Gili Lankanfushi

With ten types of villas to choose from there is bound to be an accommodation suited to any guest, be it large groups, families or couples on a honeymoon.

Located 500 metres from the main resort, the private reserve sits in the middle of the clear lagoon. The epitome of luxury and privacy, it is the largest over water villa in the world and with an open plan living and dining space, guests can enjoy the open air feel. Across the multi-tiered levels lies an array of sundecks, an infinity swimming pool, a couple’s spa pavilion, steam room, sauna, cinema, bar, a gym and a water slide leading directly into the Indian Ocean.

Access to a private boat allows you to come and go from the reserve, but with all the amenities at your feet you’re not likely to want to leave. Uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and sea level sundecks complete with sun loungers and catamaran nets offer you privacy as you luxuriate. Direct access to the coral gardens reminds you you’re never far from the amazing marine life of the Atoll. Other features include a semi open-air private bathroom with a bathtub and separate glass-walled shower area as well as two en-suite guest rooms on the second floor.

The fully equipped kitchen is stocked with snacks, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages and the living room is equipped with both a workstation and printer. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, Bose surround sound, an iPod docking station, bamboo bicycles and an invitation to design your own wine cellar selection from a choice of over 400 labels.

Two family villas with a pool face East on the island, allowing you to wake up to the beautiful sunrise each morning of your stay. A spacious master suite with an en-suite and an en-suite guest room makes this the perfect villa for families or small groups. There is also an L-shaped swimming pool, a family room, a private rooftop terrace and endless views of the ocean from multiple spots.

Bamboo bicycles are provided so that guests can explore and other features inside the villa include a personal safe, air-conditioning, fans, Bose surround sound, a minibar, Nespresso machine and an overwater sundeck with sun loungers, daybeds and catamaran nets to luxuriate in during your stay. The open-air bathroom has a bathtub and separate glass-walled shower area with secluded ocean access and there is also a rooftop terrace with dining facilities and a daybed for evenings in entertaining.

At the end of the western-facing jetty is the two-floored Gili Lagoon residence. With a master bedroom, open-air bathroom and air-conditioned living room guests will be treated to luxury as they take in the stunning natural views on offer. With its own rooftop terrace and a hammock in the sea, the residence is both private and comfortable.

An overwater sundeck with sun lounger and catamaran nets leads directly into the ocean and there is also a rooftop terrace with dining facilities and a daybed for nights of entertaining from the comfort of your villa. Other amenities include a DVD player, personal safe, air-conditioning, fans and Wi-Fi.

The island resort has 5 Gili Lagoon Villas available that face west, offering guests sunset views throughout their stay. Spread across two floors, the hideaways each have an open-air living room, large bathroom and a private rooftop terrace to bask in the sun. Guests can swim out to a private water hammock and watch as schools of fish pass by.

The rooftop terrace is complete with dining facilities and a daybed for entertaining and with direct ocean access from the overwater sundeck, guests are never too far from a dip in the lagoon. The open-air bathroom has an infinity bathtub and separate glass-walled shower and a king sized bed is provided in the master bedroom. Other features include bamboo bicycles for exploring, a minibar, Nespresso machine, personal safe, air conditioning, fans, Bose surround sound and an iPod docking station.

The island resort is home to six overwater luxury pool villas and are both private spots. With multiple living and dining spaces there is space for everyone. The infinity pool overlooks the ocean and there is direct ocean access for those wanting to take a dip in the lagoon. The master bedroom has a king sized bed and the open-air bathroom has both a standalone bathtub and spate glass-walled shower.

The sundeck area has sun loungers, catamaran nets and two daybeds for days sunbathing and the rooftop terrace is complete with dining facilities for evenings of entertaining. Other amenities include a personal safe, air conditioning, fans, Bose surround sound, iPod with a docking station, a DVD player and bamboo bicycles for every guest to explore the island.

Directly on the beach guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner as Kashiveli. Using locally sourced and nutritious ingredients the meals reflect vibrant flavours. Breakfast offers fresh tropical fruits alongside smoothies and juices and in the evenings there is a rotating menu of dishes such as freshly made pasta, salads, curries and lamb.

This aptly named restaurant gives guests ocean views with a feast of Japanese dishes such as sushi and sashimi prepared on show by a highly skilled teppanyaki chef. Located between the tropical jungle means you’ll be able to enjoy both the forest and the sea as you dine.

Standing over the lagoon on stilts, the overwater bar has uninterrupted sea views. The spot offers salads and Mediterranean dishes at lunch and a seafood grill is showcased every Wednesday. Fish is caught locally on the day it is served so that guests can enjoy the tastiest dishes. Drinks include bottles of champagne and tropical favourites such as coconut martinis. The overwater bar is open from 11am to 11pm for cocktails as well as snacks.

Homemade ice cream and popsicles can be enjoyed poolside beneath the sun at Fini Foni. Cocktails can be served upon request as can snacks.

This unique experience offers guests the space to relax and learn about wines from around the world with a team of in-house sommeliers. Over 500 varieties of wine from numerous regions sit in the cellar, some old and some new. Tasting sessions are the perfect group activity and any evening of the week guests can enjoy gourmet meals paired with wine chosen by the team of sommeliers.

Each night of the week guests can choose to embark on a different dining experience in a unique location around the island. A team of chefs is ready to surprise you with a personalised bespoke menu of locally sourced seafood and organic seasonal food from the local garden. Dietary requirements can be catered too and the culinary team is happy to surprise you with a dish to suit your tastes.

Windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding are all available at the island resort and lessons are available for beginners looking to improve their skills. Wakeboarding, jet skiing, water skiing and jet blading are also water sports that can be enjoyed at the resort, perfect for those looking for a more fast paced adventure.

Diving and snorkelling is the perfect chance to witness the marine life that call North Male Atoll its home. A PADI- certified outlet can take guests to renowned dive sites just a short boat ride away and multilingual instructors give lessons in day and night dives for those of all levels.

Join a science dive to collect data for important organisations such as Manta Trust and Shark Watch and learn how the resort is maintaining the population of fish. Snorkelling will take guests to a 15-metre drop-off zone at the edge of the resort’s house reef to explore coral and sea turtles in their natural habitat. The resident marine biologist runs guided trips both day and night and depending on the season, guests can spot giant manta rays up close.

An in-house tennis coach is available to teach beginners, advanced players and kids. The programme gives guests the chance to stay active during their stay and is perfect for families.

An extensive range of excursions are available for those seeking to explore what is beyond the resort. Trips to the capital city, Male are perfect to see local life as well as the markets, mosques and local businesses in the area. A trip to Huraa is just 20 minutes away where guests can explore the island and meet the locals. Exploring the Atoll is one of the many opportunities guests can take while visiting Gili Lankanfushi.

A sunset dolphin cruise invites guests on a two hour trip at sea to witness the beautiful creatures in their own habitat. With an age limit of minimum four years it is an opportunity for the whole family as well as groups and couples. Canapés and champagne can be made available, making it all the more luxurious. Island hopping gives guests the chance to snorkel at different spots and deep sea fishing is an opportunity for adventure.

Whilst at the island you’re sure to be intrigued at how dishes are prepared such as traditional Maldivian meals. Specialist chefs are on hand to teach guests how to make a variety of dishes, from Sushi and tempura to Maldivian fish curry. Learning about the food whilst under direction is the perfect way to immerse yourself into the culture, especially for food-lovers.

The Meera Spa is a secluded haven that has six over-water treatment rooms, steam and sauna rooms and an open-air relaxation area to sit and enjoy the beautiful views. Meditation and yoga can be enjoyed on the sandy beach at sunrise or sunset to start your day or to unwind when the day is done. Holistic treatments are available to rejuvenate guests as are a variety of massages and therapies. Throughout the year the island has visiting practitioners offering services to guests, focusing on mind, body and soul.

EarthCheck is the leading certification programme used in the travel and tourism industry and with annual assessments they help communities and governments to evaluate their sustainability and improve upon it. Gili Lankanfushi has achieve a silver certification as of 2017 from EarthCheck and have teamed up with them in order to constantly be improving their own sustainability and ways to achieve international best practice.

All of the villas and buildings at Gili Lankanfushi have been constructed using sustainable and locally sourced materials that are naturally found in the area. Plantation teak, bamboo, palm wood, palm fronds and recycled telegraph poles have all been used and each room is filled with organic toiletries too. Refillable containers are in use to minimise plastic use and the island resort provides glass bottled water to guests opposed to a single-use plastic bottle.

The island has its own organic garden to grow fresh fruit and herbs that is expanding. Traditional farmer methods are in place and monitored by the head chef to help bring historical practices to the island. Being on site allows the island resort to reduce its air miles as well as allows guests to be given the freshest of ingredients in their meals.

Both staff and guests are taught about the important sustainability methods in place at the island resort. Sustainability training for staff begins at the start of each August as initiatives are updated and guests are encouraged to learn about the coral propagation in place as well as take eco-tours to see the local garden.

Local schools and the community are invited to take sustainability tours at the island resort also, encouraging the next generation to protect the environment. The island also hosts an outdoor screening of ‘An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power; the 2006 documentary about climate change.

The island has a policy in place that promises social and environmental sustainability as well as environmental awareness whenever possible. Gili Lankanfushi promises to comply with all relevant regulations and legislation, prioritising locals as employees at the resort and using sustainable products and services that are sourced locally in alignment with Fair Trade principles.

A marine biology shack called Gili Veshi has been open since 2017 and is an educational centres for locals, schools and guests on how to better protect the environment. Guests can take eco-tours of the island to learn about the processes in place such as in the organic garden and the composting process.

The island resort has its own Coral Line Project nursery to develop coral transplanting techniques and help the coral growing on the seabed of the lagoon. After months of trial and error the team at the resort have been able to help the coral recover from the 2016 bleaching event and guests are welcome to snorkel to the site and see the coral up close alongside schools of fish that live amongst it.

The organic garden initially had steady growth in place due to composting organic waste, returning carbon and nutrition to the soil beds. In an effort to find methods that are more time efficient and sustainable, the head chef purchased the Maldives first and only mechanical biological composter from British waste management company ‘Tidy Planet’.

A large self-contained composting chamber allows Gili Lankanfushi to compost 100% of the organic waste produced in its kitchen, returning it all to the garden to nourish the soil beds.

Guests are encouraged to participate in reef clean dives with the staff to ensure that the coral and marine life are protected from debris such as plastic waste. The elimination of plastic at the resort has helped immensely with this but reef clean sessions are still in place as a safety precaution.