While the secluded and sun-kissed beaches may be the main allure for you to go on a holiday to the Maldives, don’t forget the country has some other key attractions too.
Banana Reef
Starting things off is an attraction under the waves! Banana Reef is amongst the most popular dive sites and is easy to access from resorts in the North Male Atoll like Baros Maldives. It’s home to intriguing caves, colourful corals and abundant marine life be it Napoleon wrasse, sharks, turtles, barracuda or bannerfish.
The Island of Male
The country’s capital, Male features diverse attractions and those staying at Maldives villas in the North Male Atoll will find the island a relatively short speedboat ride away. Amongst the main sites here are the 17th-century Old Friday Mosque, Grand Friday Mosque, Male Fish Market, Sultan Park and National Museum.
The Island of Utheemu
In the Haa Alif Atoll is Utheemu Island, famed for being the birthplace of national hero, Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu who overthrew the Portuguese. The house where he grew up has been turned into a museum where one can see age-old wooden interiors, traditional design elements, ornate trinkets and wooden carvings.
The Baa Atoll
Another nature-based attraction, the Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and offers more underwater exploration. Its main draw is arguably Hanifaru Bay which from May to November sees a build-up of plankton that draws vast numbers of manta rays and whale sharks which you can swim amidst.
