Kent


<p>Scattered across the Indian Ocean like jewels, the 1,000-plus islands of the Maldives’ archipelagos are heaven on earth, which is probably why they’re still the number one honeymoon destination for Brits. However these dream isles aren’t just for couples, with plenty of out-of-this-world experiences for solos, groups of friends and families too. So whether you want a massage in the deep blue or to slide into the sea from your bed, read on to discover all the best things you can do in this paradise playground (without having to tie the knot).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dine-below-sea-level-kudadoo-maldives"><a href="https://www.kudadoo.com/dining/#5.8-undersea-restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dine below sea level</a>, Kudadoo Maldives&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="Hurawalhi underwater restaurant" class="wp-image-77227" /></figure>



<p>The largest underwater restaurant in the Maldives is deeply impressive (boom, boom). No really, 5.8 Restaurant (that’s the depth in metres you’ll be dining at) has splendiferous views of the native marine life (think shoals of fish, gliding sharks, the occasional turtle), though that might make you feel a little bit guilty as you tuck into tuna carpaccio with pickled daikon. Best hit the well-stocked wine cellar.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slide-into-the-sea-from-your-bed-soneva-jani"><a href="https://soneva.com/villa/1-bedroom-water-reserve-with-slide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Slide into the sea from your bed</a>, Soneva Jani</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-10.28.41.png" alt="Soneva Jani villa" class="wp-image-77231" /></figure>



<p>We can think of worse ways to wake up in the morning than rolling out of bed and sliding into the warm Indian Ocean. The ultimate kids’ fantasy (OK, Muddy’s too) can be played out in a one-bedroom over water villa at this resort island, which also includes a private pool, dining area, retractable roof and kids’ room.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-spot-in-a-sky-bar-anantara-kihavah-maldives"><a href="https://www.anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives/experiences/stargazing-at-sky-bar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Star-spot in a Sky Bar</a>, Anantara Kihavah Maldives&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Anantara-Kihavah-Full-Moon-Dinner-and-Stargazing.jpg" alt="Anantara Kihavah Maldives " class="wp-image-77237" /></figure>



<p>Not A-listers, silly (though the occasional celeb has been known to check in). Kihavah’s home to the first over-water observatory in the Maldives and boasts the region’s most powerful telescope, so basically this is the best place for star-gazing in the Indian Ocean. Situated in the remote Baa Atoll just above the equator, low light pollution means it’s an epic place to view the night skies guided by the resort’s resident Sky Guru, native Maldivian Hammadh.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swim-in-the-longest-pool-fairmont-maldives"><a href="https://www.fairmont.com/maldives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swim in the longest pool</a>, Fairmont Maldives</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/7.-FairmontMaldivesSirruFen.jpg" alt="Pool at Fairmont Maldives" class="wp-image-77238" /></figure>



<p>So this is the longest swimming pool in the Maldives, stretching the entire width of the private island. And what an island, ringed by perfect white sand edged by turquoise water, dotted with picturesque palm trees shading 120 luxurious over-water, beach and tented villas.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watch-a-film-in-the-jungle-vakkaru"><a href="https://www.vakkarumaldives.com/news/vakkaru-maldives-launches-jungle-cinema-and-anguru-teppanyaki.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watch a film in the jungle</a>, Vakkaru&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Unknown.jpeg" alt="Vakkaru jungle cinema" class="wp-image-77239" /></figure>



<p>Vakkaru’s jungle cinema’s the icing on the cake of a resort which already offers wildly romantic activities, like Ayurvedic spa treatments for two, seaplane arrivals and floating breakfasts served in your villa’s pool. Hire the outside cinema for a private screening of your favourite movie, complete with popcorn and cocktails – a trip to the Odeon will never be the same.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moon-gaze-from-bed-oblu-select-at-sangeli"><a href="https://www.coloursofoblu.com/oblu-select-sangeli/villas/honeymoon-select-ocean-villa-with-pool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon-gaze from bed</a>, OBLU SELECT at Sangeli</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-15.28.11.png" alt="Oblu Select Sangli " class="wp-image-77245" /></figure>



<p>There’s something extremely decadent and a little bit Austin Powers about this resort’s enormous circular beds beneath retractable skylights for star- or moon-gazing. Muddy’s visited and can vouch they are super comfy and come with a bathroom featuring a round, red tub more than big enough for two, outside shower and, best of all, a terrace with large pool, day bed and steps for slipping effortlessly into the turquoise ocean. Sigh.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snorkel-with-manta-rays-dusit-thani-maldives"><a href="https://www.dusit.com/dusitthani-maldives/experience/manta-sanctuary-snorkelling/#more-3513" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snorkel with manta rays,</a>&nbsp;Dusit Thani Maldives</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Unknown-3.jpeg" alt="Dusit Thani Maldives " class="wp-image-77248" /></figure>



<p>Marine biologists have a hot line to guests interested in swimming with these gentle creatures, so the moment they spot a group of mantas they’ll alert you then whisk you by boat to nearby Hanifaru Huraa, a world-renowned dive site and feeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks just 30 minutes away.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-a-floating-breakfast-emerald-resort-maldives"><a href="https://www.emerald-maldives.com/blog-posts/more-than-a-romance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scoff a floating breakfast</a>, Emerald Resort Maldives&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.-Emerald-Maldives-Resort-_-Spa-4.jpg" alt="Emerald Resort Maldives " class="wp-image-77258" /></figure>



<p>You’ve probably seen pictures of these on Instagram and, while we have concerns about soggy croissants, there’s no denying it does look fabulous. Order the full works, complete with glass of bubbly, then sleep it all off with a mid-morning snooze on a lime green lounger. And don’t even think about copying this with a boiled egg and soldiers in the bath back home.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enjoy-an-underwater-massage-huvafen-fushi"><a href="https://www.huvafenfushi.com/spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enjoy an underwater massage</a>, Huvafen Fushi</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-11.40.59.png" alt="Huvafen Fushi underwater spa " class="wp-image-77263" /></figure>



<p>Introducing the world’s first underwater spa. The only whale music down here is probably from an actual whale and forget moody low-lit treatments rooms, Huvafen Fushi’s are light and bright to make the most of that incredible background: the ocean. Opt for the 90-minute Underwater Dream therapy, a combination of reflexology, pressure point and shiatsu techniques, massage and pranayama for guaranteed relaxation and Zzz.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dine-on-a-deserted-sandbank-baros"><a href="https://www.kudadoo.com/dining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dine on a deserted sandbank</a>, Baros</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Unknown-4-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Sandbank dining, Baros" class="wp-image-77295" /></figure>



<p>Baros is well known for its incredible dining experiences, which can take place pretty much anywhere. Muddy would opt for dinner a deux by candle-light on a deserted sand bank, tucking into succulent sushi as the sun sinks into the sea, but you might prefer dinner back at your villa, beneath the palms or in the fancy Lighthouse restaurant. The choice is yours.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-below-sea-level-conrad-maldives"><a href="https://www.conradmaldives.com/stay/the-muraka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleep below sea level</a>, Conrad Maldives&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-MURAKA-Underwater-Villa-1063x614-1.jpg" alt="Muraka Suitę, Conrad Maldives " class="wp-image-77291" /></figure>



<p>Imagine waking to see a shark glide by, or coming eye-to-eye with an inquisitive puffer fish as you brush your teeth. If you book Muraka, Conrad’s incredible underwater suite, it’s a given that you’re going to get as close to marine life as your average dolphin (only you get to rest on an enormous comfy bed rather than jumping through the sea all day). If&nbsp;<em>Jaws</em>&nbsp;still gives you nightmares, maybe skip it, but Muddy thinks this watery adventure is, ahem, deep.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-live-like-a-rock-star-finolhu"><a href="https://www.finolhu.com/villas/two-bedroom-rock-star-villa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Live like a rock star</a>, Finolhu</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Unknown-5.jpeg" alt="Finolhu Maldives rockstar villa " class="wp-image-77297" /></figure>



<p>Check into the two-bedroom Rockstar Villa and expect crazy VIP extras such as a golf buggy styled like a mini Rolls Royce, an eight-metre infinity pool, giant disco ball, private cocktail bar and a seriously good sound system. Pure fantasy, but oh it sounds fun!</p>


Paradise playground: 12 best experiences in the Maldives

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