Up until recently, when I pictured a trip to the Maldives, I only imagined villas over turquoise blue waters and barefoot luxury on sandy shores. In October, I had the chance to see beyond the picture-postcard image with a visit to two island retreats on the Indian Ocean archipelago.
My week-long stay began with a brief arrival to the bustling capital, Malé, before hopping in a speedboat to the first stop on my trip: OBLU Nature Helengeli by SENTIDO.
On the compact island of Helengeli, I stayed in a lagoon villa complete with a private pool that spills onto the vast Indian Ocean. A highlight of my stay was the open-air bathroom designed to bring the tropical outdoors indoors, while still maintaining privacy.
After three nights on Helengeli, I was whisked away on a speedboat to the island of Sangeli. Upon my arrival to the resort, OBLU Select Sangeli, I was given a traditional Maldivian “maruhabaa” welcome, with coconut leaf origami necklace placed around my neck as a “boduberu” drum procession played in the background.
My water villa also had a private infinity pool and direct access to the lagoon. The distinctive touch, however, was the room’s glass floor panel that offered a glimpse of the waters below.
From the comfort of my room, I could peer into the water and watch the occasional sea creature swim by.
House reef snorkelling and dolphin encounters
There’s always a first time for everything, and having never snorkelled before, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d find within the islands’ house reefs. Across both stays, access to the house reefs is a mere walk or swim away.
Donning my snorkel mask, flippers and trusty life jacket, I met the islands’ deep sea residents, including spotting sea turtles, eagle rays and stingrays and an array of reef fish, including a mellow puffer fish.
My sea encounters were not limited to daylight hours, either.
As the sky formed sunset-orange hues, I boarded a traditional wooden dhoni for a cruise along the atoll’s blue waters. Here, I saw a pod of spinner dolphins, with some putting on an acrobatic display of leaps and twirls above the water.
Fresh sea catches, coconuts and lots of tuna
If snorkelling was the highlight of my week, then eating my way through the islands came a very close second, especially with the variety of buffet and à la carte concepts to choose from.
I sampled the popular Maldivian breakfast dish, “mas huni”, simply meaning fish and coconut. Typically served alongside local flatbreads like a faratta or roshi, the protein-filled breakfast combines tuna chunks with finely grated coconut, alongside zesty lime and onions and topped with chilli flakes to taste.
Speaking of which, tuna lovers are certainly spoiled for choice at the resorts, with offerings from tuna dumplings to smoked and spiced chunks of tuna.
The archipelago’s palate is also heavily influenced by other south Asian cuisines, including flavours from India and Sri Lanka. My favourite sweet treat came from Raga Route in the form of a gulab jamun cheesecake, which was so tasty, my sweet tooth goaded me to order seconds.
My week ended with an Indian Ocean gala dinner at the Courtyard eatery on Sangeli. The gathering can be considered as a Maldivian "Malaafai", which are feasts shared among friends and families.
During the dinner, there were live cooking stations for guests to choose from samosa, papdi or aloo tiki chaat as well as quickly sample a morsel of panipuri. The buffet featured popular rice dishes, including biryani and a cart serving Indian faloodas.
Rest and relaxation
After snorkelling, swimming in my private pool and strolling in the sand, it was only right that a spa treatment (actually, two…) made it onto my itinerary.
On Helengeli, I sauntered to the ELE|NA Ayur facility and opted for the “relax and unwind” treatment, which focused on my back and included a mini foot massage. I was able to enjoy my massage in the outdoor treatment area, where the aroma of the applied hot coconut oil was accompanied by birdsong and the quiet ripple of koi fish in the nearby pond.
I also visited ELE|NA Ayur on Sangeli, but this time, the focus was my skin. The treatment was designed to detoxify, regulate excess oils and give me that sought-after island glow. Before my facial had even started, I was presented a tray with a turmeric, honey and brown sugar shot, along with a refreshing cold towel infused in fragrant lemongrass oil.
In the treatment room, a gentle vitamin C cleanser was applied, followed by a cucumber mist and a citrusy yoghurt-based exfoliant to finish.
What to know before you go and getting there
EU citizens, as with all foreign nationals travelling to the Maldives, must complete the free digital self traveller declaration, "IMUGA", at least 96 hours before arriving to the Indian Ocean archipelago. After approval, tourists are then granted a visa on arrival for a stay up to 30 days.
Guests staying at OBLU Nature Helengeli and OBLU Select Sangeli must also check in online via the apps prior to arrival.
When arriving at Velana International Airport, the main international airport in the Maldives, resort representatives guide you to the speedboat annex to continue the journey by sea, or, if catching a seaplane, there’s a dedicated terminal with a fleet of 11 seaplanes that fly to four islands.
Fakhriya M. Suleiman was hosted by OBLU Nature Helengeli by SENTIDO and OBLU Select Sangeli. Both resorts are part of the Colours of Oblu collection in the Atmosphere Core portfolio.