Islands in the Sun: The Maldives

The Maldives are made up of 26 atolls, which are ring-shaped coral reefs or groups of small islands formed by marine life over thousands of years. Scattered across the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives are renowned for their breathtaking beauty, pristine beaches, and tranquil luxury.

Rob, and I visited the Maldives for a week of pure relaxation, following an exhausting but exhilarating tour of Sri Lanka — a larger island nation just an hour away by air. Sri Lanka is brimming with culture, tea plantations, ancient Buddhist relics, dramatic landscapes, and even an elephant orphanage! After a week of sightseeing and travel, the Maldives sounded like the perfect antidote — a chance to relax on a desert island.

We were absolutely right. You can’t help but relax on a Maldivian island. Each island is so small, it typically houses just one resort. No neighbouring hotels, no street vendors, no tourist traps — just serenity.

Welcome to Meeru

After landing at Velana International Airport, on the capital island of Malé, we took a speedboat across to Meeru, the island resort where we would spend the next seven days.

The moment we stepped off the boat, we took off our shoes — and we didn’t put them back on until we left. The island’s walkways and buildings all have sand floors, and barefoot living is encouraged. Dressing for dinner usually meant wrapping a sarong over your swimwear or, for men, just popping on a T-shirt.

Being an all-inclusive resort, there wasn’t much to spend money on. There was a small gift shop selling locally made crafts, but beyond that, it was all about sun, sea, and serenity.

Our Room and the Island Vibe

We stayed in a standard beachfront bungalow — a simple, stone-built room on a stretch of white powdery sand, about ten steps from the shoreline. One feature I adored was the open-air shower. There’s something romantic about showering under the stars!

Though the weather was hot and tropical (we went in January), it got dark quite early in the evening. We found an umbrella in the corner of the bungalow — a clear sign that tropical rain showers are a regular occurrence, even in the dry season.

In the morning, I’d step outside and sit on a low-hanging palm tree branch, just above the water, and dangle my feet into the ocean. Absolute bliss.

Luxury and Leisure

For those who want to splash out, Meeru (like many Maldivian resorts) has overwater villas — wooden cabins perched above the lagoon. Some even offer room service delivered by boat, for the full desert-island fantasy.

It took us about 45 minutes to walk around the entire island — and Meeru is considered one of the larger resort islands in the Maldives!

Underwater Wonderland

The Maldives are a snorkeller’s and diver’s dream. You don’t even need to go far — we saw tropical fish while paddling up to our knees. The coral reefs are home to over 2,000 species of fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, rays, and even small reef sharks. It was easily among the best snorkelling we’ve experienced — second only to the Red Sea.

A Not-So-Perfect Honeymoon…

Rob was a travel agent for many years and often recommended the Maldives as a honeymoon destination — until we met one couple on this trip who made him think again.

The young newlyweds, who arrived on the same flight as us, left after one night. They’d expected something like Benidorm — karaoke, lively bars, bustling nightlife. Instead, they found peaceful beaches and starlit dinners. Their travel agent had told them it was perfect for a honeymoon — but not their kind of honeymoon!

Barefoot Evenings and Crab Racing

There was some low-key entertainment on Meeru. The night we arrived, a live band played traditional Maldivian music in a beachfront bar with a straw roof and sand floor. It was a magical way to start the holiday — sipping cocktails and gazing out over the Indian Ocean.

The highlight of the week, though? Crab racing, held every Wednesday evening. I don’t remember much else in the way of organised entertainment — but honestly, no one seemed to mind. Most people were content to relax, enjoy delicious food, watch the sunset, and sip a cold beer or cocktail.

Fishing by Moonlight

We took a night fishing trip, which lasted a couple of hours just after sundown. It was a far cry from British sea fishing — balmy weather, calm seas, and the quiet hum of a boat beneath a starry sky. It was a small but special experience.

Paradise… With an Expiry Date?

For me, a week in the Maldives was enough. I absolutely loved it, but by day seven, I was getting itchy for something more stimulating than sunbathing and snorkelling. The calm was wonderful, but I started to miss the bustle of “real life.”

That said, if you want to escape the world, recharge, and experience natural beauty like nowhere else, I’d wholeheartedly recommend the Maldives. It’s a unique and unforgettable island nation, and even one visit will stay with you forever.