Relaxing Maldives is synonyms with honeymoon and romantic getaways. But these pristine waters hold much more than a couple’s ideal trip. With emerald green trees and azure blue waters that meet an equally blue sky, the Maldives is your go to-spot for some adventure with wildlife and to spend some quality time with nature.

So if you are wondering what to do in Maldives other than sunbathing on the beach, or frowning at other couples, here are the top 4 things that will give an adventurer’s heart a thrill. Keep in mind that the best time to visit Maldives is from November to April, but these activities can be done all year around the island.

Maldives Sea of Stars

A spectacular sight that makes one think they are in some kind of fairyland, Maldives glowing beach lights up the shores and its waves in a mystical blue glow caused by bioluminescent plankton.

To get this truly ethereal and magical experience, head on to Vadhoo island during the June – October months when the waters are comparatively warmer and the bioluminescent plankton is brighter than ever. The best time to see the sea of stars in Maldives is after daylight goes down. So hop your way to the beach after 8pm and before midnight to catch the blue light at its shiniest form.

Swim with Whale Sharks in Maldives reefs

Just like how the Maldives is beautiful with the world above waters, the world beneath is just as gorgeous. The collective islands boast stunning reeves and a colorful array of fins.

Diving in Maldives means swimmers get to see beautiful ocean dwellers up close and one of the gentle giants that frequents these areas is the Whale Shark. These spotted beauties are comparatively small in size with the rest of the Whale Shark species but still measure up to 8 meters (26 feet) in length.

The island’s South Ari Atoll is a marine protected area and a dive site that gives swimmers the best chance to see these giants up close while snorkeling. The best time to see whale sharks in Maldives are in May, November, and December.

These months provide calm seas and good visibility and divers can jump into the waters 3-5 hours before high tide to get the closest and best glimpse of these shark species. Dhigurah, Dhangethi, and Maamgelli are also great spots to watch these ocean dwellers swim by. And don’t worry, they won’t bite.

Rangali Island is the best place to see manta rays in Maldives and get a glimpse of Whale Sharks at the same time. Other spots that present a high chance of seeing them are the Baa Atoll & Adul Atoll.

Dolphin watching

Give your boating experiences an added thrill with dolphin watching in Maldives. These happy flippers are known for vising the atolls almost all year round.

Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are the ones commonly sighted around the islands. The best bet is to go around Muli Channel. It gives an 85% success rate of spotting these clever mammals that are extremely human-friendly.

You might also catch a glimpse of pilot whales and other sea creatures making their trip around the atolls. The best time for dolphin watching in Maldives is in the mornings. This 9am to afternoon trip usually guarantees some sightings.

Night Sky of Constellations

This might not be commonly known but stargazing in the Maldives is a sight that is just as beautiful as the pristine beaches. Anantara Kihavah offers a breathtaking stargazing experience with the island’s Sky Observatory.

Surrounded by an open sky and ocean waters, this is the first and only observatory in the Maldives that lets visitors take a peek at the bright clusters of stars outside the planet at any time of the year.

Maldive’s minimal light pollution makes it possible for gazers to get a close look at the yellow rings of Saturn, the bright colors of Jupiter, and the 300,000 starts that make up the global cluster Messier 13, giving you a sight into worlds that are unreachable for mankind….at the moment.