These are the top wellness retreats in the Maldives

A peppering of over 1000 idyllic islands out in the Indian Ocean, this is the stuff of tropical dreams. We’ve uncovered the top wellness retreats in the Maldives for your paradise getaway.

And wellbeing sure does come easy in paradise: one dip in the crystal clear waters and you’ll feel you’ve found the elixir of life; one afternoon in the sunshine and the pressures of the world melt away. With “wellness” in the air, the Maldives should be on your radar for a relaxing retreat and here’s why – it’s not all about couple’s massages and sunset spa sessions, trust us!

Looking for a divine spa experience? Amilla Fushi will get you 12 metres closer to heaven. Wellness heaven that is, with their Tree Houses dedicated to pampering up in the palm-tops. These one and two bedroom private spa ‘nests’ sit high above the sands and feature their own dedicated treatment suites and infinity pools for you to bliss out with a view. Check in to personalised wellness paradise guided by Bodyism, where wellness rituals become a part of the everyday, while healthy treats promote detox deliciously. The journey begins with a personal consultation, and continues with daily treatments, movement sessions, massages and tonics, throughout your stay. As for feel-good food, you’ll be feasting from a specially designed Clean and Lean menu – no cheat days out here!

If diving isn’t your thing or your locks can’t take more than a day or two of salt abuse, don’t despair. You won’t have to miss a second of underwater action at Huvafen Fushi. Book into their underwater spa – the first and only of its kind in the world – and prepare to sink into deep blue relaxation. A fascinating kaleidoscope of clownfish, stingrays and anemones, this submerged world of luxurious serenity is quite the surreal experience.

It’s not often you associate wellness retreats with diva-ish fabulousness, but that might be about to change. The Cove Club at retro-chic resort, Finolhu – officially opened by Cara Delevingne and 150 of her pals in 2016 – has a new kind of wellness in mind. In a refreshing burst of Maldivian spa fun, treatment huts at this pastel-coloured beachfront paradise celebrate iconic divas from the 60s and 70s, piping anthems from the likes of Cher and Barbara Streisand. Check in for Global Wellness Day on 9th June for all the traditional pampering plus a celebratory Yoga Marathon. The five complimentary wellness-inspired classes range from HIIT in the beach gym to aerial yoga using soft silk hammocks suspended from the ceiling – namaste, baby!

A wellness retreat founded on 5,000 years of ancient Indian wisdom? Totally possible in the Maldives, all in the lap of oceanfront luxury. The ayurvedic physicians, yogis and therapists of the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru will bless your chakras, balance your vital energies, and put you on a transformational path to ultimate wellness with their 7-21 day Ayurvedic Immersions. Reserve a heavenly Beach Bungalow and enjoy a totally tailored retreat featuring yoga sessions, special cookery classes and herbal medicine workshops, and a taste of the Indian science of life.

For spiritual femmes, real wellness retreats are less about the massages and more about the mind. Head to Gili Lankanfushi in August or November to calm the pace and quieten the mind with the help of two visiting gurus. Meditation guide and inspirational speaker, Jody Shield, will be in house form 22-29 August, helping guests clear their emotional blockages and restore their energy. Later in the year, hypnotherapist and anxiety expert, Chloe Brotheridge, will be leading hypnotherapy workshops on the island from 10-17 November. When you’re not diving out in the Indian Ocean you’ll be diving deep into the soul.