Million Air Summer 2024

elite traveler SUMMER 2024 151

the island. Start your meal by climbing to the top of the lighthouse to marvel at the stunning 360° views across the water. We sat on the terrace overlooking the ocean — which, from 7pm onwards, had a cooling breeze and gave us front-row seats to the stunning Maldivian sunset. The Lighthouse hosts chef residences across the course of the year; during our stay it was home to Marianne Lumb of MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu TVfame. Lumb put on a sumptuous fi ve-course tasting menu full of fresh, light dishes that really showcased her passion for French fi ne dining, with in fl uences from the Asian locale. Start with tomato consommé and blue fi n tuna mille feuille before sampling wagyu tenderloin and a palate-cleansing watermelon dish, fi nishing with a cloudlike morsel of coconut sou ffl é. DAY6 While the little ones are busy at Planet Trekkers — look out for the timetable of activities such as coconut painting, bear building, magic shows and jewelry crafting — head out onto the water again to snorkel with the elusive manta rays. I say elusive, but we saw fourdi ff erent rays at four di ff erent dive sites during our two-hour trip — each time clambering back into the boat once they swam o ff . But the ease of our sightings really is unique to this part of the world: Manta rays are listed as vulnerable, and it’s a pretty special experience to see them at all. Maamunagau is home to juvenile manta breeding grounds and, each year in March, it hosts a Manta Retreat where guests can spend time with the in-house Manta Trust team and enjoy expert-led workshops and educational presentations, as well as guided snorkeling expeditions and scienti fi c research trips. After the exertion of snorkeling, visit the award winning AVI Spa. With six treatment huts overlooking the sea, you can’t help but relax when you’re in such a calm space; listening to the water lapping on the beach. AVI hosts a wide range of treatments geared towards modern-day ailments — there are treatments to help you detox, to sleep well, to boost your metabolism and to de-stress. The resort embodies quiet, comfortable luxury, and it’s not fussy or pretentious — which is perfect, because you’re not worrying about your kid dropping something or a tableful of noise over dinner. But at the same time, it’s thoughtful; the sta ff are exceptional, and it’s elevated enough that you don’t feel you’re compromising due to the fact you’re holidaying as a family. And one of the real focuses of Maamunagau is setting the scene for fi rst-time experiences for parents and children to share: the fi rst time your child goes snorkeling and sees a brightly colored parrot fi sh; the fi rst time your child sees dolphins, sharks and manta rays; the fi rst time your child is con fi dent enough to march into a kids club by themselves. Three-bedroom Royal Beachfront Residence from $9,100. Contact reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com, +960 658 0500, maldives.intercontinental.com

Swim with manta rays

Following a quick cocktail at the adjacent traditional dhoni -shaped cocktail bar, dine at The Fish Market. Select your fi sh from the lobster tank or fi shmarket and choose how it is prepared. Or, go à la carte and sample from an extensive menu of Maldivian delights including dumplings, tuna tartare, nasi goreng, pad thai and massaman curry. The head sommelier on the island, Dinesh Periyasamy, has crafted an extensive wine list packed with old favorites and some up-and coming delights that you may not have heard of. He’s also invested in some fantastic organic options if that fl oats your boat. DAY5 Continue the aquatic theme with a dolphin cruise. After 20 minutes of a refreshingly speedy trip, the expert crew positioned us in the midst of a spinner dolphin pod, which then followed us, porpoising alongside the boat. We also saw bottlenose dolphins and spent the next two hours surrounded by these enchantingly playful animals. Dine at The Lighthouse, the signature restaurant on

This image and below AVI Spa