Here’s why I took a babymoon without my partner — and you should, too.

Fact checked by Jillian Dara

I was warned the boat ride would be a bit rough because it was windy. Still, I was determined to make the trip. After all, how often does one have the opportunity to snorkel with sharks? And to share that experience with your unborn child?

I was in the Maldives, six months pregnant. Without my spouse. I had decided I needed some time alone, and it felt like this might be my last chance for a while. My husband and I already have one son, and the idea of raising and supporting two children was becoming a reality as we inched closer to my due date. It’s not that I didn’t want time alone with my husband — we had already been lucky enough to go on a babymoon as a couple. But something kept gnawing at me as I continued to feel pulled in multiple directions by multiple people every day.

Why a Babymoon is Important

A babymoon is often about spending time with your partner, enjoying and strengthening your relationship, and maybe even having a last bit of romance before your child enters the world. However, it can also be a vital opportunity for self-reflection and bonding with the unborn child. This unique phase in a woman’s life deserves recognition as it allows mothers-to-be to embrace their womanhood and prepare mentally for motherhood.

With my first pregnancy, I had plenty of alone time before giving birth since there was no other child in the picture. But now, with my six-year-old a constant presence, it would take some serious effort to carve out some me time.

Choosing the Maldives

This got me thinking about the Maldives, a place that had always attracted me, yet was so far away — there was never a good time to make a trip that took nearly 24 hours. Moreover, the Maldives appeared to be facing environmental threats, making it feel like now or never to visit. I couldn’t imagine going on such a long journey with two small kids in tow.

With my incredible husband’s blessing, I started making my solo babymoon a reality, booking three nights each at Naladhu, Private Island and Anantara Kihavah. Which is how I now found myself speeding along choppy waves, with Naladhu shrinking in the distance, trying not to throw up.

Activities During the Babymoon

Snorkeling with sharks is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences one can do in the Maldives, and I couldn’t turn it down. Plus, they were nurse sharks, which are almost entirely safe for humans to be around. So as I threw up over the side of the boat, I reminded myself that this feeling was temporary.

As soon as I got into the water with Naladhu’s marine biologist, Emilia Fulgido, and saw a gigantic shark glide by me, my nausea, and yes, even my fear, melted away. I patted my belly and whispered, “I wish you could see this, baby.” I hoped this experience would instill a sense of love and respect for the vast planet we live on in my child.

Waiting for me upon my return was my stunning private villa — one of just 20 on the small island, all of which were recently renovated. Each spacious indoor/outdoor villa now boasts modern décor, with private pools overlooking the turquoise waters.

I immersed myself in relaxation, all while gazing at the breathtaking surroundings. I read, swam, and savored tropical fruits provided by my Kuwaanu, including my favorite, deep purple mangosteen.

After three blissful nights, I was ready for a little more action, so I hopped on a seaplane to Anantara Kihavah in Baa Atoll, where the stunning house reef awaited. There, guests can enjoy adventurous activities such as snorkeling in vibrant underwater paradise. At Kihavah, enrichment through exploration continues, whether engaging with colorful marine life while snorkeling or relaxing in the setting’s luxurious amenities.

My last night involved climbing to Kihavah’s Sky observatory, where I glimpsed the endless night sky that I rarely get to see in New York City. The experience left me feeling both minimal and expansive under the vast universe.