At Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, our day begins with our traditional morning swim. We dive straight off the deck of our stunning Sunset Water Villa and swim through the turquoise lagoon toward the sand spit at Blu Beach. An incredible and energising start to the morning. From here, we dress for breakfast in sundresses and sandals and take to our bikes, riding through the beautifully maintained island pathways, the atmosphere here feeling polished, vibrant, and effortlessly luxurious.
One of our favourite things about Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is the choice of two exceptional breakfast locations, each offering a completely different experience. Café Landaa presents an extraordinary level of variety, with multiple live cooking stations, chefs preparing dishes to order, and an extensive buffet of beautifully curated offerings. In contrast, Blu, one of our favourite places in the world to dine, offers a more relaxed à la carte experience by the beach. It is always interesting when travelling with our team, some naturally gravitate towards Blu, while others prefer the abundance and energy of Café Landaa, and the ability to choose between the two is part of what makes this resort so special.
Following breakfast, we move into one of the most anticipated experiences at Four Seasons, the “Manta on Call” excursion. Guests are provided with a dedicated phone, and the moment manta rays are sighted at Hanifaru Bay by the resort’s marine team and the Manta Trust, you receive the call and have just minutes to be ready at the jetty.
On this particular morning, we were already heading toward the beach with our snorkelling equipment when the call came through. Within moments, we were at the jetty, boarding the boat and setting off for Hanifaru Bay. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary, an entire morning spent snorkelling alongside these majestic manta rays.
Even having experienced this many times over the past 23 years, it never loses its impact. Accompanied by a marine biologist, we watched as they photographed the unique spot patterns on the mantas’ bellies, each one used to identify and track individuals. These images are later analysed to determine exactly how many different manta rays were present during our snorkel, something we always look forward to discovering later in the day.
Returning to the resort, we head straight to Blu for lunch, without question our preferred spot, particularly at this time of day. Set against the whitewashed tones of the restaurant, with turquoise and navy accents, and framed by white sand and the vivid blues of the lagoon, it is one of the most visually striking dining settings in the Maldives. A long, relaxed Italian lunch here is one of our favourite rituals.
The afternoon is spent on Blu Beach, where the service is effortless and intuitive. The Four Seasons team move seamlessly along the beach, offering chilled fruit, ice blocks, refreshing sprays, and thoughtful touches throughout the afternoon, creating a sense of quiet, attentive luxury.
Later in the afternoon, we make our way to the spa for a Landaa signature massage, set within one of the most beautiful overwater spa environments in the Maldives. It is a moment to completely reset, surrounded by water, stillness, and the gentle rhythm of the island.
As the day transitions to evening, we return to Blu Beach for sunset management cocktails. Champagne flows, canapés are passed, and the atmosphere builds as we reconnect with long-standing friends and the incredible team who have been part of our journey for so many years. Having visited since the resort’s opening, these moments are always special. The General Manager, Armando Kraenzlin, is a wonderful friend of ours, and being welcomed back here always feels deeply personal.
Dinner this evening is at Al Barakat, the resort’s Middle Eastern restaurant, set within an open-air rooftop overlooking the island. The setting is truly spectacular, with its Arabian-inspired design and elevated position creating a memorable and atmospheric end to the day.
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a resort that delivers on every level, vibrant, polished, and deeply experiential, with moments that are both exhilarating and beautifully refined. It is a place we return to time and time again, and one that continues to set the standard for luxury in the Maldives.