The incredible atolls and islands of the Maldives are perfect for just relaxing and switching off but it’s also surprising how many different activities you can fit into a single day. Travel specialist Michelle shares the many things you can do in just 24 hours at one of our favourite resorts, Milaidhoo.
7am
Start with an early morning complimentary yoga session in the open-air overwater pavilion where all you have to focus on is your mind, body and soul.
8.30am
After yoga head to the Ocean Restaurant, where you can feast on a tropical breakfast overlooking the ocean. You won’t be short of choices and if you‘re feeling indulgent then definitely give the freshly baked cronuts a try!
10am
Next up, head out for a guided snorkelling trip on Milaidhoo’s house reef, where you can do some clown fish spotting. The marine biologist will also snap away on their underwater camera, so you’ll have some great images to remember the experience by. If you’re really lucky and it’s the right time of year, then upgrade this trip to snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay at the Baa Atoll, where you can swim with the awesome mantra rays and whale sharks – the best time is from May to November.
After your busy morning, it’s time to relax in your spacious villa and enjoy your private pool. If you start feeling peckish, then why not order from the in-villa dining menu, which has plenty of choice. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of bubbles from the in-villa wine fridge. You can also choose your level of ambiance with their great Bose sound system, which is linked via Bluetooth.
2pm
Where better to spend the afternoon but the resort’s Serenity Spa, where you can indulge in their holistic treatment menu, which incorporates the powers of botanicals combined with entrancing healing traditions from Africa, using local herbs and plants. Enter the spa through big turquoise doors (we love these for obvious reasons) and relax in your overwater treatment room overlooking the changing colours of the ocean.
After the tranquillity of the spa, head back to your villa, where you can get ready for the evening by having a long soak in your stunning egg-shaped bathtub – it’s big enough for two!
5.30pm
As the sun begins to set, the only way to truly enjoy it is with a private dhoni cruise, looking out for playful spinner dolphins. If you’re lucky, they will come right under the boat and perform an acrobatic show for you while you sit back with canapés and champagne.
7.30pm
Dinner has to be enjoyed at Ba’theli, the only restaurant in the world set on a boat in a lagoon featuring gourmet dishes inspired by the Maldives’ past as an important outpost on the spice trading route. Ba’theli takes its name from the locally made cargo boats which used to transport goods along the route and now the restaurant’s chefs craft dishes based on the produce they used to carry, such as coconuts, sun-dried fish, cardamom, ginger and more.
10pm
End the day stargazing with a Monkey 47 gin and tonic at the Pool Bar, where the live band will serenade you until the last guests go to bed.
