Palm trees and 30 degrees. Tucked far away in the Indian Ocean is tropical hideaway Cinnamon Dhonveli, nestled in on one of the Maldives’ best surf breaks, Pasta Point. These turquoise waters of the azure sea are idyllic and something straight from your dreams. There’s something here to tickle everyone’s fancy, with one side home to a sleek barreling lefthander that peels down a fringe reef and the other, a seductive lagoon dotted with palms. The legendary tale of the resort’s beginnings – when two surfers sailing to India stumbled upon the tiny island – casts a strange romance, an almost eerie sentiment of travellers gone by. It’s easy to feel like a marooned castaway on these pure shores; the pace is slow, the vibe is easy.
See...
Through a snorkeling mask into an underwater world of glowing creatures, colours you could never imagine. These sparkling waters of aqua and turquoise are full of deep sea treasures and so clear your reflection stares back at you.
Stay...
In in one of Cinnamon Dhonveli’s garden bungalows, nestled into a jungle oasis. Among lush green palms and greenery, the air surrounding these huts is vibrant and fresh.
Taste...
Tropical fruits, lychees, mangoes and papayas have juice that wakes you up. Perch up on the open deck overlooking the surfers winding around the reef and order a fresh mid-morning papaya juice or a Negroni to match the evening sunset. You can’t go past the fresh local ‘catch-of-the-day’ fish and a salad from chef Franklin, whose sunny smile will melt your heart.
Take...
Barely anything. The wardrobe doesn’t extend too far past a bikini. For an afternoon by the lagoon, Matteau Swim or a Jets by Jessika Allen one piece are perfect for a snorkelling adventure. Darting between day beds in denim cut-offs and slipping into sheer cotton or white silk for nighttime island wanderings. Hair is salt-dried, feet are bare, eyelashes laced in black.
Listen...
Paradise - Sade
Give Thanks (Sound Providers Instrumental Remix) - Kero One
A Calf Born In Winter – Khruangbin
Since I left you - The Avalanches
Pure Shores - All Saints
In A Day...
Sunrise by the lagoon for a morning swim followed by a Maldivian ‘local’ coffee on the open deck watching the dawn swell. Papaya and coconuts for breakfast, followed by lots of rolling around in sand and water until the burning heat turns the sky a dusty pink and the aromas of the tropical flowers are at their sweetest, you tuck away into your bungalow with white linen curtains gently easing the midnight breeze, a not-so-distant sound of ocean waves lapping at the reef nearby.
