Cocoa Island © Cocoa Island

A luxury boutique resort in the Maldives, Banyan Tree is located on North Malé Atoll, 45 miles (72km) from the airport in Malé. The lush tropical interior and sandy beaches of the island are surrounded by coral reefs that provide scenic settings for scuba diving and snorkelling. Banyan Tree is an eco-friendly resort, and offers marine biology and conservation lessons in addition to more conventional activities like dolphin safaris, spa treatments, canoeing, sailing, fishing, waterskiing and windsurfing. A quiet and secluded resort, Banyan Tree doesn't offer much in the way of nightlife, but has some child and family-friendly programmes.