Far south across the equator's doorstep, with uncrowded surf breaks and suites over the lagoon.
Ayada sits on Maguhdhuvaa in Gaafu Dhaalu, one of the southernmost corners of the Maldives and a world away from the busy atolls near Malé. Getting here takes a domestic flight and a boat, and the reward is space, quiet and some of the least crowded surf breaks in the country.
Villas range from Garden Villas in the island's greenery to beach suites with plunge pools and, over the water, Sunset Ocean Suites with glass floor panels and three hammocks. At the top, the two-storey Ayada Royal Ocean Suite sits at the end of the jetty with a 180-degree terrace.
Dining is unusually varied for a remote island: international buffets at Magu, modern European over the water at Ocean Breeze, Asian food at Kai, teppanyaki at Mizu, a Turkish café, and an overwater wine and cheese bar a hundred metres out in the lagoon.
The journey is long: a domestic flight plus up to 50 minutes by boat, with luggage limits on the plane (surfboards over 7 ft aren't allowed). The surf suits upper-intermediate to advanced surfers for most of the year; beginners do best from mid-November to mid-February.
Tucked into the tropical greenery, with a large terrace, a private garden and a big bathroom with a tub and outdoor shower.
King bed
On the white beach, with a secluded garden, a plunge pool and a large veranda.
King bed
A larger bedroom, a veranda with sunbeds and a plunge pool in its own garden; good for couples or a small family.
King bed
Beachfront suites on the sunset side, with a big living space, a secluded pool garden and indoor and outdoor showers.
King bed
A Beach Suite interconnected with a Beach Villa, so a family has two bedrooms, two pool gardens and two bathrooms with easy access between them.
Two bedrooms
Over the lagoon, with a terrace pool, ocean hammocks and steps into the water.
King bed
Half on land and half over the water: a garden suite whose terrace, pool and hammock reach out over the lagoon.
King bed
The Sunset Lagoon Suite with two extra single beds for children.
King bed and two single beds
Overwater suites with a separate living room and glass floor panel, a terrace pool, sunbeds and three hammocks.
King bed
West-facing overwater suites for families with older children: two bedrooms and bathrooms, a glass floor panel, a pool and three hammocks.
Two bedrooms
The presidential suite at the end of the jetty: two floors, two bedrooms, glass floor panels and an upper terrace with a 180-degree ocean view.
Two bedrooms on two floors
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
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International buffet with a different theme every night
Modern European
Far Eastern and Asian dishes
Japanese teppanyaki grill
Beach grill, Tuesdays and Fridays
Poolside restaurant and bar
Open-air wine and cheese bar
Turkish teas and coffee served in silver
Spa and wellness, with yoga
Kids club with daily activities
Guided boat trips to uncrowded reef breaks
The island's organic garden
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A 55-minute domestic flight from Malé to Huvadhoo Atoll, then a 25–50 minute speedboat ride. The resort books the domestic flights for you.
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