Holidays to dream of – Relax and refresh in the Maldives
Over 1,000 coral islands spread through 90,000 square kilometres of the sparkling Indian Ocean – it’s no surprise the Maldives is one of the world’s ultimate beach destinations.
A two bedroom beach villa at Six Senses Laamu
With a perfect mix of sunny days and breezy nights, the 90 or so self-contained island resorts offer visitors a glorious get away from the day-to-day. Calm seas and coral reefs provide superb snorkelling and scuba diving, while powder white sands offer an exquisite perch from which to simply relax and absorb the dazzling beauty.
The exquisite setting of Lux Ari Atoll
The enchanting island resorts provide a range of accommodation options from family friendly to sophisticated romantic luxury. Stunning over-water villas, fabulous restaurants, spas to sooth and pamper, are all part of the offering here. For sun, sea and sand, it’s up there with the best.
Among accommodation highlights (though they’re all superb) is Six Senses Laamu which epitomises barefoot bliss and is so far south you get a real feeling of remoteness. The rooms are luxuriously understated and the marine life is wonderfully rich. Turtles nest on the beach every year and there’s an excellent chance of seeing them when snorkelling on the house reef. Among the marine biologists based here are manta ray researchers who are delighted to take experienced divers out with them and these magnificent animals can usually be seen year round.
Great snorkelling and diving at Six Senses Laamu
If you wanted to consider a smaller property then COMO Cocoa Island, with around 30 rooms – all over water – and a superb house reef, is a good choice. Easily accessible by speedboat from Male this gem of an island is perfect for a relaxing getaway with an excellent spa, hydrotherapy pool and yoga pavilion. All of the overwater villas have been designed to look like a Dhoni, the traditional boat of the Maldives, and all provide easy access to the excellent house reef.
Snorkelling at COMO Cocoa Island
For a generous all-inclusive Ozen at Maadhoo ticks the boxes with a relaxed atmosphere, luxury rooms, and great service. Again this property is easily accessible by speedboat from Male and although there’s no house reef the twice daily snorkelling trips to different reefs offer wonderful variety. Dining in the underwater restaurant is a highlight and the excellent spa well worth a visit.
Plenty of activities at Ozen at Maadhoo
A great all-rounder is Lux South Ari Atoll, lots of fun, with plenty to do, gorgeous accommodation, and a seaplane journey from Male adding a feeling of adventure. Among the myriad activities on offer are diving and snorkelling – whalesharks can often be spotted – as well as hoverboards and kitesurfing.
Wonderful accommodation at Lux South Ari Atol
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday in the Maldives. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
Good morning, I’m at the early stages of considering a trip to the Maldives over the Christmas New Year period for my wife and I and 13-year-old daughter.
We are thinking about a week on an all-inclusive type island, which would ideally have a house reef and free sailing. I would welcome any recommendations you might have in relation to resorts you know well.
Kind regards
Stephen Whitworth
Dear Stephen, thanks for getting in touch. I will ask one of the team to come back to you with some ideas.