca
Muraca is a hotel resort that deserves special mention in the list of tourist places in Maldives. This hotel is famous for being located underwater and having a transparent roof to view the marine life. If you stay at the hotel, you can enjoy the beauty of the marine life right from your room. Everything from the walls to the ceiling is transparent and provides stunning views of the fish swimming in the ocean. You can get up close and personal with the fish while staying in the comfort of your room. If your budget allows, we highly recommend staying at Muraka for a unique experience.
8- Great Friday Mosque
One of the most famous religious places to visit in Maldives, the Grand Friday Mosque attracts not only spiritual seekers but also architecture lovers. Established in 1984, this grand temple is an important part of the Islamic Center and is named after Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu-al-Auzam.
More than 5 thousand people can gather to offer prayers in this mosque, making it the largest mosque in Maldives. The entire mosque is made of pure white marble and has a huge golden dome at the main square.
9- Chinese Friendship Bridge
Also known as the Sinamale Bridge, the Maldives Chinese Friendship Bridge is a 2-kilometer-long bridge that connects the city of Male to Hulhule Island. This popular bridge was constructed to strengthen the connection between China and Maldives. The project was started in 2014 and completed in July 2018. This $200 million project is one of the most progressive projects in Maldives, with about 6 lanes to the bridge. The bridge is dedicated to bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles, etc.
10- Vaadhoo Island
Vaadhoo Island is a beautiful island in the Maldives that offers beautiful beaches, iconic landscapes, and mesmerizing beauty. When the sun sets on Vaadhoo Island, the ocean waves hitting the shore shine like a shimmering field of blue dots, making the ocean shine like stars at night.
Things to do in Maldives
There are several things to do in Maldives that make your vacation more adventurous and beautiful
1- Boating or Sailing
The calm blue waters of Maldives are perfect for sailing. There are plenty of boats available for rent, which you can use for your sailing expedition. You can also bring a tour guide with you and rent a boat to enjoy the beautiful sunset away from the crowded beaches.
This is a great romantic getaway for a few hours and will bring your family closer than ever. You can watch some fish swimming and admire the beautiful island from a distance. Sailing is definitely an activity or things to do in Maldives that should not be missed.
2- Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Scuba diving is a must-do in Maldives. Maldives has a rich collection of corals and marine creatures, which you can see by swimming underwater. You can take some swimming lessons and get a personal look at the underwater marine life by going scuba diving with your instructor.
For those who don’t feel comfortable diving deep into the sea, there are snorkeling options that won’t require too much gear. You can also take your kids on a snorkeling expedition and dive into the waters with your family.
3- Skydiving
Maldives is one of the few places that offers tourists an amazing skydiving experience. Travelers from all over the world visit Maldives tourist destinations, but they often miss out on experiencing skydiving.
Seeing these beautiful blue waters and lush green islands from the sky is a distant dream for many. However, you can turn it into reality by skydiving. You will be provided with an instructor and given proper guidance before you jump. Although it is expensive, this adventurous sport will be worth it for you in every possible way.
4- Local Cuisine
The food in Maldives is truly unmatched in its variety and deliciousness. People who love seafood will find Maldives to be their food paradise. One of the best things to do in Maldives would be to visit some of the amazing restaurants on the islands.
You can taste some freshly cooked seafood that includes shrimp, lobster, scallops, snapper, mussels, crabs, uni, and more. We remind you to visit the underwater restaurants and dine while marveling at the sea creatures above. If you are on a diet, you can also try a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on the island and sourced directly for the restaurants.
5- Cruises
Cruise rides are one of the best things to do in Maldives. There is a collection of budget and luxury cruises in Maldives that will take you amidst the beautiful blue waters and provide amazing views of the surrounding ocean. Those who want to get away from the islands but don’t want to go sailing can try Maldives cruises that will take you on an island-hopping expedition.
The view of the sunset from the cruise is worth watching and should not be missed by any means. The cruises offer some amazing buffet and water activities along with premium stay facilities.
How you can reach Maldives
By Air: Velana International Airport located on Hulhule Island in North Male Atoll is the only air gateway to Maldives. The airport receives international and domestic flights, so traveling here will be easy for all tourists.
By Waterways: You can also reach Maldives via cruises that come from different parts of the world. To reach Maldives in less time by waterways, you can reach here from Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai.