Stepping off the seaplane into the soft, powder-white sand of Filaidhoo Island, we felt as if we’d entered a postcard. The warm breeze carried the scent of the ocean and tropical blooms as resort staff welcomed us with heartfelt smiles and a refreshing coconut drink.
In our villa, a delightful surprise awaited – a tropical fruit basket and a bed artfully decorated with fresh flowers from the resort’s garden, a special honeymoon welcome that immediately made us feel celebrated.
We exchanged a glance, knowing we had arrived in paradise, ready to begin our first adventure as a married couple.
Our Private Villa
Our home for the week was a thatched-roof water villa, perched above a crystal-clear lagoon. This was our space, “with a sky that is your own,” as the resort promises. Every morning we woke to gentle waves lapping beneath us and golden sunlight flooding through the windows.
We often rose early, stepping directly from our deck into the warm lagoon for a romantic sunrise swim, watching baby reef sharks and vivid parrotfish glide by in the dawn light. After a long soak together in the deep free-standing bath, we would relax on our private deck, sipping espresso from the villa’s Nespresso machine and toasting the start of married life.
Later, we’d simply lounge side by side on the sun loungers, gazing at an endless panorama of turquoise sea – occasionally whispering “Can you believe we’re really here?”
Not all honeymooners choose overwater villas, of course. Reethi Faru offers secluded beach villas as well – some with their own Jacuzzi plunge pools for ultimate privacy.
We met another couple who swore by their Deluxe Beach Pool Villa, calling it “heavenly… with everything we needed to enjoy our honeymoon”, including a private pool just steps from the sand.
Whether you opt for the lullaby of lagoon waves in a water villa or the convenience of your own pool and a 10-second walk to the sea in a beach villa, each option feels like a personal love nest. The Garden Villas tucked amid tropical greenery are equally charming – at night we could hear the chirping of geckos and the distant whoosh of waves, a natural serenade as we drifted off in our king-size bed.
Sun-Kissed Adventures for Two
By day, Reethi Faru offered as much (or as little) activity as we wanted. One bright morning, we wandered hand-in-hand along the shoreline, the entire island easily walkable at just 600 by 350 meters.
We discovered that beyond the main beach, the island has a wild, jungle-like heart – we encountered clucking chickens roaming freely and watched flying foxes (fruit bats) hanging in the palm trees at dusk, a reminder of the resort’s philosophy of preserving nature.
Often, we’d kick off our sandals and join the “no shoes” tradition, enjoying the liberating feeling of sand between our toes everywhere we went.
Snorkeling quickly became our favorite afternoon pastime. Just off our villa deck lay the resort’s house reef, a thriving coral garden teeming with life.
We’d slip into the water with our masks and instantly find ourselves swimming alongside green sea turtles, reef sharks, and graceful rays – an underwater world right in front of our villa.
The reef was impressively healthy and colorful, even by Maldives standards, and snorkeling here was amazing for both of us as beginners (the calm, shallow lagoon made it easy). On one outing we even spotted a wild pod of dolphins passing in the distance, their silhouettes jumping against the horizon.
Beyond the house reef, the resort’s Dive Centre (a PADI 5-star facility) tempted us to venture further. We signed up for a guided snorkeling excursion to a nearby coral sandbank, where we landed on a tiny white spit in the middle of nowhere and felt like castaways in love.
The boat crew had brought a picnic and we savored fresh fruit on the sandbank, surrounded by nothing but sparkling sea in every direction. Another day we joined a dolphin safari at sunset – and luck was on our side.
As the sky turned tangerine-orange, dozens of playful spinner dolphins danced around our boat, leaping and twirling as if choreographed just for us. Our guide explained these are regular visitors in Raa Atoll’s waters, but experiencing it firsthand felt utterly magical.
For a dash of adrenaline, Reethi Faru’s water sports centre has plenty to offer. We tried stand-up paddleboarding together on the gentle lagoon, occasionally losing balance and laughing as we splashed into the warm water.
The center’s instructors were cheerful and encouraging, happy to help novices like us with anything from kayaking to jet-skiing. One afternoon we dared each other to try parasailing – soon we were soaring tandem high above the island, hand in hand, with a bird’s-eye view of the atoll’s brilliant coral patches encircled by deep blue.
For a pair of newlyweds, it was the perfect mix of romance and thrill. When we preferred a slower pace, we opted for a catamaran sail. The experienced crew took us skimming across calm waters to visit a quaint local island, where we strolled past coconut groves and chatted with Maldivian villagers, gaining a glimpse of local life.
We returned to the resort just in time for cocktail hour, feeling both cultured and connected by the day’s explorations.
Rejuvenation for Two
After days of sun and saltwater, a bit of pampering was in order. We booked a couple’s ritual at Coconut Spa, Reethi Faru’s on-site haven of wellness hidden in a coconut grove.
Walking into the spa was like entering a temple of tranquility – soft music, the subtle aroma of lemongrass, and pathways shaded by palms. We began our session in the hydrotherapy area, luxuriating side by side in the jacuzzi and then detoxifying in the aromatic steam room and sauna.
Sipping ginger tea in the relaxation pavilion, we already felt our stresses melting away, enveloped by the lush greenery and the sound of leaves rustling in the ocean breeze.
The spa’s therapists then led us to a private couple’s treatment room, a candlelit sanctuary just for us. We had chosen the Romantic Indulgence package, which included a heavenly Kayu back massage and the Harmony full-body scrub – performed in tandem so we could share the experience.
As skilled hands worked out every knot and tension, we exchanged blissful glances and almost dozed off. The treatments used coconut oils and herbal balms, local to the Maldives, leaving our skin nourished and glowing.
By the end, we were so relaxed we just lay there holding hands, listening to birdsong outside. The spa team gently roused us with a final floral foot bath ritual. We emerged refreshed, renewed, and more bonded than ever – truly “rejuvenated at its finest” in this island oasis.
For the rest of the afternoon, we floated around in a happy haze, stopping by the infinity pool for a dip. With its panoramic view of the Indian Ocean and warm, sunlit water, the pool was another dreamy spot to laze away an hour, especially with a tropical smoothie from the adjacent Veyo Bar in hand.
Stargazing Moments
Evenings at Reethi Faru held their own special allure. As sunset approached each day, we made it a ritual to find a picturesque perch and watch nature’s show. One favorite spot was the aptly named Sunset Bar, which sits on the western edge of the island.
We’d curl up on a lounge chair together, order a carafe of chilled wine, and marvel as the sky blazed orange and pink over the water. The bar’s staff often greeted us by name (amazing how quickly they learned our preferences) and would sometimes surprise us with creative mocktails “on the house.” With the first stars flickering to life overhead, we felt like the only two people on earth.
On our third night, we treated ourselves to the resort’s private sunset cruise – a classic honeymoon must-do. Along with a few other couples, we boarded a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat. As we glided into the open sea, the crew popped a bottle of champagne.
We clinked glasses, the fizz reflecting the amber sky, and savored the romance of the moment. The cruise became even more unforgettable when we spotted those wild dolphins dancing in our wake (even the guide was surprised by how many we saw!).
Back on shore, we lingered on the jetty to watch constellations emerge. The Milky Way arced above, and we even caught a shooting star – promptly making a wish for our future together.
Stargazing is spectacular on Filaidhoo Island due to the minimal light pollution. One night, we simply lay on the beach behind our villa, a blanket spread out on the cooling sand.
We pointed out Orion’s Belt and the Southern Cross, and in the profound silence, we could hear only the waves and each other’s breath. The moment was a gentle reminder of how far from the rest of the world we were – just two souls under an endless sky, starting our new chapter in a place of pure tranquility.
Dining Under the Stars
Every meal at Reethi Faru felt like a celebration. Vakaru, the main restaurant, quickly became our breakfast and dinner staple with its lavish buffets. Each evening the theme changed – one night an Italian spread with fresh pastas and pesto, another night a Maldivian feast with rich curries and grilled seafood.
We were astonished by the variety and quality: home-baked breads, live cooking stations for stir-fries and pasta, and a rainbow of desserts. The international team of chefs put real heart into the food, even accommodating special requests.
We’re adventurous eaters, but we met a vegan couple who raved about how Chef Rajesh whipped up creative plant-based dishes just for them each day. Dining at Vakaru never felt repetitive – it was an ever-changing gourmet adventure, and we loved trying a bit of everything.
For lunch, we often gravitated to Dhiyavaru, a 24-hour restaurant built on stilts over the lagoon. The setting is unbeatable – you sit above the water and can watch reef fish dart below your table.
Dhiyavaru’s menu ranges from fresh salads and wood-fired pizzas to traditional Maldivian curry and even all-day breakfast if you crave pancakes at 3 PM. It became our go-to for midday hunger and the occasional late-night snack.
One afternoon, my husband indulged in a plate of freshly caught reef fish with a tropical coconut-mango sauce that he declared the best he’d ever tasted.
I was equally smitten with their mango smoothies and the simple joy of sipping a coffee out there at sunrise, watching baby sharks and rays cruise the shallow waters around the pier.
Dinner, however, is when Reethi Faru truly shines for couples. The pinnacle was our private candlelit beach dinner. On our second night, we reserved a table at Huvandhu Garden, the resort’s dedicated romantic dining venue. A secluded cabana for two was set up right on the sand, draped in white linens and surrounded by tropical greenery.
As we settled in, the only sounds were the gentle swoosh of waves and the distant hum of crickets – nature’s background music for our evening. Under a canopy of stars, we savored a multi-course feast: pan-seared Maldivian tuna, grilled lobster tail, and a decadent chocolate tart for dessert.
A chilled bottle of prosecco, courtesy of the house, complemented the meal. We felt utterly spoiled and in love, toasting to our future while our toes curled in the cool sand. Huvandhu Garden truly made us feel like royalty – our server even discreetly snapped a few photos of us at the table, which became some of our favorite honeymoon shots.
We didn’t think anything could top that dinner, but Reethi Faru had more romance in store. Later in the week, the staff offered to arrange a special private dinner on the beach just for us, separate from the restaurant. They set up a candlelit table on a deserted stretch of sand, with a bonfire flickering nearby for ambiance.
Imagine dining by firelight under the Maldivian stars, with your own personal chef and waiter attending to you – it was straight out of a fantasy. We indulged in a custom menu of our choosing (grilled steak for him, curry for me) and our champagne glasses were never empty. Such destination dining experiences are a hallmark of Reethi Faru and they pull them off brilliantly.
Alternatively, for couples who prefer privacy at home, the resort can even arrange a chef’s dinner on your villa deck, so you never have to leave your love nest. Knowing these options exist, it’s no surprise many guests celebrate engagements and anniversaries here, not just honeymoons.
Of course, we also enjoyed the casual bites during our stay. The poolside Raalhu Café became our afternoon hangout whenever we craved a quick snack – their wood-fired pizzas and spicy Maldivian fish burgers were perfect to share, washed down with icy coconuts.
And we often ended our nights at Haruge, the main bar, which has an open-air deck by the beach. Some nights it was lively with a local band or even a fun karaoke session (we may have serenaded each other with a cheesy love song or two!).
Other times, it was quiet enough for us to curl up on a sofa with tropical cocktails – my husband fell in love with the bar’s signature margaritas, crafted by Charit the bartender, declaring them the best he’s had anywhere.
Honeymoon Perks
What truly sets Reethi Faru apart are the thoughtful touches that made our honeymoon extra special. As part of their honeymoon package, the resort includes lovely perks for newlyweds like that fruit basket and flower-bed welcome.
We also enjoyed a complimentary candlelit dinner with wine (ours was on the beach, though it can also be arranged at a restaurant of your choice) which gave us one unforgettable night under the stars.
Additionally, we received a 15% discount on a couple’s sunset sailing excursion and even a voucher for a romantic photoshoot around the island – we dressed up one evening and a professional photographer captured dreamy shots of us against the sunset and beneath palm trees.
Those photos are now cherished keepsakes of our trip. The resort even offers a small discount in their jewelry boutique for honeymooners; I couldn’t resist picking out a delicate pearl pendant as a memento, with a story behind it that we’ll treasure forever.
Every staff member we encountered went out of their way to congratulate us and ensure we were happy. Their warmth and attentiveness were genuine – from the room attendant who crafted cute towel swans on our bed, to the restaurant chefs who surprised us with a “Happy Honeymoon” cake on our last night.
We truly felt like honored guests. It’s no wonder Reethi Faru earned a coveted Travelers’ Choice Award in 2025, ranking among the top 10% of hotels worldwide based on guest reviews. The consistent praise we’d read online – about the “friendly staff”, “picture perfect beaches”, and “unforgettable experiences” – was absolutely reflected in our stay.
Every corner of Reethi Faru seems tailor-made for romance. We spent our days in a blissful routine: waking to sunrise over the Indian Ocean, embarking on whatever adventure or relaxation called to us, and ending each day with a toast to love under flaming sunsets.
For couples seeking both sumptuous seclusion and vibrant experiences, this resort strikes the perfect balance. One moment you’re alone with your soulmate on a deserted sandbank or a quiet garden path; the next, you’re enjoying world-class dining or spa treatments together, feeling utterly indulged.
Tips for future honeymooners: If you can, stay a bit longer and split your time between a water villa and a beach villa – we loved experiencing both perspectives of island life (overwater tranquility and beachside bliss).
Don’t miss the house reef snorkelling (pack an underwater camera for turtles!), and definitely treat yourselves to at least one private dining experience under the stars. Pack light (you’ll be barefoot most of the time) and consider scheduling a spa day toward the middle of your trip to recharge.
Most importantly, embrace the island pace and each other’s company. Whether it was kayaking at noon or slow-dancing on our deck at midnight, we found that every experience was sweeter because we were doing it together.
As we departed Reethi Faru, waving goodbye to the staff who felt like new friends, we understood the true meaning of “Reethi Faru” – in the local Dhivehi language, it means “Beautiful Reef”, but to us it will always mean beautiful memories.
Our honeymoon at Reethi Faru was more than a luxurious vacation; it was a story – our story – written across lagoon waters, starry skies, and sandy shores. And like all great love stories, it’s one we’ll be telling for the rest of our lives.
