Live out your castaway dreams in style.
The caw of lonely island birds breaks the peaceful silence as gently lapping waves kiss sand-soaked toes. Finding yourself on a deserted island may be a worst nightmare for some—but it can be utter bliss for others. Giving new meaning to the idea of “getting away from it all,” a plethora of resorts in the Maldives will happily drop guests off on an uninhabited island to live out their castaway fantasies. As part of an array of excursion offerings, adventurous guests get a reprieve from endless doom-scrolling and off-hours work messages on a secluded private island all their own.
Soneva Secret
Soneva Secret opened this spring on one of just four islands in the remote western Makunudhoo Atoll, so touching down at this ultra-luxe new resort already feels far-flung. And as part of its laundry list of inspired experiences, guests can book a Castaway Picnic on the deserted island of Makunudhoo. With a wicker picnic basket, snorkel gear, sunbeds, and an umbrella in tow, you can bask in one of the country’s most secluded slices of sand, with nothing between you and Africa
Six Senses Kanuhura
This trio of lush green islands in the Lhaviyani Atoll is a posh playground for Six Senses Kanuhura, which opened last September. On its farthest island, Massleggihuraa, a speedboat drops guests off to roam alone, chilled coconut in hand. Your butler will deliver your snorkel gear, a standup paddle board, and supplies for a comfortable place to relax under the coconut trees. Guests choose between two varieties of picnic baskets with their preferred bites and a bottle of wine to enjoy in total solitude.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort
Located in the country’s far south, the Raffles Maldives thrives as a small and isolated escape. One of its best outings is a day trip to Minimanza Island. The team here will leave you with a cooler full of cold drinks, a picnic basket with sandwiches and fruit, some beach bean bags and an umbrella. Spend time snorkeling off the island’s edge or exploring the abandoned house that once belonged to the old island keeper. By the time they come to pick you up, you’ll be wishing you could spend the night.
Velaa Private Island
A five-minute speedboat ride from this ritzy resort lands you on deserted Orimasvaru Island. It’s arguably the biggest uninhabited island on this list—you could easily get lost roaming its wild 17 acres. Natural and lush, stranded guests can admire the indigenous birds nesting there and the large hermit crabs scuttling across the sand while they lunch. The resort staff here can arrange any activity you’d like, from motorized water toys to a luxurious sunbed set up on your secret stretch of island paradise.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
A tiny squiggle of white sand that shapeshifts with the ebbing tide makes for one majorly romantic escape. Also used by sister properties Hurawalhi and Kuredu, Kudadoo is the only place where a private excursion to Dream Island is included in your stay. Accompanied by a beach basket stuffed with your choice of foods, bubbles and anything else you need to sustain several hours on your own sandbank. There are no trees here, so don’t forget the sunscreen.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
A cloud-shaped drop in the Indian Ocean, the island of Labadhoo is a dreamy getaway just 10 minutes from the resort. It’s untouched and overgrown, and guests can circle the entire island via its silica sand. An afternoon picnic complete with snorkel gear and comfortable loungers help guests disconnect from civilization—and if the castaway island life really suits, you can arrange a survival experience led by a local wilderness guide to learn how to catch and cook your own fish and climb a coconut tree.
Robb Report by Katie Lockhart Sept. 13, 2024