The Maldives is synonymous with rest and relaxation. Many travelers head there just to lay on the beach for a week or two, but make no mistake: the Maldives is also a perfect adventure destination. In the Maldives, female travelers can enjoy thrills and new experiences by day and rest in the lap of luxury at night. Whether you’d like to surf, snorkel or dive, there’s plenty to keep you active. Here are some of my favorite resorts for an active and adventurous stay in the Maldives. 

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Best Overall – Baros Maldives

Female travelers can get their adventure fix at the amazing Baros resort. It has one of the best house reefs in the entire country. The reef is close enough to the shore to be accessible for snorkelling beginners and it’s absolutely stunning in its vibrancy.

You’ll start with a snorkelling lesson before taking an informative tour with a qualified marine biologist. You’ll be able to learn all about the reef from a first-class expert as you marvel at its beauty. Make sure you book a night snorkelling session, too. The Baros reef looks very different after dark and you’ll get to glimpse nocturnal marine life and the wonder of glowing bioluminescent plankton.  

You can also help to protect the Baros marine environment by participating in the Coral Reef Regeneration Programme. When you sponsor a reef, you get to take part in the gardening process, which is a fantastic experience. You’ll also continue to receive updates on how your corals are progressing for the next two years. 

Baros is also a great choice for those who want to partake in plenty of watersports during their Maldivian getaway. Paddle boarding, tube riding, windsurfing and waterskiing are just some of the exciting activities on offer at Baros resort. My favorite, though, is the clear-bottomed canoeing which gives you fabulous views of the marine life going on in the lagoon below. 

Oh, and if that weren’t enough, you can also get your diving certification at the PADI five-star diving centre. Dives at Baros are designed to be sustainable, with a minimal environmental impact. The centre displays the stamp of approval from the International Reef Check, so you can dive with a clear conscience. Thrill seekers will love swimming with reef sharks (they’re harmless, but still) as well as turtles, eels and mantas. Diving at Baros is an experience you’ll never forget. 

Best for Excursions – Lily Beach 

Lily Beach is a beautiful and luxurious Maldivian resort with an amazing range of activities and excursions on offer. The Penguin semi-submarine allows travelers of all ages and abilities to explore the resort’s marine life. Alternatively, you can lounge in a hammock as you cruise around the turquoise waters on a floating platform. You can also get your fill of snorkelling and fishing at Lily Beach and take a boat to Sun Lily island for a remote picnic.

I’d also highly recommend the Dhangethi and Mahibadoo tour to explore life on local islands. It’s perfect for luxury travelers who want to experience the authentic Maldivian way of life first hand. Female adventure seekers should remember to dress conservatively on these tours, so remember your stylish beach cover ups. 

Best for Water Sports – Niyama Private Island 

Niyama is a twin island resort where guests have two choices: Play or Chill. As you’re probably able to guess, Play island is for the more adventurous traveler whilst Chill is all about… well, chilling. It’s a bit more romantic, with a honeymoon feel to it. 

Watersports fans are very well-catered for at Niyama. It’s regarded as one of the best luxury resorts for surfers in the Maldives and it often hosts surfing retreats and bootcamps for the gnarly at heart. If you want to kick things up a notch, you have the option to jet ski. I mean, does life really get better than jet skiing in the Maldives? I don’t think it does. 

You can also take private, marine-biologist led snorkelling tours or go dolphin-spotting at sunset. Meanwhile, zooming through the lagoon on an underwater rocket is a thrilling experience that’s not to be missed. There’s also parasailing, kitesurfing, kneeboarding and glass kayaking on offer. Niyama offers the ultimate active Maldives experience. You’ll sleep well! 

Best for Surfing – Gili Lakanfushi 

Gili Lakanfushi is an elegant eco-luxe resort that also happens to be one of the best surfing destinations in the Maldives. In fact, it’s the very definition of a surfer’s paradise. 

Gili Lakanfushi is a five-minute boat ride from Jailbreak, one of the Maldives’ most epic waves. It’s also close to Honkies, Sultans, Chickens and Cokes, all of which are very desirable waves in the world of Maldivian surfing. 

Gili Lakanfushi partners with Tropicsurf to provide guests with surfing lessons. Whether you’re a beginner or a semi-pro looking for a few pointers, the resort will provide you with one-on-one lessons tailored to your goals. The Perfect Surf programme, for example, is there to ensure that seasoned surfers get the most out of the Maldives’ very best waves. 

Best for Diving – Anantara 

Anantara’s house reef is affectionately known as the Golden Wall. It’s a destination in itself, so be sure to explore it before venturing out into the resort’s beautiful surrounding reefs.

Anantara offers guests a fantastic scuba diving experience but what really sets this resort apart as a diving destination is that it’s the Maldives’ first PADI-certified free diving destination. If you choose to stay at Anantara, I strongly urge you to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. 

Free diving really enhances your underwater experience. With this style of diving, there’s no oxygen tank – you simply hold your breath and enjoy a more liberating dive. Without heavy equipment and oxygen bubbles, you’ve got much more freedom of movement and clearer vision, allowing you to truly appreciate the underwater wonder of the Maldives’ marine life. It’s a truly sublime and special experience that can’t fail to move you. 

This sport also has excellent health benefits that wellness travelers will appreciate, including stress-relief, increased oxygen efficiency, improved fitness levels and best of all, a stronger sense of self-confidence. Free diving will make you feel like you can do anything. Even if you’re nervous at first, the warm and friendly diving instructors will set you at ease and be there to help you every step of the way. 

For more on Maldives travel, make sure to read my guide to the best resorts for wellness travelers and check out the current entry requirements here.