At the other end of the vertical spectrum is Fushifaru’s underwater swing amidst the scuba bubbles on the house reef. Just a stunning a view and breath-taking in quite a different way.
Best of the Maldives: Bubble Tower – Amilla Fushi
Amilla Fushi has combined two of my recent distinctions – bubble deck and villa tower – for a doubly distinctive bubble tower. The resort describes this new feature as follows…
- “The bubble tent concept is being elevated to a whole new level in the Maldives this year, as luxury resort trendsetter Amilla Fushi debuts its new Skyhouse with Bubble accommodation –tranquil treetop eyries with their own private transparent Bubble, breathtakingly suspended 12 metres up between a canopy of lush palms and the vast Maldivian skies…Encircled by swaying palms, and measuring 4 metres in diameter, the Bubble’s interior will feature custom-fitted wooden floors, a rotating daybed, telescope, Bang & Olufsen soundsystem and bespoke furnishings. A removable cover provides solar protection during the day – and come nightfall, unfettered views of the star-studded heavens above…Conceived and custom-designed by Eye In The Sky, the transparent inflatable Bubbles are constructed with super-strong, high tech polyester fabric using exclusive Précontraint Serge Ferrari® technology. UV-protected, fully waterproof and climate-controlled, the Bubbles create an inspiring environment where guests can enjoy a uniquely immersive, closer-to-nature experience – without compromising on high-spec design and luxurious creature comforts.”
View this post on Instagram
Best of the Maldives: Villa Tower – Soneva Fushi
To get as close to somewhere over the rainbow as possible (and other celestial sights), Soneva Fushi sets a new highwater, well high in the air, mark for an open vista platform. Recently completed its latest villa, the five-bedroom Villa 37. The 11 metre tall viewing tower, reached by a winding staircase encircles a dining table called the Moonlight Table at the summit. This viewing tower is now the tallest point on the island and the ideal spot to take in the panoramic views, sunrises, sunsets, dining experiences and stargazing.
Best of the Maldives: Speed Dive Boat – Hurawalhi
If you want to get to see your sharks with jet speed, then Hurawalhi offers a diving speed boat. Not a typical diving dhoni that chugs along to your dive site, but a proper speed boat that gets you there in half the time. It not only saves time just sitting on the boat when you could be back on the resort sipping pina coladas, but is handy in other ways. The dive masters got reports of a juvenile whale shark in the area and in the boat we were able to do a quick reckie to see if it was still around before proceeding home (no luck).
Best of the Maldives: Shark Plane – Hulhumale
The biggest flying sea creature is the Embraer plane visit last month to the Maldives. Maldives Isle website reported…
- “Embraer’s E190-E2 Profit Hunter demonstration airplane, with its distinctive shark livery, completed a demo flight at Velana International Airport this afternoon. Potential buyers and prominent airline officials from Maldivian, Flyme and Manta Air took part in the 1-hour demo flight.”
Maybe not a permanent fixture, but to fun to omit from the collection of sea creature inspired aviation in the maldives.
Best of the Maldives: Manta Lounger – Joali
Fantastic Underwater Beasts
…and you will find them in amongst the vibrant and varied marine life of the Maldives! Snorkeling and diving has long been one of the great appeals to this aquatic wonderland. Triggerfish, reef sharks and wrasses are ubiquitous, but some species are much more elusive. After 20 years of visiting the Maldives staying at over 90 resorts, we have yet to see a whale shark. 
Mind you, I would be just as happy if I spotted one of these rare creatures in my underwater meanderings…
- ZEBRA BAT FISH – Swimming in schools, their stripes confuse the predatory Lion Fish (above).
- LACCADIVE CROCODILE – Distant relative to the African variety thought to have migrated from Madagascar (below).
- SEA-REX – A living fossil as ancient as the Megalodons that prowled these waters millions of years ago (bottom).
Best of the Maldives: Restaurant Glass Floor – Ayada
For a more down to earth glass room Ayada has a dazzling glass flooring in its “Kai” restaurant showing that not all glass floors in the Maldives are over water.
Best of the Maldives: Bubble Tent – Finolhu
For a completely stationary bubble, Finolhu has introduced its Beach Bubble Tent. You can enjoy the sights of paradise literally all a-round you. It’s like the fish-eye lens to paradise. It’s located at the tip of its Maldives leading sand bridge, means splendid isolation from each the remote resort itself. And you can gaze on the horizon without anyone peering in on you. Except for maybe a few curious reef sharks or jack fish.
Best of the Maldives: Exercise Pool – Kandima
From the shape of water, to getting in shape in water. Kandima’s fitness pool features water jets that guests and swim against to add to the exertion. Or, if they are salmon, to prepare for the upstream spawning journey.
