There are places that cannot be described. They must be experienced, like a warm caress on the skin or the salty scent carried by the horizon. Maldives, this emerald archipelago floating delicately on the azure of the Indian Ocean, is one of them.
A story to the rhythm of the tides
For over two millennia, the Maldives has welcomed sailors and traders from South India, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Arab world. Hinduism and then Buddhism flourished there until the conversion to Islam in 1153, under the influence of an Arab scholar. A sultanate for eight centuries, the archipelago experienced Portuguese presence, then a British protectorate, before becoming a sovereign republic in 1968. Today, it cultivates its Islamic heritage while opening up to discreet and respectful luxury tourism.
A natural setting at water level
The flattest country in the world (average altitude: 1,5 meters), the Maldives seem to skim the surface of the ocean. This absolute proximity to the water gives these lands a particular fragility, but also a unique feeling of immersion.
The climate, tropical and hot all year round, alternates between a dry season (northeast monsoon, November-April) and a wet season (southwest monsoon, May-October). But even in the rain, the light plays with the sea, and the turquoise persists.
Beneath the surface, the archipelago shelters a marine ecosystem of rare density: green turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, schools of brightly colored fish... sometimes accessible just a few strokes from the shore.
Here, luxury is not flashy. It is a lifestyle : the alliance of intimacy, unspoiled nature and natural elegance. A philosophy that is expressed in two Colours of OBLU addresses: the romantic Lobigili and the wild Helengeli.
Tropical escape reinvented in the Maldives
Colors of OBLU renews the concept of the tropical resort: a collection of accommodations, all united by a lively, human spirit, an inclusive philosophy, and a soothing aesthetic. Whether you're looking for a romantic Eden, a family getaway, or a nature getaway with friends, these places offer a turnkey stay, rich in colors, sensations, and emotions, embodying the vibrant, multicolored, and resolutely heavenly soul of the Maldives.
Immersion in two islands with picture-postcard scenery, similar yet different, with their white sand beaches and picturesque villas on stilts, erected on turquoise waters rich in flora and fauna.
Lobigili, the island of love
At 76,000 m², or 0,076 km², Lobigili is a compact, adults-only gem. Its name means "island of love" in Dhivehi, and everything here celebrates moments spent together.
Arrival from Malé Airport is a 15-minute boat ride, with a saxophone playing to welcome guests on the pontoon. Each couple is then accompanied by a dedicated representative throughout their stay. From a spa for two to private dinners and sunset cruises, the program offers a romantic, timeless escape.
Villas designed for privacy
Three distinct styles of villas are offered at Lobigili, each designed to offer a perfect balance between comfort, contemporary aesthetics and immersion in nature.
SunNest Beach Pool Villas, located beachfront in the heart of tropical gardens, feature a private 8-person pool m², a spacious dressing room, a semi-open bathroom and a terrace facing the lagoon, ideal for enjoying the sunset in an intimate setting.
Nest Water Villas, perched on stilts above the turquoise lagoon, offer direct access to the water from the terrace, a hammock suspended over the ocean, and a soft, romantic atmosphere enhanced by natural materials and soothing hues.
Finally, SunNest Water Pool Villas take the advantages of the overwater villas and add an elegant 8-metre infinity pool. m², offering an infinite panorama of the ocean, an invitation to absolute relaxation in an exclusive setting.
Tables between sky and sea
In Lobigili, gastronomy is not simply a moment of tasting, but a true sensory experience that awakens the senses, facing the sublime natural setting of the island.
Among the resort's culinary gems, Only BLU stands out as a destination in its own right: this spectacular underwater restaurant, located at a depth of 6,8 meters, is one of the deepest in the Maldives. Accessible by elevator or discreet staircase, it welcomes guests into a curved panoramic room with glass walls offering a 360° view of marine life. The refined and carefully crafted menu showcases fresh seafood, tender meats, and creative vegetarian dishes, all accompanied by select wines and champagnes. Each dish becomes a work of art, served in hushed silence, punctuated only by the hypnotic ballet of rays, clownfish, and reef sharks gliding behind the glass.
Above ground, Ylang-Ylang, the resort's signature restaurant, offers bold fusion cuisine in an elegant setting inspired by Asian and Mediterranean influences. Open to the outdoors and bathed in the sea breeze, it offers subtle and creative twists on international classics: Maldivian tuna ceviche, fragrant curries, exotic carpaccios, and sophisticated desserts made with coconut and passion fruit. The attentive yet discreet service perfectly complements the experience.
During the day, guests can also relax at the Swing Bar, perched on the edge of the lagoon, where signature cocktails, fresh snacks, and flamboyant sunsets create a chic and relaxed atmosphere. At Lobigili, every meal becomes a celebration, every table a place of contemplation, and every flavor an invitation to travel.
Marine adventures for two
Here, every moment is experienced as a celebration for two, combining marine immersion, intimate romance, and absolute well-being. The coral reef surrounding the island offers a privileged exploration ground for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts: accessible directly from the beach, it is teeming with tropical fish, turtles, and colorful coral.
Diving in Lobigili is like immersing yourself in a living tableau where each stroke of the fin reveals an explosion of color and life. As soon as you leave the surface, the lagoon opens onto a vibrant reef, bathed in light, where corals unfold in delicate bouquets and schools of fish move like moving clouds. The sensation is both soothing and exhilarating: the hushed silence of the water envelops the diver, interrupted only by the discreet crackling of living corals and the fluid ballet of rays, turtles, and parrotfish. The crystal-clear water accentuates this impression of floating in another world, intimate and preserved, where each marine encounter becomes a precious memory.
The coral reef surrounding the island displays its varied forms, with table corals, branches, and clumps providing shelter for a myriad of small, colorful creatures. Tropical fish are abundant: parrotfish with iridescent scales, schools of orange anthias, electric blue damselfish, and clownfish nestled in their anemones. Further down, stingrays and leopard rays glide elegantly across the pale sand, while sea turtles surface to breathe before diving back into their fluid ballet. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks sometimes catch the eye of divers, adding to the magic of the moment, and attentive observers may spot moray eels, lionfish, and other discreet species. Descending deeper, it's not uncommon to encounter barracudas, napoleon wrasse, or tuna on the hunt. The visibility, often crystal clear, lets shades of turquoise light filter through which enhance each scene, transforming the immersion into a poetic exploration, teeming with surprises.
Access to non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes is also unlimited. More adventurous visitors can opt for motorized activities such as jet skiing or dynamic cruises.
One of the highlights of the trip is the romantic sunset excursion aboard a traditional dhoni, or a traditional fishing session at dusk.
The ELE | NA Ayur spa, nestled in the heart of the vegetation, offers treatments inspired by Maldivian nature, with duo massages, relaxing or energizing moments, ideal for reconciling mind and body...
If you're looking for the ultimate in romance, tranquility, and understated elegance, Lobigili is undoubtedly your island: a discreet, intimate refuge, perfect for celebrating love. Between relaxation, marine immersion, romantic exploration, and serenity, all the senses are engaged, from contemplating the reefs to the indulgence of a couple's treatment. A rare balance of adventure, relaxation, and sophistication.
Helengeli, the wild island
Spanning 810 m long and 80 m wide, Helengeli is a still confidential island, at the entrance to the majestic North Male Atoll. At about 50 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, a privileged haven where modern elegance and wild nature meet.
This island is a poetic evocation of vibrant nature, where corals quiver with the currents and where marine life, in perpetual movement, gives the impression that the island itself dances to the rhythm of the ocean.
Indeed, this island with its wild and unspoiled landscape is renowned for its rich house reef, directly accessible from the beach. Divers and snorkelers alike will find it an exceptional exploration ground, populated by turtles, lionfish, moray eels, and even majestic, harmless reef sharks. This atoll is one of the few where ocean currents allow for such an abundance of marine life.
Diving at Helengeli is like experiencing the ocean in all its power and vitality. The island is renowned for its unique location, on the edge of a channel where ocean currents feed an exceptionally rich reef. From the moment you enter the water, the sensation is different: the water is charged with energy, schools of pelagic fish move in tight formation, and silvertip reef sharks, more numerous than elsewhere, calmly patrol the deep blue. Gorgonian fans and giant sponges decorate the drop-offs, while eagle rays sometimes appear against the current, offering memorable encounters. Here, the diving is more dynamic, wilder, ideal for those who love thrills and close-up observations in an environment where marine life seems to be in perpetual effervescence.
Currents bring nutrients and movement, which explains the increased presence of white-tip and silver-tip reef sharks, barracudas, napoleons, tuna, and sometimes hunting eagle rays or jacks. The corals are robust, adapted to choppy waters, and the fish density is often more impressive. The experience is more sporty, with drift dives and a feeling of marine life in perpetual activity.
Picturesque villas with charm
At Helengeli, accommodations include 153 villas subtly distributed across the island, blending tropical charm with contemporary design. Each category has been designed to offer a natural immersion in the landscape, without ever compromising comfort or privacy.
The Deluxe Beach Villas (≈ 52 m²) are set on the edge of white sand, surrounded by greenery, with an interior garden or a shaded terrace that extends the living space to the outdoors. For added privacy, the Deluxe Beach Villas with Pool add a private pool to this soothing atmosphere.
Suspended above the turquoise lagoon, the Lagoon Villas with Pool (≈ 77 m²) offer direct access to the water and an infinity pool, perfect for admiring the changing colors of the ocean. The Sunrise or Sunset Water Villas, as well as the Water Suite with Pool, appeal to lovers of panoramic views, with their terraces open to the horizon and their elegantly integrated private pools.
Finally, the spacious Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Suites (≈ 191 m²) offer an ideal configuration for families or groups of friends, combining space, comfort and privacy in a refined setting.
Whatever your choice, all villas are decorated in warm tropical tones, with contemporary furnishings, air conditioning, a daily restocked minibar, Wi-Fi, and luxurious semi-outdoor bathrooms, inviting a unique sensory experience between indoors and outdoors.
Culinary and wellness experience
The main restaurant, The Spice, offers generous international cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with live music. For a more exclusive atmosphere, the Just Grill showcases fresh fish and seafood by the sea. The signature cocktails at Raa Bandhi Bar overlooking the sunset are also a must.
More exotic, the Raga Route restaurant celebrates Indian cuisine with boldness and modernity. Traditional spices and contemporary presentations meet in an elegant setting overlooking the ocean. Between captivating aromas, subdued lighting, and sunset, each dinner becomes a sensory journey, to the sound of an Indian flutist.
On the wellness side, the ELE|NA Ayur Spa offers treatments inspired by Ayurvedic and Maldivian traditions, in a serene setting conducive to letting go. Sunrise yoga, couples massages, and holistic treatments complete this sensory experience.
Helengeli embodies a perfect balance between contemporary comfort and marine immersion, an authentic, festive and relaxing destination, to be fully enjoyed for a stay with family or friends, in harmony with the ocean.
This island offers a natural and vibrant atmosphere. Open to families, couples, and diving enthusiasts alike, it's friendly and contemporary, appealing to those seeking comfort, Maldivian immersion, and marine adventures.
The Maldives, an archipelago to be preserved
From the colorful dives of Lobigili to the invigorating immersions of Helengeli, each island tells a different story of the Maldives. But they all share the same fragility. The archipelago is firmly committed to sustainable tourism, including coral repopulation, plastic reduction, and renewable energy.
And the traveler, by slipping a mask over his face or leaving his light imprint in the sand, becomes in turn a guardian. Because to love the Maldives is to understand that they are as precious as a shard of coral: beautiful, fragile, and made to last if we take care of them. To preserve these islands is to preserve a waking dream. And when we leave, with a slightly salty heart, we understand that to love the Maldives is also to want to protect them… The Maldives, I can't help falling in love with you.
Ema Lynnx
Photos: Patrick Koune
