Tourist Places To Visit In Maldives

Maldives is truly nature’s gift to water sports enthusiasts. Endowed with incredible natural beauty, Maldives is also famous the world over for its exotic islands, blue seas, sandy beaches and magnificent reefs. With an abundance of beautiful locales, rest assured you will find plenty of great memories and breathtaking picture-perfect moments here. Below is a list of some of the best places you must not miss while on a holiday to Maldives, some of the most beautiful of that lot being Male, Alimatha Island, Sun Island, Mirihi Island and Banana Reef.

Sun Island is also known as Nalaguraidhoo Island. Located in the South Ari Atoll, the island is known for its vast turquoise lagoon, and is home to one of the largest developed resorts in the Maldives, with a length of approximately 1.6 km and a width of 440 meters. With breathtaking beaches, a variety of tropical flowers, and lush greenery, Sun Island beckons tourists. The pristine blue waters and the isolation offered by the luxurious resorts make this the perfect honeymoon spot. A visit to Nalaguraidhoo Beach simply has to be a part of your itinerary when in Maldives.

Alimatha Island is located in Vaavu Atoll on the eastern edge of Maldives. You can soak in the azure skies, crystal clear waters and beautiful landscapes. It is the perfect spot for diving, snorkeling, canoeing, and boating. It is also ideal for a family vacation and as a honeymoon spot. You can go to the Ayurvedic massage center, spa, bars, and restaurants when on Alimatha Island. You can also check out the Alimatha Aquatic Resort.

Situated in North Malé Atoll, this is an artificial beach created from breakwater tetrapods. It is the favorite haunt of swimming enthusiasts, and there is a lot here for foodies as well, with a number of fast food cafes and big and small eateries serving a huge variety of mouthwatering delicacies.  Alongside, there are open fields for games of soccer and cricket. You can also visit the fairground attractions at the Majeediyya Carnival, including a bowling alley. In the evenings, you can listen on as bands gather for musical performances.

Located in the northern part of Maldives, Utheemu is an inhabited island in the Haa Alif Atoll. It is a small island resembling a green jellyfish but holds high historical significance for being the birthplace of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu - a prominent figure in Maldivian history who waged a 15-year long war against Portuguese intruders. You can see the monument that stands testimony to the past, called Utheemu Ganduvaru. There is an ancient cemetery nearby that you might like to visit as well.

This is a quarantined island that is named after a local flower. Mirihi Island has an exclusive reef and a pristine beach along with a resort offering 36 tourist bungalows where you can enjoy solace. One of the most popular tourist beaches in Maldives, it is an ideal holiday spot. The entire island is covered with palm trees and lined with snow-white sands. The water bungalows are an added attraction.

Located underwater between the Isles of North Male Atoll, travelers are advised not to miss diving to discover the colourful Banana Reef while in Maldives. Say hello to the reef sharks, barracudas and the striped snappers beside other myriad sea creatures. Once you get out of the water, explore the caves and gaze at the steep cliffs surrounding this protected marine area.

Not a good idea to visit Maldives and miss out on the most popular and busy destination. Male, the capital of the Republic of Maldives is bustling and almost overflowing with activity. Earlier called Mahal (it served as the residence of the Royal dynasties that ruled the region), it is now known as King's Island. Enjoy snorkeling and diving here after you have soaked up on culture at the National Museum and the Grand Friday Mosque.

Maafushi, an island on the Maldives, is considered one of the best beaches around. Water sports in Maafushi include activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and dolphin safaris. You can indulge in these, or don your best bikini and walk to the Bikini Beach, where everybody is sunbathing in their best attires. November onwards is a good time to visit Maafushi, until April sets in and weather changes.

Addu Atoll is located at the southern end of Maldives and famously also called Seenu Atoll. It is a pretty popular spot and includes the Meedhoo Island, Hithadhoo Island, Hulhudhoo Island, Gan Island and Maradhoo. Small hamlets, local produce, coconut trees and seaside beaches — that’s the sum total of life here for tourists. Fishing is a coveted activity where you get to mingle with the locals. And you can also indulge in diving and snorkelling.

Tropical paradise through and through, the COMO Cocoa Island is all about luxury in the lap of luscious nature. With its pampering resorts and hotels, you can expect 5 star treatment at this island. The spas are brilliant, as are group expeditions for snorkelling and scuba diving undertaken by the hotels. Cocoa is great for relaxation, rejuvenation and endless pampering.

Another beauty of Maldives, Vaadhoo Island is a space of landscape merging seamlessly into beaches and light dots of blue shimmering in the waves at night. The underwater phytoplankton in the sea make them grow because of bioluminescence, hence giving birth to such a stunning phenomenon. You may need to travel off shore at night and ripple the water or make waves to see the light shine, but all that’s effort more than worth it. Other activities here include exploring the coral reef, kayaking, swimming and vegetating at one of the luxury hotels.

Fulhadhoo Island in Maldives is home to palm trees and lagoons, pristine white beaches and dolphin seas. This island is a hidden gem of Maldives, hardly ever explored in the popular tourist circuit. Instead, the offbeat travellers are found here snorkelling or enjoying the quaint village life. You can also go spot dolphins on the shore or dive into a deep end to swim in crystal clear waters. Plush sea resorts are also present on Fulhadhoo, hence don’t think you won’t find any luxury here.

Maamigili may be a mouthful of a name, but this island is very famous among animal lovers. Here is the Whale Shark Island, where two large harbours shelter gorgeous whale sharks that have, over time, become friendly to the local humans. It is a fishing community of around 2000 people that inhabits this island, offering you a very simple, quaint life away from luxuries. Only one ATM with a couple of restaurants and guesthouses are found here. This also means you can manage here on budget. And yet, you get to experience the second best snorkelling spot in Asia right here!

White sandy beaches and a slow life on calm waters… that’s Huvahendhoo Island for you. Tourists choose this place to rejuvenate and relax, unwind and relax. It’s family friendly status ensures that you can let your kids roam around freely and also find picnic spots on beaches without stumbling upon any untoward sights. A long line of restaurants, resorts and spa centres call out to you. And volleyball games abound by the sea. What's not to love?

Thoddoo is an island that is oval in shape. It is not too far from Male, only about 67 km, and is know for its massive production of tropical fruits (watermelons to be specific). Seafood also abounds here, and is supplied to many islands around. If you are looking to experience the real local Maldives life, not the mixed melting pot of cultures in Male, then visit Thoddoo. Honeymooners and couples buzz around here quite often, so family tourists might not enjoy much.

A nightlife to die for, happening beaches and luxury resorts — that’s the start of fun in Baros. You get a plethora of great nightclubs, pubs, bars, water villas, restaurants and beaches. And this makes for a great amount of vacation fun put together. The natural coral reefs on Baros’ shore make this place good for snorkelling and scuba diving too. For the best sites and weather, visit between November and March.

Veligandu Island Beach is a little island in Maldives, relatively very small in size compared to others around it. This island is surprisingly lush and populated with greens, making it a unique destination. You can visit small seafood shacks, go fishing with the locals, plan trips to hidden lagoons in the jungle and go scuba diving. Snorkelling is also very beautiful here.

A shopping paradise in Maldives’ Male city, Majeedhee Magu is a long street that cuts across the city from East to West. There are all kinds of shops, stall and boutiques giving you a mix of European, African and Asian vibes, selling everything under the sun. From jewellery to cosmetics, apparels to shoes, souvenirs to trinkets, beachwear to electronics, everything can be found here. And don’t forget to pick up the traditional Maldives garb — libaas from this street. Other local souvenirs include attars, pickles, handicrafts and headgear.

Another place to shop in Maldives is the Male Local Market, where tourists can buy souvenirs at bargain rates. Vivd coloured stalls line the streets, selling all types of handicrafts, knick-knacks and souvenirs. And what’s more, they also sell yummy street food and bites that you can grab on the go. For edible souvenirs, pick out their famous sweetmeats to take back home, along with the sweet coconut milk packs, fresh fruits and nuts.