The Maldives is not defined by villas, but by 90,000-square-kilometres of the Indian Ocean. At Waldorf Astoria Maldives – one of the best Maldives luxury resorts, experiences unfold far beyond the sandy shore, guided by scale, expertise, and intention
The resort has seven motorboats, including a sportsfisher and a glass-bottomed exploration vessel. Each one is expertly captained to expose a new horizon of experiences. For more things to do in Maldives, set sail with our marine-life specialists today.
Ocean Adventures for Every Kind of Traveller
Diving Experiences in Open Maldivian Waters
The experienced team from our Marine Discovery Centre escorts all guests to distant atolls, from curious first-timers to scuba pros. Lucky divers will enter a Technicolor aquarium hosting over 1,000 fish species and 200 varieties of coral. Six bar wrasse look as colourful as candy wrappers. Moorish idols pout like catwalk models. Finding Nemo? He’s right here.
Snorkelling by Day — and After Dark
Families and couples can star in their own NatGeo documentary. Our team of subaquatic videographers can record their dives with turtles and rays. As the sun sets on another adventurous activity in the Maldives, your guide can shine a (waterproof) spotlight on night snorkeling. Dive in to witness ghostly mantas and blacktip sharks emerging from an inky ether. It remains one of the most unique things to do in the Maldives after dark.
Watersports & Active Ocean Play
At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, time on the water moves at an easy, considered pace. Across a sheltered lagoon of glass-clear shallows, guests can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, parasailing, jet skiing, and advanced ocean play such as Seabob and X-Jetblade experiences — all designed as relaxed yet fun things to do in the Maldives.
Each activity is professionally guided and accessed directly from the shore, making it simple to dip in and out of the ocean between quieter moments on land.
Fishing Traditions & Open-Sea Thrills
Fishing is an intrinsic element of Maldivian culture, reflected even in the imagery found on local banknotes and national iconography. To go fishing with locals is to journey into the nation’s soul. As a commitment to sustainability, local fishers deliver fresh lobster and line-caught grouper to chefs at our 11 destination dining venues. Look out for the national recipe of garudhiya, a fish curry diced with lime, chili and onions.
Traditional Sunrise Fishing & Big Game Fishing at Sunset
Adventurous travellers can cast off before breakfast in the resort’s 56-foot angling boat. A time-honoured fishing pole is all that’s needed to hook bonito and trevally. After big smiles and countless photos, your catch can be cooked back on shore. At sunset, the sportsfisher yacht hunts for bigger game. Cast a line for pelagic giants, including yellowfish and skipjack, which can be returned to the ocean post-catch.
Curated Cruises & Island Escapes
At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, journeys beyond the shoreline unfold at an unhurried pace, shaped by sea, sky, and space.
Sunset & Private Cruises
Among the most romantic things to do in the Maldives is a sunset cruise aboard the Majesty superyacht — the only vessel in the country licensed to serve Champagne. As the horizon turns gold, dolphins often appear alongside the bow, while each private journey follows the natural rhythm of the ocean rather than a fixed itinerary.
Sandbank Escapades
Secluded sandbanks reached only by boat offer rare stillness, where time slows to soft sand, open sky, and surrounding silence. Ideal for romantic milestones, these escapes pair effortlessly with curated moments from the resort’s destination dining Maldives offerings.
Exploring the Ocean Without Getting Wet
Our glass-bottomed boat ranks among the most engaging things to do in the Maldives with family, inviting guests of all ages to explore the ocean without getting wet. The 32-foot discovery vessel departs from the white sands of Nava Beach, offering a calm, secure setting ideal for non-swimmers and first-time ocean explorers.
Through the viewing window, coral reefs unfold like underwater rainforests — a living nursery for marine life. Swarms of fusiliers drift past in silver-blue clouds, while other reef dwellers move quietly below. The experience complements the resort’s overwater villas, where glass floors offer another gentle glimpse into the world beneath the lagoon.
Returning to Stillness — Evenings Back at the Resort
As the day winds down, the experience returns gently to shore. Guests can retreat to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Spa, where glass-floored treatment rooms hover above the lagoon and the rhythm of the sea restores body and mind. It’s a quiet close to a day shaped by discovery, ease, and connection with the ocean.
