Malé may be small at just over 8 square kilometres, but it packs in lots of Maldives points of interest with a history spanning thousands of years. Today, its rich heritage lives on in beautiful mosques, lively markets and museums. Be sure to visit the Unesco-listed Hukuru Miskiy (the old Friday Mosque), a 17th-century religious site built from coral boulders. Then drop by the National Museum, in the former Sultan’s Palace, to retrace the archipelago’s past.

Fishing is one of the most important industries in the island nation, so it’s no surprise that the Malé Fish Market buzzes with activity every day. Head over to watch vendors expertly filet their catches, while residents snap up their favourite fish. Tuna reigns supreme, featuring in everything from mas huni at breakfast – chopped tuna, onion, chilli and grated coconut served with flatbread – to kulhi boakibaa (tuna cakes) and hearty coconut curries for lunch and dinner.

A Maldives holiday calls for at least one boat trip. Few activities ramp up the romance like a sunset cruise in a dhoni, a traditional timber fishing boat featuring a curved bow and propelled by the wind. These days, the distinctly Maldivian vessels are usually equipped with engines in addition to sails but still provide a scenic, relaxing outing on the Indian Ocean.

The archipelago is home to more than 130 resorts spread across postcard-worthy tropical atolls, and most travellers venture beyond Malé on a ferry or seaplane to spend a few days or weeks on a far-flung island. Whether you’re seeking a secluded five-star resort offering private butler service or a beach-front homestay closer to the capital, you’ll have an ocean of options.

With its vibrant underwater ecosystems, the archipelago is one of the best places in the world for divers. Don’t miss world-class sites like Maaya Thila, which host turtles, stingrays, whitetip reef sharks and more. If you want to see whale sharks, the ocean’s gentle giants, dive into the blue at the South Ari Atoll (or Alifu Dhaalu Atoll), where plankton-rich waters bring them out all year-round.

Surfing is one of the top Maldives activities thanks to regular swells and countless surf breaks all year long. Whether riding beginner breaks or shoulder-high barrels, you’ll appreciate the clear water and long surfing season from March until October. The North Malé Atoll offers some of the country’s best surfing (including the Chickens and Cokes breaks near Thulusdhoo Island), but you’ll also find great waves to ride in central and southern atolls, too.

Some marine creatures, such as plankton or jellyfish, can produce a chemical reaction that emits light, a phenomenon called bioluminescence. On Vaadhoo Island Beach, bioluminescent plankton paints the waters an astonishing shade of bright blue. Mudhdhoo Island Beach, meanwhile, glows green and Baa Atoll radiates greenish blue. The best time to see this natural wonder is during the new moon, when the night sky is darkest.

Many Maldivian resorts put your wellbeing front and centre, offering a myriad of ways to relax, unwind and invest in self-care. Find your balance with sunrise hatha or aerial yoga on the beach or ease into guided meditation, sound baths or Ayurvedic massage treatments – whatever works for you. Some retreats provide tailored nutrition and sleep packages, too.

Looking for less-common things to do in the Maldives? With its abundant underwater worlds, the country promises great deep-sea and off-reef sport fishing. Boating operators will take visitors out to the reef edges, which drop off like underwater cliffs, to fish for giant trevally and white tuna. Further out, you’ll also find marlin, mahi-mahi and more.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to dine underwater, you’re in the right place. Several high-end resorts have built glass-encased restaurants – and even nightclubs – five metres under the ocean. While you tuck into an exquisite meal, sharks, turtles and tropical fish swim around the restaurant for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.