Natural Connection

We embark on an island-hopping adventure in the Maldives. Retreat or play, the archipelago delivers on its promise of once-in-a-lifetime moments along its cerulean atolls

- Katrina Razon

An archipelago spanning across 1,200 islands, the Maldives is a country of tiny specks of land with snow-white sand in the vast Indian Ocean. Amidst the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maldivian government mobilised the enforcement of mandatory testing and safety protocols for inter-island transfers to create open-border policies for tourists. Every island embodies a unique culture of its own, which is why my boyfriend Sean and I recommend visiting the Maldives with an itinerary that allows the space and freedom to explore its diverse atolls.

We began our island-hopping excursion in the archipelago’s southern reaches. Boarding our seaplane from Malé, in search of connection: to ourselves, each other and nature.

COMO Maalifushi is the first resort to open in the Thaa Atoll. With over 65 island villas and over-water villas, the property offers the intimacy and seclusion that we have come searching for in the Maldives to begin with. Pared down with cool creamy interiors and the warm comfort of home, our over-water villa overlooks the cerulean water, as clear as a looking glass into the world under the sea. In this all-action retreat, there is an endless number of activities—from surfing, diving and water sports to holistic therapies. Play or rest, the choice is yours.