We take you beyond the beaches, and into the luxury resort on Shaviyani Atoll
Hypnotising turquoise hues, white sand, private villas overlooking the ocean, and romantic sunsets—the Maldives is and always will be the ultimate tropical paradise destination.
An archipelago consisting of over 1,190 coral islands on the Indian Ocean, the Maldives boasts unbeatable ocean views and dreamy white beaches lined with palm trees. That’s probably why the photogenic nation has remained a staple on our laptop screensavers since the dawn of default settings.
Travel just 55 minutes by seaplane from the main island of Male, and you’ll find yourself at the luxurious Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi.
Read more: Recharge and Reconnect in the Maldives, the safest holiday destination on Earth
First Impressions
Getting to the resort is an adventure in itself. I had never flown in a seaplane before this trip, and as someone with a history of slight aerophobia, I was bracing myself for a white-knuckled flight. Upon boarding the 12-seater plane, we were greeted with friendly nods from the pilots dressed in uniforms of buttoned-up shirts, bermuda shorts, and flip-flops. It was the casual footwear that calmed my nerves—and once we took flight, my gaze was firmly locked onto the marbling blue swirls of lagoons, islands, and atolls below.