7 Exciting Water Sports in Maldives for Thrill Seekers

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Even though my main agenda to go to the Maldives was to get certified as an Open water Scuba Diver, it didn’t take long to find out that Maafushi, the most popular local island in the Maldives has a thriving water sports culture. There are so many water sports in the Maldives, that I was spoilt with options.

If you don’t believe me, check out this small video on Maldives water sports!

When I posted this video on social media channels, someone mentioned that they got introduced to a whole range of watersports in the video! But there’s so much I didn’t include in the video!

So, thought of penning this post on shedding light on some kickass adventures you can try in the Maldives. This island nation although construed as a luxury honeymoon destination, is much more than that! Here are some amazing water sports in the Maldives that will make you pack your bags and your adrenaline pumping!

Find out how you can do the Maldives on a budget here.

1. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Let’s start with scuba diving. After all, the best part about the Maldives is underwater! I dived at the one of the best diving location in Maldives – Kadooma Thila – complete with colorful reefs and abundant marine life. And witnessed many Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Grey tip and white tip sharks, and so on. You can even snorkel with the majestic whale sharks at Dhigurah island in Alif Dhaal Atoll, where these massive creatures are almost year-round residents. Read more about my diving experience in the Maldives here.

Additional Read: Interested to explore the pristine underwater world? Find out some best places to dive in the world!

2. Kayaking and Stand up PaddleBoarding

Did I mention that kayaking is one of my favorite sports? Well, there are not many places that I can use my strength training skills on a real-life basis except for lifting bags and luggage (which isn’t really fun). And kayaking just gives me a perfect opportunity to do so. So, I’m always up for a round of kayaking. And that’s how I spent my birthday evening in the Maldives. Kayaking in the crystal azure blue waters of Maldives. What a bliss!

On the other hand, you can try stand up paddle boarding too. It’s a relatively new sport, in the water sports arena. Just imagine riding into the sunset in your while paddling through the cool blue waters! Isn’t that something to wonder about!

3. Surfing

One of the popular water sports, surfing is usually high on the list for every adrenaline junkie who is into water sports. There are many beaches in the Maldives ideal for surfing. Do give it a try when you are around!

4. Flyboarding

Now, let’s talk about motorized sports in the Maldives.

You might have come across someone flying from the ocean vertically upwards with a board attached to their feet. Well, that’s flyboarding for you. The closest you can come to flying over the ocean! In normal flyboarding, the underwater propulsion can take you to 12m above water. What fun! I first came across flyboarding on Instagram when someone I followed had attempted flyboarding in Miami. And, little did I expect to find it on a remote island in the Maldives. Yet there it was!

5. Wakeboarding

Want to Snowboard on water? Try wakeboarding – where you’ll be towed behind a boat on board, similar to a snowboard. There are other similar variations of wakeboarding – water skiing, and knee boarding. You’ll want to give that a shot too!

If you’d like to take your wakeboard skills to the next level, try out hover boarding equipped with a water Jetpack, that can take you to up to 5m in height at 40km per hour! Do you dare?

Just as Flyboarding, wakeboarding works for non-swimmers too!

6. Jet Ski

Jet skiing in the Maldives is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. With its crystal-clear waters, stunning tropical scenery, and warm climate, the Maldives offers the perfect setting for jet skiing. Jet skiing in the Maldives is a popular activity for tourists and there are many rental companies and jet ski packages to suit all levels of experience.

7. Kite Surfing & Wind Surfing

There’s plenty of wind sports varieties as well in the Maldives. What did I say? That the Maldives could easily be a hotspot for water sports!

A faster version of surfing, kite surfing combines surfing and kiting together. Definitely falls in the high thrills category. If you’re a beginner, equip yourself with kitesurfing lessons to fully understand the sport and control your kite!

While kitesurfing is with a kite, windsurfing sports a sail. Windsurfing will also require you to take lessons, and could be just what you need to get the adrenaline pumping!

Catamaran sailing is yet another one, though a mellow version of the above two.

Did you get your adventure fix in the Maldives? Or anywhere in the world for that matter? Anything you’d like to add to this list of water sports in the Maldives? Let me know in the comments below.