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Gazing into the depths of the clear blue Indian Ocean, my eyes are met with those of an inquisitive dolphin who looks curiously back at me through a glass bottom boat.
“We haven’t had sightings like this for months,” our guide tells us. Yet there's no shortage of surreal, ephemeral moments such as this when you visit the Maldives. Unique from other destinations in that there's an abundance of wildlife everywhere you turn, even if you're not a diver it's hard to deny the effortless beauty that you find yourself surrounded by.
After breakfast one day I watched a baby shark gliding through the shallows, over my book from my sun lounger one afternoon I observed a heron gobbling its fish dinner, walking across an overwater bridge at sunset I looked on as two manta rays gracefully undulated in tandem.
The Maldives is an inherently magical place – this isn't exactly news, I appreciate. However, it's whimsical moments such as these that stay with you beyond the restorative time you spend there.
And the backdrop for these impossibly idyllic memories? Introducing Dhigali and Kandolhu, two resorts nestled among atolls like a well kept secret.
Dhigali
A 45 minute sea plane from Malé airport, Dhigali is a luxury resort set atop a slender coral cay within the Raa Atoll of the Maldives. As we flew into the island we marvelled at the magnitude of the sea below us, the slivers of sandy islands reminding us of its vastness in the most beautiful way.
Once we arrived on the island we were treated to the quintessential Maldives experience in the form of a lagoon villa with pool. Providing direct access to the clearest aquamarine water you've ever seen, lagoon villas are everything you dream of when you envisage a Maldives escape and then some. Featuring our own private plunge pool, a generous deck where I spent most of my lazy mornings and offering unrivalled views of the ocean, if you thought your room was stunning in the day then just wait until you see it at sunset.
What stands out most of all about Dhigali, however, is that you're never far from nature. Our villa overlooked crystal clear waters which meant that even from the deck I admired starfish, angelfish and everything in between before I'd even taken a step into the sea.
Some of my fondest memories from the trip are snorkelling through the shallows, admiring the vibrant house reefs just metres from the shore. Feeling so blissfully detached from the day-to-day and instead channeling my focus into attempting to mentally catalogue each of the wonderful creatures I had come across. A tiny iridescent green and pink fish so small you'd blink and miss it, a strikingly patterned oval-shaped Picasso triggerfish, a pink and emerald parrotfish darting past me – the list goes on.
Holidayers who struggle with the fly and flop concept are well accounted for at Dhigali, with guests being able to partake in a range of excursions as part of their stay on the island. From sunset cruises and snorkelling adventures to art classes and aqua fit, the impressive array of bookable activities on offer mean that you can dip in and out of the action as you wish. For us, the glass bottom boat was particularly special, offering us the chance to see dolphins closer up than ever before and making for the most incredible lasting memory.
And frankly, it wouldn't be paradise without delicious food, which Dhigali has down to a fine art. With eight restaurants and bars on the island, the standout favourite from the trip is the resort's Pan Asian offering Jade. It was here that we indulged in fresh yet zingy tuna tataki, dim sum delicacies and a perfectly balanced sweet and sour pad thai before moving on to a creamy baked pandan cheesecake. All tastes are accounted for at Dhigali, from the island's Middle Eastern restaurant Battuta to beachside Faru for Mediterranean cuisine to Haali bar where you'll find a saxophonist at sunset most evenings.
And once you've had your fill of delicious food and snorkel, what better way to unwind than with a visit to the spa? With a menu offering up massages, facials, scrubs and everything in between, the recently launched Margaret Dabbs treatments mean that even a pedicure feels that extra bit deluxe, with the spa's expert foot therapist even managing to work their magic on my famously unkempt feet.
Stay 7 nights at five-star Dhigali, Maldives in a Beach Villa on Premium All-Inclusive. Price from £4,199 per person based on two adults sharing. Offer includes up to 25% discount via Turquoise Holidays when travelling between 1 November to 22 December saving £2,100 per couple! Including return seaplane transfers and international flights departing from London Heathrow in November 2025.
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Kandolhu
Kandolhu differs from Dhigali in that it's a much smaller island, taking just eight minutes to walk around in its entirety, give or take. Host to 30 rooms in total, this compact setup means that everything you could want for is within walking distance, making it a perfect spot for revellers in search of a more secluded Maldives getaway, whether you're a honeymooner or otherwise.
Guests here are able to choose between grand beach duplex villas that overlook the ocean or luxe sea villas that promise the classic Maldives experience. In our case, our ocean pool villa featured a generous deck and plunge pool to boot, though it should come as little surprise that the real selling point here is the uninterrupted vista of the ocean which comes accompanied by the suitably soothing soundtrack of crashing waves.
Inside, white beams set against wooden ceilings make you feel as though you're nestled in the belly of a whale in the best possible way, while the open bathroom looks out onto the sea, being accessible from the deck to ensure you're able to soak up the stunning setting as much as possible.
As in Dhigali, here it's the scenery takes centre stage. Months on from our trip I still find my mind wandering back to the contentment I felt during a solitary stroll back from dinner, belly full and gazing in awe up at the seemingly endless twinkling of stars that speckled the night's sky above the overwater bridges. Evenings at Kandolhu are still and serene, even in stormy weather.
Truly, there's a certain type of whimsy at Kandolhu which you can't bottle. Crabs scuttle across paths as you make your way over the island, brimming with all the magic of a Studio Ghibli film. And once you arrive at your destination for dinner, things only get better.
In the three nights we spent at Kandolhu there was never a moment where we were hungry, with its six restaurants serving up everything from Indian classics at Sea Grill to Mexican and Peruvian fare oceanside at Ata Roa. Food at Kandolhu is exceptional and varied to suit all tastes, with standout favourites from our stay including the wonderfully fresh local catch ceviche at The Market, the juicy jumbo prawns at the Sea Grill, the blissfully tender, flavourful birria tacos at Ata Roa and the full performance dining experience offered up at Banzai, where Japanese dishes are prepared in front of your eyes with theatrical knife work by chef Raymond.
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Truly, the thought, care and pride that goes into every experience in Kandolhu is apparent across the board, from our waiter Ameen going our of his way to brighten up the day with a witty quip or freshly picked hibiscus from the garden, to the restorative, tailored massages that we indulged in at Varu spa.
A stunning setting in itself including a steam room, sauna and outdoor pool in addition to its treatment rooms, a visit to Varu is a must during your stay to help ease you into the gentler pace of island living.
Kuoni offer seven nights at five-star Kandolhu in a Ocean Villa on Full Board A La Carte, including flights with SriLankan Airlines from London Heathrow and transfers in resort. Prices for selected departures in June and November 2025, based on two adults starts from £5,549 per person.
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