Marine Experiences Continue to Define the Maldives Visitor Experience

Snorkelling and relaxation continue to define the Maldives’ tourism appeal, with the latest Maldives Visitor Survey 2025 showing that marine experiences and leisure remain the primary motivations for international visitors.

According to the survey released by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, 67% of respondents identified snorkelling as one of the experiences they sought during their visit, making it the most popular activity among travellers. Rest and relaxation followed closely at 63%, reinforcing the Maldives’ position as a destination centred on wellness, tranquillity and its natural environment. 

Diving ranked third at 26%, while 24% of respondents travelled to the Maldives for their honeymoon. Health and wellness was cited by 16% of visitors, followed by special occasions at 13%, fishing at 8%, family and friends reunions at 6%, and sailing, weddings or vow renewals, and surfing at 3% each.

The survey indicates that demand for nature-based and marine experiences continues to underpin the Maldives’ tourism offering, with snorkelling and relaxation attracting visitors across its key international source markets.

Beach and marine activities were particularly popular among visitors from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, while underwater experiences such as diving also recorded strong interest among travellers from the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Meanwhile, visitors from India and China showed comparatively stronger demand for honeymoon experiences, highlighting varying travel motivations across different markets.

Visitor preferences also varied by accommodation type. Guests staying at resorts primarily sought snorkelling (29%) and rest and relaxation (28%), with honeymoons accounting for 12% of experiences sought. Visitors staying on inhabited islands also prioritised snorkelling (31%) and relaxation (28%) but demonstrated relatively greater interest in diving (14%) and fishing (5%). Liveaboard travellers remained highly specialised, with more than half (54%) travelling primarily for diving.

The findings reinforce the Maldives’ continued strength as a destination built around its marine environment, with coral reefs, clear lagoons and underwater biodiversity remaining central to the visitor experience across both resort and local island tourism.