The best Maldives resorts for a spa and wellness retreat

In the idyllic backdrop of the Maldives, spa holidays are a seamless fit. But in a sea of picture-perfect options, how do you know which island to choose? This guide points you to our favourite resorts and the secret ingredients that make them the 'aaah'-listers of wellness retreats.

What are the best spa and wellness resorts in the Maldives?

The wellness offerings in the Maldives are as diverse as the islands themselves. You have rustic, Robinson Crusoe-style gems like Makunudu Island, which has a charming spa and natural beauty in droves. Some resorts like The Standard, Huruvalhi Island have unconventional experiences on the menu like aerial yoga and full moon meditation. Then there are the world-class sanctuaries like Gili Lankanfushi, where a roster of expert healers come from near and far to share their wisdom for healing and wellness, such as such as reiki masters and Watsu therapists.

Ultimately, every wellness journey is personal. Whether a complete detox is calling or you just want to unwind with good food and a loved one in stunning surroundings, we’ll recommend a resort that resonates with your idea of well-being.

Gili Lankanfushi

How to choose the right spa and wellness resort in the Maldives

When selecting your resort in the Maldives, consider factors like the island's overall vibe, experiences that match your goals and activities that will elevate your stay, such as fitness classes and marine encounters.

If you're seeking a more intimate island with a grown-up atmosphere, we highly recommend Coco Bodu Hithi, where each huge villa has a private pool and there are sunrise to sunset yoga sessions led by the resident yogi.

Island Villa with Pool, Coco Bodu Hithi

Incorporating wellness on a family holiday is easily achievable, with many resorts featuring child-friendly treatments such as mini massages, manis and pedis. Dhigali Maldives offers family packages, allowing you to enjoy some blissed-out spa time together. And for the foodies, Kuramathi Maldives has both a stellar spa and nine à la carte restaurants, with everything from healthy, organic greens grown in the hydroponic gardens to signature seafood dining.

The Reef restaurant, Kuramathi Maldives

A huge draw of the Maldives is that you’re surrounded by vitamin sea. For mindfulness under the waves, consider choosing an island with a fantastic house reef; Kandolhu Maldives has one of the best in the Maldives.

What are the must-try spa treatments in the Maldives?

From remedies rooted in centuries-old practices to innovative, science-backed therapies, you’ll find every kind of spa treatment imaginable in the Maldives.

Kagi Maldives Spa Island goes beyond the realms of a typical spa resort. You can expect nourishing, healthy cuisine in all restaurants (as well as indulgent treats, like the doughnut wall at breakfast) and the overwater Baani Spa has a fantastic range of holistic treatments. Among our favourites are the Indian coconut hair and scalp massage, 60 minutes of utter heaven, and the Sound of Baani — a sound healing ceremony that uses vibrational gongs to clear energetic blockages.

Baani Spa, Kagi Maldives Spa Island

On the top end of the scale, the spa at Niyama Private Islands Maldives combines ancient healing traditions with cutting-edge treatments straight from Beverley Hills and Paris. Try the Niyama signature massage, which combines Hawaiian Iomi lomi, Japanese shiatsu and Thai techniques, or erase the signs of fatigue with a Codage Paris facial. And that's just the start — the spa menu is a whopping 35 pages, giving you a ton of options to pamper yourself and find the perfect treatments for you.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is another island haven with a stand-out spa. We love the treehouse-inspired rooms where you can relish aloe vera wraps, cleansing salt scrubs and aromatherapy massages, customed with your own choice of oils.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa

What are the top wellness activities to do in the Maldives?

Even before you set foot in the spa, every experience in the Maldives can be deemed as good for you in one form or another. Whether you’re taking in a captivating sunset, mastering breath and balance on an immersive scuba dive or savouring artfully presented cuisine beneath the stars, there are plenty of activities that will naturally nourish your well-being.

Water sports are well reported to have a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. Glide peacefully across tranquil lagoons on a kayak, raise your heartbeat with laps in a glittering infinity pool or learn a new skill such as windsurfing or sailing. Reethi Faru has one of the best-equipped water sports centres in the Maldives, where options span from fishing to flyboarding.

Even on these tiny island specks, the land sports can be surprising too. Kuramathi Maldives is home to a full-size football pitch; staff have been known to challenge guests to a friendly match. Many islands have floodlit tennis courts such as Gili Lankanfushi, where you can work on your serve with a pro coach. And the Maldives’ white beaches are the ideal playground for a round of beach volleyball, like at Sandies Bathala.

Sandies Bathala

There’s a deeper dimension to wellness at Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives – an island with an upbeat approach to paradise. Beyond the traditional massages, find inner harmony with crystal chakra balancing, unleash your creativity in the art studio or perfect your swing in the golf simulator. Plus, there’s an outdoor gym to keep fit Maldives-style, and the Milk LAB has a menu of healthy juices and protein shakes ideal for a post-workout refreshment.

Art Studio, Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives

What is the best time to visit the Maldives for a wellness and spa holiday?

You can visit any time of year for a spa holiday. The Maldives has a tropical climate, with temperatures staying consistently around 30 degrees. If clear blue skies and calm lagoons are top of your agenda, come during the high season from November through to April. During low season, sunshine is still in good supply, but you may experience some cloud cover and rainfall – it’s often short-lived. And even if it does rain, where better place to pass the time than the spa?

This feature was updated on 14th May 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge. Feature by Heather Flanagan.