The best luxury experiences in the Maldives

JOALI BEING is the Maldives’ first wellbeing resort specialising in unique health and wellness programmes. Your stay is like one long therapy session for your mind, body, and soul – you’ll refuel the body with curated menu recommendations, feel rejuvenated at the health spa, and reconnect with nature at the many inspiring spaces dotted around the island designed for self-reflection and self-discovery.

This might not be everyone’s idea of luxury, but for those who find happiness in holistic soul-healing, JOALI BEING will be right up your street. 

Perhaps the biggest appeal of booking a stay at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the huge selection of restaurants. In fact, there are a whopping 12 incredible dining options on offer, all boasting their own unique experience you just have to try. 

One restaurant not to be missed is Ithaa Undersea Restaurant: the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant set five metres below the water and offering spectacular 180-degree panoramic views of the reef’s marine life swimming by. ]

Discover Maldives' five other underwater restaurant with our handy guide.

Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is a super family-friendly resort for several reasons – none more exciting than the range of learning experiences offering exclusive lessons with talented locals. It’s the perfect family experience for all ages.

Cook up a storm during a private cooking lesson with the resort’s resident chef. They’ll teach you all sorts of authentic Maldivian cooking techniques for you to take back home and impress friends and family with. 

If cooking’s not your thing, try your hand at arts and crafts. A local artist will inspire your creative mind with classes in painting, sculpting, drawing, and even jewellery making. 

Off to paradise for your honeymoon? The Nautilus Maldives will help make your stay extra romantic by accommodating any special requests.

Want a date night watching old black and white movies on the beach? No problem, they’ll set up a blanket and a bottle of champagne chilling on ice. Fancy an alfresco dinner for two on your private terrace? Sure, they’ll fire up the barbeque. Always dreamed of diving amongst swarms of manta rays and tropical fish? Easy, they’ll get you booked in for a personal diving session with the resort’s resident diving expert. 

It’s this type of outstanding hospitality that makes your resort experience so special. The hotel's dedicated team will do everything they can to make your dreams and wishes come true. It doesn't get more ultra-luxury than that in the Maldives!

Always wanted to catch some waves on a paradise Maldives beach? Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort can make that happen for all you thrill-seeking adventurers out there. 

Maldives activities don’t come more adrenaline-fuelled than the resort’s Tropicsurf coaching lessons – designed for all abilities and experiences, from very beginners to advanced wave-surfers. Note the best time for surfing experiences is from April to October, so book your stay in between these months to catch the biggest waves.

A list of Maldives luxury experiences wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the night-time vibes of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Oh yes, this resort comes alive once the sun goes down.

Start with popping a cork in the all-glass underwater bar Subsix which, as you guessed it, sits six metres below the water and is only accessible via speed boat. The bar often hosts magical glow parties too, perfect for special occasions. 

Once you’ve finished the champagne, finish off the night at Fahrenheit: the resort’s luxurious rooftop hangout bar. Find yourself a cosy couch and order your favourite classic cocktail admiring the ocean views.  

You’ll enjoy a whole host of action-packed Maldives activities at One&Only Reethi Rah, none more fun than its assortment of water sports and diving excursions. In fact, One&Only has previously been dubbed a “vibrant playground in a faraway sea”.  

With 6km of coastline to play with, the resort is a hub for fun and adventurous water activities. Visit the Splash Water Sports Centre to try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, parasailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and more. Then dive deeper under the water by heading to the PADI Gold Palm Resort Dive Centre to explore the island’s vibrant coral reefs. You might even set your sights on whale sharks, reef sharks and turtles.

Want to learn about the galaxy whilst eating plates of delicious food? If so, So Starstruck at Soneva Jani is definitely a restaurant you’ll want to check out. 

Set on the resort’s overwater observatory, this unique three-hour dining experience includes a fascinating lesson from a resident astronomer all whilst tucking into an expertly crafted set meal. Night-time Maldives activities don’t get much better than this. Little ones will especially love peeking through the telescope and learning all about the starry sky above.

This might not be one of the most obvious Maldives luxury experiences, but it’s one you won’t want to miss – especially if you’re a keen fisher.

You’ll sail a mile in a fisherman’s shoes by hopping on board their fishing boat and learning the ins and outs of their trade. Don’t worry if you’ve never used a fishing rod before, they’ll show you the ropes and teach you everything you need to know. Sailing during the golden sunset hours on tranquil waters makes this a magical experience, even if you don’t catch a thing.