Hello, I’m SINAE, a travel writer who spends most of the year abroad, writing and photographing my journeys.
In my previous post, I shared my review of the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort, including the transfer experience and the water villas. This time, I wanted to focus on a different side of the stay—its wide range of activities, as well as the spa experience, which turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Many people assume that in the Maldives, the farther a resort is from the main island, the more beautiful and exclusive it must be. Surprisingly, that was not entirely my experience.
The Maldives is made up of countless islands, and when you look at the most attractive resorts located conveniently close to Malé Airport, many of them are older properties. That likely reflects the fact that the best islands were secured early on, long before the wave of newer developments. By contrast, many recently built resorts are located farther away.
That distance comes at a cost. For remote resorts, seaplane transfers alone can add roughly KRW 1 million to the total, and the journey often takes longer than expected. By the time you land, transfer, and finally reach the resort, it can already be night.
So if your goal is to reduce the cost of a Maldives honeymoon, the answer is not necessarily to choose an inferior resort. Often, it is simply to choose one that is closer. That is exactly where Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort feels especially practical, particularly when the speedboat transfer is already included with a full-board stay.
Private Beach Activities: Kayaking & Paddleboarding
We stayed for 3 nights and 4 days in total. At first, I wondered whether we might get bored on the island—but in reality, we were busy the entire time.
One of the defining characteristics of a Maldives resort is that each island is essentially its own self-contained world. Since one island typically holds a single resort, everything happens within that space, and once you arrive, there is really nowhere else to go. Most travelers already know this, of course, but it does shape the rhythm of the stay quite a bit.
If you book full board, your three daily meals and transportation are included. If you choose all-inclusive, alcoholic drinks are added as well.
Beyond that, there are various activities available throughout the resort. At the main beach, guests can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, and several other water activities. Snorkeling equipment is also provided free of charge, which means you can fully enjoy the ocean without constantly worrying about extra fees.
What stood out to me at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort was the scale of the island itself. It is relatively large by Maldives standards, and because the resort includes not only villa accommodations but also a substantial number of standard hotel-style rooms, the overall activity offering feels broader and more varied than at many smaller properties.
👉 Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort – Check rates on Agoda
👉 Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort – Check rates on Expedia
Shine Spa: A Beautiful 60-Minute Reset
If you are staying for several days, I would absolutely recommend setting aside at least one afternoon for a massage.
One of the most distinctive features here is that the spa occupies its own separate island. Even the walk there is beautiful—the wooden bridge leading across the water feels like part of the experience.
If possible, I would recommend going during the daytime rather than in the evening. The setting is simply more striking when seen in full daylight.
The spa grounds are surprisingly expansive. There is a generously sized sauna, a large jacuzzi area, and the treatment rooms are arranged as standalone villas. Right in front of them, the sea stretches out in full view.
I had a 60-minute treatment, and the time passed almost unbelievably fast.
And the experience does not simply end when the treatment is over. Afterward, guests can spend time in the relaxation room with tea, and continue enjoying the sauna and jacuzzi facilities.
Adopt A Coral: A Meaningful Marine Conservation Program
There are two particularly beautiful snorkeling points around the resort.
One is near the water bungalows, where you can see coral and plenty of fish, and the other is a much larger point located directly in front of the dive center.
This is also where the resort runs its coral conservation initiative. Once you go underwater and see the project for yourself, it feels genuinely fascinating.
The concept is simple: coral fragments are attached to pyramid-shaped structures and placed in the sea, where they are allowed to grow naturally over time.
Even if you do not participate in the program, you can still snorkel freely around these points.
What I found especially meaningful was this: every six months, they send an email update with photographs showing how much your coral has grown.
If you are visiting the Maldives for a honeymoon, this could be a lovely way to mark the trip with something both memorable and genuinely meaningful.
Dolphin Cruise: Sunset Watching on the Water
Another experience we joined was the sunset dolphin cruise.
This must be booked in advance, and it is not complimentary, but the area around the resort is known as a dolphin habitat, so sightings tend to be highly likely. The excursion lasts about one to one and a half hours.
At the front of the boat, towels are laid out so guests can sit comfortably while watching the sea.
What surprised me most was the sheer number of dolphins. I had expected a few sightings in the distance, but there were far more than that—well over a hundred.
It became one of those moments where everyone on board could not help reacting out loud.
On the way back, the timing aligned perfectly with sunset. So the cruise ended not only with dolphin sightings, but also with a beautifully soft evening sky.
Final Thoughts
Of course, in an ideal world, everyone would love to stay at one of the ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives. But once you actually start calculating the cost, the numbers can become quite staggering.
At the same time, this is often a honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so choosing just anywhere does not feel right either.
A more balanced approach is to choose a resort that is close to Malé International Airport and to make sure the speedboat transfer is included. I would also strongly recommend choosing either full board or all-inclusive. If you pay for meals separately, the total can easily become higher.
When you can eat comfortably, enjoy the water as much as you like, take part in a few activities, and spend time taking photos, 3 nights and 4 days pass surprisingly quickly.
Many people worry that a Maldives stay might feel too quiet or repetitive, but by the time I was leaving, I actually wished I had a little more time.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing a more detailed review of the restaurants we used during our full-board stay.
For a deeper comparison, you may find the following review helpful:
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review — Main Pool, Dining & Spa Experience
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