The Maldives, with its turquoise waters and Instagram-worthy appeal fueled by celebrities, has been on the bucket list of many travellers. Last December, my husband, Yash, and I visited the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for our second anniversary. Having previously visited places like the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, Nusa Penida in Bali, and Havelock in the Andamans, I wondered how much bluer the waters could get - but the Maldives truly surpassed them all.
Like many opposites attract stories, Yash, a PADI-certified diver, married me – a non-swimmer who's not fond of getting in the water. While he plunged into the ocean to swim with reef sharks and stingrays, I revelled in over-the-water experiences.
We stayed at Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa in a stunning sunset overwater villa. Each morning, we were woken by the sunlight hitting the ocean, pulling us out of bed at 6 AM. While Yash geared up for his dive trip, I relaxed in the above-the-ocean-hammock on our villa's deck, spotting marine life. Afterwards, I enjoyed some breakfast by the beach, followed by uninterrupted reading time on a sunbed with the calming sound of the sea.
In the afternoons, after Yash returned from his dives, we'd unwind at the resort's beachside restaurant, enjoying a leisurely lunch along with some cocktails, with the refreshing sea breeze rejuvenating us. While we mostly relied on the on-demand buggy to get around the resort, one afternoon, we decided to polish our cycling skills. The resort's flat, bicycle-friendly roads meandered through a grove of palm trees, shielding us from the intense Maldivian sun.
On another slow afternoon, we made our way to the Explore Spa by Le Meridien for a blissful 90-minute couple's Balinese massage. The experience began with a turmeric and coconut milk shot, followed by a serene view of the coral reef below our massage beds, where we watched fish glide gracefully while our backs were tenderly kneaded. The experience culminated in the tranquil post-massage relaxation room, offering sweeping ocean views along with a cup of peppermint tea.
Maldivian sunsets were undoubtedly the most magical part of my day. You'd often find me lounging in the bathtub within our glass-walled bathroom, soaking in the sunset views, or participating in a sunset yoga class on the beach — to savour the ocean vistas until the last traces of daylight faded. Our most unforgettable sunset, however, occurred on a cruise to witness spinner dolphins. We were fortunate to see entire pods frolicking around our boat, performing incredible flips — all set against the backdrop of the sun sinking into the Indian Ocean.
Towards the end of our trip, I chose to embrace some water activities while staying within my comfort zone as a non-swimmer. I took to a glass-bottom canoe to explore the vibrant marine life closer to the surface. It was my first time navigating the canoe solo, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I also joined Yash for a thrilling jet ski ride, racing across the waves to explore the sandbanks nearby. We capped off the adventure with a fun tubing session, twirling around the sea as a jet ski pulled us along.
On our last day in this coral paradise, having warmed to the ocean, I turned to Yash and said, "Can we go snorkelling? I'll practice the breathing technique, but promise not to let go of my hand when my feet can't touch the ground." Yash, pleasantly surprised, admired my willingness to face my fear.
I strapped on my life jacket, adjusted my snorkel gear, took a deep breath, and descended the ladder of our villa. With a reassuring thumbs-up, Yash led me into the Indian Ocean, the life jacket keeping me afloat. Once the initial wave of panic passed, I began to flap my fins. Submerging my face, a sense of calm washed over me as I effortlessly breathed, watching striped fish swim through the corals, encountering a turtle, and yes, even finding Nemo!
While swimming may not yet be on my horizon, the next time I find myself on a tropical island, I'll certainly embrace snorkelling— even if it is assisted. I refuse to let any limitations prevent me from discovering the breathtaking beauty that lies beneath the ocean's surface.
Filled with pride for having conquered, if only partially, my fear of the deep ocean, I reclined on my sunbed on our final night in the Maldives, gazing at the star-spangled sky. A shooting star flashed by, and I silently wished for a return to this paradise.
