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Seaside Finolhu’s coral reef, lagoon, overwater villas, main island, and sandbank.
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is one such island resort, and one that’s unique from the others. Here’s what to expect at this gorgeous resort, including what makes it a unicorn.
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives
This ultra-luxury resort with its chilled-out modern vibe is in the southern Baa Atoll, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Seaside Finolhu and its lagoon are encircled by a 1.5-mile coral reef with a wide variety of colorful fish (yes, including unicorn fish, and sometimes in the main pool, mermaids too … more on these later).
Seaside Finolhu has 91 overwater villas.
Design Hotel with Unique Offerings
Inside Seaside Finolhu’s ocean villa.
Seaside Finolhu was the first hotel in the Maldives to be included in Design Hotels’ portfolio, a curated collection of unique hotels driven not only by design and by hospitality rooted in the local culture, but by visionary hoteliers, dubbed “Originals”.
Seaside Finolhu’s Arabian Grill restaurant.
The resort’s 125 villas, restaurants and other public areas were all recently upgraded, led by the London-based design studio Muza Lab, after the resort became part of the Seaside Collection. This family-owned collection has seven other unique hotels in Spain and Germany plus Riverside Luxury Cruises in Europe. All aim to create an unforgettable experience for their guests.
At Seaside Finolhu’s ocean villas, swim in your private pool and in the sea below.
Stays at Seaside Finolhu are led by Roohos—the resort’s name for butlers. The word translates to “soul” in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, hinting at the immersive, personalized services guests can expect.
Stays at Seaside Finolhu are in overwater villas (some with pools and a few with additional bedrooms) or beach villas on the lagoon or reef side of the island. They’re all beautifully decked out and have unusual amenities such as Marshall sound systems.
Floating breakfast in Seaside Finolhu’s ocean villa infinity pool.
Seaside Finolhu has unique dining options too—the award-winning overwater Japanese Kanusan, the Arabian Grill for Middle Eastern and North African fare, the Crab Shack on the resort’s unique sandbank, the Beach Kitchen complete with pizza oven, and the Milk Lab for snacks including fab ice creams. You can admire the ocean from all of them and, if you like, sit at a table with your feet in the soft sand (except at Kanusan). Be sure to book a floating breakfast one morning—there’s not much that can compete with eating tropical fruits from your infinity pool in your Maldivian overwater villa.
Unique Sea Activities—Super Sea Toys, Manta Rays, Unicorn Fish and More
Ride a Seabob for a dolphin’s eye view of the reefs around Seaside Finolhu.
Seaside Finolhu’s unique sea sports include gliding via Seabob and Subwing, electric hydrofoiling, and even flying James Bond style on an X-Jet Blade. Also giving a surge of adrenaline, though in a surreal meditative way, is a snorkeling trip to nearby Hanifaru Bay—it’s one of the few places in the world where snorkelers can witness manta rays’ mass feeding including cyclone feeding. Gentle but massive whale sharks sometimes feed here too.
Manta rays formation feeding, Hanifaru Bay Baa Atoll, Maldives.
On a Finolhu boat safari, guests might also spot the area’s spinner dolphins and turtles. On a reef hopping cruise there’s also the opportunity to snorkel with an abundance of sea life—look for those unicorn fish! Other ocean trip options are for surfing, fishing, visiting local islands, and—for more unicorn fish opportunities—scuba diving with the PADI-certified Dive Centre and Dive Butler. The resort has non-motorized water sports too, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and catamaran sailing.
The aptly named unicorn fish (Naso brevirostris) in the Maldives.
Borrow snorkel gear and get a tour of Seaside Finolhu’s house reef or learn about coral restoration and propagation. And you won’t to miss snorkeling right from your villa. Unicorn fish—complete with their funny-looking horn and the ability to change color—are easy for snorkelers to spot in Seaside Finolhu’s crystal clear waters. If you’re staying in an overwater villa, just climb down the ladder from your deck and swim toward the reef. Many unicorn fish patrol the reef’s edge plus you might see some closer to the villas and on Seaside Finolhu’s house reef.
Be a mermaid in Seaside Finolhu’s main pool
Unique Activities on the Island—Including Swimming as a Mermaid
Alas, there are no actual unicorns in the Maldives (or anywhere on the planet). But, at Seaside Finolhu you can see—even be—a mermaid. Via the PADI Mermaid Program, you can learn mermaid skills in the main pool, get PADI Mermaid Certification, even advanced open water certification. Photo sessions in mermaid gear provide proof that mermaids do exist.
Aerial yoga in Seaside Finolhu’s yoga pavilion.
Other island-based activities at Seaside Finolhu go well beyond the typical too. For example, you can do arial yoga in the yoga pavilion, exercise in indoor and outdoor gyms, play on the floodlit tennis court, try the golf simulator for a round on some of the world’s most famous golf courses, plus book a personal trainer or lessons from pros.
Seaside Finolhu’s Art Studio.
For relaxing, another unique option at Seaside Finolhu is the shaded outdoor Art Studio. Paint a masterpiece on a coconut, a fridge magnet or on canvas; make scented candles with island botanicals; or try pottery or fabric art.
For even more relaxation, Fehi Spa also offers several unique treatments including Ayurvedic options, Tibetan massage, and Maldivian healing massage using a warm sand poultice. Before or afterward, sweat it out in the steam room or sauna and then take a dip in the plunge pool (there are separate facilities for men and women).
Kids get unique options too. Younger kids, called Oceaneers, have their own kids club complete with waterslide pool. Kids aged 12-18 have a dedicated Teens Hut—the first of its kind in the Maldives—complete with a drum kit and guitars, art stations, a pool table, gaming consoles and a full schedule of activities.
Here’s more on what makes Seaside Finolhu unique.
Longest Sandbank
Seaside Finolhu’s main pool and sandbank.
“Finolhu” means “sandbank” in Dhivehi. Seaside Finolhu’s sandbank is a permanent one—rare for the Maldives. It’s the longest natural sandbank of any Maldivian resort and one of the longest in the entire country.
Natural sandbanks are important. Some Maldivian resorts create artificial islands and sandbanks as a way to expand their space for guests. In the Maldives and around the world, land reclamation projects also have goals such as helping combat rising sea levels and erosion, housing growing populations, and creating new land for airports and industry. The pros for land reclamation need to outweigh the cons since artificial islands can cause environmental damage by destroying coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other important ocean habitat and by disrupting natural ocean currents which affects wildlife and erosion.
The Crab Shack on Seaside Finolhu’s long sandbank.
Seaside Finolhu’s natural sandbank provides that perfect deserted island feel that many visitors to the Maldives are looking for, all without damage to the fragile ocean environment. You can stroll the mile-long stretch, choosing to keep your feet dry in the powdery soft sand or cooling them in the tranquil waters on the lagoon side or in the only slightly wavier water on the ocean side. At it’s thinnest part, the sandbank is just a few yards wide—gentle waves sometimes kiss in the middle and very occasionally touch the other side. If you’d prefer not to walk, cruise over in the resort’s traditional wooden dhoni.
Seaside Finolhu’s traditional Maldivian dhoni.
Near the far end of the sandbank, the Crab Shack awaits for toes-in-the-sand dining with dishes such as Sri Lankan mud crab curry, lobster rolls and coconut prawns. The Crab Shack is also the location of Seaside Finolhu’s Friday night White Party—everyone on the island is invited (white clothing encouraged) to watch the sunset while enjoying cocktails, dine on the beach, and watch fire dancing performances, all accompanied by a DJ.
Seaside Finolhu’s Beach Bubble.
Unique Beach Bubble
About 100 yards beyond the Crab Shack in a secluded spot is another unique aspect of Seaside Finolhu—the Beach Bubble. Seaside Finolhu was the first resort in the Maldives to feature this one-of-a-kind stay.
An experience for just one couple per night, it includes a private barbeque on the beach at sunset, watching the Milky Way through the transparent ceiling, and feeling like you’re a castaway on an island all to yourself. The next morning includes breakfast on your private beach before you return to your overwater or beach villa in the main part of the resort.
Seaside Finolhu’s 5° North platform with the sandbank in the background.
Unique 5° North Platform for Exclusive Private Events
Off the sandbank near the Crab Shack is another unique aspect of Seaside Finolhu: 5° North. This wooden platform in the lagoon has a dining table plus couches. It’s one of the most unique spots you’ll find for private events such as celebratory meals and exclusive wine tastings. Situated precisely five degrees north of the equator, it shows off incredible 360° views of Seaside Finolhu, particularly at sunset.
Seaside Finolhu’s watersports beach.
Getting to Seaside Finolhu
Getting to Seaside Finolhu is a unique adventure too. After landing at Malé’s international airport, enjoy snacks in Seaside Finolhu’s lounge until your scenic 30-minute seaplane flight is ready to take off. If you prefer (or have a late arrival) you can take a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport and then a 30-minute boat ride.
Regardless of which you choose—and whether you see unicorn fish and mermaids—a holiday at Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is one you’ll always remember.
