Four Seasons Explorer

In Baa Atoll, 35-minute seaplane from Malé — that's Four Seasons Explorer. On the marine side, the house reef is accessible from the beach — alive in patches.

Strong fit for families, divers, couples who want space.

Why people come here

Landaa Giraavaru is the Maldives for travellers who want room to breathe. The island is one of the largest in the archipelago—so large that buggies ferry guests between villas and restaurants. The Sunrise Water Villas with Pool are among the most spacious overwater villas, with 12-metre infinity pools that let you swim laps without leaving your deck. The house reef is directly accessible from the beach, and the resort’s marine biologists have installed coral frames that attract shoals of fish, reef sharks, and rays. Because the atoll is a UNESCO biosphere, the snorkelling is exceptional year-round, and from May to November, the resort offers a ‘Manta on Call’ service: a waterproof phone rings when mantas are spotted at nearby Hanifaru Bay, and you’re whisked by boat to see them. The kids club, Kuda Velaa, is one of the best in the Maldives, with complimentary activities from 10am to 6:30pm for children aged four to twelve. And the transfer experience is uniquely Four Seasons: private lounges at Malé airport, a short car ride to the seaplane terminal, and the option to fly on the resort’s own seaplanes—The Flying Triggerfish—configured with just eight seats in a 1-1 layout.

Villas: space as a luxury

The Sunrise Water Villas with Pool set the tone. The living room ceilings are so high they feel like a cathedral, and the outdoor deck is vast—half in the sun, half under cover, with a swinging chair, a daybed, and an overwater net that’s one of the largest The 12-metre pool is long enough for laps, and the villa comes with bicycles for exploring the island. For families, the Family Beach Villas add a second bedroom for children, while the Two-Bedroom Royal Beach Villa is a standalone estate with its own pool and direct beach access. The resort recently added Premier Bungalows—beachfront villas with unobstructed lagoon views, positioned between the classic beach villas and the overwater pier. If privacy is a priority, the Sunset Water Villas at the far end of the pier offer the most seclusion, though most water villas have some visibility from neighbouring decks.

Dining: from beachfront to overwater

Blu is the standout—an overwater restaurant with a neon-blue lagoon view and a la carte breakfast that’s one of the best in the Maldives. The Spanish omelette with chorizo and manchego is a favourite, and the Ferrero waffles are legendary among returning guests. Lunch and dinner menus feature Neapolitan pizza, tuna tartare, and grilled lobster, with the pool illuminated at night like a runway. For a more casual meal, Fuego Grill serves grilled seafood and steaks by the saltwater pool, while Al Barakat is the only true overwater restaurant, offering Lebanese and Moroccan dishes with nurse sharks visible beneath the deck. Café Landaa is the buffet option, with a live cooking station and themed dinners, but the real draw is room service: Four Seasons Preferred Partner guests receive complimentary breakfast, which can be delivered to your villa at a time of your choosing. The app makes ordering seamless, and the bacon arrives crisp, the pancakes fluffy, and the fruit perfectly ripe.

The house reef and marine life

The house reef is directly accessible from the beach, and the resort’s coral regeneration frames have created a thriving ecosystem. From your villa’s overwater net, you’ll see shoals of fish, reef sharks, and rays passing beneath you. The Marine Discovery Centre is a highlight—it’s not just for kids. The team of marine biologists monitors turtle rehabilitation, coral growth, and manta sightings, and guests can join them for snorkelling trips or educational sessions. The ‘Manta on Call’ service is a unique offering: for a fee, you’re given a waterproof phone that rings when mantas are spotted at Hanifaru Bay, and you’re taken by boat to snorkel with them. The resort also operates a turtle rehabilitation centre, where injured turtles are nursed back to health before being released. Note that the resort still offers daily shark feeding, which some guests enjoy but others prefer to skip in favour of the natural marine life visible from their villas.

Signature experiences

The ‘Manta on Call’ service is the most talked-about experience. From May to November, mantas gather at Hanifaru Bay, and the resort’s team monitors sightings in real time. When mantas are spotted, a waterproof phone rings in your villa, and you’re taken by boat to snorkel with them—no wasted trips, no extra charge if no mantas are seen. The dive centre, operated by Ocean Dive, is one of the best-equipped in the Maldives, with a luxury dive boat featuring wifi, Bluetooth speakers, and freshly baked cookies on the return journey. The resort’s yoga trail winds through the island and even onto the overwater pier, with stations designed for specific poses. And the AyurMa Spa offers complimentary Ayurvedic consultations, where a doctor explains your body type and recommends foods to eat or avoid. The treatment rooms are spacious, with oversized soaking tubs and outdoor showers, and the spa’s circular ‘sweat lodge’ sauna is a unique feature.

Transfer: the Four Seasons way

Four Seasons operates two private lounges at Malé airport—one in the main terminal and one at the seaplane terminal. After landing, you’re greeted by a resort representative and escorted to the lounge, where you’re offered soft drinks, fast wifi, and charging stations. A short car ride takes you to the seaplane terminal, where the resort’s lounge is right on the boardwalk, with views of the water and your plane. The Flying Triggerfish seaplanes are configured with just eight seats in a 1-1 layout, and the crew provides chilled water and scented towels before takeoff. The flight to Landaa Giraavaru takes around 35 minutes, with a brief stop at Kuda Huraa to pick up or drop off guests. Upon arrival, you’re met by staff and taken by boat to the resort’s jetty, where buggies await to drive you to your villa. The entire process feels seamless, like a private transfer rather than a commercial flight.

Who it suits

Fede guides families without hesitation. The kids club, Kuda Velaa, is one of the best in the Maldives, with complimentary activities from 10am to 6:30pm for children aged four to twelve. The ‘Passport to Adventure’ program introduces kids to the island’s natural wonders through puzzles and challenges, and the resort provides beach essentials, strollers, and even childproofing items for villas. Couples who want space and privacy will appreciate the size of the villas and the island itself—it’s large enough that you can walk for twenty minutes without seeing another guest. Divers and snorkellers will love the proximity to Hanifaru Bay and the house reef, which is directly accessible from the beach. And travellers who value service will notice the attention to detail: staff remember your name and preferences, buggies arrive within minutes, and the turndown service includes branded cable tidies and lens cloths for your devices.

The honest bit

The seaplane transfer is a trade-off. It’s more expensive and less convenient than a speedboat, but the experience is uniquely Four Seasons—private lounges, comfortable planes, and a seamless arrival. The water villas offer less privacy than the beach villas, as neighbouring decks are visible from most pools. The air conditioning in the villas is powerful but can be noisy, a common issue in Maldives resorts with high ceilings. And while the resort’s shark feeding is popular with some guests, others prefer to skip it in favour of the natural marine life visible from their villas. The Premier Bungalows, a newer addition, offer beachfront access with lagoon views, but they’re not yet as widely reviewed as the classic villas. Finally, the resort is large, so buggies are essential for getting around—though bicycles are provided for shorter trips.