Makundu Island

Makunudu Island: An Authentic Maldivian Escape

For those seeking the Maldives in its most authentic form, Makunudu Island offers a sanctuary of barefoot charm, intimacy and natural wonder. Spanning just six acres in the North Malé Atoll — a 50-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport — this tiny island feels worlds away. Here, life plays out at nature’s pace: reef manta rays swoop at dawn, palms sway to the rhythm of the tide, and the only soundtrack is the sea. This is a Maldives for purists — more Attenborough than airbrushed, less “for the ’gram” and more for those who prefer their barefoot luxury unscripted, unfiltered and unforgettable.

With only 36 bungalows tucked among palms and sand, the experience is intimate and quietly captivating. Beach Bungalows offer direct access to the shore and open-air garden bathrooms, while the Deluxe Beach Bungalows add extra space, private patios and ocean views. Each has its own rhythm — a place where the horizon feels close enough to touch and the days are measured by tides, sunsets and the songs of the reef. Please note, Makunudu welcomes guests aged 12 years and over (reducing to 10 years from November 2025).

The house reef here is exceptional — a kaleidoscope of marine life just steps from the beach. With the PADI-accredited Makunudu Dive Ocean centre, beginners can earn certification under the careful eye of instructors, while advanced divers can explore nearby sites including Manta Point, Shark Point and Blue Canyon. For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, the Riyaa Watersports team offer windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and guided snorkelling trips.

When the day slows, island life takes on a different kind of magic. Join a sunset champagne cruise aboard a traditional riyaa dhoni, settle in for a Movie Under the Stars, or share stories around a Friday night beach bonfire with live music. At the Aavun Spa, therapies draw on Maldivian, Asian and European traditions, from seashell massages with pure coconut oil to Ayurvedic head massage and reflexology.

Dining at Ara Iru restaurant reflects the spirit of the island: unhurried and generous. From fresh tropical fruit and seafood to Maldivian specialities, meals are a celebration of local and international flavours. Once a week, the beach comes alive with a barbecue and traditional Maldivian buffet, while private candlelit dinners can be arranged on the sand, beneath the stars, or in the privacy of your bungalow. Three relaxed bars — including the Sand Bar for cocktails at sunset — complete the picture.

At the Discerning Collection, we champion the Maldives’ hallmark “one island, one resort” experience — and Makunudu captures this perfectly. Guests may choose between full board or all-inclusive stays, with holidays arranged with or without flights. Speedboat transfers are included as standard.

Makunudu distils the essence of the Maldives: intimate, natural and quietly unforgettable. Days drift by effortlessly — snorkelling above coral gardens, sailing with the breeze, or simply watching the tide trace the edge of the island. It is an escape for those who value authenticity over artifice, and the kind of place that lingers long after you leave.

Makunudu is not for everyone — and that is precisely its magic. Known to a lucky few since the 1980s, this emerald-green jewel in an aquamarine sea remains one of the Maldives’ original gems: privately owned, utterly authentic, and with just 36 villas hidden beneath a canopy of mature vegetation. There are no overwater showpieces or glossy distractions here — just soft sand, a dazzling house reef, dark skies full of stars, and the rare luxury of time unhurried. For those who seek the Maldives as it once was — intimate, natural and quietly captivating — Makunudu is paradise preserved.