Many vacationers head to the Maldives solely to relax on the beach – and for good reason. The sugar white sand and striking blue water make for the perfect beach vacation backdrop. Most island resorts offer their own private stretches of sand, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Some resorts that boast notably beautiful beaches include: the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, aaaVeee resort, COMO Cocoa Island, Fihalhohi Island Resort and Angsana Ihuru. Past visitors said the beach scenes in the Maldives are hard to describe, saying their beauty is unparalleled. There are public beaches on a handful of Maldivian islands, though visitors must be covered as wearing revealing clothing is illegal. A very few "bikini beaches" (on Rasdhoo and Maafushi) allow sun-seekers to wear typical bathing suits. However, travelers recommend sticking to the beaches on or near your island.

In addition to lounging on the beach, travelers can enjoy various water sports activities in the Maldives. Many resorts offer equipment for rent, sometimes included in the room rate. Windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and surfing are just a few water sports options popular in the Maldives. Some resorts offer other games and activities like beach volleyball for visitors to enjoy.