Video LoadingVideo UnavailableClick to playTap to playThe video will auto-play soon8CancelPlay nowAfter spotting an eagle ray in the turquoise waters, having snorkelled directly from our ocean villa, we lay on our outdoor lounger in the early evening heat and thought, does life get better than this? That was all before sunrise yoga on the longest sandbank in the Maldives and a tennis lesson within a tropical setting. Let us introduce you to Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll, in our mind one of the best resorts in the Maldives. So much so, that Nicole Scherzinger, Cara Delevingne and Sam Faiers have all enjoyed a blissful stay on the paradise island. What is the accommodation like at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives? We arrived at Malé Airport and were greeted by one of the friendly Finolhu staff members – signifying our blissful getaway had begun. We were swiftly transported to the colourful and comfortable Finolhu airport lounge before our 40-minute seaplane journey. Taking in our first stunning view of Finolhu as we descended on to pristine waters, cheerfully waved in by the team, was a truly magnificent experience.
An Ocean Pool Villa at Finolhu
(Image: Finolhu)
We stayed in an Ocean Pool Villa, offering mesmerising views with direct access to the sea and a private freshwater pool, both with guaranteed privacy. The rooms are stylish and beautifully decorated, so much so that it was hard to leave our secluded pad, which was also the perfect spot to watch the sunset. For something truly spectacular, spend a romantic night sleeping under the stars in a beach bubble tent nestled on a secluded part of the island. You’ll wake as the sun rises over the ocean and can enjoy a soak in the outdoor bath before tucking into breakfast on the beach.
Spend a night under the stars in beach bubble tent
(Image: Finolhu)
What is dining options are there at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives? We were spoilt for choice over where to dine. Every restaurant on Finolhu combines a scenic setting with a mouth-watering menu. At Kanusan, a fine-dining restaurant on stilts with a menu of classical and modern Japanese cuisine, we sampled juicy scallops and tucked into Japanese-inspired tacos while sipping saké as we watched the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Kanusan restaurant
(Image: Finolhu)
The Crab Shack serves fresh seafood and cocktails. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely lunch and by night it becomes a hot spot for upbeat sounds, with a live DJ. We enjoyed the weekly white party – an evening of live entertainment – and full moon dinner, where we indulged in lobster and steak from the barbecue buffet. We enjoyed leisurely breakfasts in the Beach Kitchen, spotting dolphins and baby sharks in the shallows while we dined. The same venue serves local and international dishes for dinner, and every Thursday hosts a Maldivian night of dining beneath the stars. Delicious dishes, including a banana curry, are cooked by local chefs who join Finolhu for the special evening. The island also has an Arabian Grill, offering meze plates of fish, meat and vegetables.
Head to The Crab Shack for fresh seafood
(Image: Finolhu)
Milk LAB is described as a “healthy version of a coffee shop”. But when we popped in for a refreshing iced coffee, we couldn’t resist sampling the frozen custard – the flavour you never knew you needed until stepping foot on Finolhu. For special occasions, you can order a floating breakfast to your villa or book the extraordinary 5 ̊ North to dine privately in the middle of the ocean on a stilted platform. Proving that the Maldives isn’t only for couples, we had a girls’ private beach dinner with sushi and “surf and turf” straight off the barbecue. Another highlight came when we set our alarms for a sunrise breakfast on the sandbank. What is there to do at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives? As we settled into island life, we soon discovered that we could do as little or as much as we liked – from relaxing on the sprawling white sand beach to choosing from the five-star resort’s list of daily activities. Our flexibility was tested as we tried aerial yoga before speeding around on a jet ski, where we spotted turtles.
Try your hand at aerial yoga
(Image: Finolhu)
For the ultimate relaxation, we had an indulgent massage at Fehi Spa, where we chose our preferred oil for an almost-drifting-off-to- sleep experience. There was no rush to leave – we sat on a swing seat with a view of the sea and sipped ginger tea as we gently floated back down to earth. Families will love the Oceaneers’ Club. There’s a shallow pool, an arts and crafts area and fun activities for the kids from pancake making and snorkelling to treasure hunts. We went coral planting with the island’s resident marine biologist, who is dedicated to restoring the reef, and named our own coral tree in the underwater nursery. Sealife spotting was a daily highlight – guided snorkelling trips and diving packages offer the chance to explore the depths of the ocean or swim alongside manta rays. A sunset dolphin cruise is an experience not to be missed. We watched in awe as hundreds of dolphins swam in pods and playfully rode in our wake.
The sea life is a highlight in the Maldives
(Image: Finolhu)
Live entertainment is available at the trendy Beach Club, where you can take a barefoot spin on the dance floor or relax with a shisha on the upper deck. For a quieter evening, watch a movie under the stars or meditate on the beach during sunset. How to book Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives Visit Finolhu or booking sites such as Booking.com to book your island getaway. British Airways offers direct return flights from London Heathrow to Malé from £800pp.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnTravelNicole ScherzingerSam Faiers
