by Jimmy Im We don’t normally recommend flying halfway across the globe to an exotic honeymoon destination just to chill in your hotel room (no matter how good the room service or local cable is). And while the Maldives offers some truly incredible villas that make staying indoors an attractive option, you’re here to explore, adventure, and experience the ultimate honeymoon. We encourage you to get outside as much as possible, especially when there are so many amazing activities to experience. Save the hotel room for sleeping and consummating, that’s what it’s there for.
—Jimmy Im
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Underwater Spa at Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Maldives
There are a lot of reasons to love Huvafen Fushi, and one of the biggest is its underwater spa—the first and only one of its kind in the world. Take a flight of stairs down to 26 feet below sea level, and find yourself in a dome-shaped spa surrounded by glass walls and water. Wave to the monster-size jackfish swimming by (they won’t wave back, that’s just their fins helping them swim), then settle in to one of the message beds (which come with mirrors below them, so you won’t miss out on all the aquatic action above. Come back at night when the spa transforms into a “spaquarium,” lit up with outdoor lights so you can see all the fluorescent coral surrounding you. It might also help if you’re a bit lit up too.
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Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Rangali, Maldives
The first underwater restaurant in the world, Ithaa at Conrad Maldives Rangali is a true original. Go for lunch, recommended over dinner because A) it’s cheaper and B) you actually get to see the marine life in action during the day time. As you sit at one of the eight tables (book ahead) 16-feet below the surface, you’ll see schools of tropical fish and the odd shark (he’s ok really, just kind of has a one-track mind). Ithaa is pricey at around $125 a person, and fancy, so you’ll need to dress up (although we don’t recommend wearing that sharkskin suit, it might offend the neighbors).
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Marine Biology Lab at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Maldives
Many resorts have their own in-house marine biologist (George Costanza’s dream come true), but Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has an entire lab. Even if you don’t give a damn about fish or coral (which begs the question of why you came to the Maldives in the first place?), you need to check this out. Trained, in-house divers, who monitor reef programs, will give you the low-down on conservation and help you experience cool interactions with sea turtles, reef shark, and rays in their natural habitats. This would be a a good time to ask one of the marine biologists, “Is the Maldives really sinking?” They would know.
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Four Seasons Explorer
Four Seasons Maldives, Kuda Huraa, Maldives
The Maldives is located six-degrees north of the equator, so the weather and scenery is perfect for boating. Most resorts will have their own vessel you can reserve, but if you really appreciate all things nautical, then ship off with the Four Seasons Explorer. You can book this three-deck, luxury catamaran (three days minimum) and traverses the Maldives, reaching places like the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or the occasional random, deserted island. It’s perfect if you’re a diver or if you just want to live on a swank boat, eat amazing fresh fish, and watch the stars together at night. There are only 10 rooms and, quite often, you’ll have the boat to yourselves. And no, that doesn’t make you the captain.
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SeaBob and X-JetBlades
Maldives
While your bride is at the spa, relaxing in a mud bath with cucumber slices on her eyes, you’re going to need to occupy your time somehow. If you’re feeling adventurous, go get fast and furious on the open waves. The SeaBob is something you don’t find often in tropical getaways, a water-sled/submarine/waterscooter that allows you to go in and out of the water like a dolphin (it comes with a mask, you’ll be fine). Or you can get airborne with the X-JetBlade, a hydro-thrust “flyboard” that allows you to hover over the ocean like some aquatic Tony Stark. Many resorts offer these, so you just have to ask (and if they don’t, they can probably point you to some local water sports operators).
