Imagine you’re stuck on a deserted island. The sun is beating down on you while waves crash on the sandy shores. What items would you want to have with you?
We’ve all considered this hypothetical, some of us choosing an entertaining book to stave off boredom, along with something more practical like a pot for cooking — not to mention an unlimited supply of [enter your favorite food here].
My partner and I recently had to think about this question for real on a recent trip to the remote island nation of the Maldives — though luckily, our survival was never in doubt. During our stay at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, in the far-flung southern Gaafu Alifu Atoll, we had our own deserted island experience on a nearby sliver of sand. No, it wasn’t a snorkel trip gone wrong; it was one of the resort’s various activities created for guests to truly get away from it all.
As I jumped off the boat, my feet hit the shores of the tiny Minimanza Island. It appeared a team of resort staff had been there hours before, raking the sand and setting up a two-person table. We also saw two beanbags atop a Maldivian rug, the whole lounge area shaded by a large umbrella. A sand sculpture of a dolphin sat nearby, welcoming us onshore. Not sure what to expect before arriving, my boyfriend and I glanced at each other, slightly relieved we were by no means “roughing it” on an isolated island in the middle of the ocean.
We had the option of having a staff member stay to serve drinks and lunch, but given all the creature comforts provided, we went with the more adventurous route and decided to experience it completely on our own. Well, almost: A small Nokia phone with full service and battery was left for us in case of emergencies or if we wanted to head back sooner than expected.
Once the speedboat pulled away and zipped out of sight, all we could hear was the sound of the ocean and the squawk of sea birds, the island’s only inhabitants. We were surrounded by picture-perfect sugary white sand exterior and a thick mangrove tree interior. Driftwood, plastic bottles, and trash were scattered around, an unfortunately common blight for every Maldivian island — but just like at the resorts, the Raffles team had cleaned up as much of it as possible. We also saw big branches of bleached coral, another all-too-regular sight on Maldivian shores, thanks to the effects of climate change and El Niño.
Our first order of business was lunch. A wicker picnic basket was filled with our pre-selected chicken sandwiches and fresh tropical fruits like watermelon and passionfruit. Next to it was a large cooler that had everything we could need to stay cool: fresh coconuts, sodas, bottles of water, ice, and cold towels.
Though we had plenty of food and drink, we weren’t given any instructions or warned to avoid certain areas. Our goal was to walk around the island, and we set off after eating, navigating along the outer edge. The tide was coming in, and the rocks we ran into got slippery and nearly impassable. Since we couldn’t avoid the rock barrier by walking into the mangrove-filled interior, we forged ahead stepping carefully over them.
Ahead, we spotted a clearing where an abandoned, barely standing concrete house with a tin roof sat on the water's edge. Our curiosity was piqued, and unsure of what we’d find, we excitedly walked inside, only to find it had been cleared out. Our best guess is that it belonged to the island’s former caretaker. I noticed glass and embers nearby, likely from a fireside party thrown by locals.
Despite our best efforts, we failed to circle the entire island on foot thanks to its sharp drop-off into the water. But luckily, we had packed a crucial item that allowed us to achieve our goal in a different way. We strapped on our snorkel gear and headed towards the reef. Unlike the shores, the waters here were pristine. Rainbow fish, clownfish, and a few triggerfish crossed our paths. With less boat traffic, it seemed like the fish were more active and the schools were larger.
After an hour snorkeling around the entire island, we plopped down onto our beanbags out of breath and thirsty. Icy cold coconut in one hand, I reached into our beach bag and grabbed the final item I had brought for this off-the-grid adventure: a good book. For the rest of our excursion, I read while occasionally looking out over the azure waters into the distance.
Suddenly, I felt the wind shift. The breeze got cooler, and I turned to see a massive black cloud approaching. I got up and checked the time on the Nokia; we were due to get picked up in 20 minutes. “Should we call them earlier?” I asked my partner, slightly panicked. “No, let’s wait it out,” he responded.
Within 10 minutes, a speedboat was zooming towards us, ready to rescue us from any potential downpour. And just like that, we were whisked away from our isolated island retreat to another, slightly more inhabited five-star one.
Despite the impending storm, I could have easily stayed all evening. Before arriving, I figured the novelty would wear off quickly and I’d be itching to rejoin civilization after a few hours. In reality, I could have spent days on that little sliver of sand. I felt more relaxed than after a massage at the spa — having that time to reset and recharge was worth it.
The “Desert Island Experience" by Raffles Maldives Meradhoo starts from $1,000 for two people.