Top Family-friendly Excursions in the Maldives

November 15, 2023November 29, 2023

Recommended Family-friendly Excursions at Vilamendhoo Maldives

Vilamendhoo, a family-friendly resort located in the celebrated South Ari Atoll, has all the ingredients for family adventures – sun, sea, sand, and lots of excitement and fun!

Featuring well-appointed family accommodations, facilities, and entertainment, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa Maldives provides a beautiful and safe holiday experience for you and your loved ones. We offer a plethora of activities that cater to guests of all ages, whether on-island or beyond the resort.

Once you have explored a few amenities available on-site, such as our games room, volleyball, swimming pools and certainly, our soft sandy beach, it is time to go on an excursion or two to discover the awe-inspiring underwater world of the Maldives.

Here are our suggestions for the top family-friendly excursions in the Maldives

Whale Shark Excursion

Whale Sharks at Vilamendhoo Maldives

Just about an hour Dhoni boat ride away from our adventurer’s paradise, close to Maamigili Island, is the Whale Shark Point of the South Ari Atoll — known as the premier location in the world where divers and marine enthusiasts can spot these gentle giants throughout the year.

Families joining this adventure can embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience where they can swim alongside these magnificent creatures of the ocean. Our team will always be on hand and take the utmost care to be ecologically considerate during the excursion, so that you may enjoy this experience in a mindful and responsible way.

Recommended for families. Children aged 4 and above can take part in the trip accompanied by a parent.

See the full information here » Whale Shark Excursion with Vilamendhoo

Sea Turtle & Manta Ray Excursion

Family Excursions - Vilamedhoo Maldives Resort

Join our Sea Turtle & Manta Ray Excursion for a unique experience of the South Ari Atoll’s stunning marine ecosystem. This experience provides adventurous families with the chance to catch a glimpse of the Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green Sea Turtle species. They can also discover several genera of Manta Rays which include Black Spotted Eagle, Torpedo, Feather Tails and Guitar.

Recommended for a families trip. Children aged 4 and above can participate in the excursion.

See the full information here » Sea Turtle & Manta Ray Excursion

Vilamendhoo Family Snorkeling Adventure

Family Adventure on a Maldvian Dhoni - Vilamendhoo Maldives

This full-day excursion on a Dhoni is organised for families who would like to combine whale shark, sea turtle and manta ray encounters. During your family escapade on a traditional Maldivian boat, you will sail across the Indian Ocean, offering endless shades of blue, tropical skies above and lush island scenery in sight, with lots of swimming and snorkelling opportunities in between.

Recommended for families with children from 4 years and up.

See the full information here » Full-day Family Snorkeling Adventure

Experience An Adventure-filled Family Holiday at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Family-friendly Maldives Resort of Vilamendhoo

Located in the South Ari Atoll, an area renowned for stunning marine life and biodiversity, Vilamendhoo is a family–friendly Maldives resort, featuring facilities, amenities, and plenty of activities for a perfect holiday for the whole family.

View Vilamendhoo’s » Family Holiday Experience

Have you booked your family holiday in the Maldives yet? Click here to view our special offers and deals.

August 9, 2021August 13, 2021

Swimming with Manta Rays in the Maldives at Vilamendhoo

Swimming with Manta Rays in the Maldives: A Maldives Bucket List Experience

Many travellers who visit the Maldives add manta ray encounters to their bucket list of adventures, and a stay at Vilamendhoo, with its enviable location in South Ari Atoll, can fulfil all that and more.

Manta rays are truly magical to watch, and an up-close experience with these pelagic creatures is high on every traveller’s things to do in the Maldives.

Mantas, the queen of the ocean, can be seen at well-known manta hotspots and cleaning stations: Mahibadhoo and Rangali Madivaru, which are within easy reach of Vilamendhoo. Although mantas can be huge in size, they are harmless and pose no danger to humans. In fact, they are usually curious sea creatures and swim around snorkellers and divers.

Manta Rays in The Maldives with Vilamendhoo Island South Ari

Manta rays can be spotted in South Ari Atoll, particularly at Rangali – also known as Manta Point – a marine protected reef on the south of Rangali Kandu, cruising and feeding on plankton around the rich waters throughout the year. On the one hand, from May to October, manta ray sightings are more common, allowing divers and snorkellers to see them on almost a daily basis in larger congregations.

The team at Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo will guide dive enthusiasts and ocean lovers alike to experience this unique wildlife adventure in a respectful and ethically considerate manner.

Make sure to check our Facebook page and Instagram for the latest updates, and sign up for a diving or snorkelling trip when staying at Vilamendhoo.

Book Now for the Maldives Manta Season – For Vilamendhoo, It’s All Year-round

Whether it be a solo getaway, a dive holiday with your friends, or an adventure-filled family vacation, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is here to provide you with a safe and beautiful holiday experience in paradise.

Have you booked your Maldives getaway yet? Click here to view our special offers and deals.

Staying at Vilamendhoo soon? Learn more about our ‘A Safe Holiday Experience’ enhanced health & safety guidelines.

Featured Image: Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo

December 7, 2020April 27, 2021

Spotting Sea Turtles in the Maldives with Vilamendhoo

Spotting the Sea Turtles of the Maldives

Vilamendhoo’s magnificent underwater world is best known for the large variety of tropical fish. It is not rare to see a few sea turtles swimming along the turquoise lagoon, right at the foot of your Jacuzzi Water Villa.

In the Maldives, 5 out of 7 sea turtle species can be found, including the Loggerhead, Leatherback and Olive Ridley. The Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle are the most frequently spotted year-round in Vilamendhoo and on the islands house reef. Join our thrilling excursions to see which ones you can spot.

Snorkelling equipment can be rented from the Dive Center or purchase it from the Gift Shop. The following excursion is for swimmers only and the minimum age is 12. A parent must accompany children under 16.

See Vilamendhoo’s Scuba Diving and Snorkelers Calendar For South Ari Atoll Maldives »

TURTLE EXCURSION
Monday, Thursday, Saturday 1430 – 1530
Experience the excitement of seeing magnificent Turtles at Turtle Reef, 10 minutes by Dhoni Boat.
A 10-minute speedboat ride to boat ride to Turtle Reef and a chance to see, photograph and maybe swim with magnificent Turtles.
Learn More »

MANTA & TURTLE EXCURSION
Thursday & Sunday 0900 – 1300
Add the excitement and possibility of seeing, photographing and maybe swimming with Mantas to your turtle adventures Snorkeling.
Learn More »

Ready to explore the best underwater world in the Maldives? Book online »

October 10, 2020March 7, 2021

Vilamendhoo’s Scuba Diving and Snorkelers Calendar For South Ari Atoll Maldives

What is the best time to Dive in Vilamendhoo?

Around the year.

From avid diver to beginner, the waters around Vilamendhoo provide plenty of excursions and dive experiences to see the marine life, including hard and soft coral.

The resort is blessed with nearly 50 dive sites, all situated within one hour by boat including the Maamigili Marine Protected Area and National Park where whale sharks are frequented.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Whale Sharks

Yes

Reef Sharks

High

Silvertip Sharks

High

Yes

Hammerhead Sharks

Low

Nurse Sharks

Yes

Manta Rays

High

Yes

High

Yes

Sting Rays

Yes

Eagle Rays

Yes

Hawksbill Turtles

High

Green Turtles

High

Night diving

Yes

Shipwreck diving

Yes

Ideal for new divers

Yes

The Euro-Divers dive centre in Vilamendhoo is one of the Maldives’ most experienced dive operators and as a PADI 5 Star Centre, they offer the full range of PADI courses catering to all experience levels – from beginner to professionals.

“The dives sites were on half hour or 1hour distance by boat and you can see everything on 1 one dive (spectacular coral, great schools of fish; sharks, whale shark on the South area; mantas, turtles, and so on). Although, you can also see that on the house reef, that by the way, it was on my top 10 house reefs resorts.”
PateLisbon, Lisbon, Portuga, Feb 2021 – TripAdvisor

Vilamendhoo’s famous underwater garden – the house reef

The house reef of Vilamendhoo Resort is exceptionally beautiful and starts just a few feet away from the beach. The house reefs dense corral garden circles the island and extend over the narrow lagoon around the overwater villas on the western end.

Vilamendhoo also offers guided night snorkelling for the adventurous.

HOUSE-REEF-SOUTH-SIDE

HOUSE-REEF-NORTH-SID

Guests of all ages can stand from the beach or the jetty to experience abundant marine life. To admire the house reef in its full glory, one must snorkel in and get engulfed by shoals of colourful fish while you swim amidst the corrals.

Do not be surprised if you come across turtles and baby sharks (harmless) while you snorkel.

Living in the ‘new normal’ – A Safe Holiday Experience In Vilamendhoo.
Quick Links
Your questions answered before you travel | Facilitating PCR Testing at Resort | Travel Flexibility & Cancellation Policy Update | Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Calender

Special offers
A choice of offers for your Maldives holiday in 2021. See All Offers »

February 16, 2020June 23, 2022

Tips for your Maldives Scuba Diving Adventure

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect destination for scuba diving than the coral reefs of the Maldives. An astounding variety of dive sites, reefs full of colourful fish and incredible bucket list sightings of whale sharks and manta rays await all those who embark upon a scuba diving adventure at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives.

Whether you’re already qualified to dive or are thinking about trying diving for the first time, here are 10 tips to get the most out of your diving adventure:

Check with medical before you go – some pre-exisiting medical conditions will require a doctor to certify you as ‘fit to dive’ and this is much easier to organise at home.
Rent your dive equipment when you arrive – no need to travel with lots of luggage, and remember the water is balmy so there’s no need to pack a long wetsuit either. If you want to take your own mask – get it properly fitted at a dive shop – there’s nothing that will spoil your dives more than an ill-fitting mask.
Ensure you have the correct amount of weight – it’s very common for divers to have too many kilos on their weight belt – this causes poor positioning in the water, damaging corals and you’ll also use your air more quickly and so have a shorter dive – ask for a buoyancy check.
If you haven’t dived for a while do a refresher – it’s a simple quick session with an instructor so you can ensure you are comfortable in the water and with the equipment before heading out on the boats to explore the reefs.
Beginners – relax, you will be in very safe hands – the team at Euro-Divers are very patient and professional, the groups are very small and you’ll have the adventure of your life. Choose from full PADI Open Water Diver course or PADI Discover Scuba Diving program that requires no study – just fun!
As well as looking at the life on the reef, remember to take a look into the blue water every so often – you might get lucky and spot some of the bigger pelagic creatures such as sharks, rays and tuna, cruising by.
Don’t touch the coral or other marine life – not only will you harm it but it can also harm you if touched.
Sharks in the Maldives are an encounter not to be missed – they’re not dangerous, it will be an encounter you’ll rememeber for many years to come.
Those already qualified could think about furthering their skills with the Advanced Open Water course to learn a variety of new skills or complete the Rescue Diver Course to enhance your own confidence and be able to assist divers needing help.
The PADI eLearning sysyem is available for all popular courses and means you don’t have to spend your precious holiday time in a classroom – learn at home, at your own pace.

Embrace the adventure while scuba diving at Vilamendhoo! Learn more about our dive centre here

January 16, 2020

2020 Maldives Dive Guide – Scuba Diving at Vilamendhoo

Plan the perfect dive holiday for 2020 at Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, one of the top diving resorts in the Maldives. Located in the South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo is a divers’ paradise and enjoys the best of what the Maldives has to offer as a world-renowned diving destination. The crystal clear water, tropical temperatures and uncrowded dive sites are just the start.

As soon as you dive into the ocean, the underwater world, full of colour and vibrance, will leave you awestruck. The coral reefs are teeming with life and diversity – from tiny clownfish hiding amongst the anemones to large, bright green napoleon wrasse cruising by. The clouds of fusiliers will mesmerise you as they move in unison, darting suddenly when a hunting party of jackfish appear. Hard coral structures provide the perfect hiding place for the smaller reef inhabitants while colourful soft corals adorn the dive sites.

Vilamendhoo is in an enviable location, close to world-famous manta ray and whale shark points. If these gentle giants of the ocean are on your diving bucket list, you will be glad you booked this resort. Whale shark search trips are available multiple times per week throughout the year – it’s always whale shark season at Vilamendhoo! If you’re interested in finding out more about the marine life, in particular, the majestic manta rays, you can visit the resident marine biologist from Manta Trust who will be happy to tell you all about the research they carry out at sites close to the island.

Vilamendhoo’s house reef provides a spectacular option for lazy days when you simply want to dive with your buddy without taking a boat trip; accessible from almost every point on the island, it’s home to more than 150 species of fish and great for underwater photography.

The dive centre on the island is operated by Euro-Divers, one of the Maldives’ most experienced dive operators and as a PADI 5 Star Centre, they offer the full range of PADI courses catering to all experience levels – from beginner to professionals. Daily dive excursions are available and with more than 50 dive sites accessible by boat from Vilamendhoo, including those to the nearby Marine Protected Area and the National Park, there are countless adventures waiting for you.

See you in 2020 for the scuba diving holiday of a life time!

November 21, 2019December 11, 2019

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.

October 7, 2019November 9, 2019

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!

October 1, 2019November 9, 2019

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!

Category: Snorkelling & Diving