Action heroes
When it comes to a tropical beach break the Maldives is hard to beat, but there’s more on offer than sun, sand and palm trees - don’t just fly and flop, says
Iwade into the ocean and strike out into the blue, barely needing a mask to see to the bottom, or the damselfish that scatter as I snorkel over the clusters of corals below.
Shimmering under the watery morning sun, butterfly fish hide demurely behind blushing pink fans, and feisty ‘Nemos’, or clown fish. mock-charge as I pass, defending their anemones before snuggling back into their alien-like arms.
Spotting a turtle, I swim by its side, lifting my head in synchronised motion as it rises to take a gulp of air, before propelling ahead, as I try to keep up. Suddenly, the floor disappears and I’m suspended above an abyss, the coral wall fading away, as I peer down into the depths and a reef shark swims languidly beneath my fins.
The house reef surrounding Kurumba Maldives resort is my playground every day of my stay, with 1,200 species of fish to discover and the regular thrill of spotting sharks, turtles and rays. I came here to switch off, but on this little island in the North Malé Atoll, there is too much happening to be still, and too much that is new to ignore.
Lunch, paddle boarding and yoga lure me away from the reef, and at sunset I set sail in search of dolphins, on an offshore cruise during which they ride the bow.
The next day with no plans, the beach and a beanbag beckon, but I struggle to close my eyes. I pick up my snorkel, pull on my fins and swim back out to the blue.
Fly and fit
Floating in the midst of a vast, turquoise sea, the Maldives is perfectly placed for ocean adventures above and below the waves. But despite the diminutive size of some of the 1,200 islands in the archipelago, they manage to pack in the action on land too, offering activities from cooking to kickboxing and kite surfing to kid’s clubs.
“The Maldives is not only the ultimate relaxation destination, it offers an abundance of experiences for those looking for more than a beach break,” says
John Poulton, Assistant Product Manager: Indian Ocean at long haul tour operator, Travel 2. “This collection of paradise atolls is one of the most unspoilt destinations on earth. Coral reefs and a wealth of marine life, including manta rays, sharks and turtles, make it a diver’s or snorkeller’s dream destination. But many resorts also offer a range of activities such as fitness classes, yoga, badminton, golf, local island tours, dolphin and whale shark cruises, and water sports such as water-skiing, kayaking and windsurfing. These are great selling points for agents to utilise when recommending the Maldives to their customers.”
Perceived as a luxury destination, the Maldives also has options for those looking to connect with local culture and travel responsibly.
“Despite being viewed as a honeymoon destination for those seeking quiet luxury, the Maldives has much to offer beyond the exclusive resorts,” explains Julie Fitzgerald, General Manager, Asia, for travel adventure company G Adventures. “We’re always looking for ways to connect our travellers to local people, and the Maldives is no different. We offer a selection of culturally-focused tours, from trips on traditional dhoni boats, where travellers sleep on board at night and explore the atolls by day, to the Maldives Island
Hopping Tour, which brings travellers together with local people, including the chance to cook and dine in their homes.”
The islands have lots to keep families entertained, too.
“From snorkelling the house reefs, to canoeing or exploring the islands by bicycle, the Maldives is a great choice for families who are looking for an active escape,” says Sheena Paton, Kuoni’s Senior Product and Purchasing Manager.
Here’s a look at some of the exciting experiences on offer across the archipelago…
Underwater adventures
Whether you’re snorkelling from the shore, or doing a night dive in the middle of the Indian Ocean, marine life is easy to find in the Maldives.
Raffles Maldives in the Gaafu Alifu
Atoll offers guests access to a ‘Marine Butler’, who guides them on bespoke reef adventures to see baby sharks, turtles, rays and more.
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa has collaborated with an environmental consultancy, Reefscapers, to develop a coral propagation programme with guest activities to help save the surrounding reefs.
Baros Maldives has direct access to 30 of the world’s best diving spots, and offers guests access to Diving by Design programmers and a Diver Valet Service.
Six Senses Laamu is the first resort to introduce blackwater diving in the Maldives, where divers are guided by LED lights, drawing micro marine creatures up from the depths.
Fit to travel
Get pumped in paradise, or chill out to the sound of the ocean – whatever ‘wellness’ means to your customers, the
Maldives probably has it covered.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers a changing wellness focus each month, with specialist workshops on the Westin brand’s ‘Six Pillars of Well-Being’.
The 50-villa Kagi Maldives Spa Island opens in the North Male Atoll in September 2020 with a gym, sound and yoga studio, lifestyle coaching and ‘Wellness Sabbatical’ mindfulness retreats.
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has revamped its ‘Fairmont Fit’ programme, which includes complimentary workout gear, tennis lessons, beach volleyball and training in the state-of-the-art gym.
Hit the waves
If there’s a water sport your client’s always wanted to try, the Maldives’ calm lagoons are the place to do it, while surfers can catch great waves here, too.
All-inclusive ROBINSON Club Noonu has 64 sports and activities on offer, including water skiing, catamaran sailing, wakeboarding and mono-skiing.
LUX* North Malé Atoll is introducing new wave and kite surfing experiences on the resort’s own surf break. An ‘Instagram Butler’ is on hand to take action shots, too.
Take an island-hopping Jet Ski Safari on low-emission, low-noise vehicles at Kurumba Maldives, for the chance to snorkel a hidden reef and visit a private sandbank.
Anantara Dhigu is working with Planet Kitesurf Holidays to offer a range of kitesurfing courses at the resort, while the Surf School by Tropicsurf welcomes beginners and pros.
The all-inclusive Outrigger Maldives Resort offers a range of water sports including sailing, canoeing, jet skiing, parasailing, kite surfing and windsurfing.
Cast away
Cruising the archipelago on a live-aboard boat is an exciting way to explore, while shorter boat trips offer the chance for dolphin-spotting and more.
Atmosphere Kanifushi’s Adventures Beyond the Lagoon excursions include picnicking on a desert island and taking a journey through Maldivian history on local island, Kurendhoo.
MY Vittaveli from Jumeriah Vittaveli is the first luxury private floating villa in the Maldives. This 85-foot super yacht accommodates up to eight guests and has 24-hour butler service.
Guests of Angsana Ihuru in the North Malé Atoll can enjoy dolphin excursions and a private overnight cruise on a catamaran with a chef and butler.
Dream Yacht Charter offers seven and 10-night cruises around the Maldives on its fully-crewed catamarans, with the chance to snorkel, kayak to unihabited islands and swim with manta rays.
Where to book it
If Only – 0141 955 4000
Guests can stay at OZEN at Maadhoo by Atmosphere from £3,689pp, including international flights, complimentary speedboat transfers and seven-nights’ accommodation in an Earth Villa on the Indulgence Plan. ifonly.net
What to sell
Longyearbyen is Svalbard’s main settlement and located on the