COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives

We stayed here in December, my husband and I, on a completely natural island in the southern Maldives.

And what makes it even more special is that COMO Maalifushi is the only resort in the entire Thaa Atoll. No neighbouring hotels, no busy boat traffic…

just ocean, palms and this feeling of being somewhere truly untouched.

Nothing here feels artificial or staged.

The island is raw and green, the lagoon full of life, and the remoteness isn’t a concept, it’s simply geography.

But the most unforgettable moment?
A private dolphin cruise for my birthday.
Soooo many dolphins.
Jumping, swimming alongside us,
dancing through the water like they were putting on a little birthday show just for us.

I couldn’t stop smiling. Not for a second 😊

That’s Maalifushi.
Wild in the most beautiful way, incredibly exclusive by nature, and full of moments that don’t feel planned, they just happen.

THE ARRIVAL

Reaching Maalifushi is already part of the story.

A 55-minute seaplane flight from Malé, flying deeper south, further away from the busier atolls.

The ocean below slowly shifts colours, islands become fewer, distances feel wider.

By the time we landed, we felt it immediately:
this place is location-exclusive.

Remote in the best possible way.

A NATURAL ISLAND, LEFT AS IT IS

One thing we truly appreciated:
Maalifushi is a natural island, not an artificial one.

No reclaimed land.
No overdeveloped paths.
Just palms, sand, water, and untouched nature all around.

The resort has only 65 villas, which creates a calm, almost private atmosphere.

Even though the resort has been open for 11 years, everything feels incredibly well maintained, timeless, and relaxed.

OUR VILLA

SUNSET OVER WATER

Evenings where the sky slowly softened into warm tones, the water beneath us alive with movement, and absolute silence except for the ocean.

The villa felt light, airy, and calm.

With its 120sqm the water villa is very spacious.

Designed to disappear into its surroundings rather than dominate them.

P.S. You can find the location of our villa on the map circled in blue.

WILDLIFE

RIGHT THERE, IN OUR LAGOON

Because the island is so remote, the marine life feels incredibly present.

Right in our lagoon, we saw:

• Nurse sharks
• Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks
• Rays
• Parrot fish
• Endless schools of fish moving through the shallows

Some evenings we would simply stand still, looking down into the water, watching life unfold beneath us.

This is one of those places where nature feels sooo alive.

SLOW DAYS, ISLAND RHYTHM

Life at Maalifushi moves gently.

Morning swims.

Barefoot walks.

Cycling around the island on bikes personalised with our initials (a detail we absolutely loved!!).

Time spent between pool, beach, and simply… doing nothing.

Luxury here isn’t about activity.
It’s about space and time.

A BIRTHDAY I’LL NEVER FORGET

DOLPHIN CRUISE

Our arrival day was my birthday and the team surprised me in the sweetest way.

For my birthday, they organised a private dolphin watching cruise, just the crew and the two of us, heading out into the open ocean as the light slowly softened.

And then… magic happened.

We saw sooo many dolphins.
Not just one or two… dozens.

They swam alongside the boat, jumping, racing through the water, moving so gracefully it felt unreal.

At one point, they were dancing through the waves as if they were putting on a birthday show just for us.

I couldn’t stop smiling.
Not for a second.

It was one of those experiences you don’t plan, you don’t expect…
but you carry them with you forever.

WHAT THIS STAY MEANT TO US

This stay reminded us what we look for when we come to places like this.

Natural.
Remote.
Uncomplicated.

You’ll have wildlife swimming right past your villa, really beautiful sunsets, and this feeling that everything slows down just enough to feel good.

If you’re searching for a Maldives resort that feels truly location-exclusive, deeply connected to nature, and quietly confident in its elegance, COMO Maalifushi is a rare find.

Some islands keep you busy.
Others give something back.

This one did exactly that. 🌊🤍

Written by Fenja, a Switzerland-based luxury hotel and travel photographer featured by Michelin Guide, as well as Condé Nast, Falstaff, and Travel + Leisure.

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