Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Situated between two channels, this long oval island boasts an exceptional house reef that attracts both divers and snorkellers back year after year. Vilamendhoo is well-managed and maintains one of the best environmental programmes in the Maldives, which contributes to the natural appearance of the island.

House Reef

Vilamendhoo is a long, thin island that lies parallel with the prevailing seasonal currents. The house reef encircles the island and at 900m in length is one of the largest accessible house reefs in the Maldives. At various points down either side of the island, the edge of the reef is just metres from the shoreline and beach. There are 10 entry points on to the house reef, which varies in depth from 28 to 35 metres.

The reef is beautifully formed with several shallow caves and overhangs. Owing to its location gentle currents sweep down either side of the island attracting many pelagic species in towards the reef, which itself supports an abundance of marine life. The dive centre operates a tank service to the various entry points and allows access to experienced divers.

Boat Diving

More than 40 dive sites are located within 60 minutes Dhoni ride of Vilamendhoo. Euro Divers Maldives dive base on Vilamendhoo operates between three and four boats two times a day to a variety of sites. Renowned Maldivian sites like Kuda-Rha-Thila, Broken Rock and Shark point are regularly dived.

Kuda-Rha-Thila is an unusual reef, which supports four rock pinnacles encrusted with soft corals and sea fans. Large schools of snapper and batfish are regularly seen in the gullies between the pinnacles. Broken Rock’s most distinctive feature is a 50-metre canyon that runs through this beautiful Thila. The canyon is encrusted with sponges and soft corals and attracts large volumes of reef fish within its protective walls.

Please note boat diving is available at a supplement, paid locally.

For an excellent aerial view of Vilamendhoo, please see the video below, courtesy of our colleagues at Euro-Divers. 

Dive Packs

Options available include a 5 or 10 house reef dive package, plus a 6 days unlimited house reef diving option. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your requirements.

For unguided dive packs, divers need to have PADI Open Water or equivalent qualification and logged 40 dives prior to arrival. If divers do not meet this requirement, they will be guided in a group by the dive centre free of charge if an instructor is available.

A private instructor is available upon request to guide inexperienced divers on the house reef, this is payable locally (please see local charges below).

Boat trips include an instructor to guide inexperienced divers without additional charges. Boat trips are payable locally in addition to your pre-paid dive pack (please see local charges below).  

Dive packs are unguided for consecutive days, from the house reef and include tanks, air or Nitrox if qualified and weights. Limited night dives are also included. Guests can dive up to a maximum of 4 dives per day.

Dive Courses

A range of dive courses is available for those looking to learn to dive.  Please enquire for details. 

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.

• Boat trip - including single, 2-tank dives & full day trips
• Private guide fees
• Courses: Certification fee, course manual & log book (option to exclude course manual too)
• Local sales tax payable in resort
• Service charge
• Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including BCDs, regulators, shortie wetsuits, dive computers, full set incl. computer, torch, digital camera, DSMB

Getting Around and Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Climate

This tropical climate has 2 monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28–30°C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25°C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€).  Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

• Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow
• Qatar Airways via Doha
• Oman Air via Muscat
• Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations. We can tailor-make a quote for you.

Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by seaplane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll.  Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:-

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male.  This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable.  The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.