White sands, clear waters with a dazzling turquoise hue, honeymoon-esque villas that look ever so inviting, all drenched in 32°C (89°F) sunshine... I could easily be describing any one of the 160+ resort islands in the Maldives. But what makes 5-star private island RAAYA By Atmosphere so special is its concept of merging lush nature and sleek design with the country’s trademark beaches – not to mention its unique harvest-to-plate initiative celebrating its discoverer, Seb.

Here, Acting Editor Lynne Maxwell reveals 10 reasons why a 'calmcation' to this heavenly atoll in the north of the Maldives will be one you’ll never forget…

As your 45-minute seaplane flight arrives at RAAYA By Atmosphere from capital Malé, resort staff give you the ultimate welcome; think boduberu drumming, singing and a garland made of palm leaves placed around your neck. Champagne in hand, you immediately feel like you belong, as you check into one of the 167 overwater, beach or family villas.

Each is meticulously designed to incorporate elements of the ocean, with open-air bathrooms, private sunken pools and hammocks. The RAAYA Plan includes all-inclusive food and drinks, snorkelling equipment, a daily-stocked mini bar, spa treatments and activities. Bicycles and buggies to get around the island are also available throughout your stay.

There are six dining outlets including a pool snack bar at RAAYA, so you’ll never go hungry. But it’s the quality and variation of cuisine that makes this atoll stand out: RAAYA Life offers buffets of Maldivian, European and Asian dishes, with desserts to die for, at breakfast, lunch and dinner, all against a backdrop of ocean views. 

A minimum four-night stay entitles guests to a meal at each of the three speciality restaurants: Ampers&nd, a super swanky sunset bar offering up Asian delights such as satay chicken and probably the best sushi you’ll ever eat (pictured); The Village, where risottos, pasta and gnocchi are paired with fine wines; and Middle Eastern MIZĀJ, where the gyros should be first on your order.

Whether you’re a fishing fan or not, this peaceful, relaxing trip is more about listening to the waves ripple and watching the sun go down than honing your line skills. Soft drinks and sandwiches are offered as you float around 30 minutes out to sea, away from the resort’s house reef. Hand-line fishing is a traditional Maldivian style, and if you’re lucky, a small fish or two might just bite.

It's a complimentary excursion with the RAAYA Plan.

You might not feel like setting an alarm on holiday, but I promise you it's worth it. Thirty minutes of sunrise yoga at 7.30am, either in front of the beach or at the yoga pavilion (pictured), will set you up for the day ahead. There’s no better place to stretch those limbs and get a head rush of the gentle kind with a qualified resort yoga teacher, who will cater to your needs and ability.

Afterwards, take advantage of a crowd-free early start and sit on the giant swing just in front of RAAYA Life restaurant – a perfect photo opportunity with the pristine ocean behind. Oh, and don’t forget to grab an iced coffee from RAAYA Life to cool down.

Imagine heading out on a boat, refreshed with ice-cold water whenever you want it, donning snorkel gear and slipping into the ocean ready to see an array of sealife. Sounds ideal doesn’t it? As part of the RAAYA Plan, you can loan snorkel equipment for the duration of your stay – and enjoy one guided snorkel excursion. Drift out beyond the house reef, around 1,150 feet (350m) from the beach, and your dedicated captain will seek out the best places to spot snapper, angel fish, unicorn fish, turtles, octopus, manta rays and reef sharks if you’re lucky. It’s suitable for first-timers and advanced snorkellers.

Other, non-motorised watersports are also at your mercy, with equipment available for hire at no cost. Some activities, such as clear kayaking, are chargeable. There are daily excursions specifically to see certain creatures, such as sharks and turtles, but these must be booked.

You’ll spot the traditional dhoni boats every time you cast your eyes to the ocean. Originally made from coconut wood, you can paint your own down in the Artist’s Zone. The craftsman at Timber Limber will build your dhoni, before you paint it at the nearby workshop. You’ll find it's therapeutic to sit and paint, out of the heat of the blistering sun, but don’t relax too much as your creativity will be put to the test that evening at the RAAYA Ritual.

On alternate evenings at 6.30pm, in the centre of the Village Square, you can race your dhoni in the pond around the little water mill to win a small prize. Don’t forget to pick it up, wherever it finishes, to take it home as a souvenir.

If you’ve never experienced sound healing before, you’ll be amazed at how relaxed you’ll feel during and after the process. It’s a simple yet hugely beneficial practice that can be traced back to ancient cultures as a therapeutic tool for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

You lie on your back in a circle, head pointing towards the middle, and let the teacher use sounds from different instruments such as gongs, bowls and tuning forks to guide you into a state of deep relaxation. All set in a serene patch of lush greenery, just off the Village Square, trust me when I say you will not want to get up afterwards.

No trip to an idyllic isle is complete without a luxury treatment. Located in lush surroundings, ELE|NA Spa, the brainchild of wellbeing expert Heidi Grimwood, is more than just a spa. It’s an award-winning wellness sanctuary that’s expanding into South Asia and the Middle East, while having its roots firmly placed in the Maldives.

One treatment is included in your RAAYA Plan. Choose from signature rituals, treatments and massages tailored to your personal needs. All oils and scrubs used are harvested from natural island ingredients, leaving you so relaxed you won’t want to leave.

What makes RAAYA By Atmosphere such a unique island is its backstory. On arrival, every guest is given a hardback book called Seb’s Journal. It tells the story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist, who found paradise on RAAYA back in 1954. The charming, illustrated book chronicles his fascinating life, while also giving guests (young and old) the chance to follow in his footsteps.

There’s a treasure map, paper for texture rubbings, instructions for dhoni making, scenes to colour, puzzles and more. Don’t forget to embrace your inner Seb and find the reconstructed shipwreck (pictured), just in front of the beach villas.

Now you know all about Seb, you’re cordially invited to his organic farm for some fine dining. A chargeable activity, but nevertheless one not to miss, you'll get to pick your own ingredients earlier in the day, ready for the chefs to transform them into a gourmet meal. There are 30 different varieties of fruit and veg, and you can wander peacefully from vine to vine breathing in the incredible fragrances as you go.

The harvest-to-plate dinners are served in the centre of the farm, on a beautifully presented table surrounded by twinkling fairy lights. Each of the four courses is paired with a fine wine. Think homegrown beet tossed with fresh herbs, walnuts and feta; farmhouse soup; reef fish cooked in bamboo with baby bok choy, garlic fried rice and chilli tomato salsa; and a delicious coconut mousse with passion fruit and white chocolate crémeux.

There are direct flights from London Heathrow to Velana International Airport in Malé with Virgin Atlantic. From Malé, you can take a 45-minute seaplane to RAAYA By Atmosphere with Manta Air, which is complimentary as part of the RAAYA Plan.

Lynne Maxwell visited in March 2025, as a guest of RAAYA By Atmosphere.