After we had spent a few nights in our deluxe beach villa at Reethi Beach Resort, it was time for a change of scenery and time to migrate to one of the beautiful over water villas.
Costing around $245 USD per night, these villas are some of the cheapest over water villas in all of the Maldives, and perhaps even the world. Perfect for those who want the incredible over water experience but aren’t keen on selling a kidney on the black market to pay for it – these four star villas are worth every cent and then some.
Though the decor is a little dated and the linens could afford to be updated with a more classic style, on the whole, these rooms make for an incredible stay.
Featuring all the typical hotel amenities you would expect from a four star hotel, what makes these villas truly special is the view and the direct access to the ocean below.
Shortly after arriving at our little villa, the sun disappeared, the wind picked up and the Maldives became something completely at odds with what you see in all the pictures.
When people think of the Maldives, they immediately picture clear blue skies, bright blue water and an endlessly sunny paradise. So to experience a monsoonal storm? Not what I expected, but not at all unwelcome.
In this next photograph you can see the clouds beginning to form and the sky going dark. What was even more amazing than the thunderous sky was how this darkness completely changed the look of the water. Gone was the clear cerulean we had become accustomed to, it had been swiftly replaced with a bright – almost neon – aqua.
Within mere minutes the clouds had gone from shapeless to completely formed and utterly astonishing. The rain hadn’t started to truly pour at this point, but I knew it was coming. Look at those clouds – how could it not?
We wasted no time in reaching for our cameras to capture the moment. Honestly, without pictures, I didn’t think anyone would believe me when I said that the Maldives had been anything but sunny.
This next shot was my favourite of the day. The clouds are so dark, the water so bright – I love the juxtaposition and the calm yet dark mood it creates.
After snapping about a gazillion shots, this girl figured that there was no better time to throw on her snorkel and jump back into the water. What could be better than a little stormy splash around in the middle of the Indian Ocean?
The seas were on the choppier side, but not enough to stop me! With all the wind and thunder, the fishies seemed to have made themselves scarce and water was significantly less clear than usual, but it was still beautiful and still well worth the few more strands of hair lost to the snorkel mask.
Not long after I had hauled myself back up the ladder to our villa the sky which had been thundering all day finally opened up and poured.
We stayed inside for a little while watching the rain, but I have never been one to be put off by a little rain. If anything, the rain makes me want to go outside even more! So off we went to explore a bit more of our tiny little island hideaway. The rain seemed to keep a lot of people at bay, so we had so much more of the place all to ourselves.
The lizards that had been running around the place had appeared to take cover from the rain, but it hadn’t put off the little hermit crabs on the beach.
Everything looked so much more lush in the rain. The leaves looked greener, the sand felt softer, the place had always been beautiful – but this was the first time it felt magical.
After a little while the rain went from a sustained pelting to a light drizzle. Seaplanes began arriving again and other island enthusiasts began emerging from their lodgings.
Not only were humans emerging, but wildlife too. During a little beach walk we came across a pack of at least 10 big sting rays just hanging out by the shoreline. Pretty amazing to say the least! These rays were a beautiful way to end a rainy day – lucky for me, it wasn’t my only encounter with sting rays in the Maldives. Stay tuned!
T H E L O W D O W N
Getting to Male: There are many different routes flying into Male, flights with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur are some of the cheapest
Trans Maldivian Airways: This is the largest seaplane company flying to destinations in the Maldives
Getting to Reethi: Access is by seaplane or domestic flight – costs for return flights are $450 USD and $330 USD respectively
Reethi Beach: One of the most affordable resorts in the Maldives, basic rooms start at $165 USD per night
Snorkelling: Snorkel gear hire at Reethi is just $12.99 per 24 hours
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with M.Zuiko 12-40mm Pro Lens
Threads: My cute bikini and maxi skirt are by Aussie label Tigerlily Swimwear and my off shoulder top is by Tree of Life
Remember: A little bit of rain should never be a deterrent!
Don’t forget to add me on Snapchat and Instagram – @wwellend – for more foolishness and travel adventures!
Looks so beautiful, even with a strom! You’re right, the difference between the water and clouds is amazing!
I honestly don’t think there could ever be a time where the Maldives is not drop dead gorgeous! The supermodel of the world haha
Seriously! Yet to go there but dying too!
Any plans to go in the future?
Not yet! Our next plans are road tripping Aus and then South East Asia. Would LOVE too but seems very expensive! Saving it for a little later on down the bucket list
It definitely is a pricier destination – so worth it though!
It definitely is a pricier destination – so worth it though!
I bet! we’ll get there one day! Are you off to Bali again anytime soon? with only two hours on a plane, i would be there all the time!
Yep! I will be back in about a month! So nice for shorter getaways 🙂
I love your photos. By far this is one of the most impressive destinations in the world. I went to Maldives 2 years ago and I still think of that feeling of ‘no phone, no shoes’, just colours, great temperatures and pure bliss.
I must admit, the no shoes part of the Maldives is incredibly appealing haha
Glad to hear you enjoyed reading about my trip to the Maldives 🙂
Beautiful photos! The color of water there is amazing. It shows even more on a cloudy day! Did you have any sunny days in the Maldives at all?
Oh I have heaps! Check out this next link for all my Maldives posts – majority of which are all about the sun 🙂
https://travellingtheworldsolo.com/category/travel/oceania/asia/maldives/
What an amazing contrast and so so stunning. I love looking at the different moods of the Maldvies – I always have such fond memories but I can’t say I witnessed a storm there. Would’ve been truly invigorating.
It was certainly an unexpected event! I am glad I could share it with so many people 🙂
Wonderful! 🙂
I’ve always wondered what a monsoon looked like 🙂 Thanks for clarifying!
The contrast of the stormy sky and the aqua sea is awesome! Enjoyed your photos from your stay at Reethi beach resort.
Thank you so much – very glad you enjoyed 🙂
You have a very nice blog. I love it, really. If you don’t mind, you can also follow by travel blog page. Here is the link, https://letsgotravelweb.wordpress.com/ thanks. Keep on blogging! 🙂
Thank you! I will be sure to check it out 🙂
You are very welcome. Thanks in advance. 🙂
Photographs beautifully depicted the monsoon season in Maldives! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photographs!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
That, to me, is the best form of ad venture travel: Experiencing a major storm and being out in it, having seen the end in the beginning.
I wholeheartedly agree! It was such a wonderful experience 🙂
Wow ! Amazing photos, lucky girl ! 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂 glad you liked the pictures!
Fantastic photos Ellen, such a gorgeous place. ❤️
Thanks John – it really is beautiful! I so did not want to leave!
Those clouds are really something else. I love the combinations of blues and greys 🙂
So do I – such stunning colours! 🙂
Amazing photos — the water was still a gorgeous blue even when the sky was dark!
Thank you Katherine 🙂 The Maldives are just too pretty!
What a stunning place, love the stingrays and glad the rain meant you could explore in peace for a while. 🙂
It was lovely. I don’t mind being around other travellers but it is always nice to feel like you have somewhere to yourself 🙂
Wonderful photos, rain does make everything so much more vibrant.
It definitely does! My love affair with rain started in Scotland – when I visited the Isle of Skye it never stopped pouring, but I swear it made everything so much more striking.
Even with the dark weather that place looks amazing! It almost looks unreal. I love your pictures!
Thanks to much Lindsey! It is always nice to hear that people are enjoying the blog!
Wonderful photos, I love the combinations of blues and greys
Thanks for reading Robert 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Hey Ellen!
I nominated you for TAG. It pertains to travel and I thought you might appreciate it. I’d love to see your answers for the questions, but it’s totally up to you if you’d like to participate. 🙂 Cheers, Angie.
https://angiedeptula.wordpress.com/2016/06/23/tag-places-where/
Thanks Angie! I have been nominated to do this Tag a couple of times now so I think I may just have to do it 🙂
That’s great! I think you should. I’m sure your readers will (and I) appreciate it. 🙂
Its some awesome clicks…. Glad you enjoyed the monsoon… if not it may be too hot. Visit again
Beautiful in so many ways!
Thank you very much 🙂 just too pretty a place!
You must experience Monsoon in India specially Western Ghats in Maharashtra. It is unique phenomenon
Ooh, beautiful pictures of the ocean under the stormy skies. I had never seen (or even imagined) this kind of color of the water under such dark skies! Beautiful!
Thank you so much for reading – glad you enjoyed. The Maldives are such a beautiful place!
Reblogged this on Travel Guides & Blogs.
Glad you like my blog. Ethiopia will continue for a couple of weeks. You can also see information regarding Costa Rica from posts earlier in the year after I was there for Christmas.
Love your photos of the dark clouds and vibrant sea!
Thank you so much! Nature provides some pretty wonderful contrasts 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Lovely! Thanks for the travel tips 🙂
Maldives is a beauty! Stunning pictures!