Summer in Maldives: Top things to do on holiday

The pictures of Maldivian waters don’t do it justice. As the first rays of light hit the coral and phytoplankton-rich liquid, the blue and green tones of light are absorbed and reflected on the surface, giving it a jewel-like gleam. I discovered this first-hand when I visited the archipelagic country in South Asia last month.

While most of the islands are uninhabited – there are 1,192 islands in all – some of them are home to beautiful resorts where one can relax and unwind, soak up the sun and use as a point of marine exploration.

I chose to go to the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, where I was welcomed by the lively beats of drums and vibrant dances.

The five-star hotel is located on Maamunagau Island in the Raa Atoll, surrounded by a glazed sea. The island itself is peppered (generously) with green palm trees and the beaches dusted with white sand.

The villas like the one I was staying in, on this property, had a connecting entrance to the lagoon, allowing me to dip into the waters whenever I wanted.

Thinking of going to the Maldives? Here are some of my top things to do here:

Swim with the fishes

And I mean this quite literally. There are a number of ways in which you can do this; jump on a boat for an excursion that will end up with you splashing around, just wading out to sea or do what we did and try the guided house reef snorkelling. Meeting our Ocean Team at the Marine Centre, we were fitted with our snorkelling gear and headed out with our guide to explore the magical underwater world of Maamunagau. The people at the Marine Centre were incredibly friendly, and the centre was well-equipped with everything from waterproof phone covers to GoPro cameras. As a hijabi, I appreciated the modest swimwear they had on hand. The snorkelling experience was easy and convenient, and our guide made it educational by teaching us about the different types of fish and coral we saw, explaining how they are cared for.

There are more than. 2,000 types of fish and marine creatures to discover on your adventure so be prepared to want to dive into the waters again and again.

Take some time out for wellness

The Maldives is known for its serene environment and its focus on well-being. Whether you want to take on fitness classes such as yoga, do mindfulness exercises or take a spa session to unknit those knots, you’ll find something to cater to your needs. For us, each day started with refreshing power yoga sessions at the Yoga Pavilion, surrounded by serene views that set a positive tone for the day. The wellness journey continued at the AVI Spa, where the soothing sounds of the ocean and a personalised 60-minute treatment left me feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. The spa combined global health traditions and European organic botanicals creating a truly holistic experience.

Eat like a local

One of the best ways to know a city is to delight in its cuisine. Learn about the flavour of the place as your taste buds have their own exploratory journey. While in the Maldives, sip on some Garudiya, fish broth that’s served with rice, lemon slices, onion and chilli. While fish is a staple on these islands, if you are craving a delicious curry, look no further than the flavours of kukulhu riha, which has a coconut-based gravy, curry leaves and spices. If you like smoked tuna, you’ll love masi huni, a classic breakfast dish with smoked tuna, grated coconut, lemon and chilli, all scooped up with a roshi (flatbread).

Enjoy some family time

Do some research before you book a hotel in the Maldives for there are places that allow adult-only stays and then there are those that welcome the whole family (kids and all) with special clubs, activities and especially curated bonding moments.

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