Maafushivaru Maldives

Just 350m in length, Maafushivaru is small and romantic, with two wide beaches and a glorious lagoon. There’s a house reef for snorkelling and if you board one of the dive centre’s boat trips there’s a great chance of spotting turtles, manta rays and whale sharks nearby. The main buffet restaurant is the Cuisine Gallery, which offers Mediterranean cuisine infused with local flavours. In the evenings it also gives the option of an à la carte menu. Dining in the intimate overwater Japanese sushi and teppanyaki restaurant, 135° East, is recommended at least once. The infinity pool is perfectly placed on the beachfront, next to the bar with comfy chic sofas for lounging.

Maafushivaru’s secret delight is its beautiful uninhabited sister island, Lonubo. For an authentic Crusoe-esque experience, take a short boat ride across to this tiny desert island for romantic picnics, candlelit dining or even an overnight stay in the Lonubo Beach Villa with new outdoor hot tub. We recommend pre-booking a Lonubo dinner or private island stay – only one couple can visit at a time and it’s deservedly popular.

The villas are stylish with Maldivian touches. Beach Villas are just steps from the beach with a semi open-air bathroom, while Pool Villas are in groups of two with a shared pool; ideal for families and couples travelling together. Light and airy Water Villas sit on stilts over the lagoon, with floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to the water.