InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Snorkelling & diving: a manta ray sanctuary on your doorstep

The lagoon at InterContinental Maamunagau is one of the few places in the Maldives where juvenile manta rays gather year-round. From December to April, the northeast monsoon drives adult mantas between the atolls; during these months, the lagoon becomes a highway of wings. Snorkellers can wade in from the beach and float above the rays as they feed on plankton stirred up by the current. No boat is needed—just a mask, fins, and a sense of wonder.

For divers, the resort’s house reef drops to 30 metres and is patrolled by grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and the occasional hawksbill turtle. The real draw, though, is a 15-minute dhoni ride to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in neighbouring Baa Atoll. Between May and November, the bay fills with hundreds of mantas and whale sharks feeding on the same plankton bloom. The resort’s dive centre runs two-tank morning trips that put you in the water as the rays barrel-roll beneath you. A good rule: to book the first slot—visibility is best before the wind picks up.

• House reef: 30 m drop-off, accessible from beach or jetty
• Hanifaru Bay: 15 min by dhoni, manta season May–Nov, whale sharks Dec–Apr
• Dive centre: PADI 5-star, nitrox available, guided night dives on request
• Snorkel gear: complimentary for all guests, prescription masks on request

Spa: traditional Chinese medicine meets Maldivian minerals

Avi Spa sits at the water’s edge, its treatment rooms open to the breeze. The menu leans heavily on traditional Chinese medicine: facial acupuncture to stimulate collagen, cupping therapy to release tension, and tui-na massage that follows the body’s meridians. Every session begins with a foot cleanse in warm water infused with grapefruit and lavender, followed by yogic breathing and meridian tapping to slow the mind. The signature treatment—a 90-minute ‘Maldivian Meridian Journey’—combines acupuncture with a full-body massage using warm poultices of local herbs and crushed coral minerals.

The spa also offers dietary plans and herbal medicine consultations. If you’re staying a week, the team can tailor a menu that aligns with your treatment goals.

• Signature treatment: Maldivian Meridian Journey (90 min, acupuncture + poultice massage)
• TCM modalities: facial acupuncture, cupping, tui-na, herbal consultations
• Wellness extras: private yoga on the sandbank, sound-bath meditation at sunset
• Spa access: open 9 am–8 pm, treatments by appointment only

Kids & families: Club InterContinental for all ages

Over half the resort’s 81 villas and residences can sleep four or more, making it one of the few luxury properties in Raa Atoll that truly welcomes families. The kids’ club, Planet Trekkers, is housed in a thatched pavilion near the beach. The programme runs daily from 9 am to 5 pm and is split into two age groups: 4–7 and 8–12. Activities include Maldivian cooking classes (kids make their own coconut roti), marine biology lessons with the resort’s resident biologist, and treasure hunts that end at the ice-cream bar.

Parents receive a complimentary afternoon tea while the children are at the club, and the resort can arrange private nanny service for infants. Works for families here who returned with stories of their six-year-old identifying manta rays by name—proof that the resort’s marine education sticks.

• Kids’ club: Planet Trekkers, ages 4–12, 9 am–5 pm daily
• Family villas: 44 villas with two bedrooms, private pools, direct beach access
• Babysitting: private nannies available 24/7, infant cots and high chairs on request
• Dining: kids’ menu at Café Umi, baby food prepared to order

Water sports & excursions: beyond the lagoon

The resort’s water-sports centre offers the usual suspects—kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis—but the real standouts are the guided experiences. The ‘Manta Search’ snorkel excursion takes guests to the outer reef at dawn, when mantas are most active. For something slower, the sunset dhoni cruise includes a stop at the resort’s private sandbank, where a butler serves champagne and canapés as the light turns pink.

Fishing trips run at sunrise and sunset; the catch is often grilled that evening at Fish Market, the resort’s sea-to-table restaurant. If you’re visiting between July and October, ask about the ‘Whale Shark Safari’—a full-day trip to South Ari Atoll, where these gentle giants gather in numbers found almost nowhere else.

• Signature excursions: Manta Search (dawn snorkel), Whale Shark Safari (Jul–Oct), sunset dhoni cruise with sandbank stop
• Fishing: big-game and reef fishing, catch prepared by the chef
• Water sports: kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, windsurfing, waterskiing
• Private charters: speedboat or dhoni for half-day or full-day trips

Club InterContinental: perks that feel personal

InterContinental Maamunagau is the first and only resort in the world where most guests receives Club InterContinental benefits. These aren’t just room upgrades; they’re daily moments that make you feel looked after. Breakfast at Café Umi is included — fresh passionfruit, Maldivian lobster omelettes, and a juice bar that blends local pineapple with ginger. Afternoon tea arrives at The Collective: three tiers of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and macarons that taste like they were flown in from Paris.

Evening aperitifs at The Pool Bar are a ritual. The bartender remembers your preference after the first night—whether it’s a classic gin and tonic or a lychee martiniand has it ready when you arrive. All-day refreshments mean you can grab an iced coffee or a coconut water without signing a chit. My pick is the mango lassi at The Retreat, the adults-only pool area, where the staff will bring it to your lounger without being asked.

• Daily breakfast: Café Umi, à la carte and buffet options
• Afternoon tea: The Collective, 3–5 pm daily
• Evening aperitifs: The Pool Bar, 5–7 pm daily
• All-day refreshments: The Retreat and The Pool Bar, non-alcoholic and alcoholic