Think of the Indian Ocean, and it's likely you'll conjure images of pristine sands scattered with coconut palms, surrounded on all sides by turquoise sea. Such desert islands — worthy of Robinson Crusoe — are easy to find in the region, offering sun, sea and perfect seclusion, far from the rigours of everyday life. From the pancake-flat atolls of Alphonse in the Seychelles to the wildlife haven of Comoros, here's where should be on your radar.
Best for: riding the waves
Palm trees sway in the tropical breeze here just as they do on the private-island resorts that occupy most of the Maldives’ 200 or so inhabited islands. But unlike those stand-alone hotels, this residential island north of the capital Malé still retains its local Maldivian life — albeit local life where Western-style swimsuits are permitted on Bikini Beach and where restaurants and activity providers are dotted around the sandy lanes. That’s because Thulusdhoo is no stranger to tourism. Adopted by Australian surfers in the 1970s, the capital of Kaafu Atoll has an easygoing, lived-in charm to suit its tribe of young(ish) saltwater travellers. Experienced wave-riders come for the twin surf breaks of Cokes and Chickens, the latter one of several waves accessible by a traditional dhoni boat. Randhaa Surf Shop provides lessons and hires out boards — no wetsuits needed in bath-warm water.
In recent years, paddleboarders have arrived to ride gentler waves and scull through the calmer waters of a turquoise lagoon. This being the Maldives, the diving is terrific and the dinghy sailing a thing of dreams; enterprising local operators offer both at lower prices than private islands. If Thulusdhoo has a catch, it may be that — as on all Maldivian residential islands — booze is banned. But the locals are an obliging bunch: they’ve set up floating boat-bars just offshore. And the speedboat to reach them sure beats a traditional taxi.
How to do it: Stay at Season Paradise which has doubles from $125 (£101), room only.
Best for: old town intrigue
In Zanzibar’s historical capital city, the Stone Town neighbourhood remains a beguiling and bewildering African-Arabian hybrid, with the local meet-up point of Jaws Corner and former sultans’ palaces in the labyrinthine lanes. Locals still chirrup “pole, pole” (slowly, slowly) because that’s how life moves. Zanzibar is in a sweet spot where resort-level comforts can be found, but they haven’t come at the expense of its charms. Nungwi and Bwejuu beaches remain as good as any in the Indian Ocean, but the hotels typically cost around a third less than they would in the Maldives.
How to do it: TUI has seven nights from £1,398 per person, B&B, including flights.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Cheeky, brash, intoxicating Sydney has been naturally blessed like few other cities on Earth. A 60km string of glorious sandy beaches bracket one of the world’s most spectacular harbors: it’s an Australian icon where getting outdoors is everything, whether you are surfing the waves, marveling on a coastal walk or al fresco dining on sumptuous seafood.
"The Manta Story" interactive app represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Four Seasons Maldives and The Manta Trust, a renowned environmental charity. This downloadable app offers users a captivating underwater journey into the world of manta rays, narrated by British actor David Oakes. In line with its ongoing commitment to environmental support and ocean conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has partnered with The Manta Trust to create this exceptional interactive application, providing unique insights into the hidden marvels of these extraordinary marine creatures.
Airbnb contributed over $920 million (INR 72 billion) to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and supported over 85,000 jobs in the country between April 2022-March 2023, according to research by Oxford Economics.
Ideal conditions await you in Lamu, the island off mainland Kenya, in January: skies are clear, waters are translucent for diving and snorkelling, and afternoon sea breezes keep temperatures balmy. It can be busy early in the month, but the archipelago has plenty of hidden corners where you can find solitude.
I distinctly remember the moment I first laid my eyes on an Away suitcase. One of my coworkers had been talking nonstop about her new carry-on, and before heading out of town one day, she rolled the hard-shell spinner into the office. Like a proud new homeowner, she took our team on a tour through its features, leaving me mesmerized by its built-in compression straps and portable battery pack, as well as its stylish and sturdy design.
The Maldives’ most well-kept surprise opening, Ifuru Island Maldives, celebrated its official opening on 23 September 2023 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the owners, the resort’s All-Star team and the very excited first official guests. A lush natural island boasting a 1km long stretch of white sandy beach with spectacular sunset views, the Ifuru Island concept brings unique and engaging experiences for guests seeking social connections and everything the Maldives has to offer in one place.
From thousands of drone, underwater and coastal images submitted by the world’s best ocean photographers, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2023 has announced the overall and the different category winners of its prestigious awards.
As high season in the Caribbean approaches, it’s never too early to start planning a winter getaway. From Cancun to Aruba, here are five luxurious Caribbean resorts for families, foodies, adventurers and more.
One evening after a long day at work, Diksha Manocha was idly scrolling Instagram when she stumbled across something peculiar: an account for Join My Wedding, an online service that allows tourists to purchase tickets to weddings in India.