By Danielle Ward, Marketing Manager | October 2025

After the vibrant sights and sounds of Sri Lanka, it was time to slow down and embrace the barefoot luxury of the Maldives on Makunudu Island. Not typically a family that ‘flies and flops’, we were curious to see how four nights of rest and reset on a tiny island would unfold…

We arrived in Malé mid-afternoon following a short 90-minute flight directly from Colombo. The Maldives is a paradise of over 1,000 islands, offering something for every traveller from untouched natural havens to more developed, modern retreats. Each resort has its own character, catering to different tastes and styles of travel, and at Albee’s Travel, we specialise in curating the perfect island experience, matching guests with the retreat that suits them best. Makunudu, one of 29 island resorts in the North Malé Atoll, opened in 1982, perfectly embodies this balance, combining respect for tradition with warm, personalised service. Many guests return year after year, welcomed by a long-standing team – one couple have been visiting annually for 27 years! Whether it’s the intimate island setting, authentic Maldivian experiences or the continuity of familiar faces, Makunudu offers a unique retreat where every visitor is welcomed as a friend.

Day 1: Arrival in Makunudu Island

Feeling all James Bond during our speedboat transfer to what felt like a secret hideaway, we arrived in Makunudu – more espadrilles-than-espionage though! Our beach bungalows, two of 36 on the teeny six-acre island, had direct access to the soft sands and the turquoise sea just beyond. Stepping inside, we found interiors that felt effortlessly in tune with the island: nature-inspired textures, rich wood furnishings, and soft, neutral, earthy tones that echoed the beach and sea just beyond our door. Straight away we started to unwind, probably helped along by the soothing sounds of the lapping waves, oh, and the all-inclusive cocktails! Just as we’d found our bearings, we headed to the Sunset Bar, sinking into beanbags perfectly positioned to watch the sun as it dipped below the horizon. We were practically horizontal by dinner time as we sat down and feasted on a delicious 4-course meal at the warmly lit Aru Iru restaurant, attentively looked after by our waiter Ismail, who quietly anticipated our preferences and became a constant throughout our stay.

Day 2: Underwater Exploration

After a very comfortable night’s sleep in the crisp bedding of the air-conditioned bungalow, we experienced our first-ever open-sided garden shower. Looking up through the trees to the bright blue sky was the perfect way to start the day. After a slow-paced buffet breakfast we joined an escorted snorkelling session to Turtle Reef, just five minutes by boat. Su and the watersports team guided us expertly, sensing our nerves and making us feel at ease. As we entered the water and put our heads under a turtle twirled beneath us; we were instantly hooked! Shoals and shoals of brightly-coloured and iridescent fish wove around us and the coral below. After about 20 minutes we were joined by a nurse shark; it was so graceful that we forgot to be terrified! Throughout the hour more turtles, sharks and fish curiously passed us by – utterly amazing! Back on land, the competition continued as we enjoyed a lively game of table tennis promising ourselves that in the afternoon, we’d just sit with our books until the Sunset Bar beckoned once again. After watching the hermit crabs scuttle around the beach we enjoyed succulent steaks and rich, indulgent brownies. Dinner times were a definite highlight!