Gili Lankanfushi is all overwater: every villa stands on stilts in the lagoon, built from natural wood and thatch, with a rooftop terrace, a catamaran net to lie on over the sea and steps straight into the water. Shoes come off on arrival, and each guest gets a bamboo bicycle for the island.
The smallest villas are 210 m², which is large by Maldives standards. The Crusoe Residences stand alone in the lagoon and are reached only by boat, while The Private Reserve, 1,700 m² with its own spa, cinema, gym and waterslide, is one of the largest overwater villas anywhere.
It is only 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport, so you lose very little of the first and last day. Each villa has a Mr. or Ms. Friday on call around the clock, and the resort runs coral-restoration work led by its marine biologists.