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The world might know the Maldives for its picture-postcard villas, turquoise waters, and once-in-a-lifetime luxury escapes.
But one island in the middle of this tropical paradise tells a completely different story – one of decay, mystery, and ambitious plans left abandoned.
In a video uploaded to YouTube in 2023, Australian filmmaker and surfer Kale Brock explained that while on the retreat in the Maldives, he and his group had spotted a ‘mysterious’ island in the distance and convinced their guide to take them there.
What they discovered was straight out of a movie – more Jurassic Park than five-star luxury getaway.
In incredible footage, which has since amassed over 180,000 views, Brock takes viewers on a surreal tour through a deserted resort that looks like it was evacuated mid-build.
Eerie scenes show the group wandering through half-finished villas, piles of debris and broken toilets, dilapidated rooms with unpowered generators, and murky, unkempt pools teeming with algae.
According to Brock, the island was reportedly owned by a prominent Maldivian politician, with construction starting over a decade ago.
He said: ‘They were building for two years then for “political reasons.” We don’t really know, ostensibly maybe they ran out of money. They’ve literally abandoned the project… There’s bathtubs in unopened but deteriorating boxes.’
The world might know the Maldives for its picture-postcard villas, turquoise waters, and once-in-a-lifetime luxury escapes – but one abandoned island paints a different picture
Australian filmmaker and surfer Kale Brock explained that whilst on the retreat in the Maldives, he and his group had spotted a ‘mysterious’ island in the distance
Eerie scenes show the group wandering through half-finished villas, piles of debris and broken toilets, dilapidated rooms with unpowered generators, and murky, unkempt pools
Walking through the ruins, Brock captures everything from unopened spa equipment still in boxes, to massage tables covered in dust and junk, to filthy pools thick with plant life.
Standing above what would have been a centrepiece pool, Brock added: ‘Just imagine the views and the vibes, the aesthetics this place would have.’
In one spot, the group find an old Mazda and Nissan, which appear not to have moved in years, before moving on to what appears to be a generator room, complete with a bizarre row of machines.
Brock listed a number of Hollywood blockbusters he was reminded of while exploring the ruins, including Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park and Lost.
But perhaps the most haunting part of the tour were the ghostly remains of what would’ve been the resort’s showstoppers – overwater bungalows meant to charge $5,000 a night.
Now, they’re nothing more than skeletons of wood and steel, with scenes showing Brock ambling along the concrete foundation of what would have been an iconic wooden walkway.
As he looked out across the water, he noted: ‘World-class lives one kilometre away.’
Meanwhile, a Maldivian woman who spent almost 10 years working in the tourism sector at the hugely popular holiday destination has shared her hidden gems and budget tips.
Filmmaker Brock stands above filthy pools thick with plant life
According to Brock, the island was reportedly owned by a prominent Maldivian politician, with construction starting over a decade ago
Brock listed a number of Hollywood blockbusters he was reminded of while exploring the ruins, including Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park and Lost
Perhaps the most haunting part of the tour were the ghostly remains of what would’ve been the resort’s showstoppers – overwater bungalows meant to charge $5,000 a night
Now, they’re nothing more than skeletons of wood, concrete and steel sitting above the water
The mother-of-one had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including long hours while raising her seven-month-old daughter in the process.
Now 32, she is happily married and has quit the tourism industry to launch a freelancer app that aims to ‘connect Maldivians across the islands’.
She has also shared her top tips with keen travellers – including one hidden gem island that is perfect for those travelling on a budget.
Taking to web forum Reddit, in reply to another user’s question about ‘tricks for a budget trip’, she explained: ‘Travel to a local island and stay at a guesthouse.’
