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Paradise Exists
By Lauren Glendenning
In May, that picture became a reality — and the lavish beauty I experienced while there trumped my wildest expectations.
My boyfriend, Ryan, and I booked flights to the Maldives, an Indian Ocean nation made up of 1,190 small coral islands, about 100 of which are resort islands.
When we arrived, we were stunned — not because it looks any different than it should or than we expected but because it’s so beautiful that we almost couldn’t believe it exists.
It’s surreal because it’s fabled and for good reason. This is a place where honeymooners go, where the rich and famous go on holiday, where couples fall in love with each other all over again.
The Maldives is made up of atolls, which are coral islands that encircle lagoons. The climate is warm, as the country is just north of the equator, and tropical. The hundreds of islands are no more than 6 feet above sea level, covering almost 56,000 square miles.
Traveling there from the United States isn’t easy — perhaps that’s why so many people looked at us puzzled when we told them we had just been there.
The Maldives? Where is that?
And the people who could likely point to it on a map would react in awe because we had gone there, as if Americans couldn’t ever possibly go to the Maldives and that our doing so had broken some unspoken law about where we’re allowed or expected to travel.
Flying from Denver to the Indian Ocean takes time, patience and maybe even a couple of sleeping aids (get a prescription from a travel doctor, or take advantage of free cocktails aboard international flights). It’s two hours to Los Angeles, where you can then board Emirates Airlines’ 16-hour nonstop to Dubai. After a layover in Dubai, which we chose to extend to four days (more on that experience in an upcoming article), then it’s just more than four hours to the Maldives capital of Male. All in all, that’s about 20 hours in the air, not including stops.
From there, depending on which island you’re heading to, you’ll need to board a seaplane and fly for anywhere from 10 minutes to more than an hour. To get to Kuramathi Island, where we stayed, the seaplane took just 15 minutes. From the seaplane, which is flown by barefoot pilots wearing shorts — an appropriate touch — you can see the beauty of the coral islands surrounded by turquoise waters so clear you can practically snorkel from the air.
The islands aren’t solely known for the beaches and water, though — there are also incredible lush landscapes, and this is especially true on Kuramathi Island.
When you arrive, the first thing you notice isn’t the pristine, white-sand beaches that are everywhere. It’s the tropical jungle that splatters an already gorgeous canvas with breathtaking trees, plants and flowers. You can get lost in this flourishing forest — the island feels like a botanical garden, one stocked with bats, hermit crabs, banyan trees and those over-water villas that I had been dreaming about for years.
Any American adventurous enough to take their beach vacation somewhere outside of our go-to destinations such as Mexico, Florida, Hawaii or Costa Rica can do it with just a little extra time and money. The reward is beyond worth it.
It’s hard to imagine staying in another type of room at Kuramathi, or any other Maldivian island, although beach and garden villas appeared lovely, as well.
I think it’s because we traveled all this way that we wanted to sleep on top of the ocean and enjoy every second of being there. At night, when the stars shine brighter than they do during the darkest nights in Vail, we could see the glimmer bounce off the sea and the sound of nothing more than a few small waves splashing beneath. There’s nothing like it.
You could sit out there for hours — and we did — listening to it. Just total peace, and if you’re lucky enough to catch it during or near a full moon, the light is just enough so that you can see where you are — in this picturesque paradise halfway around the world, where nothing, not even updating your Facebook status to brag to your friends about where you are, matters.
Kuramathi is an island with it all, too. Those looking for a pampered holiday can visit the spa — which sits on the beach so you can hear the sound of the ocean as you enjoy your spa treatments — or any one of the island’s restaurants (there are nine). You can relax on the beach while sipping on a cocktail from the resort’s extensive drink list, or you can choose ultimate privacy by sunbathing or snorkeling right at your villa.
Foodies will find this island more than adequate, too. Basic all-inclusive packages include three buffet meals per day, offering food that spans cuisine from Japan to Europe to Russia. The Sri Lankan and Maldivian food, however, was by far the most sensational.
For the more adventurous and active traveler, Kuramathi has a watersports shop where you can go windsurfing or stand-up paddleboarding. There are water kayaks available, too, and private fishing excursions.
Snorkeling trips, either with a group or private, offer trips out to nearby reefs — although the “house reef” surrounding the island is accessible by a short swim from the villas. It was the house reef where we saw some of the most colorful fish, as well as black tip reef sharks, sea turtles and stingrays.
The scuba experience is once in a lifetime, too. The Rasdhoo Atoll Divers, located on the island, offer everything from diving courses to certification to expert dives. They go out of their way to make you feel comfortable — Ryan’s first dive since getting certified at Beaver Divers was here, and the instructors were there for him every step of the way.
Regardless of what kind of traveler and vacationer you are, Kuramathi — and the Maldives in general — will blow your mind in terms of what’s possible in an island vacation.
Paradise has been found — it’s sitting right there in the Indian Ocean.
Editor’s Note: Lauren Glendenning is the Assistant Manager Editor of Vail Daily (Colorado, USA). This article was first published on Vail Daily and we thank Lauren for permission to republish.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has unveiled Kodhipparu Reef Connection, a new experience-led stay designed around one of the island’s greatest natural treasures–its award-winning house reef, recognised among the Top 10 House Reefs in the Maldives in the 2026 Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific.
Created around the resort’s Reef Pool Villas, the new experience moves beyond the traditional Maldives villa stay by connecting accommodation, marine discovery, wellbeing and dining through one continuous journey inspired by the reef.
Rather than treating snorkelling, yoga and dining as individual resort activities, Kodhipparu Reef Connection follows the natural rhythm of a day on the island. Positioned to face the sunrise, our Reef Pool Villas allow guests to watch the island awaken from their own private deck, with the house reef stretching out before them. Sunrise yoga turns this natural moment into the beginning of the day’s journey — a quiet connection with the ocean before discovering what lies beneath it.
The connection then moves beneath the surface. Through the Blue Mind reef experience, our Marine Biologist introduces guests to her work protecting Kodhipparu’s house reef, the marine life that calls it home, and how the reef changes throughout the day. Guests learn what to look for–and where and when they are most likely to find it–giving them the knowledge to explore the reef independently and see each snorkel through more informed eyes.
As daylight softens, the experience moves above the water with sunset cocktails and chef’s canapés, followed by a signature three-course dinner at FireDoor, Grand Park Kodhipparu’s overwater speciality restaurant.
A reserved glass-floor table provides the setting for the evening, with the resort’s Marine Biologist introducing guests to Life Beneath Your Table and the marine world visible below before dinner begins.
The experience reflects a wider philosophy at Grand Park Kodhipparu: that modern luxury hospitality should be about much more than the room itself.
Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, said: “A beautiful villa is important, but today it is only the beginning of what guests expect from a resort. What creates lasting memories is everything that happens around and beyond the room–the connection to nature, food, people and a genuine sense of place.”
“Our award-winning house reef is part of the identity of Kodhipparu, so with Reef Connection we wanted to bring it into the whole rhythm of the stay. Guests wake above it, swim through it, learn about it and, at FireDoor, dine above it. It is a perfect example of what I believe hospitality should be about: not simply selling a room, but creating a reason to stay.”
Located just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu offers guests unusually easy access to the underwater world of the Maldives while staying at a boutique luxury resort. Its house reef begins directly off the island, allowing guests to explore vibrant coral gardens and marine life without the need for a separate boat excursion.
Recognised among the Maldives’ leading house reefs by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, the reef is more than an amenity at Kodhipparu. It is part of the character of the island and increasingly central to the resort’s approach to experiences that connect guests more meaningfully with nature and the ocean.
Kodhipparu Reef Connection includes:
- 3-night stay in a Reef Pool Villa
- Complimentary Half Board upgrade
- Daily sunrise and sunset yoga
- Blue Mind reef discovery with a Marine Biologist, introducing the reef, its marine life and ongoing conservation work
- One signature three-course dinner for two at FireDoor
- Reserved glass-floor dining table
- Sunset cocktails and chef’s canapés for two
- Life Beneath Your Table introduction with the Marine Biologist
Guests booking directly also receive additional Park Rewards benefits and savings across selected dining, spa and watersports experiences, together with personalised service from a dedicated Lifestyle Host.
The launch forms part of Grand Park Kodhipparu’s evolving Connected Island Luxury philosophy, which sees luxury not simply through accommodation or traditional five-star conventions, but through meaningful connections to nature, wellbeing, people and place.
With Kodhipparu Reef Connection, that philosophy begins just beyond the villa deck at sunrise and continues through to sunset with the living reef beneath the resort’s signature restaurant.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has confirmed Brazilian freesurfer Victor Bernardo for the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, joining Mason Ho in a growing field of world-class athletes.
Returning to Sultans from September 4 to 11, 2026, the invitation-only contest brings six celebrated surfers to the North Malé Atoll to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. The format places adaptability, creativity and board knowledge at the centre of the competition, with an overall champion crowned after three distinct eras of surfboard design have been put to the test.
For guests staying at Kuda Huraa, the Trophy offers close access to the competition and the athletes taking part. Sultans is reached within minutes of the resort, while the week extends beyond the heats through post-surf conversations, sunset gatherings and opportunities to experience the wider surf culture of the island.
Bernardo joins the field as one of contemporary surfing’s most accomplished all-round stylists. Known for moving comfortably between alternative boards and high-performance equipment, the 28-year-old has built a global reputation for fluid surfing, technical range and an instinctive understanding of how different boards shape a wave.
Whether threading tubes on a quad, drawing extended lines on a twin fin or producing powerful turns on a modern thruster, Bernardo’s approach makes him particularly suited to the Champions Trophy format.
“I surf different boards every day, and to me it’s the most fun thing in surfing,” said Bernardo. “To be in an event like this has always been my dream. I’m very excited for it.”
Born in Guarujá on Brazil’s São Paulo coastline, Bernardo first paddled out at four years old alongside his family. He spent more than a decade progressing through the professional ranks, winning the Oakley Pro Junior and establishing himself as one of Brazil’s leading competitive prospects.
In recent years, he has become one of surfing’s most respected freesurfers, earning recognition for his style, versatility and willingness to explore a broad range of surfboard designs. That range has made him a natural addition to an event where competitors must continually adjust their technique, equipment and approach. “I love that it’s very selective, and it seems to be an incredible experience,” Bernardo added. “I am honoured and excited.”
His invitation also carries a personal significance beyond the competition. “What I’m most excited about is bringing my mum on her first international trip, enjoying our time together and having fun.”
Held at the world-renowned right-hand break of Sultans, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy combines elite competition with the freedom and experimentation of classic surfing. Its compact field, three-board format and island setting have helped distinguish it from conventional professional contests.
First staged in 2011, the Trophy has welcomed athletes including Mark Occhilupo, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Michel Bourez, Carissa Moore and Maya Gabeira. The 2025 edition saw Michel Bourez complete a comeback from injury to win the overall title, recording the event’s only perfect 10 along the way. With Bernardo now joining Mason Ho for 2026, the next edition is already taking shape as one of the most unpredictable in the event’s history.
Further competitors will be announced in the coming weeks, with updates shared through surfingchampionstrophy.com and the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa channels.
Where Champions Come to Surf
The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy brings six invited athletes to Sultans to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. Unlike a conventional surf contest, the format rewards the ability to interpret a wave through different boards, techniques and periods of surfing history.
The Garden-Island Base at Kuda Huraa
Located 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa provides direct access to the surf breaks of the North Malé Atoll, supported by more than two decades of collaboration with Tropicsurf. During the Trophy, guests can follow the competition at Sultans, meet leading figures from the surf world and combine event access with coaching, wellness and island experiences.
To reserve a stay during the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy or enquire about the Surf’s Up package, contact reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call +960 66 00 888.
Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.
The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.
Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.
The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.
The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.
Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.
Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.
The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.
Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.
Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.
The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.
Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.
With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.
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