Having visited 17 of Maldives atolls, there aren’t many left we haven’t been to, but Soneva Secret recently launched in an atoll – Mkaundhoo – that we have not only never been to, but I hadn’t even heard of! One of the distinctive experiences of the Maldives is the dramatic sense of being away from it all in the middle of the ocean. Soneva has taken that dimension to the next level with their “Secret” refuge.
One of my other websites provides information on the sport of rowing for people with disabilities, so it is a delight to see Amilla Maldives offering our favourite Maldives “sport” of diving to disabled guests (something I first proposed in my 2017 “Haven’t Seen Yet” post):
A great activity especially for the mobility impaired as underwater you don’t need your legs (as Ariel has sung about).
Snorkel Spotter turned 12 years old this week! It’s been a great resource for us to capture and share our extensive house reef explorations (over 100 different house reefs). And various resorts and guests have embraced it as well to do the same, but none more than Gili Lankanfushi and Baros with 22 spottings logged each.
Here is the top ten table:
|
Gili Lankanfushi |
22 |
|
Baros Maldives |
22 |
|
Gangehi |
21 |
|
Kurumba |
15 |
|
Dusit Thani |
13 |
|
Thudu Fushi |
12 |
|
Veligandu |
12 |
|
Biyadhoo |
12 |
|
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu |
12 |
|
Fihalhohi |
11 |
For a hitting the sweet spot any time of day, Ayada offers the most colourful ice cream treats we have come across in the Maldives (if not most anywhere). Always welcome refreshment on a toasty tropical day.
The Maldives is renowned for its colourful tapestry of mottled blues in the surrounding ocean and sky punctuated by tropical greenery, brilliant white coral sands and the warm yellow glow of sunshine. But for those visually impaired with colour blindness, such rich variations are not only lost. But Finolhu has implemented an innovative programe to bring as much of this visual richness to these guess with the EnChroma sunglasses and snorkel masks.
(thanks Paola)
Taking a gentle bike ride across the island is a lovely way to explore the Maldivian tropical paradise, but not everyone can manage a bike to well. Amilla Maldives has introduced trikes so that all the guests can enjoy a leisurely ride through the island:
All my middle-aged friends (of the MAML species…Middle Aged Men in Lycra) have been raving about the new generation of electric powered bikes. Not being a road warrior, I’ve never had the chance to try one until our stay at Soneva Jani. Especially with Soneva Jani’s considerable size, these two-wheeled electric buggies made getting around quite easy and quite a bit of fun. Just powerful enough to give that boost to facilitate the pedaling, or even just letting the bike coast and do all the work for you on the flat bit (but not so powerful to be at all hard to control).
The biggest objection to a trip to the Maldives is that there is “nothing to do”. While that might be deal breaker for some, it’s an absolute USP for many. Still, as the destination grows and evolves it is increasingly offering something for everyone. Siyam World is pretty much leading the way in innovative activites taking advantage of its considerable acreage (something most Maldives islands are not renowned for). SW announced:
Happy Leap Year! If you are looking to make a big leap on your bonus day, then Irufu offers the first regularly available (November through March for weather reasons) sky diving activity in the Maldives:
I first proposed that someone offer skydiving in the Maldives in my very first “What I Haven’t Seen Yet” pieces. Shangri-La Vilingili offered it as a short-term offer a few years ago. Ifuru makes it possible because it has an airstrip on its island.
We have marveled at the expansive range of bed decorating in the Maldives, but our treatments at Sun Siyam Iru Veli was the first time we were treated to a floral welcome in our spa room.
