When embarking upon a luxury holiday to the Maldives, the prospect of endless days on exquisite beaches enjoying some of the finest service levels in the world is what draws many here in the first place. However there is far more to the Maldives than just alternating your choice of lounger for an afternoon siesta, or debating over which pampering treatment might tempt you into the spa for an hour or two. What about the more active things to do? Here we outline some of the very best resorts in the Maldives for those seeking far more than just a perfect beach.
THE BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR SNORKELLING & DIVING
In the Maldives you can enjoy superb snorkelling and diving across many atolls, with rich coral reefs, clear waters and abundant marine life accessible directly from the shore at many resorts. While numerous islands feature excellent house reefs, there are two standout regions for those in search of the most outstanding underwater experiences – the South Ari Atoll and the Baa Atoll. Within these protected marine reserves, we have hand-picked the best luxury resorts which balance superb snorkelling and diving opportunities with the highest levels of comfort. In the Baa Atoll, we highly recommend Vakkaru as a luxury base. Close to the resort you’ll find an enormous house reef, as well as a blue hole to explore. The surrounding waters are a haven for manta rays, turtles, and vibrant coral ecosystems. On the South Ari Atoll, LUX South Ari Atoll is an outstanding all-rounder for marine enthusiasts. Its prime location delivers some of the best chances in the world to swim with whale sharks year-round, as well as exceptional snorkelling and diving that caters to all levels.
THE BEST RESORTS FOR SURFING LIKE A PRO
The Maldives is not always a destination necessarily associated with surfing, but its consistent warm-water swells and variety of reef breaks make it a surf haven for those in the know. Surf conditions are usually best between April to October, and – with a number of regional variations to consider – it is important to choose your resort carefully if you wish to experience surfing in the Maldives. For ease of access alone, not to mention the resort's expert surf academy, the waters surrounding Six Senses Laamu offer some of the best waves in the Maldives. Unusually here, beginners can learn to surf straight from the beach. This makes it a perfect spot to hone your technique and gain confidence before venturing out to more challenging breaks nearby. Alternatively, head to the Cheval Blanc Randheli to test out the only surf simulator in the Maldives, or to Anantara Veli to enjoy its very own quick barrelling break, as well expeditions to some ten other surf sites and a team of ‘surf gurus’ on hand for those requiring tuition. To really follow in the footsteps of the professionals, however, it has to be the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa; its annual surfing championship attracts greats from all over the world in a thrilling competition every September.
THE BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR TENNIS
Tennis is always a popular activity in the Maldives for expending a little energy or getting competitive with the family. For when knocking a few tennis balls around with your other half or children is simply not enough, you may wish to consider a resort that offers expert tennis tuition. We particularly recommend Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani for combining polished Maldivian luxury with world-class tennis. Visiting tennis pros are in residence at both resorts year-round, and they always attract the best of the best. There are also tennis pros on hand to put you through your paces at Vakkaru, Amilla, Joali and One&Only Reethi Rah to name but a few.
MALDIVES RESORTS WITH PADEL TENNIS
As padel tennis gains huge global momentum, several of the top luxury resorts in the Maldives have introduced purpose-built courts to meet this rising demand. Combining the appeal of tennis with a more accessible, social style of play, padel suits couples, families, and groups of friends alike. Vakkaru was one of the first Maldives resorts to install a professional-grade padel court, offering coaching and tournament-style play in glorious surroundings. Soneva Fushi’s padel court is positioned in a blissful setting surrounded by tropical vegetation, while Kuredu is a great resort for an active stay with multiple padel courts and regular social matches. Joali aims to immerse the whole family in the joy of padel, with private lessons for all ages and even a children’s padel clinic. To play padel on an exclusive island resort in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island provides a striking, panoramic padel court alongside a full suite of elite sports facilities. Kudadoo offers padel as part of its all-inclusive programme, while The Nautilus features padel master classes with global champions.
THE BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR NIGHT LIFE
There are some resorts that take on a whole new intoxicating dimension when the sun sets. For those looking to dance the night away to the beats of world class DJs, Patina resort takes centre stage. Its Fari Beach Club in the hip marina village attracts top visiting artists and DJs – not to mention Patina’s own resident DJ, who also happens to be a Michelin-starred chef! The beach club at Finolhu is also known to attract top names, with its laid-back beachfront setting channelling something of a Mykonos vibe. It hosts a White Party on the sandbank every Friday featuring a live DJ and fire shows. Alternatively, for night life with a true Maldivian twist, you may wish to consider Niyama. This polished private island resort features the world’s first underwater nightclub, hosting regular sets by top DJs and lively glow parties.
STARLIT NIGHTS IN THE MALDIVES
If the prospect of beach parties and underwater nightclubs all sounds a little too exhausting, nights in the Maldives can be enjoyed with many more sedate pursuits. Outdoor movie nights are one of favourite ways to pass a balmy Maldives evening. We have a particular affection for Gili Lankanfushi’s lantern-lit jungle cinema, or movie nights at Soneva Jani where the screen is poised directly over the water on stilts as you recline on the cushions of your overwater netted canopy. If you would prefer to gaze at stars of a different variety, Anantara Kihavah is the proud owner of the Maldives’ biggest telescope, and the resort’s utterly charming ‘sky guru’ will bring the constellations to life in the most memorable way. Alternatively, marvel at the unpolluted night sky from a different perspective on a star gazing dhoni cruise at Huvafen Fushi, or roll back the retractable roof of your villa at Soneva Jani to admire the stars from the comfort of your own bed.
FISHING IN THE MALDIVES
The Maldives is a superb destination for fishing, with its nutrient-rich waters drawing pelagic species like tuna, sailfish, and giant trevally year-round. Big game fishing is particularly popular in the Maldives, and there are number of excellent luxury resorts that offer this activity. One&Only Reethi Rah stands out for big game fishing, with private yacht charters targeting barracuda and wahoo. At Milaidhoo you can go big game fishing in a traditional dhoni with an expert guide, or you could up the ante even further at Hideaway. In a blissfully remote location in the far north of the Maldives, the resort is surrounded by marine-rich waters and boasts an impressive fleet of fully-equipped fishing boats. Hideaway is also one of the few resorts to offer both big game and fly fishing. COMO Maalifushi is another place to consider if it is fly fishing that appeals. Between December and April, the atoll’s expansive flats are a haven for catch and release fly fishing, and guided expeditions are operated in light tackle or kayak.
THE BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR YOGA
Yoga is a natural companion to a luxury Maldives holiday, with countless resorts offering daily sessions in serene, oceanfront settings. Whether at sunrise on a stilted deck or at sunset beside a calm lagoon, yoga in the Maldives is a wonderful way to restore your balance. Among the best luxury resorts in the Maldives for yoga are Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, where the ‘Soneva Soul’ wellness concept combines daily practice with tailored programmes, visiting masters, and a holistic approach grounded in Ayurvedic and integrative medicine. At Six Senses Laamu and Gili Lankanfushi the presence of a highly experienced resident and visiting yoga masters ensures expert-led instruction and tailored advice on how to enhance your practice. St. Regis Maldives Vommuli and The Nautilus are also noteworthy due to the variety of yoga disciplines practised, including aerial yoga.
THE BEST MALDIVES RESORTS FOR GOLF
Though certainly not a widespread activity in the Maldives, there is still golf to be found for those who seek it. Kuredu was the first resort to introduce a golf course in the Maldives, and its 6-hole, par 3 course and driving range form part of a much wider sports and activity offering. For the ultimate golf experience in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island is unmatched. This exclusive luxury resort features a golf academy designed by José Maria Olazábal, set against a stunning backdrop of swaying palms. Here you can take advantage of one-to-one tuition with a PGA professional, as well as making use of the state-of-the-art swing studio.
If you have been inspired to incorporate any of these activities into a luxury Maldives holiday, you can contact our knowledgeable destination specialists on +44 (0)1242 787804 for detailed help and advice. They know the resorts intimately and can recommend the very best option for you.
