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Get your sporting fix at Anantara Maldives

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Think the Maldives is all about lying prone on a sun lounger? Think again! Step forward, Anantara with three luxury Maldives resorts all bursting with a wide range of land and water sports to occupy even the most energetic of guests. From world-class surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing, snorkelling, diving, sea bob, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, beach volleyball and badminton to night-time SUP.

There’s certainly no danger of lounger boredom setting it!

Whether you’re looking to fill your days with non-stop sporting activities or to just dip your toe in every now and again, at Anantara’s Maldives Resorts guests can do as little or as much as they like.

Each resort offers a different but equally luxurious experience. Here is a snapshot of Anantara’s Maldivian island hideaways and the many exciting activities sporting enthusiasts can look forward to.

Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort:  fun for all the family

Just a 35-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport in the South Male Atoll lies Anantara Dhigu, comprising some of the most spacious luxury villas in the Maldives. A resort for the whole family, all ages can expect a thoroughly warm welcome and home from home experience.

The Dhoni Children’s Club will keep smaller members of the family happily entertained, while older members take advantage of the many sporting options. From diving, kite surfing, sailing, snorkelling, parasailing, water skiing and surfing – water sports fanatics will be grinning from ear to ear. The calm waters around the island are ideal for stand-up paddle boarding and for something a little bit different try SUP at night with lights on the boards so that you can see the fish.

Back on dry land, there is tennis, badminton and beach volleyball.

Prices start from £498 (USD 704) per room, per night.

Anantara Veli Maldives Resort: the adult-only island

One of just five adult-only islands in the Maldives, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort in the South Male Atoll is ideal for couples or groups of friends looking for a sophisticated, grown-up retreat. White sand and turquoise waters provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy an endless choice of water and land-based sports.

Arriving by speedboat, guests can look forward to elegant bungalow accommodation, some with direct lagoon access.

Explore the local area on a guided jet ski adventure, take out a glass bottom kayak to enjoy an unique perspective of the marine life as your paddle around the island, learn to wake board or mono ski, experience some of the best snorkelling in the Maldives or enjoy an evening game of tennis on the island’s floodlit court. There are no shortage of sporting activities to choose from at Anantara Veli.

Prices start from £570 (USD 805) per room, per night.

Naladhu Private Island Maldives: the private hideaway

For seekers of exclusivity and privacy, Naladhu Private Island Maldives is an idyllic location that offers the best retreat for guests looking for the ultimate castaway luxury. The island offers an unique holiday home feeling, underpinned by a sense of total seclusion and privacy, with just 20 expansive houses and residences, each with its own private pool fronting the Indian Ocean. Each house comes with round-the-clock service from your very own House Master (butler).

Located in South Male Atoll, guests are whisked to Naladhu by speedboat before abandoning shoes to explore the island’s endless sandy paths winding through pristinely kept vegetation.

A full range of water sports are available at Naladhu. Discover the famous underwater world of the Maldives with snorkelling excursions on the house reef, nearby manta ray cleaning stations and neighbouring reefs. Water skiing is sensational on the island’s mirror-like lagoon. Kite surfing and surfing are also excellent from Naladhu, the best surfing months are from April to October.

Prices start from £997 (USD 1,409)per room, per night.

Anantara runs three resorts in the Maldives: Anantara Veli Maldives Resort and Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort in South Male Atoll, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in Baa atoll.

In addition to the Anantara branded resorts, parent company Minor Hotel Group separately runs Naladhu Private Island Maldives in the South Male Atoll and Niyama Maldives Private Islands in Dhaalu atoll.

Meanwhile, Anantara’s sister brand AVANI Hotels and Resorts has recently announced the development of its first property in the Maldives, with the AVANI Fares Maldives Resort scheduled to open in late 2019.

Excursions

Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

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At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

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Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef

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At Dusit Thani Maldives, the experience of the ocean begins directly at the doorstep. Situated within the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by one of the most vibrant house reefs in the country, offering guests the opportunity to explore a thriving underwater world just steps from their villa.

What distinguishes the resort is its 360-degree house reef. Each villa, whether set above the lagoon or along the beach, opens directly onto the water. Guests can enter the ocean within moments of leaving their deck, where coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and turtles can often be seen. The seamless access allows families, beginners, and experienced snorkellers to engage with the reef naturally, without the need to plan or schedule an excursion.

The location within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve makes every swim a part of a wider story of conservation and discovery. Recognised globally for its corals and tropical marine life, the reserve becomes a key gathering site for manta rays and whale sharks during the season. Around the reef, visitors can observe parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, and reef sharks, making it a living example of biodiversity and preservation.

Life at the resort is centred on this connection with the sea. Guests may begin their day with a morning swim, take part in a guided snorkelling safari with marine experts, and conclude by observing the coral gardens as they take on new colours in the evening light. The ocean becomes not simply a backdrop but an integral part of daily life.

The PADI-certified Dive and Watersports Centre further enhances this relationship with the ocean, offering night snorkels, freediving, drift dives, and marine education programmes designed for families. Guests are supported to safely explore the biodiversity of the atoll at their own level, whether through a gentle introduction or more advanced diving experiences.

Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Maldives, noted that snorkelling at the resort is not treated as an activity but as part of the rhythm of island life. He explained that the reef begins where the villa deck ends, allowing guests the freedom to explore the ocean at their own pace and making the location distinctive in its accessibility and natural beauty.

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the distinction between villa and ocean fades away. From sighting turtles at sunrise to drifting beside reef sharks at dusk, every moment reinforces the natural character of the Maldives and the unique setting of the resort.

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From reef to horizon: Immersive island experiences at Angsana Velavaru

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Angsana Velavaru invites travelers to immerse themselves in a rhythm shaped by tides, coral gardens, and island breezes. This oceanfront retreat is located in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant marine environments. It is known as “Turtle Island” and is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male’. The resort curates experiences for those who are drawn to discovery, depth, and the beauty of nature’s untouched corners. Angsana Velavaru offers a getaway to extraordinary diving, barefoot island adventures, and sea-bound journey.

Into the Blue: Dive Sites and Snorkelling Discoveries

Angsana Velavaru is at the center of a marine wonderland with more than 30 dive sites just minutes away. The resort’s PADI 5-Star Gold Dive Centre leads guests to explore dramatic drop-offs, gentle coral slopes, and manta ray cleaning stations. The resort offers tailored expeditions and daily two-tank dives for both experienced and beginner divers.

For those who prefer to snorkel, the house reef offers an introduction to coral life. Guided safaris, led by marine experts, provide a deeper appreciation for reef ecosystems10. The calm waters surrounding the island make it easy for even first-time snorkelers to experience the ocean.

Ocean Adventures: Cruising, Fishing and Sunset Moments

Guests can step aboard traditional dhonis to experience the ocean from a new perspective. Unforgettable views are available whether you are on a dolphin cruise or a sunset sail. Traditional handline fishing trips, guided by a local crew, are also available for a hands-on experience. Other highlights include sandbank escapes and private boat charters, which are designed to slow down time and deepen one’s connection to the sea.

Land Experiences and Island Explorations

Angsana Velavaru offers morning nature walks and visits to local islands for a glimpse into Maldivian island life. At the resort’s Marine Lab, guests can take part in coral planting or learn about marine conservation from resident marine biologists. For families, the Ranger’s Club provides meaningful moments for young explorers with treasure hunts, marine workshops, and outdoor games. Solo travelers or couples can enjoy quiet moments under the stars, yoga by the beach, or walking around the island.

Angsana Velavaru offers immersion and the chance to become part of a living seascape. Every moment resonates with nature’s quiet power.

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