MAKUNUDU ISLAND

With under 40 villas in total, the feel at Makunudu is very much one of a private island. The house reef is teeming with colourful fish, and divers can enjoy the resort's 5-star PADI dive centre and up to 25 nearby dive sites. Watersports come with a very reasonable charge and include snorkelling, kayaks, paddle boards and windsurfers. For those in search of relaxation, the Aavun Spa offers a range of treatments encompassing Maldivian, Eastern and European wellness traditions, including reflexology and Ayurvedic massage. Blissful Maldivian days draw to a close with sunset cocktails at the Sand Bar, where you can watch the stars emerge in the completely unpolluted night skies.

ACCOMMODATION

The resort’s 36 villas are designed in a traditional Maldivian style, which adds to the authentic and timeless feel that pervades Makunudu. Tall thatched roofs, cool whites and furnishings in local woods characterise the interiors, while outdoor garden showers invite a connection with the natural surroundings. All villas are set within tropical vegetation just steps from the white-sand beach.

FOR FAMILIES

There is no dedicated children’s programme on offer at the resort, though the range of water sports and dazzling house reef make Makunudu an option worth considering for those travelling with older children.

RESORT FACILITIES

• House reef
• PADI dive centre
• Watersports including water skiing, wind surfing, wake boarding and mono-skiing
• Canoeing, catamaran sailing and speed boat rental
• Spa
• Volleyball, badminton and table tennis

OUT & ABOUT

• Access to over 20 surrounding dive sites
• Private dining on a deserted sandbank
• Snorkelling boat trips to nearby islands
• Fishing trips including night fishing

WINE AND DINE

Aru Iru produces flavours that span the globe, with set menus or sumptuous buffets of meats, fish and fresh tropical produce. Weekly events include a sizzling barbecue on Tuesdays, and Maldivian themed dinner on Fridays. The island’s Sand Bar serves cocktails, beers, wines and spirits from morning to night, and private dining can be arranged almost anywhere on the island.