The Maldives’ marine life is truly unbeatable, and the St. Regis, along with the locals, are dedicated to keeping it that way, equally committed to doing the utmost to keep the underwater life sacred and safe. They offer a unique “coral adoption” program, where guests can participate in the restoration of coral reefs. Trained divers collect broken coral pieces from the ocean floor and attach them to steel frames, giving them a fresh start to grow and flourish. Experiencing this firsthand was unforgettable—a heartfelt effort to safeguard this breathtaking gem in the Indian Ocean.
Their incredible coral reefs rank seventh largest in the world, home to over 250 coral types and over a thousand species of fish. Snorkelling alongside one of the three resident turtles in these stunning turquoise waters felt like a true bucket-list moment. I had so many magical firsts in the Maldives, and this was one of the best.
Here, nature is thriving, and you are immersed in it. Flying Foxes glide over the pools during the day, and Nocturnal Fruit Bats flutter at night, pollinating as they hop from island to island. Rare Asian Koel birds sing in the mornings, and the adorable Macana, the Maldives’ national bird, roams alongside you as you stroll around the resort – a charming contrast to London’s tube mice and scruffy pigeons.
Speaking of bats, I decided to imitate them and hang them upside down with a fun anti-gravity yoga class. Outside on the decking, our instructor greets us, standing between a curtain of orange hammocks. My first thought was “I’ve seen this before and I’m not sure how I feel about it” and secondly how glad I was that I hadn’t yet had my breakfast Dosa.
An hour later and after and hanging upside down in positions I’d never thought I’d see myself in, lots of belly laughs and the feeling that I’d had a good stretch, we were done and it was time to dive into the aquamarine water for a spot of paddle boarding, and kayaking. These are just a couple of the many activities St. Regis offer alongside; scuba diving, whale shark and dolphin exploration, parasailing, jet ski adventures, the seabob (if you haven’t tried this, you must), flyboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kite surfing – pretty much anything goes. You name it…
