A long awaited trip to the Maldives

✨ A Long-Awaited Journey to the Maldives: My Dream Trip Come True

After years of dreaming about soft white sands, overwater villas, and those impossibly blue lagoons, I finally made it to one of my ultimate bucket list destinations—the Maldives. Nestled in the Indian Ocean, this tropical paradise is a solid 11 to 12 hours from the UK. We flew via Dubai, first boarding the spacious Emirates A380 to DXB, then connecting to a Boeing 777 bound for Malé.

If you‘re flying economy, a tip: pre-book seats upstairs on the A380. It’s much quieter, with just two seats by the windows—a much more comfortable setup for a long-haul flight. The transfer in Dubai was seamless. Your connecting gate appears right on the TV screen before landing, and if you miss it, there are plenty of clear departure boards to guide you. A little airport train might be part of the journey, but everything’s well-signposted and easy to navigate.

The approach to Malé was truly breathtaking. Islands scattered like emeralds in turquoise waters—it’s worth choosing a window seat just for this moment.

Once we landed, it was time for immigration. You’re required to complete an online entry form within 96 hours of arrival, and while the system is electronic, I’d recommend taking a screenshot of your QR code—just in case.

As we stepped out of the airport, speedboat transfers were waiting right outside. Representatives held signs with island names, ready to escort guests to the right check-in counters. Luggage is tagged with your room number and handled for you—it’s taken directly to your villa, no need to lug it around. We had a short 30-minute wait for more guests to arrive (plenty of time for an ice cream) before boarding our open-air speedboat to OBLU Ailafushi. Life jackets on, salty breeze in our hair, we zipped across the water on a quick 15-minute ride—the closest island to Malé.

Speedboats vary depending on distance; our next transfer was 55 minutes on a larger, enclosed boat with air conditioning. If the sea is rough, sit near the back—less bumping around! For those transferring by seaplane, you‘re met by a resort rep and escorted to the check-in desk, where your bags are weighed (20kg hold, 5kg hand). Then it's off to the nearby seaplane terminal,,l where you wait in a private lounge. These flights carry up to 15 passengers and offer some of the most stunning views of the islands—flying over the atolls is unforgettable.

On our return flight to Malé, our plane was overweight, so three suitcases were offloaded and arrived an hour later via the next speedboat. Everything was handled smoothly and efficiently. Every resort we visited welcomed us in true Maldivian style—with music, singing, drums, and even floral garlands.

Our first stay was at OBLU Ailafushi, where I checked into a beach villa tucked among trees, just steps from the warm sea. The weather stayed around 32°C, with humidity hovering between 60–70%. We had occasional showers, but they passed quickly. The water villas here face either sunrise or sunset, with private steps leading straight into the ocean. I'd recommend bringing water shoes—coral can be sharp underfoot.

Ailafushi is a vibrant 4-star island, full of energy. There’s karaoke, beach music, foam parties, and tons of activities—ideal for families, especially those with teens, or younger couples seeking a lively vibe. Its sister island, OBLU Lobigili, is adults-only and connected by a small bridge. Guests at Lobigili can use Ailafushi’s facilities, though not the other way around.

We dined at BLU—the Maldives’ largest underwater restaurant—an incredible culinary experience paired with wine, priced at $125 per person (plus tax). If you stay at Lobigili, dining here once every four nights is included. Snorkelling gear and boat trips cost extra at Ailafushi, but 15 minutes of non-motorised watersports, like paddleboarding, is included each day.

The buffet is the main dining option, with special nights like lobster night ($79 per person). The resort also has a serene spa with eight treatment rooms and a thermal area, including a jacuzzi, sauna, and relaxation space. After your treatment, you can even make your juice at the juice bar. Access to the thermal area is just $10 per hour.

Rooms are either ocean view studios in small two-story blocks or larger family suites with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There’s a fantastic kids’ club (ages 4+, free of charge), and babysitting is available at $25/hour. For children under 4, parents can accompany them, and there’s a small shaded pool. Teens can enjoy the games room and a movie space.

Next, we crossed to OBLU Lobigili, a peaceful retreat perfect for couples. It's quiet, intimate, and adult-only. The island features an overwater gym, and accommodation includes sunrise and sunset-facing water villas, some with private pools, as well as beachfront options. If you’re staying eight nights, you’ll enjoy two complimentary spa treatments and two dinners at BLU.

A flag system lets you know whether it’s safe to swim—green means go, yellow means caution, and red means stay out. Most guests spend their time at their private pools, so the main pool area remains peaceful and uncrowded.

From Lobigili, we travelled to OBLU Nature Helengeli, about 55 minutes by boat. Unlike many manmade islands, Helengeli is all natural. With its earthy charm, sandy paths, and lush greenery, it feels intimate yet never crowded. The focus here is sustainability and marine life.

The island is positioned at a channel intersection, creating a haven for marine diversity. You can snorkel right from the beach on either side of the island. Two house reefs attract rays, turtles, reef sharks, and colourful fish, making this a snorkeler’s paradise—especially great for beginners. Snorkel hire is free for the duration of your stay.

Their all-inclusive “Island Plan” offers buffet dining, drinks (some premium brands excluded), non-motorised watersports without time limits, and two free excursions—usually a sunset cruise and a fishing trip. Every four nights includes a fine dining experience, so eight nights gives you two!

The resort is very relaxed, with low-key evening entertainment—a local band or themed buffet with Maldivian dancers. Villas range from beach and pool villas to water villas, all blending beautifully into the surroundings. There’s a kids’ club for ages 4–12, and even an adult-only pool with a self-service bar. The sunset water villas are more private and offer views of the surrounding nature, while the sunrise beach villas have larger beachfronts and calmer waters.

Next, we headed to Atmosphere Kanifushi, a larger island reached via a scenic seaplane flight. With 168 villas stretched over 2.8km of tropical landscape, it feels spacious and well-appointed. You can cycle around (bikes are available upon request) or hop on a buggy. There’s even an app to track where they are!

We stayed in a beach villa, more spacious than our previous stays. All accommodations are located on the calm side of the island, with rougher waters on the opposite shore. The Sunset Bar, with sand underfoot, serves à la carte lunches and dinners with a relaxed, beachy vibe. There’s also a rustic Sri Lankan street food restaurant right on the beach—swing seats, wooden tables, and delicious small plates.

Guests receive one complimentary spa treatment per four-night stay, and the sauna, steam, and jacuzzi facilities are free with just 45 minutes' notice. If you're staying in a water villa, you can enjoy à la carte breakfast at Pier 9. Families are well catered for, with a kids’ club (ages 4–12), interconnecting rooms, and The Grand Residence, which sleeps up to 10. We went on a guided snorkelling trip, but if you’re new to it, pick a calm day—it can get choppy out there!

Our final stop was VARU by Atmosphere. After a quick seaplane flight back to Malé, we took a 45-minute speedboat to this lush, green island. With just 108 villas, VARU has an authentic, intimate atmosphere. No straight paths, just sandy trails winding through jungle-like foliage—it truly feels like an escape.

We received a warm welcome with garlands, followed by a buffet lunch with something for every palate. After a brief tour, we checked into our stunning water villa with private pool on Turtle Jetty, facing the sunset. There are three jetties: Manta (with the spa and non-pool villas), Dolphin and Turtle (with private pool villas).

VARU offers three à la carte restaurants—Charcoal, Kaage, and Nu. We participated in a cooking experience at Kaage, followed by a tasting lunch. The restaurant includes a short cultural video to introduce guests to Maldivian cuisine and its history. Guests staying 3, 5, or 7 nights receive 1, 2, or 3 speciality dining experiences, respectively.

We also experienced a wine tasting in VARU’s new wine cellar—over 40 varieties included in the plan, paired with curated platters. Watersports and snorkelling excursions are included, with boat trips running twice a day to explore the reef.

🌴 Wrapping Up: Why the Maldives Was Worth the Wait

Each island we visited offered a different take on paradise—whether lively, romantic, rustic, or luxurious. If you’re planning your dream Maldives trip, consider splitting your stay across multiple islands. The variety is incredible, and you’ll leave with memories that feel like they belong in a dream.

Planning your own Maldives adventure? I’d love to hear from you—drop your questions or itinerary ideas in the comments, and let’s find your perfect island escape.