With almost 1200 islands ringed with white sand beaches and cerulean waters, the Maldives seem to exist just for honeymooners. It’s easy to do very close to nothing at all, simply watching the waves and running your fingers through the sand. For the more adventurous, you can break up the lounging with snorkeling, diving, haute cuisine or even a swim with sharks!
1.The Maldives’ beaches and idyllic sites are scattered across hundreds of islands. For nature lovers, the Northern Atolls are some of the least-developed islands. Explore the markets and restaurants Male before heading to less-developed areas, such as quiet Baa Atoll or the one-of-a-kind beaches of nearly unpopulated Vaavu Atoll.
2.Feast on fresh, local seafood and bright, coconut-laced flavors. Enjoy mas riha, a curry made with fresh tuna or one of the many toothsome vegetable and seafood curries served at sleek hotel restaurants or simple beachside huts. Share a colorful plate of succulent screwpine fruit for dessert. Between meals, don’t miss a snack of savory masroshi or delectable bajiya, the Maldive take on the popular Indian samosa.
3.For gorgeous views, go snorkeling or diving in crystalline waters, where visibility is often up to 50 meters. If you want a little more excitement, there’s no shortage of ways to be active in paradise. Swimming, water polo, kite-surfing, kayaking, water-skiing, parasailing: Maldivians have their water sports down. Surfers can expect waves of 3 to 8 feet, with some of the best action just off the South Male Atoll, conveniently close to the capital.
4.To add some adventure to the romance, take a swim with whale sharks at the South Ari Atoll with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. The organizers will take you to the Atoll year-round for a safe but heart-pumping swim.
5.When you’ve had enough excitement, don’t forget about the Maldives number one attraction: R&R. Sunbathe on a secluded spit of a beach behind your private bungalow, where clothing is optional and there’s nobody but you, your partner beneath the deep blue sky. Soak up the rays at one of the plush resorts’ private beaches, with a cool beverage delivered right to your lounge chair.
6. For further pampering, book a couples’ massage at your resort or one of the many day spas scattered throughout the islands. Look for special treatments using Maldivian virgin coconut oil or soothing gandhakolhi leaf. You’ll feel refreshed after water sports or any other island adventures. Book a session with a hakeembe, or traditional Maldivian healer, for a truly restorative massage, part of the package at many of the higher-end spas.
7. When you’ve had enough of your own little corner of the islands, head out into the great blue expanse with your beloved. Book passage on a luxury yacht and let the fresh air blast your face as you gaze across the limitless blue of Indian Ocean and wide-open skies.
