Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
by the TopOfHotel team
Vilamendhoo is the divers' pick of the list — the house reef is the best of any resort here, with the protected Kudarah Thila dive site close by.
Vilamendhoo is the divers' pick of the list — the house reef is the best of any resort here, with the protected Kudarah Thila dive site close by.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Vilamendhoo has 194 rooms, split between beach villas and Jacuzzi water villas, with part of the island set aside as an adults-only zone. The most popular pick is the beach villa, with a balcony that opens straight onto the white sand. Every room comes with air-con, a minibar, a flat-screen TV and a balcony — nothing flashy, but everything you need after a day in the water.
Food and amenities
There are 4 restaurants and 4 bars here, including a beach bar and a pool bar. You get a main buffet plus à la carte spots for seafood and Italian food, and the all-inclusive packages are genuinely good value. Beyond the food, there's the Duniye Spa built out on stilts over the water, a gym, two outdoor pools, a kids club and a small golf course. Evenings bring Maldivian cultural shows and a dolphin sunset cruise, and the Wi-Fi is free.
Location and getting there
The resort sits on a private island in the heart of South Ari Atoll (Alif Dhaal), one of the best-known diving zones anywhere. You reach it by a 25-minute seaplane with Trans Maldivian Airways from MLE, touching down on bright blue water — or by a domestic flight to Maamigili airport and a 20-minute speedboat. What sets the location apart is sitting right among standout dive sites, including the protected Kudarah Thila and the Whale Shark Highway, where whale sharks turn up year-round.
Things to know before booking
South Ari is far out — both the seaplane and the domestic flight run in daylight only, so a late arrival means an overnight near Malé first. The Jacuzzi water villas carry high rates next to the beach rooms, so check which villa type your price covers. And because this is such a well-known diver favourite, rooms book out fast in high season — lock yours in early.
Our take
Vilamendhoo earns its 9.4/10 on the strength of that house reef. If you want blacktip sharks, turtles and rays a few fin-kicks from your villa, plus a serious dive operation and good-value all-inclusive rates from around $267 a night, this is the one. It's our pick for divers, couples and families who'd rather spend on the water than the wallpaper.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star resort on a private island in the heart of South Ari Atoll, one of the best-known diving zones in the Maldives.
- 194 rooms across beach villas and Jacuzzi water villas, with part of the island kept as an adults-only zone for couples who want it quieter.
- The house reef circling the island is the best on this list — blacktip sharks swim past your feet, plus green turtles, parrotfish and big manta rays at the drop-off, all reachable straight from the beach with no boat needed.
- A full Euro-Divers centre runs PADI trips to over 40 dive sites nearby, including the protected Kudarah Thila and Manta Point.
- Plenty to do beyond the water: 4 restaurants, 4 bars, the Duniye Spa, two outdoor pools, a kids club and a small golf course.
- South Ari Atoll is a long way out — you reach it by a 25-minute seaplane or a domestic flight plus speedboat, both daytime-only.
- The Jacuzzi water villas carry high rates compared with the beach rooms.
- It's a known diver favourite, so rooms fill up fast in high season and need booking well ahead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Book your dives with Euro-Divers ahead of time — Kudarah Thila is in heavy demand.
- Snorkel the house reef early in the morning, when the blacktip sharks come in closest to shore.
- There's an adults-only zone — flag it when you book if you want that side of the island.