Scat psychologist and zipline to the restaurant: 7 things you don't expect to see in the Maldives

The Maldives is a paradise of doing nothing: here they bask on the sand, lazily look at postcard landscapes, enjoy the sea, the sun, fruits and cocktails. Of the active entertainment, only diving, surfing and snorkeling are available, but with excursions and cultural events, to put it mildly, it’s a bit tight. Enterprising hoteliers are trying to diversify the holiday program in the Maldivian style, offering tourists outlandish fun. “Subtleties” chose seven of the most unusual.

1. Zipline to the restaurant

Gourmet restaurants for Maldivian resorts are far from uncommon, but Soneva Fushi guests really conquer the heights to feast on gourmet dishes: the hotel has opened a zip line leading across the entire island to a panoramic restaurant nestled in palm trees. The 200-meter track runs at an altitude of up to 10 m, the views of the sea and the jungle are amazing. On the way, you will have to make a stop to take a breath and recharge with shots and snacks. When they reach the restaurant, the daredevils will be rewarded with masterpieces from the chef: Japanese scallops with truffle, black cod with teriyaki, marinated shrimp and other seasonal delicacies.

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  Soneva Fushi

2. Art retreat

Hotel The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has recently reopened and is already breaking records with its three-bedroom overwater villa and saltwater hydrotherapy pool the largest in the entire archipelago. Denise Schmitz, a fashion artist and founder of the We Love Art community, is responsible for exciting leisure activities. A three-day art retreat led by her includes intimate drawing lessons, yoga, joint meals in a restaurant and other joys for creative natures.

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3. Submarine trip

When diving and snorkeling are already a little boring, Jumeirah Maldives Olahahali Island will offer something cooler – a trip to the depths of the sea on a real submarine. Through the large portholes you can admire the coral reefs and their inhabitants, from nimble colorful fish to barracudas, moray eels, sea urchins and manta rays. A great option for those who cannot swim or want to show children the beauty of the underwater kingdom. ru/sized/f550x700/6m/hx/6mhxw1hkv9ooo0g0ockkwgs48.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”>

Jumeirah Maldives Olahahali Island

4. Ray Retreat

If you wish, you can get to know the unflappable stingrays closer: InterContinental Maldives, in partnership with the Manta Trust, launched an educational and entertainment program. The resort is located next to UNESCO-protected Hanifaru Bay, the world's largest manta ray feeding area. Now tourists can not only watch the beauties of the sea, but also contribute to the study and conservation of the species. This is indeed a retreat – an escape from civilization, contemplation and immersion. The program includes snorkeling excursions, lectures, master classes and yacht cruises.

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5. Underwater villas, restaurants and spas

At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Villa Muraka (meaning “coral” in Dhivehi) enjoys the ocean from the comfort of their homes. The lower level with a bedroom, bathroom and dressing room is located at a depth of 5 m under a transparent dome – guests are literally surrounded by water. An underwater restaurant is open in the same hotel, but other resorts have such attractions. But at the Huvafen Fushi Hotel, at a depth of 9 m, they equipped a one-of-a-kind spa center, where during the day they relax under the supervision of fish scurrying behind glass, and in the evening they watch glowing polyps.

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6. Swimming with baby sharks

The reef at the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives was chosen by sharks – tourists feed them with tuna, and there are enough small fish for food. The reef wall serves as a reliable barrier for adult sharks, so you can safely swim with the kids, scrolling a song about baby shark in your head, and after dark move to the restaurant on stilts. Its bottom is illuminated by spotlights so that you can see how future sea storms dine under water. ru/sized/f550x700/dq/25/dq25hmo041s04g80wooocwc0o.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”>

7. Skating

Jokes apart, an ice skating rink has appeared in the heart of a hot tropical paradise: this is an idea of ​​the Ozen Reserve hotel on the idyllic island of Bolifushi. As a rule, artificial skating rinks mercilessly consume electricity for freezing and ice preservation, but here they care about the environment. Special synthetic materials from Switzerland do not require cooling and do not depend on the weather, which means that we can safely change fins for skates. /fs.tonkosti.ru/sized/f550x700/1j/rl/1jrltvnyng5c8wc4sws8c0gso.jpg” media=”(max-width: 549px)”>