NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi

Set against the turquoise of the Vaavu Atoll, the house reef runs close enough that several villas open straight onto it, snorkel gear included at no extra charge. The atoll is nicknamed the Wow Atoll locally, and the water here backs that up: reef fish, nurse sharks and rays are common sightings a few strokes from shore. The island is reached by a 75-minute speedboat transfer or a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé. Accommodation runs from one-bedroom beach and sunset beach villas to duplex overwater villas with a private plunge pool, up to the two-bedroom Grand Atlantis and Grand Solana villas, each with pool and jacuzzi. Dark wood and indoor-outdoor showers run through the interiors. It is a private island, guests and staff only. Three restaurants cover Japanese, Mediterranean, Maldivian, Italian and open-flame grilling, including a chargrill room built out over the water. Thāri Spa sits at the island's quiet centre, staffed by Balinese therapists, and a kids' club runs near the beach for family stays. Diving is a particular draw: the Fotteyo Kandu and Golden Wall dive sites lie within the atoll, alongside the Keyodhoo wreck, and PADI courses cover beginners through refreshers. Sunrise and sunset yoga sessions run on the beach. It is a compact stay, but a well-supplied one.