Two-storey overwater villas of wood and thatch a short speedboat ride from Malé, with no seaplane needed and no shoes expected.
Gili Lankanfushi is the answer for anyone who wants a proper overwater villa without a long transfer. The speedboat from the airport takes about half an hour, so an early arrival from London can mean lunch on your own deck. The Villa Suites are on two levels, with a rooftop terrace for sunbathing or sleeping under the stars.
The style is rustic rather than glossy: reclaimed wood, rope, thatch and open-air bathrooms, looked after by a personal Mr or Ms Friday. It suits couples best, particularly on a honeymoon, and the 45 villas and residences keep numbers low. The Crusoe Residences, a short boat ride out from the island, are as secluded as it gets short of a private island.
The trade-off for the easy transfer is that you can see a neighbouring local island and the occasional boat, and North Malé Atoll is busier than the far atolls. There is no kids club, so we would steer young families elsewhere.
The one-bedroom overwater starting point, about 210 square metres over two floors, with an open-air living room, rooftop terrace and direct ocean access.
The same two-storey overwater layout with the addition of a private pool on the deck.
A 250 square metre overwater villa at the quiet end of Jetty 1, with one master bedroom and a living room with two daybeds.
Stand-alone overwater villas in Sunset and Island View versions; the Sunset ones sit a short boat ride from the island and the Island View ones have glass floor panels.
A 1,700 square metre, four-bedroom overwater house out in the lagoon, with an infinity pool, cinema, gym, couples spa, water slide and its own boat.
There are three restaurants, By the Sea, Kashiveli and Fini Foni, plus the Overwater Bar and an underground wine cellar. The organic garden is part of the dining offer, and private dining and drinks experiences can be arranged away from the restaurants.
Meera Spa offers Ayurvedic rituals, signature massages and organic facials, alongside wellbeing programmes and a visiting Master in Residence.
Children are welcome and extra beds can be added on request, and the Residence sleeps a family of four. There is no dedicated kids club, so it works best for couples or families with older children.
| Villas | 45 villas and residences |
|---|---|
| Transfer | About 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport |
| Dining | By the Sea, Kashiveli, Fini Foni, Overwater Bar and wine cellar |
| Spa | Meera Spa |
| Largest villa | The Private Reserve, 1,700 square metres |
North Malé Atoll, Maldives
A few of the things we plan for guests in Maldives.
Hanifaru Bay is a small, shallow bay in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. During the southwest monsoon, tides and currents trap plankton in the bay and manta rays, sometimes whale sharks, gather to feed, most reliably July to October. It is snorkel only, with licensed guides and capped numbers. Stay in Baa so you can go when mantas are reported.
The outer reef of South Ari Atoll, around Dhigurah and Maamigili, is known for juvenile whale sharks, which are seen here all year. Boats patrol the reef edge and you slip in to snorkel as one passes. Keep your distance and never touch.
A house reef is the coral wall that rings your island, and the best ones start a few fins from the beach. Expect turtles, blacktip reef sharks and eagle rays. Ask for a guided swim on the first day to learn the currents and exit points.
Eight nights in Sri Lanka with a private driver-guide, from the rock fortress at Sigiriya to the tea estates and the old fort at Galle, then a short flight to Malé and five nights on a quiet island in Thaa Atoll.
Break the flight with two nights on the beach in old Jumeira, then seven nights on a barefoot island in Baa Atoll with a large kids club and a UNESCO biosphere reserve on the doorstep. Good for families.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability, suggest the right room and send a price.
