Noteworthy Tourist Places in the Maldives

My soul is full of longing
For the secret of the sea,
And the heart of the great ocean
Sends a thrilling pulse through me.
―Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Indeed. With the Maldives on your mind, you can almost start adding a tune to the beautiful lines penned by Longfellow. Long touted as a premium honeymoon destination, these islands always charmed visitors with their jaw-dropping scenic beauty. 

Tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy long walks on white sandy beaches, and sunbathe languorously in the tropical sunshine. That apart, the Maldives has a lot more to offer than your average island―it is home to some of the most luxurious resorts and spas, not to mention the famed undersea restaurants.

Going beyond the obvious, it also has a forest full of tropical plantations, and even a Cold War era RAF base. Without further ado, let's take a closer look at the best places to vacation in the Maldives, and just be mesmerized!

Take time out to enjoy this gorgeous little island, that is considered to be one of the smallest capital cities, with regard to size. This is also perhaps the only place in the Maldives where there is a lot to do and see, while you're on land. I'm referring to Malé's many museums, mosques, parks, and restaurants.

• The Sultan's Park is the sprawling lawn that surrounds the National Museum.
• The Hukuru Miskiiy, also known as the Friday Mosque, is the largest place of worship in Malé.

Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, sits at the southernmost end of the Maldives. This is also the site of Addu City, one of the few inhabited islands. Addu used to be a secret Royal Navy base during WWII, and you'll find the remnants in place here. 

You'll also find some pristine beaches, typical of anywhere in the Maldives. But if you're looking for something special, put on your diving suit, and take a dip in the ocean to see some brightly colored corals and a few unique whale and dolphin species.

You'll find truckloads of it on this picturesque island, which is a perennial favorite among honeymooners. While you're here, do nothing else except eat the delicious seafood, laze on the white sand, watch some awesome sunsets, and swim or snorkel to your heart's content.

Azure beaches are a Maldivian trademark, but what sets Fuvahmulah apart is its lush tropical greenery. It has woodlands, wetlands, freshwater lakes, well-vegetated marshland areas, not to mention the beaches as well.

You'll find a lot of tropical fruit trees, including mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and even oranges. Another aspect that makes Fuvahmulah a must-see is that the locals regard this island to be the most beautiful among the rest.

• Besides Malé, Addu City, Naifaru, and Fuvahmulah, other cities like Kulhudhuffushi, Thinadhoo, Hinnavaru, Dhuvaafaru, and Dhidhdhoo are also worth a visit.

• Those interested in scuba diving should head to Ari Atoll, which has a lot of resorts dedicated to this particular water sport. It also ranks among the best destinations in the world for snorkelin.

• If you're coming to the Maldives, you cannot miss the famous undersea restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort. You may even fancy a stay at the super-pricey Poseidon Undersea Resort (assuming you can afford it, of course).

Various reasons may bring you to the Maldives. You may even be skeptical about coming here. But once you do, the toughest part will be saying goodbye.