Many islands, many choices: The Maldives doesn't just offer a dream holiday for snorkelers

Because most of the islands are so exclusive, a vacation to the Maldives is often a significant investment. For many people, they only go to the Maldives once in their life, if at all. Therefore, travelers are advised to take a closer look at their own desires and also the different islands first.

Is your focus on a family vacation or a romantic getaway for two? Do you want an active vacation or, most importantly, a relaxing wellness treatment? Do you want to snorkel directly on the house reef and dive into the underwater world of the Maldives? Or is the focus on strengthening physical and mental health? I will introduce you to four different islands with different orientations.

Andrea Labonte of Wellness Heaven has an amazing job that many people envy: she has been a hotel tester for over 17 years. Wellness Heaven Hotel Guide on the go, Germany's largest wellness hotel portal. She regularly writes in her column about spa experiences, extraordinary destinations and the strangest events in her daily working life. “From the life of a hotel tester”.

1. Kuda Villingili: Perfect waves – surf Chickens Break

If you are looking for the perfect wave, then you have come to the right place not only in Hawaii or California, but also in North Male Atoll on the island of Kuda Villingili. Because just 30 minutes by boat from Malé International Airport is the Eldorado of surfers. Kuda Villingili holds the leading position for surfers with the longest left-hand break in the Maldives, just a few strokes from the beach.

Experienced surfers can tube for more than ten seconds given the length of the wave in good condition. The name of this wave is strange because the island used to be used as a chicken farm. However, beginners can also try professional surfing courses on this island.

Smaller waves near the island provide perfect conditions for beginners. Expert surfers can also head to other nearby spots by speedboat, such as Cokes, Ninjas, Sultans, Honkys, and Jails. By the way, there are perfect surfing conditions between May and October.

The largest pool in the Maldives

But not only surfers, ambitious swimmers also get a challenge at Kuda Villingili. The island, which was just opened in June 2021, has one of the longest pools in the island nation. The 150-meter long pool even inspires Olympic athletes with its dimensions.

Situated in the centre of the island, the pool is lined with lush palm trees and fragrant gardens of hibiscus, bougainvillea and frangipani – and flanked by sun loungers, cabanas and a bar.

2. Maamunagau, nature lovers and enthusiasts take note!

Located in Raa Atoll, Maamunagau is only 35 minutes from Male International Airport by seaplane. “dead” An island for nature lovers. As soon as I set foot on the island, I was struck by the turquoise lagoon and the pristine white beaches. And the only lighthouse in the Maldives immediately caught my attention.

From up here, the island stretches out before me from a truly unusual albatross perspective in the Maldives: the beach in front of the island's promontory is not only endlessly long, but also endlessly wide. And turquoise is such a powerful color that I elevate the beach and lagoon to the protagonists of the island.

Maamunagau is ideal for couples who want to get married high up on the lighthouse. But families with children also benefit thanks to the natural diversity and the “Planet Trekkers Kids Clubs” with their own mini ziplines.

Snorkeling like in an aquarium

The house reef at the Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort in Raa Atoll is also stellar. As I snorkeled here, I imagined myself in a colorful aquarium – just 15 meters from the shore. Bigeye trevally lived up to their name, staring at me from a distance.

White-throated surgeonfish swim by in droves, while rainbow-sparkling parrotfish can be heard nibbling on coral with their beaks. Yellow tangs do pirouettes and angular boxfish explore underwater caves in front of me and encounter shy moray eels. Swimming with manta rays around Maamunagau is also a unique experience. Ideally with the island’s marine biologist Gerrit and manta ray ranger Nablab.

Before we begin, guests on the island receive an informative briefing: This is how I learned that manta rays are called blankets in Portuguese. When viewed from afar, the rays resemble a giant blanket covering the ocean. They are real heavyweights: reef manta rays can weigh between 500 and 700 kilograms and ocean manta rays between 1,000 and 2,000 kilograms.

At the end of his briefing, Nablab asked us to always keep a distance of about 3 meters when encountering manta rays and never touch the animals. This, by the way, applies to everything you see underwater in the Maldives. In fact, out of respect for the graceful gliders, I kept a safe distance as I followed them in awe.

3. Looking for authenticity and a Robinson Crusoe feeling?

In the heart of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll lies an island that seems so pristine that it embodies a Robinson Crusoe feeling like no other: Soneva Fushi. Nature, barely tamed, lush and luxurious and its beauty wild and almost untamed. Hundred-year-old banyan trees hide gracefully in the jungle among towering coconut palms and giraffe-like screw trees.

The air is filled not only with salt, but also with jasmine. White beaches disappear endlessly between the blue of the lagoon and the green of the forest. And the “Dolphin Beach” lives up to its name: small spinner dolphins do their pirouettes in the air here.

Soneva Fushi, an island for seekers of meaning from all over the world

If you want to use this beauty to live more consciously and mindfully and reconnect with yourself and nature away from everyday life, you should visit the “Soneva Soul Festival” in October. Here, seekers of meaning can discuss the “future of wellness” with health pioneers and visionaries from around the world.

Engaging lectures and interactive workshops are complemented by music, art, sports and culinary experiences throughout the festival. Outstanding speakers include oncologist and naturopath Dr. Nasha Winters, who will speak on “The Future of Healthcare and the Key to Longevity.” And Soneva Fushi has also been a pioneer in sustainability for years. The new AquaTerra nature conservation center unites environmental protection and science.

Through partnerships with universities and scientists from around the world, AquaTerra enables cutting-edge research. AquaTerra is committed to reforesting coral and has set a goal of restoring the coral systems around the islands and establishing a coral center in the Maldives.

The AquaTerra team uses “Mineral Accretion Technology” (MAT). This uses low power to encourage the accumulation of calcium carbonate, the mineral that forms the coral’s skeletal structure. AquaTerra also has a spawning and breeding lab for the development of heat-resistant super corals. The center even has a 3D printing lab for producing coral substrates.

4. Fari Islands in North Malé Atoll – an island for design and art fans

The Fari Islands, which consist of several islands, have been open since 2021. dead An address set in North Male Atoll for design and art enthusiasts. After a short boat ride from Malé International Airport, the welcoming ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives was both traditional and artistic: Upon our arrival, a Maldivian bird blew a large sangu shell, the sound of which could be heard far across the island.

An ancient Maldivian tradition and the perfect initiation ritual for newcomers. The Sangu Shell, also known as the “Conch” or “Triton Shell”, was once blown by the chief of the island to announce the arrival of important guests or the start of a ceremony.

But the resort is also renowned for its architecture. Pure design meets spacious aesthetics. All accommodations can be opened up completely to the sea thanks to large window fronts. The island's design language is characterized by circular motifs: the circular pool is built over the sea and the overwater spa also impresses with its ring shape and rare views.

Art has a special place in the Fari Islands

The Fari Islands also know how to attract guests who are interested in art. So I found a variety of artworks all over the island. I was particularly impressed by Australian artist Sebastian di Mauro with his sparkling sculpture “Bloom”, especially during the full moon.

But the life-affirming “Jkiyo” mural in the kids’ club also exudes so much joy. As does the resort’s “Mystique Garden,” which evokes Celtic symbolism with its celestial swings and coiled shell patterns and is perfect for celebrating the sunrise with a yoga session.

Meanwhile, the sunset is captured in a reverent “moment” at the endless circular pool. Here, Maldivians playing drums move in formation and light a circle at the end of the pool that merges with the vastness of the Indian Ocean. An act of celebration that pays homage to the beauty of the Maldives.

Speaking of respect for beauty, during my stay in the Fari Islands I had the pleasure of meeting Abi Adams, founder of “Human Movement House”. In her workshop “Discover Femininity”, she provided thought-provoking food and health tips that will accompany me on my personal journey through midlife.