The Joys of Maldives - Southeast Asia

Underwater Wonderland

Truly sublime comes to mind when we think of the coral islands and creamy white sandbanks of the Maldives that cluster into atolls halfway between Indonesia and Africa in the Indian Ocean. The underwater life here is one of the most extraordinary in the world. Picasso triggerfish, powder blue surgeonfish, peacock damsels, spotted butterflyfish, parrotfish, yellow trumpetfish, unicornfish. Simply put, the array of color underneath the surface is dazzling.

If you want a remote island getaway, this would be it. No shoes. No news. No crowds. A perfect tropical paradise to completely retreat from the world, honeymoon, celebrate an anniversary, or have an intimate gathering. Though do not wait too long to get here. It is incrementally vanishing. The islands are only about two meters above sea level, making the Maldives the flattest and lowest elevation on earth.

We have curated two contrasting resort experiences and an underwater diving cruise across the Maldives as an elegant way to unwind, reconnect with nature, and remind yourself of the joys of living. As with all our sojourns, this experience can be tailored to your desires, add or subtract as you wish.

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa resort offers you a refined, sophisticated Maldives. The Four Seasons Explorer liveaboard dive boat takes you across crystal-clear waters to find hidden gems of the sea. Ultra-barefoot Six Senses Laamu resort shows off the essence of the Maldives in its dreamy stripped-back setting.

Your guided inner journey will be as lovingly planned as your outer one. This experience naturally sets you up to reflect on what is essential in life, refine your next steps, and renew your spirit to meet life’s challenges once you return. The price varies depending on the time of year, the number of guests, and special requests.

When to Visit

Jan

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THE SEA MEETS THE SKY

Arriving in the Maldives for the first time is an experience unto itself. The airport sits on its own island, and the runway stretches along the ocean. You will see the mesmerizing turquoise blue rings of the atolls as your flight comes onto land. Once your plane sets down, our team will be on hand to whisk you away by speedboat to the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa.

For the next four days, you can learn or refresh your scuba diving skills, look for spinner dolphins around the atoll, or take to the air in a privately chartered seaplane. If you are a photographer, you will love this vantage point.

Each cruise is purposefully fluid, ensuring the best of the Maldives at any given moment.

CRUISE + DIVE

A three-night northward cruise to Baa Atoll on board the Four Seasons Explorer. Depending on the waters and weather, you will cruise from Kuda Huraa to Landaa Giraavaru anchoring at dive sites such as the soft coral ceilings of Fares Caves, the stingray and nudibranch haven of Emboodhoo Cove, and the colorful canyons of Muthaafushi Thila. Each cruise is purposefully fluid, ensuring the best of the Maldives at any given moment. From chance, mid-ocean encounters with huge pods of pilot whales to castaway experiences on remote coral islands.

The abundance of fish and sea life is spectacular. You will see so many different and colorful species all in one spot. If you are fortunate, you may even spy some turtles or stingrays.

If you want, you can enjoy windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkeling, and fishing. Sit down with the onboard marine biologists to have a chat about fish and your underwater excursion. Visit some local islands and meet the people of the Maldives and learn about their culture.

Besides the stunning natural wonders of this experience, the other beauty about this cruise is you can dive as much as three times a day, or not at all.

BAREFOOT PARADISE

You will catch a seaplane transfer back to Male airport, where you will hop onto a wheeled-aircraft to go to Laamu Atoll. The lovely staff of Six Senses Laamu will greet you and take you away on a speedboat to the resort.

This is the only resort on the Laamu Atoll. Here is a combination of on-land and over-water villas constructed of sustainable materials and set around a palm-fringed paradise. The resort places great importance in maintaining the ecological balance by using environment-friendly building materials, not using plastics, and having a coral regeneration program. All this is done without compromising on luxury.

Unique experiences here can start by learning to cook some Maldivian cuisine. We suggest trying your hand at Mashuni, made with cold, flaky tuna mixed with some herbs, coconut, chili, and onions served with flatbread alongside a fish curry. This dish is a breakfast treat.

Being the only resort on the atoll, surfers have the break to themselves most of the time. It is the perfect place to learn how to surf. Or, take to the skies in a private charter to get a picture-perfect view.

From the resort, you can see the impressive white spray of its most famous break in the atoll - Yin Yang - which breaks on the outer reef of the local island Hithadhoo.

MANTA TRUST CONSERVATION

This Sojourn's Gift Offering

While on the Laamu Atoll, visit the Maldivian Manta Ray Project, which was founded on understanding more about the life-cycle, population dynamics, and habitat usage of the Maldivian manta population. The project works with the government, tour operators, tourists, and local communities to create greater awareness and protection for these graceful rays and their habitats. Marine Biologists from the Trust would love to share what they have learned about these majestic underwater creatures.

Leave better connected to the
ocean and yourself

Kind Words from Guests

DEEPER CONNECTIONS - EXQUISITE EXPERIENCES

The most memorable trip of our lives

Thank you so much for helping us to design and execute one of the most memorable trips of our lives. You took amazing care of all our travel details, so much so that it felt so smooth and easy, even though we were in a foreign country. Yet the most special part was that you not only designed a trip for us, you designed an incredible experience. Feeling blessed to have you on our trip.

Gerardo V Manufacture Owner

Last a Lifetime

Priceless memories that will last a lifetime.

Jeanine H Guest

Literally spectacular!

My trip was so well-orchestrated! Each detail was spot on perfect! I can’t thank Maria Baltazzi enough for making this experience so magical! Her choices of locations, accommodations, meals, tour guides, and on and on was literally spectacular! I can’t wait for the next adventure!

Gary G Former BP Operations Engineer

New Life

This journey marks the beginning of my new life.

John K Entertainment Industry Professional

Happy to recommend a trip

What a fabulous trip we had with Maria! Every last small detail was executed perfectly. We wanted for nothing! Accommodations were splendid and the food!!! We ate so well, I thought I was going to have to start jogging to work off the pounds gained!! Our local guide was very knowledgeable but also charming and fun. I would be more than happy to recommend a trip to anyone I know. Thank you — Thank you!!

Helen G Former radio talkshow host

Extremely Blessed

I feel extremely blessed to be a part of the journey with this beautiful group of people!

Carmen K Guest

Always In Our Hearts

We feel so blessed that our journey was shared with Maria. We couldn’t have asked for a better journey…This trip was incredible and will always be in our hearts.

Ted V Chemical Engineer

Faith and Beliefs Magnified

Truly a trip of a lifetime. It’s difficult for me to express my thoughts and the raw emotions that I experienced in the last ten days; as my faith and beliefs have been magnified like I have never imagined. Thank you for making my spiritual journey such an incredible experience.

Steve H Development Contractor

Many Memories

The trip was fantastic. I made so many memories and found myself, along with a second family.

Katerina B Student

Pilgrimage to Savor

This trip has been one I’ve taken as a pilgrim to savor the beautiful and historic landscape that so influenced the thoughts of the world. I am truly blessed.

Jayne P Guest

More Than We Could Have Dreamt

This trip was something that we wanted to do for so long. It was so much more than we could have dreamt of. We are blessed and grateful for all that we have seen and experienced together.

Tony K Guest

We All Take Away What Was Special

Whatever our stories or reasons for ending up together was meant to be and we all take away what was special to us, understand our faith better, and now have bonds we will carry forward.

Jodi L Airline Professional

An unforgettable experience

Truly an unforgettable experience! You have done an amazing job. We appreciate you putting this wonderful trip together in such a thoughtful way! Thank you for all the things you have cared for and all the detailed information you send in every email! Loved your packing list by the way! I was really doubtful about packing. Big family hug!

Monica H Chemical Engineer

I feel blessed to have experienced my journey

Maria lets your journey be whatever you want it to be, whether that be based on the walking, the history, spirituality, photography, sightseeing. Personally, it was about all of the above for me. Maria is also a qualified [mindfulness movement] teacher and offered stretching if and when we wanted/needed it. It really tops off a day of walking! I feel blessed to have experienced my journey the way I did, fun and serenity rolled into one.

Valli K Guest

Exceeded all of my expectations

Our trip exceeded all of my expectations from beginning to end. It was truly the best family trip we’ve ever had. Thanks again and best for you and Sojourn Explorers.

Andres V Climbing Guide

Dive into a Dreamy Dream