The Maldives is much more than a paradise above water—beneath the ocean lies an extraordinary world teeming with life. Nestled in Baa Atoll’s protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, barefoot luxury resort Milaidhoo is right at the heart of one of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems.
Just off the small island’s shore, where 50 private and luxuriously appointed villas lie between swaying palms, is a world-class house reef, a gateway to the kaleidoscopic underwater wild. Each encounter reveals a tapestry of vibrant coral gardens, fish weaving between them, flashing neon blues and electric yellows. Resident sea turtles, sharks and spotted rays often make an appearance. At night, the reef comes to life with magical bioluminescent displays, a surreal vision of glowing coral and dancing plankton under the moonlit water.
The dive team and resident marine biologist at Ocean Stories, Milaidhoo’s 5-star PADI and aquatic centre, guide guests and craft meaningful experiences that go beyond snorkelling and diving. Passionate storytellers, they spread their love for the ocean.
Surrounding dive sites offer endless treasures to explore for first-time divers and professionals alike, from secret hideaways to famous channel dives and the Milaidhoo Caves. A stunning setting, the caves are an adventure for the more experienced, with countless swim-throughs and caverns offering sights of wonderous, rare marine life unlike anywhere else in the world.
Just moments away from Milaidhoo, the magical Hanifaru Bay offers one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Between May and November each year, hundreds of Manta Rays gather in a feeding frenzy, sweeping through the bay’s plankton-rich waters. Huge Whale Sharks can also be seen. Guests can swim with these graceful giants, invited into their world in what is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A 40-minute boat ride away, in neighbouring Lhaviyani Atoll, an area also renowned for its abundant marine life, guests can also encounter Nurse Sharks. As part of the newly introduced ‘Hidden Gem’ experience, they have the opportunity to snorkel with these calm creatures, floating in the turquoise waters as they move around you in the dozens, a truly exhilarating and humbling experience.
Fully committed to conserving the underwater world and its treasures, Milaidhoo and its Ocean Stories team support both local and international NGOs in their conservation efforts, monitoring turtle nesting, tracking manta sightings, fish counts and much more. Guests are welcomed to become as involved as they wish during their time on the island, through various conservation initiatives run by the Ocean Stories team.
At Milaidhoo, each underwater encounter brings not only a deeper appreciation of the ocean, but an invitation to join in protecting it for generations to come.
