Manafaru Beach, Maldives
Think Maldives, think total tropical beach paradise. This is the clichéd simple life we all dream of – brilliant blue skies, soft white sand and warm lagoons to laze in.
Even with our extensive (more like obsessive) beach hopping, we still can’t deny the feeling we get when landing on main island, Male’, and being whisked away, via private seaplane, to this sandy speck, barely rising above the immense Indian Ocean.
Not many places do horizontal holidaying quite like Manafaru; with only one resort on the island it’s laid-back luxe at its best. Some sun-seekers may make the effort to plunge into still waters and take a paddle around their stilted, over-the-water bungalows. Others may even take a stroll along the super soft sands which frame the island. But, really, don’t feel obliged.
There is one thing worth breaking a sweat for: the Maldivian underwater world. Diving around these ancient atolls is seriously psychedelic, with colourful corals and stunning caves and overhangs. For a different view of paradise, see it all while staying a few nights on a live-aboard boat.
Manafaru, we salute you.
WHEN: all year. Surf season is Mar – Oct but skies can be cloudy and humidity higher.
WHAT TO PACK FOR OUR BEACH OF THE WEEK:
For this ultra super luxurious stretch of sand, Lanvin’s leopard print swimsuit was made to be strutted in and a guilty pleasure bit of chick lit never hurt anyone…
the bag: Anya Hindmarch’s Raffia Straw Shoulder Bag
the swimwear: Lanvin’s One Shoulder Leopard Print Swimsuit
the playlist:
Moby’s When it’s cold I’d like to die
Local Natives ft. Aristotle’s Eyes Wide (Fool’s Gold Remix)
Clare Maguire’s Ain’t Nobody
Bon Iver’s Flume
Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game
the products: Creme de la Mere’s SPF 30 Protecting Fluid, £52 and Shu Uemura’s Precise Volume Mascara, £20
the read: Imogen Edwards-Jones’ Beach Babylon
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