On our recent trip to the Maldives, we had the pleasure of staying at the Furaveri Resort located in the stunning Raa Atoll, and had a wonderful time. During our search for where to stay, we were looking for the best place to unwind, complete with a sandy white beach and an overwater bungalow offering all the luxury amenities that would make us never want to leave. We wanted a destination that promised ultimate relaxation, and after comparing several options, Furaveri Resort stood out for a variety of reasons.
You can also read our frequently asked questions about traveling to the Maldives.
Furaveri Maldives Resort Review: Our Experience
We went to the Maldives for a 5 day trip where our main goal was relaxation. As someone who loves exploring, I’m the kind of person who wants to see everything and explore every hidden gem. Part of the reason we chose the Maldives in the first place because the secluded island would in a way force me to slow down and relax.
There were excursions available, but I wanted to focus on spending my days alternating between relaxing in a pool and snorkeling by the beach with a refreshing drink in hand. I spent five blissful days following this routine and mixing in a couple of activities. This perfect balance left me feeling fully refreshed after our trip.
After we booked our resort, we received an email from Furaveri Maldives Resort to get our flight information to book a 45-minute seaplane flight (Once you arrive at the Maldivian airport, you have to take a boat or plane to the resort for an extra fee). The experience from beginning to end was amazing.
As soon as we landed we had someone waiting with a sign to greet us. Despite feeling lost in a new country, we had assistance from getting from the airport to the seaplane that made it a breeze. Basically as soon as we landed we were already on our next plane to actually be at the resort. The plane ride was so scenic and was part of the excitement of the journey!
Related Posts: Maldives Travel Guide: FAQ
Even on our way back, I was so grateful for the assistance! As soon as we disembarked from the plane, there was a representative to help us get checked into our flight and assist us with our bags. We even got to learn more about the Maldives by speaking with him! The customer service was part of what made our trip so special!
Upon arrival we were greeted by the staff. We got there before check in and so enjoyed the pool until it was time. We had someone there during our entire stay who we talked to through whatsapp in case we needed anything (like ear plugs thanks to an unexpected ear infection), wanted to book something, or just had a question. They were so accommodating and we never wanted for anything!
The Rooms
One of the main reasons I chose Furaveri Maldives was the room! I wanted a beach pool villa or overwater bungalow that I could spend all day enjoying, and Furaveri delivered. The villa itself was spacious, with air-conditioned rooms that provided the perfect escape from the tropical heat. Our bed overlooked the water, offering mesmerizing sunrises each morning (they also have sunset rooms available as an upgrade!). I loved that our deck came complete with a private infinity pool, daybed, overwater hammock, and an outdoor tub, making it easy to enjoy the idyllic surroundings in comfort.
The crystal-clear water was just a few steps down from our deck. I spent countless hours snorkeling around the reef, spotting colorful fish and, thrillingly, a shark. When I wanted to rest, I’d switch to our private pool, sunbathe, or warm up in the tub if it got chilly later in the evening.
Our stay was made even easier by the thoughtful amenities. The staff provided daily cleaning, leaving our villa spotless even when we tracked in the sand, and they restocked complimentary toiletries and fresh water without fail. The complimentary wireless internet access was also highly appreciated when we wanted to connect with family or share updates about our trip.
Although we stayed in an overwater villa, Furaveri also offers stunning beach villas and private villas, where you can step right onto the sandy white beach. Both options are just as beautiful and perfect for anyone who prefers direct beach access. If we were to visit again, I wouldn’t mind trying one of those!
The Food
There are several booking options when it comes to the Furaveri Maldives. Since you are on the island, you’re limited to what’s there, but we didn’t mind that at all. The resort comes with complimentary breakfast, and you can upgrade to half board (breakfast + dinner), full board (all three meals), or premium all-inclusive (meals + drinks + activities).
Breakfast
We ended up going with half board, which worked out perfectly for us! Breakfast included a wide spread of healthy food options like fresh fruit, yogurt, and pastries along with staples such as eggs and pancakes. Dinner was an exciting experience, with a rotation of themed nights offering a variety of international cuisine. From Mediterranean to Indian dishes, there was always something enticing to try. We particularly enjoyed the special dinners featuring locally inspired recipes that added a unique flavor to our stay.
Packing snacks for the day, having a big breakfast, and enjoying a hearty dinner meant we rarely felt the need for lunch. This was super convenient since the main restaurant was far from our room, and heading back and forth would have disrupted our relaxation time. If we did get hungry, there were still in-room dining options and other restaurants to explore. We also opted out of premium all-inclusive after calculating the additional cost, as we didn’t plan to spend five days drinking, and the included activities like snorkeling and kayaking were already affordable à la carte. Overall, our half board selection gave us plenty of freedom while still letting us focus on savoring the incredible dining experiences.
The dining plans covered their buffet restaurant. We never experienced lunch so I can’t speak to it. Breakfast was a large spread that consisted of all the typical American breakfast foods (eggs/bacon/pancakes/etc), some Indian breakfast items (dahl + roshi), pastries, yogurt, and fresh fruit. It was quite the spread! We got to enjoy lattes every morning which was such a nice touch!
Dinner
Dinner changed nightly based on themes! They had International/Mediterranean/French/Indian/Maldivian/BBQ/Asian night. I was so sad that we missed Maldivian night as we were only there 5 days, however, there was Maldivian cuisine included in every meal. We had such a wide range of cuisines that were amazing from Filipino adobo, to fresh tandoori chicken, lasagna, and lamb meatballs. We loved trying new dishes, but for people who aren’t as adventurous, there was plenty of familiar foods, and even things like chicken nuggets for kids. The quality of food is impressive.
Yes it was a buffet, but it was still great flavor and something we looked forward to. I’d say it was on par with high quality buffet food (but of course still buffet food). On the first night, I learned that drinks, including water, weren’t included in our half board. After that, we always brought our own water bottle to dinner.
The desert section was also massive and usually in live with whatever theme was happening!
Other Food Options
Apart from the buffet, there were other dining options. They had in room/bar dining menu which we took advantage of the first day when we arrived early. There are some Maldivian dishes, burgers, and other items. Prices are higher than usual because shipping things to the island is expensive.
They have a Mexican restaurant, but it was closed during our visit. I didn’t feel like I missed out since we eat that type of food often living in Texas! The other restaurant was a fine dining Asian restaurant that you can reserve. People can have multicourse meals or try different Asian dishes. We ate there on the last day since we had to leave after lunch. We went for the Kandu Kukulhu which was a traditional Maldivian dish packed with flavor and was amazing. If anything my biggest complaint would be that there weren’t many options to try Maldivian dishes (which may have been available on Maldivian night), but overall we beyond satisfied.
If you are looking for drinks, the resort has a huge list of nearly 100 cocktails, some mocktails, and fresh coconut juice! They had premium liqour options. Also good to note, that their premium all inclusive package does only offer limited drink choices.
Community Areas
While we spent a lot of time in our resort, we also spent a decent amount of time out by the beach in pool as well. Since it was right where the main restaurant was, it was easy to just stop by and enjoy the swing by the beach or to grab some snorkeling gear to explore the reefs on this side for a change of scenery.
The pool was huge and despite the resort being full, we it still felt like an intimate property. It was always easy to find a chair to sit in and the pool was never crowded. Our resort was family friendly, but was still very relaxed and while there were kids around, everything was still laid back. Usually we look for adults-only resorts, but did not feel bothered at all that this one wasn’t. We also got to meet people from all over the world which was a nice experience as well!
Things to Do
One common piece of advice when choosing a resort was to find one with plenty of activities. This helps keep you entertained, as you’ll mostly stay on the island. We were at Furaveri Maldives for 5 days so we didn’t need too many activities, but it is important to take into account your goals.
Our resorts included activities were a daily shark feeding, tennis courts, and nightly activities (movie night/karaoke/Maldivian night). There were fun swings all over, hammocks, and just walking the island was an adventure where you’d see large bats flying around and enjoy the beautiful florals and luscious plants. Hanging out in our room, swimming, and sunbathing was quite satisfying in itself.
Related Posts: Maldives Travel Guide: FAQ
Snorkeling gear was only $6 a day and for our 5 day trip would have been enough just because there was so much to see. However there were plenty of options for rentals including tube/banana rides, catamaran sailing/lessons, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding, jet skis, and kayaking. We went windsurfing in Aruba, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I had to try it again here in the Maldives—though I forgot how hard it was and spent most of the time falling, it was totally worth it!
There are also individual and group excursions. We ended up getting to snorkel with turtles & did a jetskiing tour to these sandbanks which I can’t recommend enough. There is just something so incredible about standing on an island even more secluded than the resort and the water is so clear. It was amazing watching the waves crashing against each other from opposite sides because the sandbank was so narrow!
Other tours include manta ray snorkeling, deep sea fishing, sunset cruises with dolphins, and trips to the local islands. They also offered private beach dinners! The spa had a large array of options. We tried not to jam pack our schedule (we were really trying to relax) and I wish we had a few more days to enjoy some of the additional activities!
Vibrant Marine Life
Furaveri isn’t just about relaxation; it offers plenty of activities for those looking to explore beyond their villa. The resort’s house coral reef features vibrant marine life, making snorkeling an unforgettable experience. We swam with colorful fish and frequent turtles, and even caught sight of a small reef shark!
For adventurers, there’s an impressive lineup of watersports including kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing. We couldn’t pass up a romantic sunset cruise, which offered stunning views and moments to treasure forever.
The island itself is a haven of trees, with lush greenery providing shade along the pathways. While out for a walk, we encountered large fruit bats and enjoyed the fragrant blooms of the local flora. For even more excitement, excursions like snorkeling with the gentle mantas, deep-sea fishing, or visiting nearby islands are available.
Final Thoughts
Staying at the furaveri island resort & spa was a dream. We did a lot of research to choose a perfect place we loved and I feel like we made the right choice. Our first priority was the room and I’m happy that it had everything we needed and we fully utilized all of the utilities and felt the prices were also the best for what we were looking for.
The activities were satisfying, while the simple beauty of the surroundings took our breath away every single day. The food was better than we had expected, adding another layer of positive things to our experience. The quality of service was amazing and you could tell everyone truly wanted to make our experience special. From the moment we landed from the airport until the moment we checked in, we were so well taken care of! I also learned from our airport concierge (although cannot 100% confirm) that we had booked a Maldivian owned resort which to me was a nice touch.
I wasn’t sure if 5 days was enough. It felt short considering how long it took to travel (about 30 hours each way) and while I would have loved at least an extra 2 days I left fully satisfied having spent 5 blissful days staring into gatorade blue waters and swimming amongst such colorful fish. At the time all we had was this amount of time, but one day I do hope to go back to experience more of the Maldivian culture and try some other unique experiences.
Last Updated 2 weeks ago by Jessica Serna | Published: August 2, 2021
