South Ari Whale Shark Location
The resort highlights South Ari as a year-round whale shark region and offers whale shark trips with a marine biologist.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
Where Whale Sharks Call Home
Resort Overview
LUX South Ari Atoll* is a five-star island retreat on Dhidhoofinolhu, just a 25-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport. Blending contemporary luxury with vibrant island experiences, the resort offers elegant beach and overwater villas, private pool accommodations, exceptional dining, wellness facilities, family-friendly amenities, and an extensive range of watersports. Located in the renowned South Ari Marine Protected Area, the resort is one of the Maldives' premier destinations for year-round whale shark encounters, with expert-led marine excursions, diving, snorkeling, and conservation experiences.
Distance from Velana International Airport
Approximately 104 km
Transfer
Seaplane Transfer
Transfer Duration
Approximately 25 Minutes
Resort Rating
★★★★★ Luxury Island Resort
Resort Amenities
Experience a large, energetic South Ari resort with broad beaches, overwater living, private-pool villas, strong dining, marine life encounters, wellness, family facilities and sustainability-led island experiences.
Beach & Lagoon Setting
The factsheet notes crystal sea, an extensive lagoon and approximately 4 km of beach around the resort.
Villas & Pavilions
A wide accommodation collection includes beach pavilions, family pavilions, beach villas, overwater villas and multiple private-pool categories.
8 Restaurants & 5 Bars
Dining spans global, Italian, Japanese, South-East Asian, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Middle Eastern-inspired concepts.
LUX ME Spa*
A Forbes-starred spa concept with 15 spa villas, including 4 overwater treatment villas, plus sauna, hammam, plunge pools and salon facilities.
Water Sports Centre
Complimentary snorkeling equipment, canoe, pedal boats, kayaks and house reef snorkeling trips, with motorised and premium activities available at extra charge.
Diving Centre
Over 50 dive sites nearby, including Kuda Rah Thila, with PADI courses and fun dives available.
Marine Biology Centre
On-site marine biology work includes underwater wildlife research, coral planting and adoption programmes.
PLAY Kids Club
A mindful kids club for ages 3–11 with indoor and outdoor spaces, mini kitchen, toddler area, kids’ pool and weekly activities.
Land Sports & Fitness
Fitness centre, tennis courts, table tennis, pool table, bocce, beach volleyball, football, cycling and yoga programming.
Celebration Desk
Symbolic weddings, vow renewals, birthdays, anniversaries, proposals and private dining experiences.
24-Hour In-Villa Dining
A full in-villa dining service is available, though meal-plan inclusions should be verified before selling.
Explore Resort Facilities
Discover the experiences, facilities and services that make your stay memorable. Each category highlights what you can expect during your time with us.
Included Experiences
- PADI diving
- Over 50 dive sites
- Kuda Rah Thila
- Fun dives
- Discovery Scuba Diving
- Bubble Maker
- Open Water Dive
- PADI Scuba Diver
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- Specialty courses
- Whale shark trips with marine biologist
- Marine Biology Centre
- Coral planting and adoption programmes
Included Experiences
- Complimentary snorkeling equipment
- Canoes
- Pedal boats
- Kayaks
- House reef
- snorkeling trips
- Windsurfing
- Fun tube rides
- Waterskiing
- Jet-skiing
- Kitesurfing
- Parasailing
- Stand-up paddleboarding
- Wakeboarding
- Whale shark safaris
- Flyboarding Private speedboat trips
- Dhoni trips
- Morning fishing
- Sunset fishing
Included Experiences
- 15 spa villas
- 4 overwater treatment villas
- Outdoor sea-view relaxation area
- Sauna
- Hammam
- Plunge pools
- Showers and changing rooms
- Spa boutique
- Manicure and pedicure facilities
- Hair and bridal studio
- Sea-view yoga grove
- Bespoke wellness programmes
Included Experiences
- Fitness centre
- TechnoGym equipment
- Personal training
- Vinyasa yoga
- Ashtanga yoga
- Hatha yoga
- Floating yoga
- Pranayama
- Meditation Reiki healing
- Sunset yoga
- Pilates
- Functional training
- Core workout
- Circuit training
Included Experiences
- PLAY Kids Club for ages 3–11
- Indoor arts and crafts
- Library
- Toddler space
- Mini kitchen
- Outdoor lawn
- Dedicated kids’ swimming pool
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Storytelling
- Babysitting from 1 year old at supplement
- Teens programme
- Cinema Paradiso
- ICI ice cream
- Kids spa options
Included Experiences
- Two tennis courts
- Table tennis
- Pool table
- Bocce balls
- Beach volleyball
- Football
- Cycling
- Island cruisers
- Wanderlust Library
- Junk Art Studio
- PhotoFanatics
- Boutique
- Clinic
- Daily adult and children’s entertainment programmes
Included Experiences
- Eight restaurants
- Five bars
- Café LUX*
- ICI ice cream
- Beach Rouge beach club
- EAST Bar overwater cocktails
- Senses lounge
- Lagoon Bar reggae vibes
- Veli Pool Bar
Included Experiences
- Renewal of vows
- Zero-waste wedding concepts
- Celebration Desk
- Private and customised dining
- Bridal studio
- In-house photographer
- Honeymoon offer
- Cake
- Couples’ massage
- Sandbank picnics
- Private catamaran aperitivo
- Beach candlelit dinners
Included Experiences
- Reduced single-use plastics
- Reusable water bottles
- Bamboo takeaway cups
- Paper straws
- Cruelty-free spa products
- Keen on Green menus
- Marine Biology Centre
- Coral planting
- Wildlife research
- Guest education activities
Dining & Restaurants
MIXE
International / Global Buffet
MIXE is the resort’s main restaurant, serving global cuisine in a relaxed barefoot setting with sand floors, thatched roofs and live cooking stations.
EAST Market
South-East Asian
EAST Market recreates the feel of South-East Asian night markets, with chefs preparing vibrant Asian dishes in a market-style setting.
Senses Restaurant
Indian Ocean / Middle Eastern / Seafood / Moroccan-inspired
Senses is a flavour-forward poolside restaurant and lounge serving fresh seafood, grilled fish, Moroccan-inspired tagines and Indian Ocean-style curries.
Allegria
Italian / Mediterranean
Allegria brings Italian comfort dining to the Maldives with homemade pasta, gnocchi, seafood and wood-fired pizzas. The open kitchen and beachside deck setting make it one of the resort’s more atmospheric dinner venues.
Umami
Japanese
Umami is the resort’s Japanese restaurant, serving sashimi, nigiri, maki, robata grill dishes and teppanyaki. It also features a strong saké and Japanese whisky selection.
Beach Rouge
Mediterranean / Beach Club Dining
Beach Rouge is the resort’s beach club and Mediterranean restaurant, serving wood-fired pizzas, salads, grilled seafood and relaxed beachside dining with lagoon views. It is one of the resort’s most social venues for food, drinks and music
Café LUX*
Café
Café LUX* is the resort’s signature coffee concept, serving barista-made coffees using freshly ground beans.
Lagoon Bar
Beach Bar
Lagoon Bar is a laid-back beach bar with sunrise views and reggae-style island energy. It is well placed for post-dive drinks, watersports breaks and casual daytime dining.
Veli Pool Bar
Pool Bar
Veli Pool Bar sits beside the swimming pool overlooking the lagoon, serving drinks and light bites in a relaxed poolside setting.
EAST Bar
Overwater Bar
EAST Bar is the overwater bar connected to the EAST Market concept, offering lagoon views, cocktails and evening drinks above the water.
Location
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
South Ari Atoll is one of the Maldives’ most famous marine regions, especially known for whale shark encounters, diving, snorkeling and wide turquoise lagoons.
- Atoll South Ari Atoll
- Island Dhidhoofinolhu Island
- Coordinates Approx. 3.4987° N, 72.8962° E
- Distance from Malé Approx. 104 km / 25 minutes by seaplane
Getting There
Seaplane Transfer
Approximately 25 minutes
