Eight years ago, my wife, Jagrata, our son, Judhajit, and I set out on a trip that would forever change the way we see the world. The Maldives, a scattering of coral islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean, was our destination—a place I’d only dreamed of through glossy travel magazines and fleeting social media posts.

As I recently flipped through old photos, the memories of that journey came flooding back: the turquoise waters, the powdery sands, the feeling of being utterly enveloped by nature’s embrace. Let me take you along on this personal adventure, a story of travel, discovery, and the magic of a place that feels like paradise incarnate.

The Maldives: A Garland of Islands

The Maldives, a South Asian island nation southwest of Sri Lanka and India, is a constellation of 1,200 coral islands strung across the Indian Ocean like a garland of pearls. Its name, rooted in the Tamil words malai (garland) and diva (island), perfectly captures its delicate beauty. Spanning 26 atolls, with about 200 inhabited islands and 100 transformed into luxurious resorts, the Maldives is a marvel of geography and nature. Straddling the equator, it’s cradled by the Arabian and Laccadive Seas, its ecosystems ranging from vibrant coral reefs to fringing mangroves and deep-sea wonders.

What drew us to the Maldives wasn’t just its postcard-perfect allure, though the promise of white-sand beaches and crystal waters was hard to resist. It was the realisation that this low-lying nation, with an average elevation of just four feet and a highest point barely reaching eight, is one of the most vulnerable places on Earth to climate change. The thought that this paradise might one day slip beneath the waves gave our trip a sense of urgency—a chance to experience its magic while it still sparkles.

Arriving in Paradise

Our adventure kicked off the moment we landed at Malé International Airport. The air was warm, laced with the salty tang of the ocean, and the energy of the place felt alive with possibility. Unlike most travel destinations where you’re shuttled from airport to hotel in a stuffy van or taxi, the Maldives offers something far more exhilarating.

A short walk from the terminal led us to a jetty where a sleek speedboat waited to carry us to our resort. As we boarded, the boat’s engine hummed to life, and we glided across waters so clear they seemed to mirror the sky.

The 20-minute ride to Furanafushi Island, home to the Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, was a journey in itself, with the horizon stretching endlessly and the ocean shimmering like a sea of jewels.

As we sped toward Furanafushi Island, home to the Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, I felt a childlike anticipation bubbling within me.

The speedboat transfer was a highlight, a far cry from the usual post-flight slog. The crew handed out chilled towels and bottles of water, small gestures that made us feel instantly cared for. As we approached the resort, the sight of the island—a lush, green speck fringed by a turquoise lagoon—filled me with anticipation. This was it: the start of our escape to paradise.

As we docked at the resort’s private jetty, staff greeted us with warm smiles and refreshing drinks, seamlessly handling our check-in while we sipped and soaked in the view. The island, a speck in the vast ocean, was a world unto itself—lush, serene, and surrounded by a lagoon so vibrant it seemed to glow.

A Haven of Luxury and Nature

The Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa was everything we’d hoped for and more. Perched on its own private island, it felt like a world apart, a sanctuary of luxury and tranquillity. The staff greeted us at the jetty with warm smiles and refreshing drinks, whisking away our luggage as we sipped and marvelled at the view.

Check-in was seamless, leaving us free to soak in the moment. The resort occupies the entire island, meaning there’s nothing to distract from the natural beauty—no crowded streets, no noise, just the gentle rhythm of waves and the rustle of palm trees.

We’d booked a water bungalow, and stepping into it was like entering a dream. Built on stilts over the lagoon, the bungalow was connected to the island by a wooden walkway that felt like a bridge to another world. Inside, the room seemed to float on the ocean, with a glass panel in the floor revealing fish and coral below.

Our private deck had stairs leading straight into the lagoon, inviting us to dive in at any moment. Lying in bed, we could see the endless blue of the sea, hear the waves lapping against the stilts, and feel the gentle sway of the tide. It was as if we were living on a ship, cradled by the ocean itself.

Mornings began with a dip in the warm, crystal-clear waters, where the sand on the seafloor was visible, and colourful fish swam alongside us. From our bed, we could gaze out at the endless blue, lulled by the rhythmic splash of waves against the bungalow’s stilts. It was as if the ocean itself was our host, inviting us to surrender to its embrace.

The Maldives’ Natural Wonders

The Maldives is a place where nature takes centre stage, and every day brings new moments of awe. The beaches were a vision of perfection—soft, white sand that felt like silk underfoot, bordered by waters that shifted from pale turquoise to deep sapphire.

Judhajit spent hours building sandcastles and splashing in the shallows, while Jagrata and I lounged under the sun, the warmth sinking into our bones. The water was so inviting, its temperature just right, that swimming felt effortless, like becoming part of the ocean.

But the real magic lay beneath the surface. The Maldives is renowned for its coral reefs, some of the most vibrant in the world. Snorkelling just steps from our bungalow, we were plunged into an underwater wonderland. Schools of tropical fish—brilliant parrotfish, delicate angelfish, and cheeky clownfish—wove through corals in every shade of the rainbow.

It was like swimming through a living painting, each moment a reminder of the ocean’s boundless beauty.

Moments of Serenity and Wonder

Our days in the Maldives were a blend of adventure and serenity. Mornings began with a sunrise that set the sky ablaze in pinks and golds, the light dancing across the lagoon. Each morning, we awoke to a sunrise that painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, the light reflecting off the lagoon like a mirror.

We’d swim in the ocean before breakfast, the water cool and refreshing, while dark clouds occasionally gathered on the horizon, promising brief, warm showers that added to the island’s mystique.

Evenings were equally enchanting. As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the palm-fringed islets, the sky transformed into a canvas of stars. Lying on our deck, we’d listen to the waves’ gentle lullaby, the sound weaving itself into our dreams. Nights were a symphony of stars, with the gentle lull of the waves serving as a soothing backdrop to my dreams. I stayed in a water bungalow, where I could hear the rhythmic melody of the ocean as I drifted off to sleep, lulled by its gentle embrace.

The Sheraton’s dining scene was a delight, with restaurants offering everything from fresh-caught seafood to tropical cocktails that tasted like the island itself. We savoured meals with views of the lagoon, each bite enhanced by the setting. Though we stayed nearly a week, we couldn’t try every restaurant, but each one we visited left an impression, from the flavours to the warm hospitality that made us feel like honoured guests.

The Sheraton’s dining options were a delight, offering a variety of restaurants that showcased both local and international flavours. From fresh seafood caught that day to tropical cocktails sipped at sunset, every meal was a celebration of the island’s bounty.

Though we stayed nearly a week, we couldn’t try every restaurant, but each dining experience was memorable, enhanced by the stunning views and warm hospitality.

Boat Trip to Date Dolphins

One afternoon, we joined a boat excursion to see dolphins in their natural habitat. As a pod leapt and twirled alongside our boat, their grace and playfulness left us speechless. Watching them glide through the waves, I felt a deep gratitude for the chance to witness such untamed joy. Their playful dance was a gift, a fleeting moment of communion with nature.

A Bittersweet Farewell

As our final day loomed, a bittersweet ache settled in my chest. The Maldives had given us so much—moments of laughter, peace, and wonder that felt like treasures we’d carry forever. On our last afternoon, we took a boat ride past a string of palm-fringed islets, their green crowns glowing in the golden light of the setting sun.

They seemed to float on the water, like flower baskets adrift in a dream. I thought of Thor Heyerdahl’s words in The Maldive Mystery, where he marvelled at the Maldives’ beauty, surpassing even the coral atolls of Polynesia. In that moment, I felt the same awe, the same sense that we were witnessing something extraordinary.

That afternoon we passed the most beautiful palm islands I have ever seen. With the sun low on our starboard side it threw a glowing sidelight on the tiny islets, which seemed to float by like flower baskets … Under the spell of this picture of an earthy paradise I made an entry in my notebook that the Maldives are even more beautiful than any of the coral atolls in Polynesia.

Thor Heyerdahl, The Maldive Mystery

Leaving was harder than I expected. As our speedboat carried us back to Malé, the islands faded into the distance, and I felt a tug at my heart. The Maldives is more than a destination; it’s a feeling, a place where time slows and the world feels whole. The sands, as white as the locals’ smiles, the fish dancing in the warm waters, the sun’s rays wrapping you in their warmth—it’s a paradise that lingers long after you’ve left.

A Promise to Return

Looking back on that trip, I’m filled with gratitude for the memories we made and the beauty we experienced. The Maldives taught me the power of travel to awaken the soul, to remind us of our place in the natural world. It’s a place where you can lose yourself in the rhythm of the waves and find yourself in the quiet of a starlit night. As we left, I made a silent promise to return one day, to walk those beaches again, to dive into those waters, to feel the Maldives’ magic once more.

Until then, the Maldives remains a beacon of hope and beauty in my memories—a dream come true, a place where nature reigns supreme, and paradise is not just a word, but a living, breathing reality.