Vilamendhoo Island

Located on the Southeast corner of Ari atoll, Vilamendhoo lies in the heart of some of the most thrilling dive sites in the Maldives. 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 3 to 4 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.

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

Euro Divers

Euro Divers on Vilamendhoo is a large, well-equipped PADI 5* resort. The excellent house reef is accessible to experienced divers and snorkellers and has 10 entry points. The centre operates three to four boats twice a day. Over 40 sites are located within an hour's dhoni ride from the island. 

A refresher dive is included free of charge for clients pre-booking their diving through Regaldive and repeat Euro Diver clients receive additional dives in resort on presentation of their logbooks.

The dive centre is equipped with 10 and 12 litre aluminium cylinders that take both DIN and INT fittings. 15l tanks not currently available. Nitrox fills at 32% are offered FREE of charge to certified Nitrox divers.

Use of a dive computer is compulsory. Each diver must have their own computer.

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 - Single trip:  $21
• Boat trip - 2 tank dive:  $34
• Boat trip - Full day: $40
• Private guide:  $50 per diver based on 2 divers.  
• Courses: Certification fee, course manual & log book:  $155
• Courses: Certification fee and log book only:  $85 - $90

Equipment rental, payable in resort (USD) - Rates vary according to total number of dives:

• Full equipment incl. computer:  $16 - $22 per dive / 6 days $160
• Mask, Fins & Snorkel:  Free of charge when used for diving
• Shortie wetsuit:  $6 - $8
• BCD:  $6 - $8
• Regulators:  $4 - $6
• Dive computer:  $4 - $6
• Underwater torch:  $10
• Digital camera:  $35
• DSMB: $5 for duration of your diving.

Local sales & service charge payable in resort:  

• Sales tax: 12%
• Service charge: 10%

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.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane 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, Felidhu 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).

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).

Approximately £1 = 26 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 departing Sundays and Mondays. 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 sea plane 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).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP.  Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.  There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa