Maldives is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean. These islands are well known all around the world for their scenic beauty and crystal-clear waters. The white sandy beaches and blue waters have drawn millions of people every year to these serene islands. The highly picturesque place is a popular haunt of photographers who love to capture the unmatched scenic beauty of the islands.
Here’s how you can reach Maldives:
By air: Velana International Airport, located on Hulhulé Island in the North Malé Atoll, is the only air route to Maldives. The airport receives international and domestic flights, so travelling here will be a breeze for all tourists.
By waterways: You can also reach Maldives via cruises which travel from various parts of the world. To reach Maldives in a short time by waterways, you can travel here from Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai.
There are numerous places to visit in Maldives which should not be missed when you visit the islands. Here is a list of the top places to visit and things to do in Maldives, which will help you plan the itinerary perfectly.
15 best places to visit and things to do in Maldives
COMO Cocoa Islands
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The COMO Cocoa Islands are a set of private Islands located just south of the capital city, Male. These islands and their resorts are well known all over the world for their luxury residence and picturesque views. You can stay over on this private island in Maldives and explore the Maldives tourism places while remaining free from crowds. The island can be reached by small boats and cruises. There are various types of cottages along the seashore, which are constructed for tourists to stay over and enjoy the view of the blue sea from close proximity.
Seenu Atoll or Addu Atoll
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Seenu Atoll or Addu Atoll is a top Maldive place to visit any time of the year. Located far south of the city of Male, this place to visit in Maldives contains some natural islands which are relatively crowd-free. If you are looking for a quaint beach aqua from the busy city and islands, you can visit Seenu Atoll and explore the area. The resorts and hotels here are also more economical and pocket-friendly. You can sail to these islands and spend some time in its serene environment. It is a perfect place for resting between tours and adventures.
Maafushi Island
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Maafushi island is an uninhabited island that has been opened solely for tourists to come and spend time. The beautiful empty sea beaches of the island make the place among the top Maldives tourist places near the main city. You can easily reach the village by ferry or a private boat. The island has plenty of options for staying back, and you can choose one according to your budget. You can go swimming in the clear water or take a stroll through the white sands and enjoy the coastal weather of the island. Children will also find the place delightful since it doesn’t have too many people around.
Male City
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Male is the capital city of Maldives and has the best tourist places in Maldives. The city is comparatively less populated with several modern infrastructures and amenities. When you travel to Maldives from the mainland, you will land at Male from where you need to start your tour. Male has its fair share of tourist attractions with beautiful beaches and a plethora of hotels and restaurants. You will also find a variety of water sports here and try out some delicious local cuisines in the busy lanes of the city. You can go bar hopping with friends or have some quality time with family strolling through the beach and engaging in water sports.
Fulhadhoo Island
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Fulhadhoo Island is located some 100 km away from the capital city of Male. Unlike most tourist places in Maldives, this island is actually inhabited by local people who have found their home among the lush green woods of the islands. The island receives fewer tourists probably because it’s slightly far from Male City. You can reach the island by private ferries or boats and spend a day walking along the white sandy beach. You can even interact with the locals, who are warm and friendly to all tourists alike. The island offers some beautiful panoramic views of the ocean and the brilliant blue water around. It will be a fun getaway for people who want to explore new places in the Maldives.
The Muraka
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The Muraka is a hotel resort that deserves a special mention in the list of Maldives tourism places. The hotel is well known for being located underwater, and having transparent ceilings to watch the marine life. If you stay over at the hotel, you can enjoy the beauty of marine life from your room itself. Everything from the walls to the roof is transparent and provides spectacular views of the fishes swimming in the sea. You can almost come up close and personal with the fishes while remaining within the comfort of your room. If your budget permits, we highly recommend staying over at The Muraka for a unique experience.
Nalaguraidhoo Island
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The Nalaguraidhoo Island, or Sun island, is another major Maldives place for tourists and travellers. The sun island mostly consists of a number of hotels and resorts which provide luxury residences for people who come to enjoy Maldives. At Sun Island, you can enjoy the serene beach and take a dip in the cool waters to wash off your stress and rejuvenate. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets right from your resort balconies. There are various water sports available for people who are interested in some fun activities on the crystal clear water.
Banana Reef
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The Banana Reef is located near Male city and accessible by tourists. This large banana-shaped coral reef is protected by the government so that they don’t get destroyed by the influx of tourism on the islands. You can visit the reefs by going snorkelling from Male with a guide. The beautiful corals of rainbow hues which surely mesmerise you and develop a deep appreciation for marine life. You will also observe some amazing colourful fishes in the wild, which you have only seen in aquariums.
Naifaru island
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Naifaru island is located 141 km north of the capital of Malé. The island is one of the most populous islands, with locals and tourists flocking at the island at all times. The inhabited island offers some amazing places to stay in Maldives along with a few water activities. You can visit the island and take a tour around to see how the locals actually live their daily life in the Maldives. Stay over the budget hotels or luxury resorts and enjoy the beauty of the island to its fullest. You can even join the water sport activities and create some amazing memories for yourself.
Glowing Beach
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The Mudhdhoo Island in Maldives is also called the glowing beach. There are countless pictures on the internet that show how the beach glows a brilliant blue at night and offers a spectacular view of the shores. These neon blue lights are cast by sea creatures that gather at the shore on specific days. You can visit the island and stay here for a few days to experience this mesmerising site. Although it can’t be said for sure when these sea creatures come to the shore, you can definitely take the chance and visit the island for the experience.
Boating or sailing
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The serene blue waters of the Maldives are perfect for going sailing. There are plenty of boats available for rent which you can avail of for your sailing expedition. You can also bring along a tour guide and rent boats to enjoy the beautiful sunsets away from the crowded beaches. It is a perfect romantic getaway for a few hours and will bring your family even closer than before. You can spot some fishes swimming by and gaze at the beautiful island from a distance. Sailing is definitely an activity or things to do in the Maldives which should not be missed.
Scuba diving and snorkelling
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Scuba diving in the Maldives is a must. The Maldives has a rich collection of corals and sea creatures which can be truly appreciated when you swim with them underwater. You can avail some swimming lessons and go scuba diving with your instructor to watch the underwater marine life in person. For people who do not feel comfortable diving deep into the ocean, there are snorkelling options that won’t even require a lot of gear. You can even take your children for snorkelling expeditions and have some family in the waters.
Skydiving
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The Maldives is one of the few places which offer an amazing skydiving experience for tourists. While travellers from around the world come to visit Maldives tourist places, they often miss the skydiving experience. Watching these beautiful blue waters and the lush green island from the sky is a distant dream for many people. However, you can actually turn it into a reality by going skydiving. You will be provided with an instructor and given proper guidance before making the jump. Although on the expensive side, this adventure sport will be worth it for you in every way possible.
Local cuisines
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The food in the Maldives is truly unmatched in its diversity and deliciousness. People who love seafood will find the Maldives to be their food heaven. Among the top places to visit in the Maldives would be a few trips to some of the amazing restaurants on the islands. You can try out some freshly cooked seafood which ranges from prawns, lobster, scallops, snapper, mussels, crabs, uni, and much more. We remind you to visit the underwater restaurant and dine away while marvelling at the sea creatures above. If you are on a diet, you can also eat a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, which are grown on the island and sourced directly for restaurants.
Cruise
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Cruise rides are among the top things to do in the Maldives. The Maldives has a collection of budget and luxury cruises that will take you through the beautiful blue waters and provide amazing views of the sea around. People who want to venture away from the islands but don’t want to go sailing can try Maldives cruises which will take you on an island-hopping expedition. The sunsets from cruises are a view to die for and should not be missed in any way. Cruises also offer premium living facilities with some amazing buffets and water activities.
FAQs
Is Maldives worth visiting?
Maldives is a beautiful country with sapphire blue waters and green islands. The natural beauty of the islands definitely makes them worth visiting.
What is special about Maldives?
Maldives has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. The green islands with crystal clear water is the perfect getaway for people looking for a quick relaxing vacation.
How many days are enough for Maldives?
A travel itinerary of 4-5 days is enough for a comprehensive tour of Maldives.