The resort where you can swim with sharks or relax in your own over-water villa with private pool

IMAGINE a ‘shiver of sharks’ circling your dive boat out in the middle of the deep blue sea, just waiting for some fresh meat.

Then imagine the dive boat skipper throwing in a bucket of blood and guts just to keep them happy before telling you to jump in among those ‘happy sharks’.

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And if you can imagine all that, then what you have isn’t a shiver of sharks — it’s shivering snorkellers.

But this is the North Male Atoll in the Maldives where a shark is almost like your mate . . . yes that’s mate — not bait.

These nurse sharks are not from the Jaws family — they’re gentle, easygoing beasts which just happen to have thousands of razor sharp teeth.

And they generally don’t give two hoots about snorkellers or have any interest in tearing your limbs off.

So, with those assurances, in we went, flippers first.

And, sure enough, sharks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, were wholly oblivious to the mild peril they’d inadvertently created for us thrill-seeking amateurs.

This, believe it or not, is a perfectly normal occurrence in the Maldives where I had come with one of my closest friends for the holiday of all holidays.

And this sharkfest, as it turns out, was a truly memorable experience.

And just one of many during a stay at VARU by Atmosphere.

VARU is an all-inclusive paradise reached by a 40-minute speedboat trip. Yes, you read that right.

It’s the most idyllic resort comprising villas dotted along the beach and water villas embracing three jetties projecting out over the turquoise lagoons with panoramic views of nothing more than blue skies and miles upon miles of crystal-clear ocean. The stuff of dreams.

The water villas built on stilts are exactly what you really envisage when you think of the Maldives. Some, like the one me and my friend Gwen were lucky enough to stay in, have their own pool, and each has a ladder direct to the sea below so you can take yourself off for snorkelling whenever the mood takes you.

Our villa was beyond spectacular with floor to ceiling double doors, a huge deck, rocker-style lounges and a free-standing bath meaning that wherever you were you were treated to an uninterrupted mesmerising view of the ocean. Throw in a mini bar packed with snacks, soft drinks and beer and a separate wine fridge which is restocked TWICE a day then you really have no reason to leave the villa — other than to eat.

And, of course, the restaurants don’t disappoint on that front. We tried ALL four of them.

The main restaurant Lime & Chili offers buffet-style dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the choice is so vast and varied you’d struggle to eat the same thing twice across a week.

The most sensational salad bar, fresh fish, soups, cheeses, and food from every corner of the globe ensures you’d never get bored. Great for picky and adventurous eaters alike.

For something different the overwater Mediterranean fish restaurant Nu delivered . . . well fish. Beautifully cooked and washed down with a crisp Rose wine.

The beach grill Charcoal is a meat and BBQ option which for a pescetarian like me was more of a challenge but there were a couple of veggie options to try.

Well I managed a mouthful before a storm blew in and all the beach-front dinner tables were rapidly wrapped up and whisked inside to the bar area. Quite the feat given the amount of guests dining.

And lastly is KAAGÉ, a traditional Maldivian restaurant which is crafted to resemble a local home and encourages you to indulge in local culture by sticking on a sarong and allowing your taste buds to be taken on culinary journey. Something completely different — in a really good way.

We were lucky enough to be given most of the menu to sample which was simply devine — the mackerel curry was incredible.
I don’t think I can finish mentioning the food at VARU without giving the floating breakfast a wee plug.

GO: MALDIVES

GETTING THERE: Turkish Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Male, from £825pp economy and £3,569pp business.

Delivered to your villa and set up by on an inflatable tray for you to enjoy as you sit in the pool — though buttering toast while you bob about in a pool takes some doing but it’s worth it for the sheer novelty.

Of course, after all that eating, you need to do a bit of moving and there’s no shortage of activities to keep you entertained.

Snorkelling with sharks we’ve already covered and you can guarantee working off a few calories through sheer panic paddling in the first few minutes alone of that experience.

There’s also other snorkelling tours, kayaking, paddleboarding and yoga all available whenever you fancy.

You can, of course, snorkel whenever you want as you’re given your own snorkelling gear on arrival and we definitely made the most of the ladder from our villa into the sea for regular snorkelling throughout the day.

But this is a chilled place so chilling is mandatory.

And to help with that a visit to the Elena Spa is a must.

It’s a spa like no other where you can enjoy your treatment while watching the fish below thanks to a glass floor which elevates serenity to a whole new level — that’s saying something given the rigorous back massage I was enjoying at the time.

Varu is a resort that’s good for the soul. In fact it’s by far and away the best holiday I’ve ever had.