Hondaafushi Island Resort

Set in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, this is an island resort built around the simple Maldivian formula: tropical surroundings, a lagoon, palms and plenty of water. The resort presents an authentic local hospitality experience rather than a town-based stay, so the setting itself does much of the work once the day's plans are done.

Couples and families are both catered for, with packages designed for each. English is the language used on the resort's website, which makes planning and correspondence straightforward in English before you travel.

Hondaafushi sits on an island in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives, with the sea directly in front of the resort. The beach is made of fine white sand and leads onto a clear lagoon, while the surrounding environment combines tropical island, lagoon and reef.

Getting there involves a domestic flight of 50 minutes from Velana International Airport, followed by a 10-minute speedboat crossing. In practical terms, allow roughly one hour for the journey from the international airport itself, before the island routine begins.

Cycling gives you a way to see more of the island without turning the afternoon into an expedition. Boat excursions are also available, and a sunset fishing trip provides a reason to leave the beach just as the light starts to change.

The natural surroundings are part of the programme here. You can explore the reef from the island, take part in turtle conservation work and join activities linked to wildlife observation. The conservation programme includes the release of newly hatched turtles, so the nature side of the resort is not just a decorative backdrop.

The transfer from Velana International Airport combines a 50-minute flight with a 10-minute boat journey. Airport transfers are available on request, in the form of this flight-and-boat connection, so arrange the details with the resort before travelling.

The island setting is the main practical point to factor into your plans: once you arrive, the resort, beach, lagoon and reef are all part of the same destination rather than stops between excursions. That suits a stay built around the water and the surrounding nature.

Hondaafushi takes part in marine turtle conservation, including work connected with the release of newly hatched turtles. The programme gives the resort's natural setting a practical role, alongside the reef and lagoon that draw visitors to the island.

You can also take part in turtle conservation activities during your stay. For a diver, that makes a useful difference: the wildlife around the resort is not treated solely as scenery, but as something the island is actively working to protect.