Ozen all-inclusive Maldives resorts review: Affordable luxury

She’s dark, nimble and looks absolutely stunning. But when her piercing eyes meet mine, I don’t know whether to laugh or scream.

I’ve often wondered what it’s like to come face to face with one of the most fearsome predators known to humans. Would I remain calm, keep my heartbeat steady and make no sudden movements as the marine experts suggest?

Nope, my arms and flippers flail wildly like an overexcited baby as I grope for the sea bed, sending dozens of colourful tropical fish diving back into their coral lairs.

I clamber back onto the most idyllic of Maldivian beaches and wave my snorkel and mask at the only other person in sight, an immaculately turned-out member of the Ozen Reserve Bolifushi staff.

“There’s a sh-sh shark down here,” I stammer. “Is it friendly? Should I be worried?”

“No shark. Fish feeding 5.30 tonight,” he replies with a smile.

I’ve stumbled upon the only member of the resort’s friendly personnel who doesn’t speak perfect English, so I scurry back to my sunbed and Google ‘sharks in the Maldives’ on my iPad.

‘Blacktip reef sharks live in the shallow waters and are very shy,’ it says. ‘But can scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting tourists,’ it should have added.

Admittedly, the shark is probably no more than a few feet long and I’m soon back in the warm, crystal clear waters, happily pointing out all the fish characters from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory to my wife, Carole.

We’re back in this fragile, tropical wonderland 11 years after celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and are instantly reminded why the Maldives remains one of the most aspirational and much-loved holiday destinations in the world.

Close to 100,000 British tourists were among the 1.8 million who visited last year – almost double the number since our last trip, despite the devastating impact of the global pandemic. And with the new Male airport terminal finally expected to open by Christmas 2024 after a six-year delay, the numbers could fly.

This time we’re spending a few nights in the upmarket Ozen resorts of Bolifushi and Maadhoo in the South Male Atoll among a refreshingly cosmopolitan group of visitors drawn from all corners of the globe.