Expert Travel Guide: Maldives

Mas Huni – Begin your culinary journey with Maldives’ signature breakfast dish, Mas Huni. This traditional recipe calls for finely shredded smoked tuna, coconut, onion and chilli, served with freshly baked flatbread called roshi. Popular among locals for its simplicity and rich flavour, Mas Huni is best enjoyed with a hot cup of Maldivian tea and is the perfect introduction to country’s seafood-rich cuisine.

Garudhiya – A beloved Maldivian comfort dish, Garudhiya is a fragrant fish soup traditionally prepared with tuna. The soup is simmered with curry leaves, garlic and lime, offering a delicate, savoury flavour. Served with rice, chilli and fried onions, this specialty offers a glimpse into the heart of local flavours. Garudhiya is particularly popular for lunch and pays homage to Maldives’ bountiful seafood.

Hedhikaa – Known as Maldivian “short eats”, Hedhikaa refers to a variety of local snacks and appetisers, often served with tea. Favorites include gulha (fried fish balls filled with tuna and spices), bajiya (a pastry stuffed with fish, coconut and curry leaves) and kulhi boakiba (a spicy fish cake). These bites are perfect for sampling a range of Maldivian fare in one sitting and are frequently found in cafes across the islands.

Snorkelling – Maldives’ crystalline waters and kaleidoscope reefs beckon snorkelling enthusiasts. From swimming alongside sea turtles to exploring intricate coral gardens brimming with colourful fish, the shallow waters framing the islands afford direct access to marine life. Many resorts provide snorkelling equipment and guided tours, ensuring guests of all experience levels encounter Maldives’ submerged beauty.

Scuba Diving – Descend deeper into Maldives’ underwater realm with world-class scuba diving. Home to hundreds of dive sites, including famed spots like Maaya Thila and Banana Reef, divers are set to acquaint with whale sharks, manta rays and an array of tropical fish. Professional dive schools and instructors are available across the islands, making this sport accessible to beginners. For certified divers, captivating night dives and sprawling wreck sites await.

Water Sports – Maldives offers endless exhilarating water sports, from kayaking and paddleboarding to jet skiing and parasailing. While kayaking or paddleboarding across turquoise lagoons invites unmatched serenity, jet skiing and parasailing enthrals adrenaline hunters. Resorts and local operators provide state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring safe and thrilling adventures for all.

Adaaran Prestige Vadoo – Prepare to laze on sugary soft sand beaches and plunge into translucent waters bursting with vibrant marine life at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Maldives. Set on an immaculate, adults only island, this five-star paradise offers all-inclusive food and beverages, together with 24-hour personalised butler services, ensuring ultimate luxury. Wake each morning to mesmerising vistas across the sun-kissed lagoon in one of Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Maldives’ 50 overwater villas, each boasting sweeping private decks and direct access to the tranquil ocean below.

The Standard, Huruvaldhi Maldives – This cutting-edge resort is set apart by cool and contemporary style, poolside revelry and effortless glamour, catering to the adventurous and dynamic traveller pursuing a new era of island luxury. Poised on powder-white sands framed by a luminous lagoon, the resort boasts striking overwater villas defined by private pools, disco-ball bathrooms, glass floors and signature pops of colour. Listed as one of The Best Hotels in the Maldives by Condé Nast Traveller, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives beckons with its trendsetting blend of vibrancy and tranquillity.

Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives – A treasure trove of beach-chic overwater villas, infinity pools and five-star service, Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives tempts luxury seekers. Poised on the secret island of Bodufinolhu within the South Ari Atoll, this holiday hero flaunts six restaurants and bars, glassy lagoon adventures and personalised health treatments. The resort’s exclusive profile of 100 villas astounds with isolated plunge pools, direct beach access and private sundecks hovering thriving marine life below.Savour Maldives’ uninterrupted splendour with our expert travel guide. This postcard island nation entices with exquisite local cuisine, turquoise water thrills and luxurious, award-winning resorts. Read on to discover the best of Maldives.