Maldives: A luxurious retreat blending nature, wellness, and adventure

The Maldives had long been on my list of dream escapes. Sun-drenched overwater villas, waters so blue they seem Photoshopped, and the promise of a place where clocks tick slower. What I didn’t expect was a transformative retreat that blended luxury, nature, and wellness in equal measure, and left me promising to return before I’d even boarded the flight home.

The journey from Dubai to the Maldives is surprisingly simple: a direct four-hour flight lands you at Malé’s Velana International Airport. From there, things get delightfully cinematic. Guests of the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort are ushered into the property’s private lounge, where we sipped coffee, nibbled on snacks, and contemplated our next move: a 45-minute seaplane ride with Manta Air.

Boarding Manta Air’s seaplane feels like stepping into a tropical Bond movie. The 45-minute flight over jewel-toned atolls and turquoise lagoons is a spectacle in itself. Upon landing near the resort, a sleek speedboat whisked us over the final stretch to the island, where we were welcomed with rhythmic traditional drumming and smiling staff in Maldivian attire. From airport hustle to barefoot luxury in under six hours? Yes, please.

The resort is a symphony of sophistication and serenity. With 81 beach, lagoon, and overwater villas, each offering unobstructed ocean views, it manages to feel both expansive and intimate. I stayed in an Overwater Pool Villa with Club Benefits — a sleek, sun-drenched space complete with a private infinity pool, a plush king bed, and an open-plan bath with endless views of the sea.

Every guest is assigned a curator, accessible via the Staytus app, who handles everything from buggy rides to dinner reservations with near-telepathic precision. Think genie, but with better manners and Wi-Fi. Add to that Club InterContinental perks such as daily afternoon tea, aperitif hours, and poolside refreshments, and you’re left wanting for nothing, except maybe more time.

A complimentary sparkling beverage and a plate of lovely little bites awaited as I walked in. That set the tone for the rest of the trip: thoughtful, stunning, and just a little indulgent.

Spa days and serenity

No Maldivian retreat is complete without a visit to the spa, and AVI Spa, an award-winning sanctuary perched serenely over the water, is a destination in itself. My therapist, Vina, took time to understand my needs before recommending a 90-minute hot stone massage. The experience began with a soothing tea and a quick shower, followed by a foot scrub and the signature massage using warm stones that seemed to melt away every trace of tension. As waves lapped below and soft music floated above, I genuinely felt transported to another realm.

She also recommended some spa products and, predictably, I bought them all (I’m a sucker for anything that promises eternal glow). I made a mental note to pamper myself more often. AVI Spa didn’t just feel like a treatment, it was a reset button. I ended the session with another round of warm tea and a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in months.

Seafood and sweet crimes

Now, let’s talk about food. Everyone goes to the Maldives for the views, but the food? Criminally underrated. At the resort, every meal was a masterclass in fresh, thoughtful cooking. Whether dining at Café Umi, The Retreat, or the interactive Fish Market, the culinary experience was consistently sublime. Seafood is the star here — locally sourced or imported from Sri Lanka, India, and Australia — with sustainability at the heart of every menu.

One lunch at Café Umi featured the freshest tiger prawns paired with hydrating coconut water. It was all going beautifully, until Umme, my partner-in-crime for general gossip, night stargazing, and yes, yoga, casually poured sugar syrup into her coconut water.

I froze., then gasped audibly.

As a proud Goan, from the land of coconuts, this was sacrilege. Even the palm tree looked personally offended. She laughed but a week later, I’m living through the pain.

Life jackets and wobbles

One of the most reassuring aspects of the trip was the resort’s commitment to safety and comfort for solo female travellers. I never once had to lock the door of my villa, and the entire island felt like a sanctuary. Every single women’s restroom — yes, every cubicle in every restaurant and facility — was thoughtfully stocked with sanitary essentials such as pads and disposal bags. It’s a small detail, but a significant one. Bicycles were also available to explore the island at leisure, which brings me to my next point.

I can’t swim. And this is where things get dramatic.

Each villa is equipped with life jackets for reef dips, which is lovely. But if you’re me, that same life jacket becomes your emotional support companion. There’s even a safety tube attached to the balcony, which feels oddly comforting when you panic near open water.

Just a tip: If you’re as clumsy as I am, wear the life jacket from your villa when cycling near water. Trust me.

Despite my best intentions, my attempt at a scenic cycle ride ended in me wobbling dangerously close to the edge of the jetty. Picture me, flailing on a bicycle, the ocean lurking inches away. I now firmly believe life jackets should be standard cycling gear — for me, at least. Fortunately, every villa comes with one. Use it. Even if just for dramatic flair.

Mantas and snorkel drama

One of the highlights of my trip was a fascinating session at The Retreat on the manta rays of the Maldives, led by the passionate team from Manta Trust. They work tirelessly to protect these gentle giants and their habitats, a mission the resort actively supports.

I learned that manta rays are slow to mature, reaching adulthood around age 15, and give birth to just one pup every few years. They’re gentle filter feeders, gracefully skimming plankton from the sea, but their numbers are dwindling.” The session left me moved and motivated to do more than just swim with them. I wanted to help protect them.

We then embarked on an exhilarating boat excursion to spot manta rays in the wild. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, we were told, but luck was on our side. As for me? Despite a pre-trip snorkelling tutorial and buckets of encouragement, I chickened out. I don’t swim. I panic easily. And the idea of putting my face underwater felt like someone was dunking my face in water to extract a confession, crime novel style. So, I stayed on the boat, watching in awe.

Later, coaxed by Umme, I gave the guided snorkelling session another shot at the shallower house reef. She dove in like a mermaid. I flopped in like a terrified sea cucumber. I insisted on just floating, but the expert guide gently cajoled me into dipping my face in the water, just once. I gasped theatrically the moment it happened, bolted upright, and said, “I can’t do this.” But I still posed for a triumphant photo on land. That was my moment. That was enough.

Yoga, effort, and ease

Now, the yoga retreat. Here’s where things got interesting.

We explored the five koshas, or layers of being, through daily practice: the physical body (annamaya), energy (pranamaya), mind (manomaya), wisdom (vijnanamaya), and bliss (anandamaya). Mornings were for dynamic vinyasa flows, just the right speed to feel virtuous. Evenings were reserved for yin yoga and yoga nidra, the latter being essentially meditation while lying down (a firm favourite).

Guiding us throughout was Dubai-based yoga teacher Emilia Metaireau (pictured right), whose gentle encouragement made even the least bendy among us feel at ease. Most of the group moved with grace, strength, and serenity. I, on the other hand, was… present.

I discovered my flexibility ends somewhere around my knees, and that Emilia deserves a medal for patience. While others found their inner calm, I discovered I have the flexibility of a garden rake. The groans were intentional. The sweat, unfortunately, was not.

What made the retreat remarkable wasn’t some picture-perfect display of balance; it was the space to be imperfect. I was offered gentler versions of every pose. No judgment. No pressure. Just quiet encouragement to keep showing up. By the end, I wasn’t just moving but thinking better too.

Yoga might not fix everything (my bones remain as stiff as a pool float abandoned in the sun), but it can certainly soften the edges. It wasn’t just exercise, it was a guided journey inward, peeling away the distractions of everyday life and helping each of us reconnect with our own rhythm. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or someone who thinks “downward dog” is a wrestling move, this retreat had a place for you.

The hardest goodbye

And just like that, it was time to leave.

As the boat pulled away from the island, I watched the villas shrink into the horizon. I wasn’t ready. Few places do that to you. Even fewer do it quietly. There was no hard sell, no forced smiles, just care. From the staff, the spa, the sea, and even the shy manta rays.

As we bid goodbye, we learned that the new terminal at Velana International Airport was set to be inaugurated on July 26 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was much needed; the current terminal, while functional, is small. A modern expansion is exactly what the Maldives deserves as it welcomes more travellers each year.

For me, the Maldives wasn’t just a holiday, it was a calm unravelling of things I didn’t know I needed. A place where sunsets soothe the soul, the seafood sings, and yoga and spa sessions strengthen the mind and body.

For women travellers, solo or otherwise, it’s a sanctuary. For clumsy snorkellers, it’s forgiving. For seekers of quiet luxury, it’s everything.

Would I return? Without question. Preferably wearing a life jacket. On a buggy, nursing some coconut water.

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