The Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is renowned as a haven for luxury, sport, and wellbeing. Its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and overwater villas create an idyllic backdrop for those seeking an opulent escape. Luxury in the Maldives is synonymous with personalised service, private islands, and lavish resorts that cater to every desire, from gourmet dining experiences to bespoke spa treatments.
For sports enthusiasts, the Maldives offers a range of water-based activities. The turquoise waters are perfect for snorkelling, diving, and paddle boarding, providing access to vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Surfing is also popular, with world-class breaks attracting surfers from around the globe. Additionally, many resorts offer tennis courts, fitness centers, and yoga pavilions, ensuring guests can stay active during their stay.
Wellbeing is at the heart of the Maldivian experience. Many resorts feature world-class spas that blend traditional therapies with modern wellness practices. Treatments often incorporate natural ingredients sourced from the islands, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. Yoga and meditation sessions are often conducted in tranquil settings, allowing guests to connect with nature and find inner peace. The Maldives is truly a sanctuary where luxury, sport, and wellbeing converge. Here we look at some of the best sports resorts in the Maldives.
Sport and spa at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
Located on the island of Dhonakulhi, within the Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury retreat spanning 297,000 square metres. As well as 44 beach villas, 57 water villas, nine signature residences, beaches, plus restaurants and bars, Hideaway is also a haven for sport and wellbeing. Guests can enjoy a range of recreational facilities including a spa and wellness centre, dive centre, deep blue water sports, fitness centre, a padel court, badminton courts, swimming pools, football pitch, beach volleyball, and a half-basketball court. Hideaway offers a variety of water sports, including jet blade, wake board, fun tube, jet ski, kayak, stand up paddling, windsurfing, sailing, kite surfing, e-surfing floating aqua park, and catamaran sailing. There is also a golf centre with a five-hole putting green and two golf simulators, which have more than 50 international courses. See hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Padel at The Nautilus Maldives
Padel in paradise anyone? The Nautilus Maldives is an ultra-luxury private island resort with five-star wellness retreats and the ultimate padel court. The facilities at The Nautilus include a multi-purpose sports court hosting futsal, badminton and volleyball, and guests can also participate in a range of sports. Located directly on the beach with stunning views and a backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the padel court at The Nautilus offers a perfect blend of fitness and unmatched views. In addition to The Nautilus’ fitness facilities, the wellness programmes accommodate all ages, emphasising the resort’s offering to multi-generational travel and the ability to cater for guests’ individual needs. See thenautilusmaldives.com
Wellness and tennis at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island is an all-villa luxury resort located in the North Male Atoll. The Talise Spa at Jumeirah Maldives offers therapeutic spa treatments, yoga, saunas and a 24-hour fitness centre – all with the most spectacular overwater views. Guests can also enjoy beachside tennis on the resort’s picturesque tennis court. Could this be the best tennis court in the world? Water sports facilities include complimentary canoes, stand-up paddle boards, windsurfing, and pedal boats. At an additional cost, guests can also book waterskiing, kite surfing, flyboarding, parasailing. See jumeirah.com
Surfing at Niyama Private Islands Maldives
Located a 40-minute seaplane journey south of Malé in the Dhaalu Atoll, Niyama Private Islands is regarded as one of the premier surfing resorts in the Maldives. Featuring a collection of 134 villas and pavilions, as well as The Crescent with five pool villas, the resort also boasts multiple dining options, two swimming pools and a 24-hour gym with trainers and group classes. As well as surfing classes and experiences, the activities on offer include tennis, futsal, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, cruises, fishing, water sports, snorkelling and diving. See niyama.com
Tennis at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi resort has announced a new partnership with LUX Tennis, bringing world-class coaching and fully personalised tennis programmes to guests of all ages and abilities. The programme will be headed up by former Polish number one and number six in Europe, Agata Baranksa, who will work alongside guests to help improve their game by focusing on cardio, technique and strategy. Kids clinics will also be offered, introducing them to the sport through fun, interactive games. In addition, guests will be able to take part in “The Lux Tennis Legend Experience”, a five-hour course with tennis legends Martina Hingis and David Ferrer. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi features 119 villas with private pools, a private island, 11 dining venues, padel courts, dive pier, and a dive and water sports centre. See waldorfastoriamaldives.com
Parasailing at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Nestled between verdant rainforest and white-sand beaches on a private island, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort overlooks the alluring waves of the Indian Ocean and offers the ultimate island paradise experience. Between exquisite culinary fare and ultimate relaxation at the Iridium Spa, guests who love a thrill need look no further than the Vommuli Dive & Watersports Center. Guests can soar through the sky by parasail witnessing an aerial view of the whole island and surrounding archipelago or embark on an underwater adventure to discover ocean life after dusk on a night dive tour. Experienced divers can see marine mammals such as octopus, bioluminescent jellyfish, giant crabs and lobsters, sea snakes, and many more that are near-impossible to spot during the day. See marriott.com
Yachting on the ‘ESCAPE’ at W Maldives
Cast away in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, W Maldives lies delicately in the pristine beauty of Fesdu Island. The five-star private island resort features more than 70 rooms, a spa, and activities including boating, jet-skiing, jogging/fitness trail, kayaking, sailing, sauna, scuba diving, snorkelling, volleyball, water-skiing and table tennis. With some of the world’s best diving sites on the resort’s shorelines, it marks the perfect base to discover life beneath the waves. One of the highlights is the chance to mingle with whale sharks. Guests can hop aboard the property’s own private yacht, ESCAPE, and head to one of the many dive sites on Ari Atoll. See marriott.com
Surfing at Cheval Blanc Randheli
Situated in the tranquil Noonu Atoll, Cheval Blanc Randheli is made up of mini-islands, each offering a unique and dedicated experience. The resort features 46 villas, restaurants, a spa, beaches and pools. For an active or wellbeing break, guests can enjoy the fitness centre, water sports, yoga and tennis. Cheval Blanc Randheli is also home to the first surf stimulator in the Maldives. Guests of all ages are invited to take the plunge and catch a wave. See chevalblanc.com
Diving at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
In the heart of Noonu Atoll you’ll find Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – a five-star 52-acre island resort that’s home to 14 restaurants and bars, an award-winning spa and a range of overwater and beach villas. Excursions and activities include snorkelling safari, lucky dolphin sunset cruises, island experiences and fishing. There’s also a white powdery beach, swimming pools, fully-equipped gym, and courts for tennis and badminton. It’s water sports and activities that are some of the main highlights at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, with a diamond-awarded SSI diving and instructor training centre and water sports centre on site. See sunsiyam.com
Snorkelling at Kurumba Maldives
The Kurumba Maldives island resort offers a range of fun activities and entertainment. Located in the North Male Atoll area, the resort’s “Majaa” recreation team – majaa means fun in the local language – can help guests choose activities such as wellness, fitness, sports and snorkelling. In addition to individual activities, a seven-day activity timetable is also available to ensure guests are always entertained. Sports and activities include water sports, fishing, scuba diving, floodlit tennis courts, multi-purpose court for futsal and basketball, table tennis, billiards, air hockey, fussball and darts. Snorkelling experiences include lessons, reef tours, night snorkelling, underwater photoshoots and GoPro rentals. The resort has a range of rooms and villas, spa, yoga, and 24-hour gym. See kurumba.com
Surfing at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
This is a picture-perfect 83-acre Maldives island resort in the North Male Atoll. Home to beachside hideaways and ocean villas, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi offers a premium all-inclusive experience with a range of dining options. Enjoy rejuvenating treatments at Chavana Spa or excursions and activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, water sports, catamaran sailing, cruises and a sailing “safari getaway”. Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi is another of the top surf holiday resorts in the Maldives with a perfect left breaking down one side of the island and six other world-class waves just a short boat ride away. See adaaran.com
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