SPLASH OUT THE MALDIVES
W H Y G O? Don’t let the honeymooners hog the Maldives’ 26 eyebogglingly beautiful atolls. The world’s lowest-lying country is arguably also the most beautiful – if kaleidoscopic coral, ivory sand and aquamarine skies and seas are your thing.
THE TOP FIVE
Toast the sunset on a dhoni cruise
Go on a guided whale shark safari
Swim with mantas at Unesco-protected Hanifaru Huraa
Surf world-famous Honky’s Break
Be awed by the views from a seaplane tour
WHERE TO STAY Rent a boat and hop from one silk-sand island to the next. Drop anchor (and your shoes) for Soneva Fushi’s eco villas, then continue south for One&Only Reethi Rah’s sun spa, Baros’ beachside fine dining, Cocoa Island’s warm-water diving and Maalifushi by Como’s marble tubs for two. Finish at Six Senses Laamu, where you can watch movies in the jungle.
Private-island idylls
Soneva Fushi
One&Only Reethi Rah
Baros
Castaway chic villas
Maximalist marvel
Far-flung lagoon luxe
Don’t miss the open-air cinema
Don’t miss the turtle-drawing reef
Don’t miss yachting and yoga
Cocoa Island by Como
Maalifushi by Como
Six Senses Laamu
Elegantly understated spa stay
Pearl-like paradise
Cinematic tropical playground
Don’t miss the ginger mojitos
Don’t miss Tai’s sushi and sashimi
Don’t miss the ice-cream rooms
SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT Get an eyeful of the technicolor sea life off the talc-soft shores of Kunfunadhoo island. Soneva Fushi’s resident marine biologist escorts guests on snorkelling trips and night swims, in search of parrotfish and bioluminescent plankton.
WHEN TO GO You’re better off deliberating what swimwear to bring – there’s no bad time to visit the Maldives. Even in the monsoon season (mid May–November), you’d be unlucky to get more than a few days’ rain on the trot.
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