When embarking upon a trip to the Maldives, a healthy dose of relaxation is a given. After all, the appeal of whiling away hours alternating between snoozing on the deck of your overwater bungalow and the occasional paddle in turquoise waters 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 unusual experiences? Activities that do not necessary spring to mind when you conjure images of the archipelago’s golden atolls and pristine lagoons? Here we outline some of the very best resorts in the Maldives for the more intriguing ways to pass your time in this exquisite location.
THE BEST RESORTS FOR SURFING LIKE A PRO
Having first dispelled the myth that Maldives waters are too calm for surfing, the next step is to choose which surf resort is going to be right for you. For ease of access alone, not to mention their 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 one of the resort’s beaches, without the need to catch a boat out to the breaks. This makes it a perfect spot to hone your technique and gain confidence before venturing out to one of the many addictive breaks that cater to intermediate and even advanced surfers. 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. The resort has hosted the international Surfing Champions Trophy for over ten years, attracting the greats from all over the world.
THE BEST RESORTS FOR NIGHT OWLS
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, the brand new Patina resort is set to take centre stage. Its Fari Beach Club in the hip marina village promises to attract 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.
If all of this 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, Antantara 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.
THE BEST RESORTS TO HONE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Having established that there is far more to the Maldives than just lounging around, what about if you decide you really want to exert yourself? Perhaps being coached by some professionals in their field? When knocking a few tennis balls around with your other half or children is simply not enough, there are tennis pros on hand to put you through your paces at Vakkaru, Amilla, Joali and One&Only Reethi Rah to name but a few. If it is your golf swing that you seeking to improve, Velaa Private Island features a golf academy designed by José Maria Olazábal. 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. And if yoga is more your pace, you can take your practice to another level under the tuition of the resident Yoga Master at Gili Lankanfushi, where visiting practitioners also frequent the resort year-round, hosting a variety of healing and wellness programmes.
THE BEST RESORTS FOR UNIQUE ROMANCE
In a destination already known for romance, it can be something of a challenge to narrow down the best Maldives resorts for romantic experiences - but we are always happy to try! The concept of bubbles has become increasingly fashionable in recent times, however your troubles will melt away in one of the luxurious glamping pods at Amilla. Fully climate-controlled, these transparent ‘bubbles’ are set in fully secluded oceanfront hideaways where guests can enjoy a champagne barbecue on the beach before settling in to enjoy a night under the stars in the utmost levels of comfort. Finolhu also offers a romantic ‘beach bubble’ complete with four-poster bed and an idyllic stretch of sandbank just for you, or - should you prefer a more immersive experience, then Conrad Rangali's Muraka Residence offers a unique opportunity to sleep beneath the waves surrounded by the warm and lively waters of the Indian Ocean. The under sea master bedroom is submerged more than 16 feet below sea level and offers panoramic floor to ceiling views. Enjoy a private dinner above sea-level before retiring for what is sure to be one of the most memorable nights one could ever experience in the Maldives.
