A barefoot paradise set within its own lagoon, life here revolves in, around and even below the ocean. Above the water, accommodation comes in the form of enchanting bungalows and pavilions set directly on the beach or over the glistening sea. Then there are the dining venues including the luxe-but-laid-back Celsius with its white-sand-floored deck, and modern Japanese cuisine with a flirtatious Latin twist at SALT – all welcome sights after a stint in the overwater gym. Life on the water takes on an adventurous persona, from the plethora of water sports to spending the day aboard the resort’s superyacht Silver Surf. Or even heading out to spot whale sharks, create new coral colonies, or ID manta rays with the resident marine biologist.  

Huvafen Fushi is renowned for blazing a trail when it comes to architecture and design, but where it really shines is below the waves. Not least in the Huvafen Spa – the setting for the world's first and only underwater treatment space – where the signature rooms provide a uniquely surreal setting. The wine cellar is also sub-aquatic (also the world’s first), housing some 5,500 bottles including incredibly rare vintages. And private dining doesn’t get more intimate than in Latitude 4° – where the only other diners are schools of fish exploring the radiant reef outside.