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Bucket List Experiences To Try In 2020

Located in the Maldives’ South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa occupies an enviable position surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, giving rise to what is arguably one of the best snorkelling locations in the Maldives. Take advantage of the once in a lifetime underwater encounters and make 2020 a year to remember with this great collection of bucket list experiences to try at Vilamendhoo.

Swim with whale sharks

The Maldives is the go-to place for snorkellers and scuba divers hoping to see whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Vilamendhoo is located in a prime position in the South Ari Atoll and considered one of the top places in the world for whale shark encounters, with regular trips scheduled throughout the year.

Snorkel with manta rays 

Manta rays – graceful, majestic and a bucket list favourite, frequent the famous site ‘Manta Point’ as well as other spots nearby. Join a snorkel excursion and witness first-hand the incredible choreographed ballet of manta rays in motion. It’s a mesmerising experience that remains etched in the mind of those who experience it for many years to come.

Meet the Maldives’ turtles 

Five out of the seven sea turtle species in the world can be found in the Maldives. Vilamendhoo offers a daily Turtle Excursion to swim with turtles in their natural environment. Sea turtles are listed as endangered worldwide, so this is a very special experience. Photo opportunities are plentiful as they come to breathe at the surface!

Explore a bountiful reef 

Vilamendhoo’s spectacular house reef is just a short swim from the shore, and it’s brimming with marine life. Ten easy access channels through the reef make this a hassle-free experience you can enjoy throughout the day. Get ready to be amazed by the colour and variety of fish inhabiting the reef.

The Maldives is every bit the bucket list destination and if you’re looking for snorkelling adventures and once in a lifetime experiences you’re sure to find them here at Vilamendhoo. Check out our current special offer as you plan your visit.

Swim With Whale Sharks In Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Did you know that before, whale sharks would only visit the Maldives during the South-West monsoon season which runs from May to October? Now, they can be seen around the warm waters of the Indian Ocean all year round, particularly in the South Ari Atoll where Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is located. Our island’s prime location puts us in proximity to whale shark spots. Some guests have even been lucky enough to see whale sharks directly on our house reef!

Known as the largest fish in the world, whale sharks belong to the shark family. They swim by moving side to side, unlike sharks, which use their tails for swimming. As their bodies weigh around 20.6 tonnes, it is no wonder that they move so slowly. Despite their size, whale sharks are docile creatures. In Vilamendhoo, there are plenty of opportunities to swim with whale sharks. Through regularly scheduled excursions, you can take a trip to known whale shark points where if lucky, you can spot, swim and photograph these gentle giants. These excursions are the whale shark excursion, the family adventurer full day excursion and the ocean discovery full-day excursion.

While swimming with whale sharks, it is essential to remember to respect their space. Always listen to your guide, and do as instructed for your safety and the whale sharks’ safety. As a general rule, you should always stay 10 feet away from the whale shark’s tail, to avoid being accidentally swatted, and about 3 feet away from the head. Do not attempt to touch or feed a whale shark. Observing these safety rules will ensure you have a pleasant experience swimming with the majestic creatures.

Here are some of our favourite photos captured by past guests.

Image by @sergeykbn.

Image by @karel_frait.

 

Adventures Await This Festive Season In Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is about to come alive as we celebrate the festive season from December 22, 2019, to January 1, 2020. As always, you can expect lots of adventures for couples and families, as we make merry and give in to the holiday spirit.

The exciting programme that has been put together by our team features enticing dining events, thrilling experiences at sea, fun games that everyone can join in and special activities for children. Younger guests can enjoy creative experiences such as Christmas card making, crafts with coconut leaves, and so much more. Adventurers can sail out at sea on Castaway Sparkling Sunset Cruise trip or participate in the fishing race. Throughout, we will have live music provided by great bands, to cap off the night in style. The main highlights of the season will be the gala dinners on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and the Christmas Eve party with DJ Jeremy Leong.

View the full programme here.

Take Advantage Of Our Winter 2019 Offer Now

Dear Valued Guests,

As autumn settles in across the world, we remain grateful for our tropical climate with its balmy temperatures. Should you choose to trade in your view for ours, with the beautiful beach, turquoise ocean and swaying palm trees, we would be delighted to welcome you.

In September we welcomed some of you back to our island, a place that you can call your second home. We also ushered in new guests to experience the adventure-filled days Vilamendhoo is known for. A special occasion was World Tourism Day, which we joined the world in celebrating on September 27. We had a wonderful time, with island clean-up activities and a couple’s kayak race. Thank you to all that graced us with their presence.

Currently, preparations are in full swing for our annual Halloween party. The event last year was an enormous success, and we look forward to an even more exciting time this year. Join us as we dance the night away in a scary atmosphere.

Please also have a look at our website . Again, we have provided some exciting pre-festive season offers – the ideal time to soak up some sun before 2020. For additional information, do not hesitate to contact us via email
or use the live chat function on our website.

Thanking you, as always, for your continuous support and sunny greetings from our little part of paradise,

Mohamed Zahir
General Manager

Meet The Vilamendhoo Team: Migdad, Station Supervisor

Mohamed Migdad is the Station Supervisor at Sunset Bar. He has been with our team for four years. We caught up with Migdad to learn a little more about him. Read on.

What do you like most about your job?

What I like most about my job is getting to meet new people every day. I also love serving guests.

What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I love playing any kind of sports. I also enjoy playing FIFA games.

What do you like most about the resort?

I like that the resort takes care of the team. I also love that there are plenty of recreational facilities and activities so we can relax and unwind after work.

What is your favourite excursion, and why?

My favourite excursion is the Whale Shark excursion . It is exciting and so much fun to go out and see the largest fish in the ocean.

What is your favourite sport on the island?

My favourite sports on the island are Badminton and Football.

An Experience To Remember In Vilamendhoo

In Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa this September, we are adding a special spark to your holiday with our beach dining events. Whether you are looking for a unique way to spend the evening or a special way to celebrate a memorable occasion, you will enjoy our beach dining affairs. The pleasant alfresco ambience and the delicious food create a beautiful atmosphere, allowing you to relax and indulge in life’s finest luxuries: love and food.

On September 17, join us for our Bubbles & Lobster Dinner. Enjoy a chilled glass of Prosecco and the sumptuous meals prepared around the Maldivian Lobster, celebrating its vibrant flavours. In the company of your loved one, take in the beautiful views all around as you dig in.

The Full Moon BBQ Buffet Dinner on September 14 gives you the best of both worlds. Marvel at nature’s wonder, as you dine on the shore under the moonlit sky. Few events are as romantic as this. Raise a glass of wine to the stars as you celebrate love and adventure in the most beautiful place on earth.

Our BBQ Beach Dinner on September 24 is a sizzling affair. Your favourite cuts of meat and seafood are grilled to perfection for you to enjoy against the backdrop of the sea. Treat yourself to this wonderful dinner and enjoy a wonderful, relaxed evening as you relish the delectable food.

Bon Appétit!

Experience Scuba Diving In The Maldives At Vilamendhoo

Is the Maldives suitable for diving? This is a popularly asked question when guests are trying to plan their adventures. The answer is, ‘Yes! Absolutely!’ The Maldives is truly a diver’s paradise. The spectacular underwater world beneath the crystal-clear turquoise sea hosts a variety of marine life of unimaginable beauty, inviting adventurers to embark on unique adventures. The Maldives offers up a variety of dive sites from gently sloping reefs, plunging drop-offs with overhangs and so much more.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, is located in the South Ari Atoll, a famed diving location. A magnificent house reef encircles Vilamendhoo, with direct access from almost every point on the island. A mere swim away from the beach, you will discover the stunning house reef, and spot an abundant variety of marine life including over 150 species of tropical fish. Be sure to bring along your underwater camera to capture the magnificence of this magical underwater world.

At Vilamendhoo, Euro-Divers operate our 5-Star PADI certified dive centre. The professional team provide a variety of services including a complete PADI instructional programme, regularly organised dive trips, equipment rental services and much more. The courses offered under the instructional programme include a variety of beginner and continuing classes for anyone above eight years. Further, the centre has professionals of various nationalities to help you learn in the language you are most comfortable with. Once you are ready to explore the sea, Euro-Divers provide different diving packages at very competitive rates. View the full price-list here .

While you dive, be mindful not to step on or touch the fragile coral reefs. Do not place your equipment on the coral and as always, respect the marine life.
We look forward to welcoming you to your next diving adventure!

Swimming With Manta Rays In Vilamendhoo

Despite their size, manta rays are gentle, magnificent creatures. They are a flattened type of fish with wide fins that look like wings and no bones. They are found in tropical waters such as the Maldives. In Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, we offer a variety of excursions allowing you to hopefully spot, swim and photograph manta rays. Before heading out on this adventure, here are a few things you should know about manta rays.

Manta Rays, whose width exceeds 3 metres, are quite large. Female mantas are usually larger than their male counterparts. Manta rays have the biggest brains of all fish and do display some intelligent behaviour. They feed on plankton, which they filter through their gill-rakers.

Manta rays are peaceful and gentle creatures that do not pose any threats to humans. As they are very sensitive to disturbance, there are a few things to consider when swimming with mantas. Manta Trust advises swimmers to enter the water calmly and quietly, no closer than 10 metres away from the manta ray. Once in the water, keep your fins below the surface and avoid splashing as noise can scare away manta rays. Do not approach them any closer than 3 metres and always approach from the side, giving manta rays a clear path ahead. Finally, never touch a manta ray or chase after one.

As with most marine-life, we cannot predict their schedule. We do, however, have excursions that transport you to known manta spots where if you are lucky, you can see and swim with them. Join our Ocean Discovery or our Manta and Turtle excursions for great adventures. Should you happen to spot some manta rays and photograph them, tag #vilamendhoo in your posts so we can see too!

Happy adventures!

Meet The Vilamendhoo Team: Rimah, Receptionist

Mohamed Rimah is a Receptionist in the Front Office Department. We had a quick chat about his favourite things. Get to know more about the friendly Rimah below.

What do you like most about your job?

One of the best parts of being a receptionist is that I get to meet different kinds of people from all around the world, and interact with them throughout their holidays.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are watching movies and TV shows, and reading books.

What do you like most about the resort?

I get to work and live in an upscale environment with excellent facilities. In Vilamendhoo, I have found family. It feels like a home away from home.

What is your favourite thing to do on the island?

I love to go on the Ocean Discovery excursion . The trip is exciting since if you are lucky, you get to see manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. They also serve great food onboard.

What is your favourite sport on the island?

I love playing volleyball and table tennis with my colleagues.

3 Romantic Adventures In Vilamendhoo

The Maldives brings out the romantic in every traveller. In Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, with the beautiful tropical setting, this is truer than ever. Vilamendhoo is the perfect place to embark on a romantic adventure, as you enjoy the best of what nature offers: lush greenery, white beach and azure, crystal-clear waters. For a unique way to celebrate your honeymoon, anniversary or simply a romantic getaway, read on.

Escape to a private area on the beach and indulge in life’s luxuries with our Romantic Candlelight Seafood Dinner. The decadent meal, centred on the Maldivian lobster, is served in a stunning gazebo setting right on the seashore. The soft swaying of the palm trees and the lapping of the waves creates a magical atmosphere for you to enjoy a delightful evening with your loved one. This incredible experience is US $190 per couple and is available throughout the month.

To start your special day memorably, order in the Champagne Breakfast. The full American Breakfast will be served in the privacy of your room before noon. Toast to your love as you take in the beautiful views all around. Afterwards, you can embark on whatever adventures you please, having started your day off on an amazing note. The Champagne Breakfast Room Service is US $75 per couple.

Finally, any time during your stay, book a Him & Her treatment at Duniye Spa . An indulgent and romantic experience, this treatment features special aromatic oils, and soothing music in candlelight and is wonderfully relaxing. Afterwards, sip on some champagne as you marvel at the revitalising powers of the treatment. This experience is US $255 per couple and lasts 75 minutes.

Read more about our romantic experiences here and check out our current special offers .

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