Home to some of the best beaches in the world, unrivalled luxury and a stunning landscape make Maldives the dream destination for millions across the world. And why wouldn’t it be? The turquoise blue water, pristine sands, rich marine life and of course, non-stop flights from Singapore that are as short as 4 hours cement its place on one’s itinerary.

This Indian Ocean paradise welcomes over a million tourists each year, and each one of them goes back with memories that last a lifetime. After all, Maldives has the perfect concoction of everything you need to have a great vacation, from the perfect weather to a plethora of activities on offer. If you thought a vacation in Maldives means lazing around on the beach all day, think again. Here are 5 tourist attractions you must visit while in Maldives.

1. Malé Atoll – For Urban Vibes

Located on the southern edge of Kaafu Atoll, the North Malé Atoll is the largest city and the most popular destination among the best places to visit in Maldives. It is among the top Maldives tourism places. It used to be called Mahal for being the abode of the Royal Dynasties and is now famous as the Kings Island. Male has a tropical monsoon climate with rains occurring through most months in the year. The best thing about Male is its consistently moderate temperature, round the year.

Major attractions at Male: The Grand Friday Mosque, Scuba diving, and snorkeling, Male Fish Market, Malé’s National Museum, Tsunami Monument, Dive Club Maldives, Underwater Scooters

Best time to visit: November to April

2. Sun Island – For Sparkling Beaches

Also famous as the Sun Island, Nalaguraidhoo Island in South Ari Atoll is among the top Maldives points of interest. It is adorned with some stunning beaches, beautiful tropical flowers, and lavish greenery that pulls a great number of tourists wanting to bask in the lap of nature. With its extremely charming blue waters, sparkling beaches and fabulous resorts, the island guarantees immense joy to its guests. Given its serenity and beauty, it is among the most perfect places to visit in Maldives for couples and honeymooners.

Best time to visit Sun Island: March to April the summer season, suitable for water sports.

Major attractions at Sun Island: Diving, windsurfing and snorkeling, relaxation at sauna and spa, Island Divers

Best time to visit: November to April

3. Alimatha Island – For Canoeing In Calm Waters

Sitting on the eastern edge of Maldives, Alimatha Island is located in Vaavu Atoll. With its azure, crystal clear waters — apt for diving, snorkeling and boating, the island is a perfect spot for a family vacation and for honeymoon too, since it is considered one of the best places to visit in Maldives for couples. Volleyball matches in the sun-kissed beaches and the dazzling sand, here, are great fun. The Ayurvedic massage center, spa, bars, and restaurants make it a revitalizing option among the popular tourist places in Maldives.

Major attractions at Alimatha Island: Diving, snorkeling, and canoeing at Miyaru Kandu, Fotte Kandu (Govt. sanctioned protected sites); Alimatha Aquatic Resort

Best time to visit: March to April

4. Artificial Beach – For Action-Packed Watersports

5. Fihalhohi Island – For A Thriving Marine Life

Fihalhohi Island, situated at the South Kaafu Atoll in Mal-, is one of the most attractive and gorgeous places in Maldives to spend your hard earned holidays. The island is beautifully surrounded with shady coconut palm trees, pristine beaches, and clear waters. You must visit this island if you are looking for a romantic getaway or planning your honeymoon. The island offers warm weather, making it an ideal place for water activities that visitors thrive for and the most charming addition to the list of best places to visit in Maldives for honeymoon. One of the best things about Fihalhohi Island is the reef that surrounds the island that houses an abundance of marine life. With the availability of scuba diving, one can experience the marine life among the reef and make memories that will last for a lifetime. This island is also known to offer the best tropical with Balinese and other international treatments.

Major attractions at Fihalhohi Island: Fihalhohi Island Resort, Rannalhi and Rihiveli beaches in close proximity

Best time to visit: December to June

6. Utheemu Ganduvaru – For Exploring A Wooden Palace

Located in the Northern part of Maldives, Utheemu is one of the best places to visit in Maldives. It is a small island that resembles a small green jellyfish. One of the historical significant tourist places in Maldives, it is the birthplace of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu — revered in Maldivian history for chasing away Portuguese intruders. The place has got a monument in its name — Utheemu Ganduvaru, a heritage building that you must see. Home of the Sultan Mohamed, this palace is made of wood and a major tourist attraction in Maldives.

Major attractions at Utheemu Ganduvaru : The home of Sultan Mohamed, Ancient Cemetery, New Mosque, Beach North shore etc
Best time to visit: May to November (for Manta-Ray viewing)

7. Biyadhoo Island – For Fresh Organic Produce

Another popular island among the best places to visit in Maldives, Biyadhoo Island is stationed in South Mal- Atoll. Spread over ten acres of land, it is around 18 miles away from South Mal- International Airport and has Makunufushi Island in close proximity. The island has abundant vegetation of bananas, coconuts, and mangoes along with cucumbers, cabbage, and tomatoes. It is popular for its sparkling waters and adventurous water sports and hence got the name — the Scuba-diving Island.

Major attractions at Biyadhoo Island: Biyadhoo Island Resort, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoe-paddling

Best time to visit: November to February

8. Veligandu Island Beach – For Boundless Green Landscapes

Located in North Ari Atoll, Veligandu Island is a reasonably small island. But in spite of being small, it has its own glory for vacationers. The island is filled with astonishing greenery that provides immense serenity in this land of shimmering waters. Also, the lagoons here provide great opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Being in close proximity to a fishing village, the island also promises to serve you delicious food.

Major attractions at Veligandu Island Beach: Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, snorkeling, diving, fishing, village tours
Best time to visit: November to March

9. Baros Island – For Sun-Kissed Beaches

An ideal place that will keep the crowd at bay is the Baros Island, which happens to be among the top-rated islands in the Maldives. Mostly known for its natural elegance, the luxurious boutique resort, and the sun-kissed beaches is something to die for. With a number of water villas, the Baros Island is exclusively sought after, for its services and the privacy guests get to enjoy during their stay. With a few restaurants and bars in the precinct of the villas, it makes for an ideal vacation for honeymooners and vacationing with friends. What is to die for is the cyan blue water which is a treat to the eyes and the soul.

Major attractions: Snorkelling, Scuba diving, Coral reef and relaxation in the resort spas

Best time to visit: November to March

10. Huvahendhoo Island – For Soft White Sandy Beaches

The calm water and the lustrous greenery that makes up the Huvahendhoo Island is where you should be for an undisturbed stay for rejuvenation. Whether you are traveling with family or your pack of friends, this island is where you can relax and detox yourself off of the hustle and bustle of daily city life. Known for a family oriented place, kids can have their share of fun at the Kids Club while the adults can enjoy their time walking down the soft white sandy beaches. With restaurants serving top-notch delicacies, both foreign and local, the Huvahendhoo island has a lot of perks to it, making it one of the best places to visit in Maldives with family.

Major attractions: Swimming pool, tennis courts, beach volleyball, billiards and spa at the Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Best time to visit: July to October

Conclusion:

Unbeatable beaches, unmatched luxury and a very happening underwater world makes Maldives worth it all! Endowed with incredible beauty and splendor of nature. With 1200 islands and 26 atolls, this island country holds a great allure for tourists across the globe for its exotic islands, enthralling blue seas, shiny-sandy beaches, magnificent reefs, and a variety of water sports. Being an island country dominated by water sports, the tourism here is strictly relative to the dry weather conditions and hence the span of December to April is the best time to visit Maldives. Maldives has also undergone drastic change in the last 10 years and the inhabited islands have been made better and tourist friendly. Studded with luxurious water villas and endless palm groves swaying rhythmically, this postcard-perfect amalgamation of blue, white, and green is a true paradise on Earth! Check out the best places to visit in Maldives on your vacations