Imagine a candlelight dinner with your loved one under the stars in the middle of the ocean. With only the ticklish feel of silky soft sand on your toes, and the melodies of gentle ocean waves caressing the shore, the universe seems for an instant a private Edenic playground for just the two of you.

Welcome to the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives. The jewel of the North Malé Atoll, the Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru is only 25 minutes by speedboat from Maldives’s international airport at Malé.

The resort’s 48 luxuriously appointed villas have their own private outdoor jet pool, sundeck and pavilion, with the ocean just a few steps away. Wake up each day to the warm embrace of the sun’s golden rays. Listen to the balmy sea breezes whisper secrets of seafaring tales from afar. If you’re feeling adventurous, head out to explore the numerous dive sites that dot the 26 atolls in the Maldives.

With over 900 species of fish, corals in every imaginable color, the Maldives boasts some of the most spectacular ecosystems in the world. Or you can set sail on a classic double-mast Turkish gullet for a 3-day Banyan Velaa Cruise, and go island-hopping.

There’s also a full-service PADI dive center offering diving courses and activities for beginners and seasoned divers. The resort’s Ilaafathi Restaurant serves up delectable Maldivian and international cuisine while the open-air Naiboli Bar offers a causal respite over a round of cocktails as you sit back and recount the day’s adventures.

After that, get a good rubdown at the resort’s world-class spa to rejuvenate fatigued bodies and prepare for next day’s adventures.