Beach Villa
Item 1 of 7
Room details
Beach Villa
King sized bed
39 sqm
Adults only
from $265 /night
Drift Thelu Veliga, South Ari Atoll
Enjoy personalised service, diving, and fun in the sun at this exclusive, private island retreat
from$265 /night
per room, breakfast only
Overview
- Nearby diving and snorkeling at Kuda Rah Thila and Whale Shark Point
- House reef home to dolphins and turtles, and easily explored without a guide
- Locally sourced seafood, a well-stocked bar, and foodie-friendly chef-prepared mealsÂ
- Enjoy sailing, scuba diving, island hopping, and whale shark snorkeling tours
This private island retreat is ideal for traveling couples and friends, looking to get away from it all. Spend your vacation scuba diving, snorkeling, and sunbathing, or kick back and relax with a beach lounger and world-class spa services. You won't find large group activities, crowded restaurants, or noisy nighttime entertainment at Drift Thelu Veliga. Instead, the resort focuses on helping guests connect with nature and guests can expect modern and understated luxury and the very best in Maldivian hospitality.
Rooms
Browse our villa options and either submit a reservation request for a personalised quote or chat with a travel expert today.
Water Villa
Item 1 of 7
Room details
Water Villa
King sized bed
54 sqm
Adults only
from $315 /night
Resort checklist
Number of rooms:30
Overwater bungalows:Yes
Restaurants and bars:2
Meal plans:
- Half Board
- Full Board
- All Inclusive
Official dive center rating:PADI 5-Star Resort
House reef:Yes
Nitrox:Yes
Diving in South Ari Atoll
Whale sharkYear round
WrecksYear round
Healthy coralsNot frequently
Plentiful reef lifeYear round
Manta RaysFrom November to March
StingraysNot frequently
TurtlesYear round
Giant frogfishNot frequently
From the famous whale sharks of Maamigili reef, to current-driven drifts through reef channels, and one of the finest wrecks in the Maldives, you can’t go wrong with South Ari Atoll’s dive sites.
Whale sharks in South Ari
Whale sharks are the highlight in South Ari Atoll with year-round potential to view these gentle giants. The South Ari Marine Protected Area is renowned for almost daily sightings, and you’ve got a pretty good chance almost no matter what time of year you visit. During the Northeast monsoon from December to April, they tend to be seen more to the west, then the whale sharks move over to the east during the Southwest monsoon between May and November. Wherever they are spotted, you'll can swim alongside these wonderful creatures as they feed and cruise along the reef.
Manta rays are also seen in South Ari, particularly at Madivaru – also known as Manta point – a marine protected reef on the south of Rangali Kandu. The best chance to see them is during the northeast monsoon from December to May. And manta rays or not, you’ll still see plenty of fish at this well-known site. The Machchafushi Wreck – also known as Kudhimaa Wreck – is also a highlight of South Ari’s diving. The boat was purposefully sunk in 1998, and now sits upright and fully intact. With its large propeller, prominent wheelhouse, crane structure, and plenty of doorways, this wreck is a photographer’s dream. You’ll also find a host of life including batfish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and moray eels. In the central region of Ari there are some classic thilas, and while the atoll is not small, most of the stunning sites are accessible from any of the resorts in South Ari.
