Our first glimpse of Fushifaru is from the sky. It’s a tiny speck in a turquoise world. We circle it in mere seconds, then swoop down, skimming across the water as our seaplane skids to a halt. What a way to arrive.
It’s the colours that hit you first. The blues of the ocean are blinding, and the water completely translucent, revealing coral and tropical fish in rainbow shades. A boardwalk leads to the island – a perfect curve of silky white sand, at the centre of which sits a clump of lush palm trees. Smiling staff donning bright Hawaiian shirts usher you in, then pass you freshly felled coconuts pierced with metal straws for sipping on their juices.
Award-winning Fushifaru is a small island (we swam the perimeter in 30 minutes), owned by a Maldivian, so everything feels personal and authentic. You’re assigned your own butler on arrival, restaurant staff know you by name, and the island never appears crowded – we often had the entire east beach to ourselves. Some villas face the sunrise, others the sunset, and the plushest ones are on stilts above the water. You might snorkel in the morning, pausing for a swing in the hammock strung up in the underwater playground, then go for a massage in the afternoon, before trotting barefoot to the pool bar for sundowners. And if you get bored (you won’t), the watersports centre offers everything from dolphin cruises to reef dives. The island feels luxe and exclusive yet laid-back too. And it works for couples and families alike. You’ll wish you were shipwrecked here forever – it’s another world.
Highs
- Rooms are very reasonable for a Maldivian resort of this calibre - make use of their excellent special offers and you'll get hugely reduced prices (far lower than those advertised)
- The journey alone is unforgettable: you arrive by seaplane and get amazing aerial views of the atolls and reef systems
- The resort is bijou and boutique, so it feels intimate and personal but not remotely stuffy – and kids are warmly welcomed
- All villas have outdoor or semi-open-air bathrooms which are completely private and feel very tropical
- The staff are exceptional – they get to know you by name and are fun and friendly
Lows
- There’s no house reef, so you’ll need to get a boat to neighbouring islands to go diving, but Fushifaru's large lagoon has some good snorkelling spots (we saw a ray) and underwater playgrounds
- As with all resorts in the Maldives, extras - activities, food and drink, seaplane transfers – can be pricey
- The beach villas' enclosed open-air bathrooms are warm - consider a water villa if you prefer an indoor bathroom (with A/C and the option to slide open the door to the ocean)
Best time to go
September to April is the best for sunshine, with February to April the hottest and driest months - though this also means more visitors and higher prices. June-October brings the monsoons, but it's still warm and you can often go weeks without a downpour. The best prices are from May onward; the highest prices are during the Christmas period.
Our top tips
Try to arrive in Male on a morning flight so that you have plenty of time to catch your seaplane transfer. They don't fly after sunset or in bad weather (which can be changeable in Male), and you definitely won't want to delay your arrival by a night!
- Beach Resort
- 63 villas
- 3 restaurants & 2 bars
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry Service
Rooms
There are 63 villas, which sounds like a lot but they’re evenly spread across the whole island so all feel private. If you choose a beach villa you’ll get your own patch of white sand to relax on; opt for a water villa and you can dive straight into the ocean from your terrace. Decor is a mix of modern and traditional Maldivian.
The Beach Villas are categorised into Sunrise and Sunset – no prizes for guessing why. Their layouts are identical but you pay less for those that get the sun in the morning. Each villa is triangular in shape, with a thatched roof, a large bedroom facing the sea, a private shaded terrace and a little garden, plus a couple of beach sunloungers beyond. Some villas have plunge pools too. But it’s the bathrooms that steal the show. Set in walled gardens at the back, they are open-air and pleasingly tropical. Each has two rain showers, so you can wash beneath swaying palm trees, plus a big bath at the centre, with little stepping stones connecting it all together.
If you’re splashing out on a Water Villa you’re in for pure luxury. These dreamy, stilted houses hover above the lagoon and have ladders leading from their wooden terraces down to the water. Some come with Jacuzzis, others with plunge pools, and all have bathrooms with glass sliding doors so you can bathe while watching the ocean. Bedrooms are spacious and decorated in calming colours. Premium Water Villas have the addition of four-poster beds.
Families or couples travelling together can book a Beach Duplex Villa, which have two bedrooms connected via a living room, plus a plunge pool out on the terrace. The Premium Beach Duplex Villa, which also has two bedrooms, comes with the luxurious additions of a wine cellar, a larger swimming pool, and a roomy terrace with a romantic swing seat.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- WiFi
Eating
There are three restaurants on the island. Korakali is the buffet – but don't be put off by this, the food is outstanding. If you’ve booked a meal plan, you'll dine here at no extra cost. Breakfast includes everything you could possibly think of, from delicious homemade bircher muesli with toppings of nuts, dried fruits and berry compotes, to continental cheeses, cold meats, pastries and crunchy baguettes. Go to the egg station for your freshly cooked omelette or doughy French toast, then grab something juicy and tropical from the fruit cart to slice on top.
Buffet dinners are themed by cuisine each evening, but there are always other options if you’re not keen. Our top tip is to head straight to the grill station, which is there every night. Here you can select any piece of meat or fish from the day’s catch, which is then expertly cooked to your taste. If it's on offer, try the rainbow fish, the juiciest fish I've ever tasted. We had it almost every night, and it melted in the mouth every time.
For a more intimate meal, you can eat at Raakani, an a la carte restaurant specialising in fresh fish, seafood platters and lobster nights. Dining takes place on the beach, beneath a thatched pavilion. Alternatively, Teppanyaki is Japanese-themed and offers set menus, with an open kitchen where meats are flame-grilled right in front of you. Depending on the meal plan you book, you may need to pay extra to dine at these restaurants.
Of course, there’s always the option of candlelit private dining on the beach – just ask your butler to arrange it for you.
Fanihandi is the island’s main bar, sited by the pool. There’s a vast selection of wines and cocktails, an a la carte menu of light lunches (try the wraps served in lunchboxes), and a schedule of live music and entertainment in the evenings. At happy hour, stroll down to Thundi bar on the south coast, where a converted campervan serves delicious cocktails and blasts out tropical house beats.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
Activities
- Grab a snorkel and fins from the dive centre (free of charge) and have a swim around the island. The rocks off the east coast are where most fish cluster, but we spotted a ray swimming right by the shore. You might find the underwater playground on your travels, too
- The dive and watersports centres offer a vast programme of activities as well as a daily schedule of boat trips and excursions. Go on a turtle quest or a catamaran snorkelling safari, try parasailing or big game fishing, or take a cultural tour of a neighbouring island to experience real Maldivian life (no tourist resorts here)
- With reefs this spectacular, you must try diving. There’s not much to see around Fushifaru, so a boat will whisk you off to nearby reefs. Try dives are on offer for those who don’t have diving certifications
- Located in tranquil gardens at the centre of the island, Heylhi Spa specialises in holistic therapies, with local coconut used in all treatments. Come for a massage, a facial or a yoga session
- Have a romantic, private dinner or a picnic lunch on the neighbouring sand bank, which is completely deserted, so you’ll get the whole little island to yourselves
- There are various activities you can do beneath the stars – a private dinner, a movie night, even karaoke!
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Dive centre
- Dolphin watching
- Fishing
- Jet skiing
- Parasailing
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- SUP
- Tennis
- Watersports
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Children are warmly welcomed at Fushifaru and will love the Robinson Crusoe vibe, especially the beach, the watersports and playground. The staff are delightful with kids. There are baby cots, extra beds and sofa beds in some of the villas - these are free of charge.
Do note that there isn't a Kids Club as such, but there are kid-friendly activities on offer, and that the mostly water-based activities cost extra.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Nearly all villas (excluding Pool Water Villa) can host a family of four, with the kids sleeping on day beds and extra beds. Larger families should opt for a Beach Duplex Villa, which combines a Beach Villa and a Pool Villa so can sleep up to 6 on sofa beds, or the Premium Duplex Villa which has a second twin bedroom as well as two sofa beds and a private pool.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Available by arrangement.
Children's meals:
The kids' menu has simple dishes such as burgers, penne pasta, chicken fingers, pizza, ice cream and fruit platters.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming
- Watersports
- Boat trips
- Playground
- Cooking classes
- Nature strolls around the island
- Tree planting
- Learning Maldivian writing in the sand
- Traditional Maldivian musical instruments
- Palm weaving and crafts
Families Should Know:
Keep an eye on small ones in the stilted Water Villas, as these are set over the lagoon, and those villas with private plunge pools.
Distances:
- Airport: 35 minutes (seaplane)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Fushifaru is set on a private island in the Lhaviyani Atoll, north of Male in the Maldives.
By Air:
All international flights land at Male’s Velana International Airport (145km). You'll then need to catch a seaplane to Fushifaru (35 minutes). A representative will meet you in Male and take you to the seaplane terminal for check-in, a 5-minute bus ride away. Note, seaplane transfers are possible only between sunrise and sunset for safety, so guests arriving at night into Malé must stay overnight and then transfer the next morning to Fushifaru. Please advise of Malé arrival/departure flight information at time of booking.
From the Airport:
In addition you can take a 15-minute speedboat from the domestic airport (Madivaru Airport). Again, please advise of your flight information to/from Madivaru.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Velana International Airport 145.0 km MLE
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
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