The Maldives’ Hidden Depths

There’s a tendency to write off the Maldives — to assume it’s all flash, no soul. Too man-made, too remote, too… done. But for me, there’s no truth to that.

Yes, there are man-made islands, but they’ve been imagined with purpose. Sustainability, space, and sheer creativity are at the heart of many. And what they offer goes far beyond infinity pools and welcome champagne. Underwater villas, island-wide art exhibitions, Michelin-worthy undersea dining, stargazing from private observatories, and National Geographic-endorsed dive centres.

Then there are the islands shaped by time, not architects. Unfiltered, unpolished, naturally lush – the kind where sultans once picnicked and where the sands haven’t shifted for centuries.

So this edition of The Wanderer is focused on advice, and it’s simple: don’t dismiss the Maldives just because they’re popular. Look a little closer and you’ll find pockets of pure magic. Experiences that are incredibly rare to find. And in the midst of all the luxury, something might just surprise you…

– Emy Syddall, Editor, Destinology

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

South Ari Atoll – 30 minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport

Part villa, part underwater observatory, The Muraka is quite simply one of the boldest concepts in the Maldives — a two-storey residence where your master bedroom sits 16 feet below the ocean. Sleep beneath gliding manta rays, then resurface to a private infinity pool, jet skis on standby, and a 24-hour butler.

The rest of Conrad Maldives spans two islands, with one simple rule: do exactly as you please. A pampering facial by Margy’s Monte Carlo? Consider it booked. Prefer to unwind by the adults-only pool? Absolutely. Ready to dine at the iconic Ithaa Underwater Restaurant? Just choose your time.

7 nights from £4,789 per person

Contact the SW team for more information.

Soneva Jani

Noonu Atoll – 45 minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport

Soneva Jani reinvents barefoot luxury entirely. Villas here come with slides into the lagoon and roofs that slide open for stargazing. But perhaps most striking is its overwater observatory: the only one of its kind in the Maldives. Suspended above the sea, it lets you explore distant galaxies while listening to the water gently ebb below. It’s poetic, playful, and impossibly serene — luxury seen through a different lens.

7 nights from £8,259pp

Contact the SW team for more information.

JOALI Maldives

Raa Atoll – 40 minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport

The Maldives’ first art-immersive resort, JOALI is a little more than beautiful. It’s boldly imaginative in the most exciting way. Scattered across the island you’ll find oversized manta ray swings by Porky Hefer, surreal coral-inspired tables by Misha Kahn, and glass installations by Feleksan Onar. Even the villas feel curated, with art maps, hand-crafted furnishings, and creative workshops woven into the daily experience.

JOALI’s founder is a female CEO billionairess who wanted to create the most exclusive and beautiful ultra-luxury hotel in the country… I think she’s succeeded. The line between gallery and island quietly disappears.

The dedicated Jadugars – or private butlers – on hand to arrange or deliver almost anything. And the pedal bikes that help you navigate the island.

View Hotel

Contact the SW team for more information.

Niyama Private Islands

Dhaalu Atoll – 45 minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport

Split between two islands aptly named Play and Chill, Niyama sees high-energy (think thrilling surfing sessions) meets deep relaxation. But the real scene-stealer? Subsix: the Maldives’ first underwater restaurant, reached by boat and hidden six metres below the surface. Inside chandeliers bloom like coral and reef fish drift past floor-to-ceiling windows as you dine. It’s part theatre, part fine dining, and – I’m assured by multiple members of the Destinology Team who have visited – breathtakingly special.

Destinology Exclusive Benefits: Guaranteed early check-in and late check-out, $150 USD food & beverage/spa credit, and 1 complimentary Movie Under the Stars Experience if you book the Family Beach Pool Villa or Pavilions. Applicable to bookings and travel in 2025.

7 nights from £4,350 per person

Contact the SW team for more information.

One&Only Luxury – Dubai & the Maldives

There’s something quietly decadent about not having to decide. Dubai and the Maldives, two destinations often pitted against each other in glossy comparison, are brought together in this stellar two-stop trip.

You’ll begin at One&Only Royal Mirage before drifting into the Indian Ocean to land at One&Only Reethi Rah, an island resort that recently earned its fifth consecutive Forbes 5-star rating — a rare distinction, and well deserved.

At Reethi Rah, space and seclusion are a given, but what sets it apart runs deeper. Home to the Maldives’ first PADI National Geographic dive centre, guest explorations of the reef are packed with rare insight. The dive sites are beautiful, but they’re also studied, protected, and teeming with life — a chance to see the Maldives not just as a postcard, but as a living and breathing ecosystem.

10 nights from £6,765pp

Contact the SW team for more information.

Mumbai to Mahe Cruise

Mumbai, Goa, Colombo, Male, Praslin Island, La Digue, Mahé

Beyond calling at the Maldivian capital of Malé, this voyage reveals the quiet soul of Sri Lanka and the Seychelles — island nations that share the Maldives’ hallmarks: powder-soft white sands, lagoons of every shade of turquoise, and landscapes fading into lush emerald. But each also brings its own character. From Sri Lanka’s storied streets to the Seychelles’ untouched shores, there’s so much to explore.

The real brilliance of a Crystal cruise lies in its effortless flow between these paradises. A new destination every day, with no need to unpack. Aboard the Crystal Symphony, you’ll enjoy seamless comfort: dedicated Butler Service, nine exceptional dining venues, and an open bar pouring premium spirits. It’s the Indian Ocean at its most seamless and stylish.

12 nights from £4,599pp

Contact the SW team for more information.

Milaidhoo

Milaidhoo isn’t man-made. It’s the real thing. Tucked within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this tiny natural island was once a picnic stop for local sultans on voyages of all kinds. Today, it offers a rare glimpse of the Maldives in its most authentic form, exactly as it might have been centuries ago — untouched, soulfully simple, and rich with marine life. Luxury hasn’t been built here, it’s just been preserved.

You’ll see that in each villa, residences that blend indoor and outdoor living with expansive 180-degree ocean views and a rare sense of privacy., as well as at Ba’theli, the world’s only restaurant set on three traditional Maldivian boats.

7 nights from £6,195pp

Contact the SW team for more information.

Discover exclusive offers that redefine luxury travel. Dive into a world of savings and unforgettable experiences with our partner Destinology.

Your perfect getaway awaits – explore now!