Let’s be honest, the Maldives is nothing short of amazing. With iconic over-water bungalows, amazing cuisine spiced from a wide variety of cultures, a multitude of islands awaiting exploration and some of the best, most reliable diving in the world, this island destination in the Indian Ocean really has it all. But here are 10 things you can do in the Maldives that we bet you didn’t even know existed:
- You can stay in a tree house dedicated to wellness
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Imagine your own private escape, a lush villa located 12 metres up in the treetops, surrounded by swaying palm trees, where dedicated spa therapists and fitness gurus are on hand just for you. Amilla Fushi and Bodyism have made this a reality with their Wellness Tree Houses – an exclusive experience that takes a spa to new heights. A stay at this one-bedroom villa includes a programme with dedicated spa treatments and fitness classes tailored to you in the comfort of your own dedicated treatment suite. But by no means is staying in this treehouse roughing it, you will indulge in a full board ‘clean and lean’ menu, enjoy your very own infinity pool overlooking the tree canopy and get in touch with nature with an outdoor shower. Bliss!
- Kids can find also find paradise in the Maldives
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At the Kandooma Resort kids will be seventh heaven with the one-of-a-kind designer splash pool which is the first of its type in the Maldives. Featuring waterslides, water cannons, a spray wall, and water tipping buckets your children will be entertained for hours! While you enjoy scuba diving, kids at Kandooma can also learn to surf as part of an amazing 3-day programme, partake in one of the other water sports activities offered at the hotel or experience mini-snorkelling, practising their skills in the pool before venturing into the shallows to discover the amazing array of marine life.
- Become a marine biologist for the day
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At Hanifaru Bay you can dive and snorkel with manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, colourful tropical fish and passing sharks. As with many of the top hotels in the Maldives, the dive team at Milaidhoo is accompanied by a marine biologist to help you identify the wildlife and discover the natural beauty of this underwater treasure trove. At Milaidhoo you can even join the ‘be a marine biologist’ programme where you can shadow the two resident marine biologists, learning more about what they do and the incredible wildlife in the area.
- A spa with a fun retro vibe
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The Cove Club at Finolhu brings back the 60s and 70s with a chilled out, yet still glamorous, appeal. This is an unintimidating space that is complimented by a yoga pavilion and outdoor beach gym where unusual and fun classes are offered, from ballet to kickboxing and even capoeira!
- Eat traditional British fish & chips, complete with mushy peas, on an island in the Maldives!
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Amilla Fushi is striving to bring their guests the food they want at a reasonable price. Chef Luke Mangan spent some time working in the UK and as a result decided that a day at the beach just isn’t the same without some ol’ fish and chips. Thus his Fish & Chips’ menu was born, including traditional Brit favourites like battered or crumbed cod, haddock and scampi, while accompaniments on offer include pickled onions, pineapple fritters and chips with gravy or curry sauce.
- Be wined at dined by a salt sommelier
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Anantara Kihavah’s four dining options follow a journey of sea, fire, salt and sky. Experience the world’s first underwater wine cellar and one of only a few underwater restaurants at SEA, enjoy a theatrical grill display at FIRE, relax with a cocktail on the rooftop at SKY, or, in an experience truly like no other enjoy a pairing at SALT where the resident salt sommelier will introduce you to the perfect seasoning and the fascinating world of salt.
- Make an entrance and arrive at dinner by seaplane
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Feeling Koi is Amilla Fushi’s delightfully named overwater restaurant. Offering share-style Japenese dishes, you can enjoy your dining right on the water’s edge, reaching the restaurant by a jetty over the lagoon. But for those who prefer to make an entrance, you can also access Feeling Koi by seaplane or speedboat!
- Feel like a pirate and eat on a boat
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Dine onboard the Ba’theli Lounge and Restaurant at Milaidhoo and be transported back 5,000 years ago when the Maldives was the centre for trading of spices, fish, coconuts and shells. Named after the locally-made cargo boats, called ba’theli, this unique venue serves up traditional dishes using only the finest ingredients, blending herbs and spices to enhance natural flavours. Dine on the deck overlooking the lagoon or enjoy air-conditioned comfort inside where you can watch the sea life through the glass floor.
- Book a liveaboard experience devoted to freediving
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Stay onboard the luxurious liveaboard the Blue Force Two and enjoy a week being mentored by the renowned free diver Miguel Lozano. From the 13th of January to the 20th of January 2017, you can combine diving with tanks with lessons in free diving. Throughout the week, short morning and afternoon sessions will allow divers to get to know the freediving world in a practical way, learning techniques that you will find useful for scuba diving and underwater photography. Keep an eye out for whale sharks and mantas, both of which are easy to find and photograph while freediving.
- Kick back and relax in a glass-bottom bathtub
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At Anantara Kihavah, not only can you experience the enchantment of over water living that is iconically Maldives, but you can also absorb the views of the ocean below from the utter comfort of a sunken glass-bottom bathtub. Catch sightings of turtles in the lagoon as you relax in the bath, or sit with a cocktail on your sundeck as you watch the dolphins frolic on the reef. The Maldives doesn’t get any better than this!
Credits:planetdiveholidays.com
More: visitmaldives.com