What to do in the Maldives on your honeymoon

The Maldives is the world’s number one honeymoon destination and it’s not hard to see why. With its turquoise waters, pristine beaches and palm-fringed shores, there’s nowhere quite like it.

Whether you’re looking to take to the water, experience the local culture or indulge in some serious relaxation, there’s a Maldives honeymoon for everyone. Read on for our guide to the best things to do in the Maldives on your honeymoon.

Sandbank dining, Baros Maldives

The most romantic things you can do in the Maldives on your honeymoon

A trip to the Maldives is hard to beat when it comes to romance – there’s just something so magical about pulling up to a paradise island, whether you’re arriving by speed boat or seaplane. The islands range from larger resorts with all the bells and whistles to tiny, intimate retreats that offer maximum privacy – but all of them know how to cater to honeymooners and make sure they have a stay to remember.

Movie under the stars, Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Mark your first night with an al fresco candlelit dinner under the stars on a private sandbank or tree-top patio, where a private chef will whip you up a feast of fresh lobster and seafood. Or cosy up with a special outdoor cinema experience for two on the beach, screening your favourite film.

Watching the sun dip into the Indian Ocean during a private cruise on a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat is a dreamy way to end the day, while luxurious couple’s spa treatments offer the ultimate in romance and relaxation. For something a little different, you can spend the night in a secluded “beach bubble” tent at Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives and fall asleep while stargazing at the Milky Way from your bed.

Beach bubble, Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives 

Must-do water activities for honeymooners in the Maldives

With every island surrounded by tranquil lagoons, there are plenty of things to do in the water. Start with some snorkelling, which offers an easy way to explore the Maldives’ extraordinary marine life. This is hands down one of the best things to do in the Maldives on your honeymoon.

Many of the islands, such as Kandolhu Maldives, come with their own house reefs, which you can snorkel to straight from the shore. Others, like Kuramathi Maldives, have eco centres that offer guided snorkelling safaris, ideal for spotting everything from reef sharks and manta rays to turtles and colourful shoals of fish.

Kandolhu Maldives house reef

Those who are feeling a little more adventurous can head off on a diving trip instead. Many of the islands have diving schools that welcome all levels of experience, from beginners – who can start off with an introductory scuba session in the pool – to seasoned pros. All of them are more than happy to create personalised experiences to ensure you get the most out of your dive. Depending on what time of year you visit, you might even be able to spot whale sharks, which tend to be visible from late May.

If you want to go shark or dolphin spotting in style, ask your resort to organise a private boat trip designed for couples, so you can sail the high seas just the two of you with a glass of Champagne in hand.

Maldives local island

Unmissable cultural experiences to enjoy during your Maldives honeymoon

While the Maldives is best known for its natural scenery and aquatic life, it’s also home to a range of fascinating cultural experiences. High on the list should be a visit to a local island with an expert guide. There you can explore the pastel-coloured homes and artisan workshops of Huraa, before seeing the shipping yard where the local men build their fishing boats, or visit the quiet island of Villimalé. It’s a great way to learn more about local culture and is definitely one of the most interesting things to do in the Maldives on your honeymoon.

While you’re there, take the opportunity to meet some of the local artisans and learn about their crafts and skills. One of the most famous of these practices is lacquer art – or Liyelaa Jehun – which you’ll find adorning the furnishings, residential structures and vessels across the Maldives archipelago.

Bodu Beru performers

A Bodu Beru performance, a lively display of Maldivian culture with rhythmic drumming and dancing, is often featured as part of the nightly entertainment at most island resorts. Have a go at pole-and-line fishing, the age-old traditional method favoured in the Maldives, or book a private tour to learn more about the Maldives’ rich history. It’s said the Maldives was inhabited as early as the 5th century BC by Buddhist settlers from southern India and Sri Lanka, and the region has been influenced by many different cultures over the centuries.

The most relaxing spa and wellness activities for honeymooners in the Maldives

As well as being a time for romantic experiences and one-of-a-kind adventures, honeymoons should also feature plenty of pampering. Luckily, the Maldives is home to some of the world’s finest spas, as well as a range of wellness activities.

Several of the resorts in the Maldives pride themselves on being all-out wellness destinations, featuring programmes tailor-made to help guests look and feel their very best. That could include anti-gravity yoga pavilions that overlook the lagoon, or sound therapy sessions and restorative vegan meals like at Kagi Maldives Spa Island – ideal for balancing out some of the more indulgent honeymoon dining options.

Kagi Maldives Spa Island

Other resorts, meanwhile, offer a more laid-back approach, letting guests dip in and out at their leisure. Soothing facials and muscle-melting massages can be booked in overwater spas and couples’ treatment rooms.

Some resorts feature fun extras in their spas – take the one at The Standard, Huruvalhi Island, where you can book rose diamond facials and marine pedicures before turning up the heat in the communal hammam. From sunrise yoga to full moon meditation sessions, there’s a dizzying array of wellness-inspired things to do in the Maldives on your honeymoon.

Piano Deck dining, Baros Maldives

Incredible fine dining experiences in the Maldives for honeymooners

Despite the fact the Maldives is set across a series of far-flung islands, the fine dining here is second to none. The world-class restaurants serve everything from exquisite Indian and Italian food to Japanese cuisine, while many also offer typical Maldivian dishes, which tend to feature delicious curries and fresh seafood.

Reef restaurant, Kuramathi Maldives

Of course, it’s not just about what you eat here, it’s about where you eat it. Resorts in the Maldives are known for going above and beyond when it comes to personalised dining experiences for guests, and that’s doubly true if you happen to be on honeymoon.

The Maldives is famous for its beachside dinners, which are often lit by twinkling candles and set up with tables surrounded by white linen drapes fluttering in the breeze. There are few things more romantic than sitting with the one you love with your toes in the sand, feasting on expertly made dishes by a top chef. For spectacular views there are overwater restaurants, which offer sweeping vistas over the Indian Ocean – one of the most iconic is The Lighthouse Lounge and Restaurant at Baros Maldives. Other unforgettable dining experiences at Baros include the Piano Deck, a wooden platform floating in the lagoon, or aboard Nooma, a traditional Maldivian Dhoni, where your private butler will serve up chef-prepared dishes and keep the Champagne flowing.

Subsix, Niyama Private Islands Maldives

For something truly out-of-this-world, try an underwater restaurant. The Maldives is one of the few places on earth where you can enjoy this astonishing experience, dining among the fishes beneath the ocean. Niyama Private Islands Maldives has one of the most impressive examples, Subsix, which can only be reached by speedboat. Set six metres below the ocean’s surface, this is the place to come for Champagne breakfasts and late-night parties.

This feature was created on 18th October 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.