Maldives - A Garland of Islands

I was fortunate to visit 4 resorts on 3 different islands under the portfolio of Atmosphere properties in the Maldivian paradise with each of them catering to a different kind of holiday. I along with my fellow Travel Counsellors was invited to experience the properties in the month of July which is the low tourist season in the Maldives. We were lucky enough to have clear skies and sunny days throughout the 7 days.

The summer months are generally the best time to get good deals for the Maldives as most of the resorts offer great discounts during this time of the year. The added cherry on the cake is that now getting to Male is even more affordable thanks to the daily flights with Wizz Air from Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air’s brand-new Airbus Neo A321 is a treat and, at under 1,000 Dirhams per person, a very good opportunity for those who are keen on spending more when they get to their destination than on the way there.

My first destination was the Oblu Xperience Ailafushi and Oblu Select Lobigili located on an interconnected island which are fresh, newly built resorts on the portfolio of Atmosphere properties. With merely 15 mins speedboat ride from Male airport, this tropical paradise welcomes you with different shades of blue waters surrounding the resort. Oblu Xperience Ailafushi is a 4* family-oriented property offering a good value-for-money holiday. We had one night on this island and we were put up at the Water Villa on the sunrise side and the views of the morning sunrise were spectacular from the villa. My personal favourite room type was the Ocean View Family Room which comes with a separate room with bunk beds for children. Before our departure from the island on the next day we also had a chance to have a look around at the Oblu Select Lobigili which is an adults-only resort and is connected by a jetty with Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. The underwater restaurant, Only Blu at the Oblu Select Lobigili is absolutely stunning and is the largest underwater restaurant in the Maldives.

On our second day, we headed back to Male Airport by speedboat to catch our seaplane to get to our next island, Atmosphere Kanifushi. We had a chance to experience the newly built seaplane terminal at Male Airport. Our Trans Maldivian experience began the moment we were ushered to the TMA Coral Lounge on the second floor. Chic, tasteful and quietly sophisticated, it was the ideal setting to unwind before our flight. In over an hour, it was time to hit the gates. Once aboard the seaplane, there was nothing to do but sit back, relax, and take in the gorgeous sights. The short journey of 35 minutes afforded us an incomparable bird’s-eye view of the Maldives' unique topography. I couldn’t help but marvel at the splendour of it all. We felt truly special as we arrived with the traditional welcome at the arrival jetty. The staff performed ‘Bodu-Beru,’ which is a vibrant and lively form of greeting that is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Maldives. A group of drummers played a rhythmic beat on the drum using their hands and escorted us along the jetty to the resort. The term "bodu beru" translates to "big drum" in Dhivehi, the local language. I was truly touched by this Maldivian cultural expression. During our next 3 days on the island, we packed in so much, including a sunset cruise, snorkelling, bike rides, spa treatments and so much amazing food. The speciality restaurants at this resort were truly exceptional, my favourite being Just Veg which had 100% meat-free recipes from Arabic, Mediterranean and Indian cuisines. The views from this fine dining restaurant of the turquoise blue Indian Ocean were absolutely gorgeous. We were put up in Kanifushi Grand Pool Villa and I was absolutely smitten with the pool in the villa that is 42m2 in size, the biggest pool for a 1 Bedroom Beach Villa that you can find in the Maldives. My next favourite room category was the Kanifushi Residence. The 2 bedroom unit comes with a living cum dining room with a fully equipped pantry and a nanny’s room. The pool of Kanifushi Residence is an absolute oasis of enchantment. Nestled amidst lush tropical surroundings, the pool exudes an aura of serenity and tranquillity surrounded by a spacious wooden deck with table seating and a Maldivian swing. Kanifushi Residence is a perfect chilled-out spot for family moments. Atmosphere Kanifushi is a long stretch of natural island about 2 km long covered in dense vegetation. I would definitely recommend not less than 4 nights stay on the island to enjoy the island and make the most of the Kanifushi All-Inclusive Plan.

Our last and final destination was Ozen Life Maadhoo, boasting the best water villas available in this archipelago of islands. Just a 35-minute luxury speedboat ride away from Male lies this resort that I would recommend for couples who want the privacy and romance that the Maldives is renowned for. The highlight of my stay here was dining at the exotic underwater restaurant at the M6m. As I sat torn between the enchantment of the view of the underwater world and the seduction of the flavours, I found myself suspended in a moment of pure bliss. The last day on the island before heading back home was spent on the beach. We also managed to join in on a snorkelling trip in the morning to a nearby snorkelling site. An overwhelming sense of awe enveloped me as I found myself swimming at a mere arm's length away from a graceful turtle in its natural habitat. The encounter was nothing short of magical, a moment of enchantment that words struggle to capture. As I swam through the crystal-clear waters, the world beneath the surface unfolded in all its vibrant beauty. The sunlight pierced through the depths, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the underwater realm. Schools of colourful fish dart past, their iridescent scales glistening in the shimmering currents. Corals sway gently, adorned in a myriad of hues, creating a breathtaking backdrop. I am filled with gratitude for this serendipitous encounter, knowing that it will forever remain etched in my memory as a testament to the wonders that lie beneath the waves.