Maldives
Asia
Turquoise lagoons, house reefs a few steps from your villa and islands so small you can walk around them before breakfast. In the Maldives every resort sits on its own island, so choosing the hotel really means choosing the whole experience. These are the ones I love most, atoll by atoll, each one chosen for how it makes you feel, not just how it looks.
Baa · Raa · North Malé · Noonu · Meemu
Baa Atoll
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the best places in the world to see manta rays, especially at Hanifaru Bay between June and November. Lush islands, healthy reefs and a seaplane ride from Malé.
Raa Atoll
Further north and quieter, with long sandbanks and plenty of space between resorts. A good choice if you want the Maldives to feel a little more remote.
North Malé Atoll
The closest atoll to the airport, so you reach your island by speedboat instead of seaplane. Ideal for shorter stays or when your flights land late.
Noonu Atoll
In the north, home to some of the most private and design-led resorts in the country. Wide lagoons, very few neighbours and a real sense of space.
Meemu Atoll
South of Malé and still very local in feel, with great diving, quiet reefs and a slower, more relaxed pace than the busier central atolls.