Kuramathi. Second island. A week in paradise had passed and we were still far from ready to leave the Conrad Hotel, but we were excited by the prospect of something new and different. And Kuramathi delivered just that…
Kuramathi is one of the largest of the Maldives islands in the North Atoll. It is a short hour’s boat ride from the capital Male and is famous for its beautiful coral reefs, making it ideal for diving, snorkeling and all the water sports the island has to offer.
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard this familiar phrase from at least one person before. “Oh, you will definitely get bored and restless in the Maldives if you stay for more than a week.” Or “Good for people who like to relax and sunbathe but don’t have much else to do.” … ..Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Kuramathi, an island that proves the exact opposite. With more than 360 beach and water villas, a fully equipped sports centre, a fully equipped diving school, an aquatic center offering a variety of water sports and excursions, 9 a la carte restaurants, 3 buffet restaurants and 7 bars (*breathe*), we guarantee that boredom will not be an option!
The island has five different types of accommodation, from deluxe water villas to beach villas. As a group of 5 we booked a two-story beach villa, which was a really great choice. We each have our own floor with a huge double bed and a huge en-suite bathroom, each leading to our own outdoor shower which really gives us the ‘wow’ factor!
Oh and best of all…it’s on the beach, as I said. So why not stand a few feet away from your bed and soak up the sun and sand? dreamy!
The Maldives also has a reputation as a perfect honeymoon destination. Don’t misunderstand. I still believe that Maldives is one of the best places to go. However, Kuramathi offers a perfect holiday for both family and friends. In fact, there are so many activities, restaurants and bars to choose from. We only had two days at the resort, so unfortunately we didn’t have time to do as much as we would have liked (we were secretly very busy trying to soak up the last rays of sunshine before heading back to London!), but we did go on a snorkeling trip on the second morning to discover the island’s abundant marine life. And my goodness, it was so rich! When we jumped in, the colors were breathtaking. The sea was home to turtles, reef sharks, octopuses, and many different colored fish just millimeters from reach. A must do if you visit the island!
Obviously we had to check out the spa… How can you be in such a relaxing place without wanting a massage? And it certainly did not disappoint. The common area, dotted with lounge beds overlooking the lush blue waters and fresh fruit water, provided the perfect place to relax for a few minutes while awaiting treatment. Jordan and I had a 60-minute full body massage in an air-conditioned room and it was great. It reset all our moods and sent me into a deep and peaceful sleep several times! The spa offers a variety of treatments, so if you’re looking to escape the midday heat or just want to unwind in the afternoon, head to the spa.
For me, one of the most beautiful and unique parts of the island was the private sand dunes at the tip of the island. It is quite stunning and proves to be one of the best places to watch the sunset. (Except for the island ‘Laguna Bar’ which has an infinity pool and delicious espresso martinis!) But this place is really picturesque and to me it seems separate from the other islands. One evening, we all decided to have a few drinks and sit among the sand dunes and watch the horizon turn a glowing pink. The light slowly filled the entire sky with a fiery orange color.
Food, food, food. For me, food has always been a very important part of the holidays. I wouldn’t say Jordan is a picky eater. In fact, if you put something on our plate, we would have eaten it all before we could blink. (Meat aside, thank you very much.) So Kuramathi was a dream for us in terms of the variety of food options. They boast all kinds of cuisine, from Indian to Mediterranean, Thai, barbecue and seafood. Most restaurants are buffet style, so you’re sure to find something you like. Our favorite was by far the signature seafood restaurant, Reef Restaurant. Located over a turquoise lagoon, you’ll have a very picturesque dining experience filled with fresh seafood prepared just the way you like it and delicious wines (*drool*).
To be honest, it’s a shame that our time on the island was so short because there were so many other things we wanted to do while there. Island hopping trips, wakeboarding and diving are just some of them, but this definitely gives us all more reasons to come back! Well, anyway, what I keep saying is…
This is a brief overview of our short 48 hours in Kuramathi. It’s an island well-made for anxious travelers and one that definitely breaks the stereotype that the Maldives can be boring!
