A tiny, one-hectare island in South Ari Atoll with just 30 thatched villas, a house reef and whale sharks nearby.
Drift Thelu Veliga is a boutique four-star retreat on an island of just over a hectare in South Ari Atoll, 35 minutes by seaplane from the airport. There are only 30 villas, in a thatched Maldivian style with earthy colours and local handicrafts.
Ten Beach Villas are tucked along the shore, each with a net-canopied king bed and doors onto the sand; twenty Water Villas stand on stilts over the lagoon with a deck into the water and a bathtub facing the ocean.
The restaurant serves a buffet alongside à la carte dishes in the open air, with themed nights and private beach dinners, and the beachfront bar faces the sunset. There's an overwater spa with Indonesian, Thai and Indian massages, a house reef, diving, and trips to South Ari's whale shark point.
It's very small, with one restaurant and one bar, so it suits people who want quiet rather than choice. The seaplane is compulsory unless you take the slow public ferry.
Ten rounded villas tucked along the shore, with doors straight onto the beach and a private seating area with sun loungers.
King bed with a net canopy
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
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Buffet and à la carte in the open air, with fresh local seafood and themed nights
Beachfront bar facing the sunset, with light meals all day
Indonesian, Thai and Indian massages, facials and body treatments over the lagoon
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A 35-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, booked through the resort; a public ferry speedboat via Dhangethi is the slower alternative.
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