Great — here’s a compact, practical guide to adventure and water-sports in the Maldives: what’s available, where and when to go, safety/regulations, a sample itinerary, and travel tips.

Top activities (what you can do)

• Snorkeling — house reefs at many resorts and local islands; day trips to marine-protected sites and manta/whale‑shark aggregation areas. (maldivestourism.org)
• Scuba diving — reef, drift and channel dives, wrecks, pelagic encounters (sharks, manta rays, whale sharks). Many resorts + liveaboards. (Liveaboard.com)
• Surfing — world-class reef breaks (Cokes, Chickens, Jailbreaks, Sultans, Pasta Point, etc.); surf charters and surf camps available. Best for intermediate–advanced surfers but shore-accessible breaks exist for learners. (surfdivemaldives.com)
• Kitesurfing & windsurfing — several atolls have dedicated spots; best winds during the southwest monsoon. (themaldives.co.uk)
• Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking — calm lagoon paddles, reef-edge excursions and sunset paddles. (islandhopperguides.com)
• Motorised sports: jet-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, parasailing, fly‑boarding (resort-dependent; many activities offered from water‑sports centers). Check local rules before renting. (islandhopperguides.com)
• Big‑game & sport fishing — seasonal opportunities (sailfish, tuna, giant trevally); half‑day to multi‑day charters. (maldivestourism.org)
• Special experiences: night snorkels (bioluminescence), manta/whale‑shark safaris (Hanifaru Bay and other aggregation sites), seaplane or speedboat safaris and Liveaboard trips. (thelandofwanderlust.com)

Where to go (best atolls / spots by activity)

• Diving & snorkeling: North & South Malé Atolls, Ari Atoll (famous for whale-shark and manta sightings), Baa Atoll (Hanifaru Bay - manta hotspot), and central atolls with strong cleaning-station sites. (Liveaboard.com)
• Surfing: North Malé Atoll (Thulusdhoo area — Cokes, Chickens), Himmafushi (Jailbreaks), southern atolls (Pasta Point, Laamu/Gaafu surf resorts & camps). (surfdivemaldives.com)
• Kitesurfing/windsurfing: exposed atoll edges and certain lagoons — best during southwest monsoon months. (themaldives.co.uk)

Seasonality — when to go (short summary)

• Dry season / calmer seas: roughly November–April — best for snorkeling, calm-lagoon activities, and clear underwater visibility. Peak travel months = December–March. (themaldives.co.uk)
• Wet / windy season (southwest monsoon): roughly May–October — more wind and larger swells (best for surfing, kite/windsurfing), plus peak plankton months that attract mantas and whale sharks (good for some wildlife sightings). Shoulder months can mix good weather with fewer crowds and lower prices. (Liveaboard.com)

Safety, rules and practical notes

• Regulations vary: many local islands restrict alcohol, motorised sports near inhabited beaches, and require operators to follow licensing & safety regulations. Always check with your resort or local operator for up‑to‑date rules and permitted areas. (islandhopperguides.com)
• Certification & experience: diving requires appropriate PADI/SSI certification for many sites (especially drift dives). Surfing reef breaks requires intermediate-to-advanced skill and reef‑awareness. Use guides for currents/entry points. (Liveaboard.com)
• Environmental best practice: don’t touch coral or feed wildlife; use reef-safe sunscreen; follow dive‑guide instructions to avoid stressing marine life and to protect fragile reefs. Many sites are marine-protected. (Liveaboard.com)
• Health & insurance: bring travel insurance that covers dive-related incidents and water-sports activities; confirm emergency evacuation options (seaplane/air ambulance) with your resort or operator. (islandhopperguides.com)

Sample 7‑day adventure itinerary (activity-focused) Day 1 — Arrival to Malé; transfer to resort or Liveaboard; short lagoon snorkel to check gear and acclimatize.
Day 2 — Morning: certified dive (house reef or nearby dive site); Afternoon: SUP/kayak or jet-ski for variety.
Day 3 — Full‑day dive safari or Liveaboard leg visiting channel/dives (drift dive if experienced). Evening night‑snorkel.
Day 4 — Surf day (transfer to surf island or join a surf charter) — breaks like Chickens or Cokes if conditions suit.
Day 5 — Kitesurf/windsurf lesson or charter (season-dependent), or deep‑sea fishing trip.
Day 6 — Manta / whale‑shark safari (seasonal; Baa Atoll/Hanifaru during season) or island-hopping + snorkeling reefs.
Day 7 — Relaxed beach morning, optional short dive/snorkel, return to Malé and depart.
Note: mix/reschedule according to wind, tides and season; many resorts will tailor a multi‑activity package. (surfdivemaldives.com)

What to pack (key items)

• Reef‑safe sunscreen (SPF 30+), rashguard or UV-protection swimwear.
• Certification card / logbook for divers, dive computer if you own one.
• Water shoes for reef entries, reef-safe toiletries, light waterproof daypack, quick-dry clothing.
• Waterproof phone case / action camera, spare batteries/memory.
• Travel & dive insurance documents. (Liveaboard.com)

Booking tips & operator selection

• Choose between: resort-based water‑sports centers (easier logistics, all‑in-one) vs. specialized operators (surf camps, liveaboards, kite schools, dive liveaboards). Both are common — liveaboards give access to remote/top dive/surf sites. (Liveaboard.com)
• Read recent reviews (tripadvisor/independent travel blogs) and confirm safety credentials (instructors’ certifications, equipment maintenance).
• Book popular activities (surf charters, manta/whale‑shark trips, liveaboards) well in advance during peak season. (islandhopperguides.com)

Quick environmental & cultural reminders

• Respect local customs on inhabited islands (dress modestly when off-resort, be mindful during Ramadan/public holidays). Some local islands prohibit alcohol. (cntraveler.com)
• Support responsible tourism operators and avoid any activity that harms wildlife (no chasing or touching manta/whale sharks).

If you want, I can:

• Suggest sample resorts, surf camps or liveaboards tailored to your exact travel dates and skill level (I’ll check availability and current operator options).
• Build a detailed day‑by‑day adventure plan based on which month you’re traveling and whether you prefer diving, surfing, kitesurfing or mixed activities.

Which of those would you like next — specific dates or type of trip (resort, Liveaboard, surf camp)?