The best Maldives island for you

True, every island in the Maldives seems to offer the same wondrous beach experience of white sands, waving coconut palms and turquoise waters. However, Club Med Finolhu Villas on the island of Gasfinolhu has the added edge of beautifully designed accommodation that makes you feel a part of the natural landscape.

You can choose between eco-luxury beach villas that offer your own private stretch of beachfront or, even more dramatically, over-water bungalows where the sounds and smell of the ocean become part of your natural waking state. Simply sit and stare as the water’s topography changes every second due to the pancake flatness of the islands. Alternatively, take paradise to a new level by ordering a drink served by a personal butler in your bungalow or book in a massage before deciding to dive into the ocean a few steps from your accommodation.

Gasfinolhu itself is full of character with one of the longest stretches of beaches in the Maldives. There is even a cinema by the shore if you can tear yourself away from the natural postcard beauty. Just five minutes away by boat you can take advantage of the amazing facilities at Club Med Kani where the kids will enjoy a huge array of sports and fun activities, the restaurant serves fresh local food and entertainment by night almost matches the immense relaxation by day.

If you would like a holiday where you can take a break from the sun, sea and sand then Malé’s collection of islands could be the perfect choice. It is certainly the simplest place to reach in the Maldives with the International Airport being based on its doorstep. It is also where you will meet more locals than anywhere else with a population in Malé city of over 250,000. This was traditionally the island of the kings and explains why so much more of modern life has settled here. It means you can go deeper into the Maldivian culture and find out what life is like away from the tourist dreams of the main resorts.

There are plenty of attractions to visit on the island including beautiful mosques, markets and museums. Most poignant is the monument to the tragic tsunami of 2004. There is also a wider variety of accommodation options including lower budget hotels.

Once you have had your fix of buildings and cultural attractions, head to the North Malé Atoll for the best in local scenery and a dazzling array of beaches, snorkelling opportunities and places where you can enjoy a meal while staring out at the infinite blue water. Whilst Malé may be atypical in its modernity, you are never too far away from unrivalled natural beauty when you visit the Maldives.

Finally, let us take all the good bits of a holiday in the Maldives and compact them into one island. You really cannot go wrong with Fihalhohi. It has the romance, natural beauty and things to do that make up the ideal break in paradise.

Situated only 45 minutes from the airport via a thrilling speedboat ride, it is one of the most accessible islands in the Maldives. The environment has been carefully protected meaning the surrounding ocean is one of the best places to investigate a teeming world of manta rays, coral and sea turtles.

Inshore, the island’s resorts offer modern accommodation, little necessities such as wi-fi as well as a restaurant for dinner and several charming bars to watch the world go by with a glass in your hand. Wherever you go on the island, the ambience is relaxed, the sun is warm and everything eases any stress left in your body. It is the perfect encapsulation of why this part of the world should be high on your list of places to visit.