18 Water Sports in Maldives with Best Price & Top Operators

The Maldives is a great destination to enjoy and indulge in water sports. If you're unsure about the options, you've come to the right place! We've compiled a comprehensive list of the watersports in the Maldives that you can try out for an unforgettable vacation. Take your pick!

These are 18 popular water sports in the Maldives:

1. Scuba Diving

Diving in Maldives — Underwater species in the Maldives

Scuba diving is one of the most popular water sports in the Maldives, and most resorts across the archipelago offer this activity. It is done under the supervision of instructors who accompany divers and is a great way to experience the underwater world of the Indian Ocean. Some of the aquatic creatures that one might come across while scuba diving include colorful corals, sharks, turtles, stingrays, fish, etc. It lasts for about 45 minutes.

Price: Approximately USD 100 (Prices may differ depending on the diving course chosen)

2. Catamaran Sailing

Catamaran cruises are popular in Maldives and are offered by many online and offsite tour websites and agents. Most resorts in Maldives also have Ocean Water Sports Centre, where you can book the catamarans on a private or sharing basis. These sailboats offer you privacy, luxury, and amazing holiday vibes as you relax with a loved one and enjoy the spectacular panoramas of the Maldives.

Best time: November to April

Location: All major ports in the country offer catamarans on a charter basis. Resorts also provide charters, in addition to agencies

Swimming proficiency: Nil

Average cost: USD 50 - 80 per person, for one hour, including a guide and crew. You can also avail sailing lessons for USD 60 per person per hour

3. Jet Skiing

This is a faster variation of water skiing, as you and your partner sit on a jet ski and drive away into the blue sea. Channel some major 007 vibes as you zip through the waves!

Best time: April to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé. Contact agencies to ship you to beaches where you can jetski.
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 70 - USD 100 per person for half an hour

4. Kayaking

This is one of the most popular adventure sports in the Maldives and for a good reason too. Explore and experience the coastline at your own pace as you become part of the swaying waves and watch your stresses melt away!

Best time: April to October
Location: Even small beaches in local islands have kayaking facilities so that you can rent a kayak on almost every beach in Maldives
Swimming proficiency: Preferred
Average cost: Resorts often offer kayaks free of charge to patrons. Renting a kayak can cost you as cheap as USD 10 - USD 50 per person. Some public beaches also have free kayak rentals.

5. Banana Boating

This super fun activity involves a long boat that you are strapped to so you cannot fall as you zoom over the stark blue waters of the ocean. This group sport is super thrilling and is a must-do in the Maldives. A banana a day, keep holiday pangs at bay, minions!

Best time: April to October
Location: You can avail this in almost every resort beach in the country. They are popular in Malé, Baa Atoll, Ari Atolls and Kaafu Atoll.
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 50 - USD 80 per person, for 20 minutes

6. Parasailing

It's time to fly as high as a kite, soaring over the pristine blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Kitesurfing is an exciting watersport in the Maldives to try out, as it offers a stunning bird's eye view of the archipelago as you're tethered to a speedboat!

Best time: April to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé, Hulumalé
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 90 per person for 10 minutes

7. Surfing

No beach holiday is complete without a surfing trip! Take the waves by storm as you ride the ocean in all its glory in Maldives. You can try stand-up paddling and then proceed to surf as well.

Best time: April to October
Location: The best wakes are in Baa Atoll and Thulusdhoo Islands, but you can enjoy surfing at any beach with an instructor. Agencies often take you on trips to other islands, so contact them for the best locations
Swimming proficiency: Required
Average cost: USD 130 per person for two hours

8. Flyboarding

This futuristic ride has a board that is propelled into the air, enabling you to hydro-fly! Prepare to indulge in this unforgettable experience as you soar above the sea and watch the world with a top view.

Best time: April to October

Location: Lhaviyani Atoll, Maafushi Island

Swimming proficiency: Nil

Average cost: USD 150 per person for a 30-minute starter lesson. USD 75 per person for a 15-minute pro ride

9. Fun Tube

The tube has got 'fun' in its name - what more do you need!? This group ride consists of a bed-like tube where you can sit with your squad, and zoom through the bright blue ocean! This is the epitome of laid-back fun combined with the thrill of speed. Do not miss out on this crazy watersports in Maldives.

Best time: April to October
Location: You can avail this in almost every resort beach in the country. They are popular in Malé, Baa Atoll, Ari Atolls and Kaafu Atoll.
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 130 for two people for 20 minutes

10. Kitesurfing

This is twice as thrilling as surfing as you have the added pull of the tropical winds! Experience the ocean like never before as you become one with the waves, and soar into the wake with your mighty kite. This can be a great gateway sport into surfing as well.

Best time: April to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé and Hulumalé
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 50 - USD 90 per person per hour

11. Waterskiing

Move over, snow-clad mountains, as water skiing has taken over skiing on snow! Waterskiing gives you the added thrill of meeting dolphins or turtles while on the ocean. Waterskiing is much easier than wakeboarding - go water skiing first, then wakeboarding, and then kneeboarding. Waterskiing involves using a ski on each leg as you glide over the waves!

Best time: April to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé, Ari Atoll, Hulumalé
Swimming proficiency: Preferred
Average cost: USD 75 per person for 20 minutes, with a guide

12. Wakeboarding

This sport is as thrilling as it is adventurous! A gateway into kitesurfing, this sport involves holding on to a tether as you stand on a wave. You can try wakeboarding before you embark on kneeboarding, as both require a good sense of understanding your centre of gravity, so you can balance on the board. Go wakeboarding in Maldives to stay woke!

Best time: April to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé, Hulumalé, Ari Atoll
Swimming proficiency: Required
Average cost: USD 70 per person for half an hour of starter lessons. USD 35 per person for 10 minutes

13. Kneeboarding

This sport can be a little challenging for beginners, as it is a bit more complex than water skiing. But don't be deterred, as the thrill is worth it! This sport involves holding on to a tether while on your knees on a board, as you zip through the ocean. It gives you a much closer experience with the ocean, and leaves you immersed in a sea of memories - all puns intended!

Best time: March to October
Location: All resort islands, Malé, Hulumalé, Kaafu Atoll
Swimming proficiency: Preferred
Average cost: USD 40 per person for a 10-minute pro ride. USD 60 per person for a 20-minute starter lesson

14. Underwater Scooters

Underwater scooters in Maldives — Source

Water scooters are passé - it is time for underwater scooters! Explore the deep ocean in the comfort of a motorised scooter, as you wave to fish and swim with turtles. This scooter has a bubble that keeps your head dry, which means that you can wear glasses as well. It is one of the unique watersports in Maldives.

Best time: December to March

Location: Maafushi Island, Malé, Hulumalé, Baa Atoll
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 180 per person per hour, or USD 280 for a couple per hour

15. Stand up Paddling

Stand up paddling, or SUP is a great way to explore the island, and is an amazing workout too! This is the gateway to surfing, as it enables you to move at your own pace while catching the wake too. It gives you the thrill of surfing combined with the comfort of a boat - we love!

Best time: March to May, September to November
Location: The best wakes are in Baa Atoll and Thulusdhoo Islands, but you can enjoy stand up paddling at any beach with an instructor
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 30 per person per hour, without a guide USD 40 per person per hour, with a guide

16. Fishing

Fishing is one of the most satisfying watersports in Maldives as it is relaxing and rewarding too! You are allowed to keep the fish you catch and cook them too. Big game fishing is also an option where you can come face-to-face with exotic sailfish. As the proverb goes, teach a person to fish, and they'll never go hungry again!

Best time: November to March
Location: All resort islands offer big game fishing. You can contact agencies to take you to fishing locations too
Swimming proficiency: Nil
Average cost: USD 80 - 100 per person per hour

17. Glass Bottom Boat Ride

Glass Bottom Boat Ride in Maldives — Source

Given how the Maldives is popular for a multitude of water sports, it is no surprise that one can also experience the underwater world here without actually getting in the water. This is done by opting for a glass-bottom boat ride which includes sitting in a boat or dinghy which has glass on its floor. It is a great way to observe the diverse aquatic life including fish, turtles, corals and more that passes by below. It is a much safer option as compared to actually getting in the water, especially since it does not require one to know swimming either.

Average cost: Approximately USD 60 to USD 100 per person for about 45 minutes
Best time: April to October
Swimming proficiency: Nil

18. Underwater Walking

A popular watersport in the Maldives, underwater walking is a very immersive way of experiencing the underwater world. It involves putting on an oxygen mask and simply walking on the vast ocean floor. This is an unforgettable experience since one gets to be amongst the many aquatic creatures, including a variety of fish, as they swim around. It can be done alone or with a group. Given that the helmet or mask is heavy enough and there are cords/cables attached to it to keep one from floating around uncontrollably, someone who doesn’t know how to swim can also partake in it. As a souvenir, one can get their picture taken underwater too. Underwater walking is usually done for about 20 minutes.

Average cost: Approximately USD 60 to USD 100 per person, for about 20 minutes
Best time: January to April
Swimming proficiency: Nil

Watersports Operators in Maldives

Usually, acclaimed water sports operate with resorts so that patrons of the resort can avail the facilities offered at an extra charge. This doesn't need you to be a patron of the resort to avail of the tours - you can always approach them separately. The locations of the activities are usually centered around the resort islands that the agencies operate within.

1. Hulhumale Watersports Club & Excursions

Location: Dhigga Magu Hulhumale' City
Area Served: Hulhumale
Contact: +960 768-7473

2. Maafushi Dive & Water Sports

Location: Miskiy Magu Road, Maafushi
Contact: +960 991-1116

3. Ukulhas Water Sports

Location: 6V87+72P, Ukulhas
Contact: +960 949-4849

4. Q Water Sports Centre

Location: 7HQ3+JP3, Himmafushi
Contact: +960 664-0011

5. ScubaCaribe - Diving & Water Sports

Location: Gadifuri-Maafushi Island Dhaalu Atoll
Area Served: Gadifuri

6. Fulidhoo Dive & Water Sports

Location: Rankokaage, Fulidhoo Island 10010
Contact: +960 799-9351

7. Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo | Dive & Water Sports Center

Location: Vilamendhoo, Vilamendhoo Island
Contact: +960 795-8458

8. Eco Dive Club

Location: Mirihi Magu, Maafushi
Contact: +960 967-4405

9. Maldives Water Sports

Location: Nirolhu Magu - 11 Goalhi, Hulhumale
Area Served: Kaafu Atoll
Contact: +960 777-2241

10. Himmafushi Watersports

Location: 8H6C+J3R, Himmafushi
Contact: +960 955-6161

Tips

The adventure agencies often follow a schedule for water sports - for example, the time for reef snorkeling as a group may be on Monday morning, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Do enquire with the agency in advance to book your slot.
All agencies provide equipment on a rental basis.
People with health issues like hyperventilation, hypothermia, heart issues, asthma, and BP issues are advised to exercise caution before taking up water sports.
Some activities may not be recommended for pregnant women - ask your instructor for details.

Indulging in various watersports is one of the unique activities the Maldives offers, which sets it apart from other destinations. Which sport are you eager to try out? Which experience was unforgettable for you? Pen your thoughts in the comments section below. Sport in the waters!