Your jaw will drop while peering down on a luminescent patchwork of blues during a 55-minute cruise in the sky to reach Sirru Fen Fushi; that’s only outdone by the palpitations of excitement when you actually put your feet in the warm golden sand of what is known as the ‘Secret Water Island.’
Staying here is the stuff that dreams are made of, what escapism is all about, and where decadence and self-indulgence are not to be denied. You will have the ultimate bragging rights as Sirru Fen Fushi is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a much-lauded and awarded resort nestled into a private and pristine aquamarine lagoon in the Shaviyani Atoll of the Northern Maldives. Here is where you leave reality behind.
Surrounded by the coral gardens of the salty sea, alluring sun decks with private swimming pools adorn sun-baked villa decks. Set apart from each neighboring villa for maximum seclusion in your own bare-foot haven, the villas' long stilts disappear into liquid shimmering blue, leaving a minimal footprint on the Indian Ocean's floor. Wake to gentle sunlight, maybe the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee, before rolling out of bed and stepping down into a magical aquatic world. Or, choose to stay in a secluded safari tent villa reminiscent of whimsical beachfront camping but a world away from simplicity in design and fittings, again with your own pool to dip into. So much more than glamping, the safari tents deliver stylish use of space, offering indoor and outdoor living snuggled into the lush rainforest where birdsong will greet you in the mornings. Another elegant beach-boho vibe can be found in the Sunrise Villas, which also have their own swimming pools, mere moments from soft, warm sand. You can sleep to the gentle sound of lapping water and rise in the mornings to watch the sun peeking over the horizon while taking those first magical sips of an espresso. No matter which accommodation tickles your fancy, each is designed to give you an intimate space to disconnect from the outside world, play in your own bubble, and watch the sky explode into a zillion stars at night.
Only 120 stunning villas grace this natural gem of an island, where you will find the longest infinity pool in the Maldives. The spa, Arufen, has 8 elegant treatment rooms, including an Ayurveda wellness suite and a massive jacuzzi to indulge your every whim for mind and body rejuvenation. Professional therapists provide sensual well-being while balancing ancient Asian practices with the latest technology to scrub, wrap, and polish your body to enhance your well-being. For those needing help with their social tennis game, running around the tennis court with your private coach directing your game is possible. If you can't go without a morning workout in the gym, there are indoor and outdoor spaces to sweat it out.
All-inclusive, Sirru Fin Fushi has an extensive list of mocktails, cocktails, wines, and bubbles to savor over a long lunch, sundowners with your feet in the sand, a romantic villa feast, or at dinner. Providing a culinary journey that won't be forgotten, you can even take a Maldivian cooking class if you are fond of creating in a kitchen. Take it one step further and fish for your dinner with the locals. Your taste buds will dance happily when presented with dishes beautifully presented by passionate chefs. Indulge at one of the two bars where mellow mood music croons while mixologists concoct your favorite beverage or newly acquired taste. Anything is possible to quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger on this island of plenty that only a select few get to experience—an indulgent breakfast sitting on the sand with your feet in the water, nibbles while stargazing, or maybe dreamy moments under the moon.
Sirru Fen Fushi is wrapped like a precious present in one of the best house reefs in the Maldives—it has its own resident marine biologists—there are nine kilometers of reef to explore, whether snorkeling or diving one of the 20 incomparable dive sites. It's an underwater dancing fantasia where the brilliant colors of the living coral reflect dappled sunlight, soft corals sway to the gentle tunes of the ocean's currents, and marine creatures cavort in this astonishing underwater world. Home to the world's first underwater museum created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, Sirru Fen Fushi is also where you will find the first ‘coralarium’ like no other in the Maldives that’s a coral regeneration project in art form. When the sun sinks into the ocean, the coralarium lights up like a beacon to attract more fish.
Sirru Fen Fushi is the ultimate island under the sun for escaping dreamers—with or without children as part of your luggage.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
