4 Beautiful Photos of Legendary SI Swim Model Bar Refaeli in the Maldives

She made a lasting impression with her six brand features.

Bar Refaeli was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in the Maldives.Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the SI Swimsuit Issue. In honor of the momentous occasion, we have been reflecting on the many incredible women who have made this publication legendary. So many women have returned to the issue again and again, year after year, posing for some of the most stunning photo shoots. We may be biased, but we’re also pretty convinced that this is objectively true.

Bar Refaeli is one of those incredible models. The Israel native has been featured in the magazine six times throughout its 60 year run, including several unique studio features where she posed alongside notable athletes like Michael Phelps, Rafael Nadal and Chris Paul, or legendary musicians, including Aerosmith.

In other words, her magazine appearances have been one for the books—you don’t become a legend without posing for some noteworthy features, after all. Today, we’re taking a look back at her 2010 trip to the Maldives. That year, the model accompanied the SI Swimsuit team and photographer Walter Iooss Jr. to the beautiful archipelagic country in South Asia. There, she posed in the stunning bright blue waters and on the white sand beaches in her best neon swimwear, which stood out remarkably against the vibrant backdrop.

Like her others, the fabulous photo shoot is worth taking a look back at. So, in honor of her legendary status, we’re taking a look back at that 2010 trip. Here are just a few of our favorites from the day.

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated