The Maldives islands lie only 1.5 meters above sea level on average. As a result, the archipelago is severely threatened by climate change. Experts fear that the island group could largely disappear beneath the water’s surface by the end of this century if current climate change trends continue. To counter this threat, the Maldivian government is actively working on artificial islands and floating cities to welcome the two million tourists a year the country is ready to welcome with the new airport terminal opening in October ’24.
Written by Anja Van Der Borght
Approximately 1,190 coral islands spread over 26 atolls in the middle of the Indian Ocean together form the Maldives; officially known as the ‘Republic of Maldives.’ Most islands are smaller than two square kilometers and are scattered across an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers. Around 200 islands are inhabited, with about 70 being exclusively occupied by tourist resorts. Plenty of choices, indeed.
Essentially, the further away you stay from Malé, the quieter it gets. The islands around Malé are flown over by international planes as well as seaplanes ferrying tourists to and from their destinations.
Blissful Archipelago
After a journey of just under thirteen hours from Brussels, with a layover in Doha, we set foot in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From there, it’s a seaplane or speedboat ride to the various islands. Essentially, the further away you stay from Malé, the quieter it gets. The islands around Malé are flown over by international planes as well as seaplanes ferrying tourists to and from their destinations. The advantage of staying near Malé is that after your international flight, you won’t have to wait another two hours and check in again for a half-hour or 45-minute seaplane flight that could be delayed due to bad weather. Instead, you can hop straight onto a speedboat and be on the beach at your destination within half an hour. For some, the fact that all hospitals are on Malé is also a decisive factor.
Choose Your Island Carefully
We chose the luxurious boutique resort Huvafen Fushi (a member of Small Luxury Hotels (SLH)) on the eponymous island, about twenty minutes north of Malé by speedboat, located on the North Malé Atoll, the main atoll of the Maldives. This atoll is where the first tourist centers of the country were established. According to reviews, we could expect absolute peace, immense nature, a stunning setting, and impeccable service—and that’s exactly what we got. Apart from golf carts shuttling guests around, the resort infrastructure consists of a spa, restaurants, a dive center, and only 46 bungalows and pavilions (which recently underwent a complete renovation). We opted for an Ocean Bungalow with a pool (a bungalow on stilts in the sea) for its paradise-like character and extra privacy. There’s nothing more delightful than slipping into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean from your personal ladder, of course when the currents allow.
The World’s First Underwater Spa
The presence of a house reef can also be a criterion when choosing accommodation. Huvafen Fushi boasts a beautiful house reef just a few meters from your accommodation, ensuring endless snorkeling fun. But the island offers so much more. Every ocean bungalow comes with a ‘thakuru,’ or personal butler, available to you 24/7. In addition to the impeccable service, the cuisine at all of the island’s restaurants is exceptional. From surprisingly delicious raw food at ‘Raw’ restaurant to excellent Asian fusion cuisine at ‘Salt’, Huvafen Fushi is synonymous with superlatives. Recently named among the top 10% of hotels worldwide by Tripadvisor, it was also the first resort to open an underwater spa in 2004. Since then, the concept has been copied multiple times because being massaged with views of swaying corals and exotic fish swimming through the half-height windows has something hypnotic about it. You can also arrange a romantic dinner more than eight meters below sea level here. Upon request, the massage tables are cleared to make way for a unique setting where you can enjoy exquisite cuisine with the underwater world of the Indian Ocean as your backdrop, as hundreds of curious fish swim by while you dine. Equally magical are the twinkling lights in and around the pool that reflect like stars in the water during a private poolside dinner. They certainly go the extra mile here to amplify the island’s natural magic. Or how about a candlelit dinner in ‘Vinum,’ the country’s first underground wine cellar. With a capacity of 6,000 bottles and 650 labels in stock, it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Being massaged while viewing swaying corals and swimming exotic fish has something hypnotic about it.
Snorkeling with Turtles
An island life like no other. That’s why so many tourists travel to the archipelago. With the new airport terminal opening in October, the country is ready to welcome two million tourists a year. Of course, there are the postcard-perfect scenes of ‘azure seas meeting pristine white beaches,’ the delicious local cuisine with plenty of fresh fish and exotic fruits, a pleasant climate even outside the ideal travel period from November to April, and the unique underwater fauna and flora. Snorkeling is one of the top experiences in the Maldives. We chose a Turtle Safari to Turtle Reef, a half-hour boat ride from Huvafen Fushi, where we swam above colorful coral reefs with purple, blue, and yellow parrotfish and fascinating hawksbill turtles. Naturally, the Maldives is also on the bucket list of every diver or snorkeling enthusiast. Each atoll has its own dive sites and distinctive fauna and flora. For a change of pace, we also stayed at Velassaru on the South Malé Atoll, a half-hour speedboat ride from Shark Point. As the name suggests, it’s known for its sharks, which are harmless to humans. Not a fan of diving? We saw whitetip and blacktip sharks swimming by every time we walked across the pier from our Ocean Bungalow to the island. At Velassaru, we spotted giant manta rays and exotic fish daily. But that could change. The artificial islands the Maldivian government has already built are altering the currents in the Indian Ocean, which in turn impacts the local fauna and flora. Fish that are currently found around one island might frequent another area in the coming months or years.
Wine Tasting in the Sea
Velassaru, also a member of SLH, is located in one of the largest turquoise lagoons in the Maldives, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. Out of the 129 villas across 10 different room categories, we opted for a Water Villa on stilts in the sea. It measures exactly 112 m² and comes complete with a private terrace and a bathtub overlooking the sparkling lagoon. In the morning, at low tide, you can dive into the salty water via your personal wooden staircase. It’s a delightful experience. Other highlights include the infinity pool with ocean views, the spa with ten treatment rooms, and the yoga pavilion. The 1.5-hour relaxing signature massage with coconut oil, a rod, and two half-bowls made of coconut wood also transports you mentally to paradise. Velassaru, which caters to honeymooners and young couples (though children are also welcome), offers a wide range of activities: from rosé wine tasting in the sea, open-air cinema, to à la carte dining with ocean views in its five restaurants. At Sand restaurant, you can enjoy a private romantic dinner in a beach pavilion or at candlelit tables on the shore.
Languid Flow
And then something magical happens. Our books and laptops remain almost untouched throughout the stay. In the Maldives, they call this the ‘Maldivian spirit,’ an atmosphere that, without you realizing it, lulls you into a lazy, languid flow where the only things that seem to matter are the sound of the waves, the feel of the pristine white sand under your feet, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. When Mother Nature embraces her visitors here, it’s as though time stops, and you are naturally brought to a state of deep relaxation.
How to travel to the Maledives
- Belgian travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of their trip. For stays of less than 30 days, a free visa (stamp in your passport) is issued upon arrival.
- Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR): 1 Euro = approximately 17 MVR. Import and export of MVR is prohibited. On tourist islands, payments are made in USD. Exchanging Euros for USD and vice versa is generally not possible. Bringing a credit card is recommended.
- The Maldives is an Islamic country, and nude or topless sunbathing is strictly forbidden.
- If you are booking a trip to the Maldives independently, be aware that you can only travel from Malé to other islands within the archipelago if you have a valid hotel reservation.
- General information about the Maldives: www.visitmaldives.com
Flying to the Maldives?
Qatar Airways offers 12 direct flights per week from Brussels to Doha, with onward flights to Malé, and is the only airline from Brussels with an elite five-star ranking for this route. Qatar Airways operates up to 21 flights to Malé per week (depending on the season). For information and reservations, contact Tel. +02 511 85 30 or visit www.qatarairways.com.
Useful hotel information
www.huvafenfushi.com
www.velassaru.com
