Glorious sunshine, turquoise oceans, decadent luxury. These are just some of the words that describe the Maldives.
Covering an area of around 90,00 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean this island nation (1,190 islands in all) has for decades been a hotspot for honemooners, or anyone in fact looking for the ultimate in luxury.
Only 200 of the islands are inhabited, and the capital Male is home to a third of the tiny population of 320,000 people; so when you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’ll really get it here.
It is also well known for its watersports, especially diving and sailing and is one of the few places in the world where sport and luxury combine perfectly.
The ecosystem is one of the most fragile in the world, but it also has some of the world’s rarest and largest corals which is a huge draw for divers, both professional and amateur.
One of the most admired of all Maldives hotels is Dhevanafushi, which is not only renowned for its incredible villas, dining, and luxury, it is also one of the best places in the region for watersports.
After you have soaked in a bath overlooking a stunning ocean view while sipping champagne it’s time for an early night to get plenty of rest before a thrilling day out on the water.
The question is, what will you do? Many people would love to try a variety of sports, but are never quite sure which to choose.
If you’re staying for a week or more you’ll have more than enough time to try them all.
So, what are the once-in-a-lifetime watersports you can try at the ridiculously glorious Dhevanafushi?
Catamaran sailing
With twin hulls a catamaran is one of the fastest unpowered vessels you can go on.
The narrow hulls mean there is less reststance as you skip over the turquoise water a spectacular speeds.
Take some lessons and maybe you’ll discover a new love that will become a hobby rather than a holiday treat.
What could be better than gorgeous sun and the only sound is the wind and the splash of water as your craft carves its way through the ocean as you explore the atoll?
Snorkeling
Okay, you might not really be able to call this a sport as you are mostly lying facedown in the water, gently paddling, and mostly just going where the waves take you.
If you don’t have your scuba certificates, this is a wonderful way to observe the diverse and exotic underwater life.
Miles of coral cover the seabed, a home many creatures from shoals of tiny silver fish, to brightly coloured ones as big as your arm, giant clams; and if you find yourself in deeper waters you might even come across brown sharks and sea turtles.
Tricky to get the hang of but absolutely worth the effort, are wind surfing and kite surfing, with the exhilarating feeling of being lifted across the wave only by the power of the wind.
Motorsports
Maybe you’re more interested in motorised activites, in which case the instructors and experts are more than happy to take you out wake boarding and water skiing, pulled across the waves behind a powerful speed boat.
Big game fishing
For years anglers have raved about the quality of the fishing in the Maldives, and it is one of the best places in the world for big game fishing.
Even for complete amateurs, it will be an experience never to be forgotten. The main type of fish that you will be looking for on your excursion are barracuda and tuna.
Barracuda can grow up to 1.8 metres in length and are often eated as steaks or in delicious local curries and stews. Tuna species, such as mackerel tuna, frigate and skipjack range in size from just one pound, to the huge 250 pund yellow fin tuna.
If you manage to land one of these you’ll definitely get a good workout reeling it on to the boat. In just a few hours later you’ll be eating that same fish as part of your world class gourmet meal while you watch the sun set over the horizon.
Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Maldives/Maldives/