A Trip to the Far South
Follow along as our Senior Marketing Executive makes her way to Gaafu Alifu Atoll to visit the unbelievably secluded Halcyon Private Isles! She enjoyed delicious food, stunning views and of course incredible marine life on the house reef!
On Arrival...
I fell in love with The Halcyon from the moment my partner and I arrived. We received the warmest welcome, with so many members of the team out on the arrival jetty to greet us. We then spent our first day settling into our beautiful, spacious Oceanfront Beach Pool Villa. Within seconds of arriving, we had walked straight out to the ocean – and even a reef shark came by to welcome us!
Our Butler, Aliyar, was outstanding. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and he was always one step ahead, organising things to make our stay as convenient as possible while ensuring we had plenty of time to relax and take everything in. He is an absolute asset to The Halcyon team.
Marine Life
One of my favourite moments of our stay was the opportunity to swim with Mr. Peters, the resident Marine Biologist. What an experience! Before entering the water, Mr. Peters gave us a fascinating introduction to the marine life within the vibrant house reef, explaining what we were likely to encounter and where we might find it.
The Halcyon’s house reef is mesmerising – a whole underwater world just off the island’s shore. We saw so many colourful fish, reef sharks and Hawksbill turtles among the coral gardens. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Culinary Highlights
Ellie's visit to Thari
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Thari, where we had the most incredible burrata and butter chicken curry we’ve ever tasted. The Chef Vishal and culinary team also make a real effort to come out of the kitchen and check in on guests, which was such a lovely touch. When the team asked about our favourite food, I mentioned how much I love Mexican cuisine. For our final dinner, they created the most beautiful beachside set-up at Thari and prepared a full Mexican platter featuring all my favourite dishes. The flavours were fresh and authentic, making it one of the best meals of our entire Maldives trip.
Dining at Yuzu & the Firepit
For our other two dinners, we experienced Yuzu, an overwater restaurant offering panoramic ocean views and Pan-Asian cuisine. We enjoyed a delicious sushi platter while spending the evening with Oksana, the Director of Sales.
We also dined at The Firepit, an open-flame grill set on a private beach, where torchlight, the sound of the waves and the open-air setting created the perfect atmosphere. I enjoyed chicken tikka to start, followed by a perfectly cooked steak – both were exceptional.
Relaxing Social Spaces
The pool area is spectacular, with uninterrupted views across the ocean and easy access to both the beach and the sea, meaning you never have to choose between the two. It’s the perfect place to relax with a fresh coconut and watch the sweeping Maldivian sunset.
Must Trys at the Halcyon
We were also treated to a floating breakfast, which, in my opinion, really is worth the hype and is perfect for a special occasion. You can enjoy breakfast at your own pace in the privacy of your villa while cooling off in your private pool. It doesn’t just look phenomenal – it tastes fantastic too!
We were pampered at The Halcyon Spa with a rejuvenating back massage in the overwater treatment rooms, which were incredibly tranquil. We later returned for their complimentary candlelit yoga session, the perfect way to end another day in paradise.
A Thank you to the Halcyon
I would visit The Halcyon again in a heartbeat. What a special property. It’s not a large island, making it easy to explore on foot and experience everything it has to offer, while still feeling wonderfully natural and untouched. With a 360-degree house reef, there is so much to discover both above and below the water, alongside a range of excursions that make the most of its more remote atoll setting.
A huge thank you to Oksana, Aliyar and the whole Halcyon family for having us and making us feel so welcome!