Just in case the Maldives wasn’t already right at the top of your post-pandemic bucket list, here’s another reason that it should be nudging ever closer: luxury resort Soneva Fushi have just revealed their first over water villas. And oh-em-gee, they are swoon-worthy to the maximum.

Balanced atop the striking aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean, the ten new bungalows are set to make their debut and welcome their first guests on September 25th. Eight of the ten new bungalows are one bedroom villas and two are designed as two-bedroom retreats.

The layout was created to exist in complete and total balance with the surrounding Baa Atoll setting, indeed the bungalows have been created to adhere to the iconic Maldives resort’s strict sustainability ethos, for which it recognised worldwide.

Naturally, the retreats will also conform to the resort’s signature “no news, no shoes” brand of barefoot luxury. The new water retreats promise a similar style of luxury as can be found at Soneva Jani, albeit on a slightly larger scale.

Starting at 584 square metres or 6,286 square feet, the new overwater retreats are among the largest in the world. Boasting spacious interior and exterior living areas, the retreats are described as “ideal for families”, with lockable below-deck doors to keep younger guests from wandering.

Other notable changes to the Soneva Jani layout include sustainable wood panels in lieu of whitewashed exteriors, both bedrooms being situated on the ground floor and relocation of the pool, which allows it to be suspended over the ocean creating more space for sun loungers and daybeds.

The interiors focus on soft beiges, light blues and greens, chosen to echo the surrounding ocean and the jungles of Soneva Fushi, meanwhile decor has been designed to reflect the resort’s signature castaway aesthetic.

Each villa has a private pool, a curving slide that plunges directly into the ocean and a large alfresco deck complete with sunken seating area, catamaran nets and a retractable stargazing roof.

The new Water Retreats are priced from USD $2,626+ per night for the 1 bedroom and USD $5,232+ per night for the 2 bedroom. To book, visit https://soneva.com/soneva-fushi/