8 Great Maldives Adventure Activities for Daring Travelers

After almost 20 hours of flight time on three different planes and multiple cups of Starbucks coffee we finally crossed over through international borders to arrive in Paradise! The Maldive islands are composed of 26 circle shaped atolls made up of over 1,000 islands located in the Indian Ocean, and one of the ultimate tropical destinations in the world. Come explore with us as we uncover the top eight thrilling adventures and exciting excursions for even the most daring travelers!

8 Great Maldives Adventure Activities for Daring Travelers

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Ashley Bustillos
Maldives Adventure Activities. Photo by Ashley Bustillos

#8: Dhangethi Island Excursion

Visit a nearby local island! See how the natives live and work together in more of a traditional lifestyle. Shop for souvenirs in the local shops and always remember to bring US currency for the best exchange rate. It is always important to research the required clothing to be worn when visiting a local island, and in this case a short sleeve t-shirt, knee length shorts for women, and shorts for men would be appropriate at minimum.

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Michael Bustillos
Dhangethi Island Excursion, things to do in Maldives. Photo by Michael Bustillos

#7: Turtle snorkel excursion

Experience the excitement of seeing magnificent Turtles at Turtle Reef, 10 minutes by small speed boat from Villamendhoo island. Although sightings of turtles are not guaranteed, there is a good chance you will see an abundance of marine life that will make this activity well worth while. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent from the local Dive Center or a purchase can be made from the Gift Shop.

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Ashley Bustillos
Turtle snorkeling in Maldives. Photo by Ashley Bustillos

#6: Sunset ‘Punch’ Cruise

Enjoy a late afternoon boat trip on a local Dhoni while watching a beautiful tropical sunset, with a glass of special punch in hand and if you’re lucky, some dolphins may accompany you and your loved one for a very special evening!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Ashley Bustillos
Sunset Punch Cruise, Maldives Adventure Activities. Photo by Ashley Bustillos

#5: Big Game Fishing – 36′ Sportsfishing Charter

Wake up to a complimentary cup of coffee and delicious pastry to start off your morning. Once you’ve boarded your fishing charter for the day, it’s time to set sail to catch some exotic fish! Use of fishing equipment is included during your excursion so sit back and relax while the captain takes you out to the best fishing locations on the Indian Ocean. A few note worthy creatures that you might catch on your adventure are the famous Tuna, Grouper or even Barracuda!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Ashley Bustillos
Big Game Fishing, places to visit in Maldives. Photo by Ashley Bustillos

#4: Manta Ray Snorkel Excursion

Experience the excitement of seeing magnificent Manta Rays thrive in their natural habitat! Although a higher number of Manta Rays can be spotted on the western side during the months of November through April, the Maldives remains an excellent year-round destination for sightings! There are two types of Manta Rays in the Maldives, Oceanic Mantas ranging from 13 – 16 feet and Reef Mantas ranging from 9.8 – 11.5 feet in length. Having seen both types during our stay, we compare both experiences to nothing short of magical and a must do when visiting the Maldivian Islands!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Ashley Bustillos
manta ray snorkeling in Maldives. Photo by Ashley Bustillos

#3: Rent a Private Island for the Day!

Robinson Crusoe “Sand Bank” Excursion is a breathtaking adventure one must experience at least once in their lifetime!

Imagine that you are given the keys to your our very own private sandbank for the day creating the ultimate romantic getaway! The island is only a short 20 minute boat ride away from Villamendhoo resort, and starts off at 8 am. A picnic breakfast and drinks are included for two. Indulge in the most intimate encounter with your significant other in pure bliss. Take advantage of the pristine white sandy beaches and untouched coral marine life for your snorkeling pleasure! Get lost in love for hours in the middle of nowhere!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Michael Bustillos
Rent a Private Island, unique thing to do in Maldives. Photo by Michael Bustillos

#2: Scuba Dive South Ari Atoll

Scuba diving in the Maldives is absolutely spectacular! During our dives we were fortunate to see 3 octopus (one even changed color), black-tip reef sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, 7 different morray eels, turtles, puffer fish,  and a napolean wrasse in addition to the vibrant underwater marine life. We completed 8 full dives with the world renowned Eurodive organization. Our guide Magalie was very sweet and had an amazing eye for pointing out sea life which made our dives pleasant and comfortable. As an avid scuba diving couple, this was one of our best dive experiences we’ve had around the world!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Michael Bustillos
Scuba Dive in Maldives South Ari Atoll. Photo by Michael Bustillos

#1: Whale shark point excursion

South Ari Atoll in the Maldives is a marine protected area, and home to the famous Whaleshark! Although these majestic creatures are year-round residents, they tend to favor the western side from the months of May to December, and the eastern side from December to April. Whale sharks can reach an astonishing length of up to 40 feet and weigh up to 20 tons. Despite the fact “shark” is in their name, they are far from the aggressive type of marine life in the ocean. In fact, the main food of this impressive giant is plankton, and they travel at slow moving speeds. Luckily, we were able to snorkel with 3 different whale sharks during our excursion, and it was incredible! That is why we recommend this excursion as the number one activity to do when visiting the Maldives!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel. Photo by Michael Bustillos
Whale shark point excursion, Maldives Adventure Activities. Photo by Michael Bustillos

Have a great one and always remember your Maldives Adventure Awaits!

Have you visited Maldives or is it on your travel wish list? Please add your tips and suggestions for things to do in Maldives. Happy travels!

Article by Ashley Bustillos. Ashley and Michael Bustillos motivate people to travel the world, experience new cultures, and be inspired to do something different on your travels. Visit the AdventurPro Instagram account for more travel tips and exciting adventure stories from our travels around the world!

Maldives Adventure Activities. Article on McCool Travel.
Maldives Adventure Activities. Photo by Michael Bustillos

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12 thoughts on “8 Great Maldives Adventure Activities for Daring Travelers”

  1. I recently spent one day on the Maldives on a cruise. One day at a resort was not enough! I want to go back to scuba dive and snorkel with manta rays!

  2. Maldives are on my growing list. I am especially intrigued by the private island-would be a dream come true.

  3. Oh, this is such an enticing, concise, attractive summary of the Maldives. I’ve been wanting to visit, and have had no impetus to get me started planning. I think I’m on my way now!

  4. This is huge on my bucket list! I like the snorkeling adventures and, of course, the private island looks heavenly.

  5. I think I’ll rent that island for a day and take the punch cruise in the evening. The Maldives sound heavenly.

  6. The Maldives are definitely on my bucket list, and renting a private island for the day would be my idea of heaven.

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