Maldives Sightseeing

The various islands of the Maldives provide plenty of opportunities for visitors to sightsee, with the capital Malé offering a particularly good selection of attractions. Visitors can take daytrips by boat around the most interesting island destinations, during which they can visit the most popular sights, shopping and sampling the local cuisine.

Addu
The second most significant Maldivian destination after Malé, Addu is home to a small holiday resort. The island has a unique ambience based on the fact that the locals speak their own dialect and consider themselves independent of the rest of the archipelago. The island is still relatively undeveloped and visitors have plenty of opportunities to see local life in the small villages scattered across Addu.

Banana Reef
Banana Reef is a protected area famous for its fantastic diving opportunities and wealth of marine life that resides here. Divers can expect to see some magnificent corals around which groper, sharks, jackfish, blue-striped snapper and barracuda roam. Some areas are well suited to snorkelling while on dry land visitors can enjoy the locations splendid cliffs and caves.

Fish Head
Scuba diving enthusiasts should not miss the chance to check out Fish Head, or Mushimasmingali Thila as it is known locally. This world famous dive site features some spectacular caves, corals and undersea rock formations as well as a myriad of unusual sea creatures. The grey reef sharks that are indigenous to the area are especially interesting.

Kudahuvadhoo
The island of Kudahuvadhoo is home to some interesting archaeological finds that are considered to date back to the days when Buddhism was the presiding religion in the region. The remains, known as hawittas, are thought to have once been old Buddhist temples. The island remains undeveloped and can be visited as part of an island tour from Malé.

Malé
Malé is the capital of the Maldives and its most developed and densely populated island. It’s a small destination at just over a mile long and half a mile wide. The capital maintains a quiet charm and is the site of many of the Maldives most popular sightseeing attractions including the Grand Friday Mosque, Islamic Centre and the National Museum.

Go diving. Whether you are a complete novice or an accomplished diver, you would be crazy to pass up the chance to enjoy the truly awesome sights that are available beneath the waters around the Maldivian atolls. Local companies provide all the equipment and know-how for divers of all abilities to enjoy the wonders of the Indian Ocean.

Hit the beach. Holidaymakers with a penchant for sand and the ocean can take advantage of some of the most stunning beaches on the continent. Kids can entertain themselves for hours while parents relax with a book as they lap up the sun.

Sample the local cuisine. Eating out is an essential cultural activity in the Maldives. Food can be fiery and pungent or delicately spiced depending on what you opt for, but all is fresh and based on ingredients that are abundant across the archipelago. From simple snacks available at markets to high class cuisine at hotel restaurants, the Maldives has it all.

Take a sunset cruise. Offered by local tour operators, sunset cruises are among the most romantic activities pursuable while holidaying in the Maldives. Very popular in high season, it’s necessary to book sunset cruises several days in advance. Visitors can choose a bottle of wine and enjoy drinking a cool glass or two on the ship’s deck as they watch the sun go down. Occasionally it’s possible to catch glimpses of schools of dolphins as the boat winds its way along its course.

Take an island excursion. From the main island of Malé visitors can take a half or full day trip to some of the neighbouring islands. Many of the islands are entirely undeveloped, allowing visitors the opportunity to see authentic Maldivian villages illustrating the traditional way of life of the locals. Lunch and drinks are invariably included in the price of such trips.