The resort that proved all-inclusive could mean exceptional. A pristine house reef with whale sharks, a Platinum Plan that covers everything, and 125 villas on South Ari's finest island.
5-Star Luxury Seaplane 25 min Exceptional Reef Family Friendly
Atoll
South Ari
Villas
125
Transfer
Seaplane
Transfer Cost
~$500 pp RT
Packages From
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Meal Plans
Platinum AI
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More inclusions than direct
Opened1994Renovated2009
Lily Beach pioneered luxury all-inclusive in the Maldives — and the Platinum Plan remains the benchmark that other resorts try to match. Combine that with one of the country's best house reefs, year-round whale shark access in South Ari, and a 25-minute seaplane from Malé, and you get a resort that consistently justifies its reputation.
285 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.6 / 5 from 4,850 total reviews.
+10% review volume vs. prior 6 months
14
Awards since 2019
Leading All-Inclusive Resort
World Travel Awards '25
Leading All-Inclusive Resort
World Travel Awards '24
Leading Family Resort
World Travel Awards '24
Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator '24
Best All-Inclusive Resort
Forbes '23
How It Compares
Lily Beach vs. the Field
Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.
BudgetUltra-Luxury
Adaaran Club
LUX* South Ari
Soneva Fushi
Lily Beach
LivelySecluded
Kuredu
Kudadoo
Lily Beach
Easy AccessRemote
Gili Lankanfushi
Anantara Kihavah
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
Lily Beach
CouplesFamily
Komandoo
W Maldives
Siyam World
Lily Beach
BoutiqueLarge Resort
Makunudu (36)
Coco Bodu Hithi (100)
Meeru Island (286)
Lily Beach (125)
Poor ReefExceptional
Finolhu
Vilamendhoo
Lily Beach
Lily Beach
Reference resorts
Accommodation
Choose Your Villa
Lily Beach spans beach, overwater, family and signature categories. The entry Beach Villa is compact at 68 sqm, but overwater options scale up to the 182 sqm Sunset Water Suite with infinity pool. Pool access varies by category — choose carefully.
Beach2 of 4
Beach Villas
From
$760
68–76 sqm ·38% smaller than avg
Beach Villa68 sqmNo pool
Beach Suite76 sqmNo pool
Beach Suite with Jacuzzi76 sqmPool
Beach Suite with Pool76 sqmPool
OverwaterAll pool
Water Villas
From
$920
90–182 sqm ·16% smaller than avg
Lagoon Villa90 sqmPool
Deluxe Water Villa126 sqmPool
Sunset Water Suite182 sqmPool
FamilyNo pool
Family Villas
From
$1,520
136 sqm ·50% smaller than avg
Family Beach Villa136 sqmNo pool
SignatureAll pool
Signature Collection
From
$2,200
225 sqm ·64% smaller than avg
Beach Residence225 sqmPool
Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.
Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.
Dining
4 Restaurants
Four distinct restaurants, all covered by the Platinum Plan with no supplements or surcharges. From the sand-floor buffet at Lily Maa to Wine Spectator-awarded fine dining at Les Turquoise d'Aqua, plus one complimentary Tamarind dinner per guest per week. Genuinely all-inclusive dining.
Lily Maa
International
The main restaurant with sand floors and panoramic lagoon views. Daily-changing international buffet with live cooking stations and themed dinner nights — from Maldivian to Mediterranean. Open for all three meals, this is where most guests start and end their day.
SettingSand floors · Lagoon views
Our tipThursday Maldivian night is the standout dinner theme
Les Turquoise d'Aqua
Fine Dining
Five-course degustation menus paired with wines from an award-winning cellar — Wine Spectator 2024 recognised. The most refined dining on the island, with lagoon views and a sommelier who takes the pairing seriously.
SettingPoolside · Lagoon view
Our tipReserve on arrival — only seats around 30 guests
Tamarind
Thai & Indian
Authentic Thai curries and Indian tandoori dishes served oceanfront under the stars. One complimentary dinner per person per week is included in the Platinum Plan — additional visits bookable. The fusion menu bridges both cuisines well.
SettingOceanfront · Open-air
Our tipThe lobster curry is the signature — don't miss it
AQVA Teppanyaki
Japanese
Live teppanyaki grills with Wagyu beef, lobster and fresh seafood — small and intimate, the chefs put on a genuine show. Perched at the AQVA Bar over the lagoon, this is dinner as entertainment.
SettingAt AQVA Bar · Overwater
Our tipThe Wagyu is the standout — book early in the week
Meal Plans
Dining Inclusions
Lily Beach operates exclusively on the Platinum Plan — there's no half board or room-only option. Everything from Taittinger champagne to snorkeling gear to whale shark safaris is covered in a single rate. No supplements, no surprises.
Plan
Restaurants
Alcohol
Minibar
~pp/day
Platinum Plan (All-Inclusive)
All 4 restaurants
Premium
Daily
Included
Platinum Plan (All-Inclusive)Included
All 4 restaurants
Alcohol PremiumMinibar Daily
Experiences & Activities
Your Days on the Island
The Platinum Plan covers non-motorized water sports, snorkeling gear, three excursions, kids club and daily yoga. Between the house reef, whale shark safaris and overwater spa, most guests find they don't need to leave the island.
Water Sports & Diving
Non-motorised sports included in Platinum Plan. PADI center on-site.
Snorkeling gearComplimentary — included in Platinum Plan
Kayaking & SUPComplimentary
Catamaran sailing
Windsurfing
Glass-bottom canoePaddle over the reef without getting wet
PADI dive centerBeginner to advanced · whale shark dives · night dives
House reef access from 10 entry points. Shore entry to a sloping wall dropping to 40m — reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and mantas within metres of the beach. One of the top-rated house reefs in the Maldives.
Excursions & Cruises
3 excursions included in Platinum Plan. Additional trips bookable.
Whale shark safariSouth Ari is the world's best spot · ~80% success rate year-round
Local island visitExperience Maldivian village life
Whale sharks year-round. South Ari Atoll is the world's most reliable location for whale shark encounters. Lily Beach runs regular safaris with around 80% sighting success — these gentle giants feed in the atoll's plankton-rich channels throughout the year.
Spa & Wellness
Overwater Tamara Spa. Yoga included in Platinum Plan.
Daily yogaComplimentary — included in Platinum Plan
Pilates & Zumba classes
Sports & Recreation
Gym, courts and group classes all complimentary.
Tennis courtFloodlit
Beach volleyball
Fully-equipped gymOpen 24 hours
Yoga pavilion
Pilates & Zumba
Kids & Family
Turtle Kids' Club included in Platinum Plan. Ages 3–12.
Turtle Kids' ClubAges 3–12 · 9:00–17:30 · free
Treehouse with slideOutdoor adventure playground
Children's poolDedicated shallow pool for kids
Babysitting serviceOn request · $15/hr
Family beach activities
Family & Kids
Family-Friendly Features
Lily Beach is one of the Maldives' best family all-inclusives. The Turtle Kids' Club runs daily for ages 3–12 at no extra cost, with a treehouse playground and dedicated children's pool. The Platinum Plan means no bill anxiety — kids eat, play and explore with everything already covered.
Turtle Kids' Club
Ages 3-12 · 9:00-17:30 · Free
Under 5 Stay Free
Under 5 eat free
Babysitting
$15/hr
Overwater Min Age
12+ years for water villas
Shallow Lagoon
Calm, shallow water safe for young children
Highlights for Kids
Treehouse with slideChildren's poolWhale shark safarisWalk-in house reef
Family Villa Options
Family Beach Villa
Snorkeling & Marine Life
House Reef & Underwater
8.8
Excellent House Reef
Lux Atolls Reef Score · top 5% of Maldives resorts
Sloping wall to 40m · Whale sharks year-round · 100+ fish species
Lily Beach has one of the most celebrated house reefs in the Maldives. Ten entry points give direct shore access to a sloping wall that drops to 40m, teeming with reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and over 100 fish species. The South Ari location adds year-round whale shark encounters — something very few house reefs can offer.
Regularly spotted here (+8)
Reef Sharks
Blacktip & whitetip — frequent at reef edge
Sea Turtles
Hawksbill & green — daily sightings from shore
Tropical Reef Fish
100+ species — parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins — regular on sunset cruises
Whale Sharks
Year-round in South Ari · ~80% success rate on safaris
Manta Rays
Seasonal visitors — best Nov–Apr
Eagle Rays
Regular sightings along the reef wall
Nurse Sharks
Often resting under coral overhangs
Not typical at this reef (−2)
Stingrays
Not commonly reported at house reef
Octopus
Not commonly reported at house reef
PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.
Getting There
Transfer from Malé
Lily Beach is in South Ari Atoll — one of the more accessible premium atolls. A scenic 25-minute seaplane from Malé lands you on the resort's doorstep, making this one of the quickest luxury transfers in the Maldives.
Transfer
Seaplane (TMA)
Direct from Malé · ~25 min · Daylight only
~$500 pp roundtrip
Seaplane daylight only. Arrivals after ~3:30pm need an airport hotel overnight. We arrange everything.
Resort island map — Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Our Take
Who This Resort is For
Lily Beach set the standard for luxury all-inclusive in the Maldives and the Platinum Plan still holds up — covering everything from Taittinger champagne to whale shark safaris. The house reef is genuinely world-class, South Ari delivers whale sharks year-round, and families are well served by the Turtle Kids' Club. If you want one price that covers everything without compromise, this is the benchmark.
Ideal for
All-inclusive purists — the Platinum Plan covers Taittinger champagne, 80+ wines, three excursions, and non-motorised water sports with zero bill anxiety
Snorkelers and reef lovers — one of the Maldives' best house reefs with 10 entry points, reef sharks, turtles, and eagle rays steps from your villa
Families wanting quality kids facilities — Turtle Kids' Club (3–12) with treehouse playground, children's pool, and everything included in the plan
Whale shark enthusiasts — South Ari Atoll offers year-round encounters with an 80% sighting rate on dedicated excursions
Consider elsewhere if
Guests wanting meal plan flexibility — the Platinum Plan is the only option; there's no BB, HB, or à la carte pricing
Those seeking ultra-modern minimalist design — the resort was rebuilt in 2009 and feels contemporary but not cutting-edge
Budget travellers — the all-inclusive-only model means entry rates start around $760/night with no stripped-back alternative
Couples wanting adults-only exclusivity — this is a family-friendly resort with a dedicated kids' zone and children's pool
Season & Pricing Guide
Dec 20 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates
Jan 11 – Apr 15High · +30–50%
Apr 16 – Jul 15Shoulder · +10–20%
Jul 16 – Dec 19Low · Best value
Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability.
Why Book Through Lux Atolls
More Inclusions, More Maldives
What you get booking with us vs. going direct or through an OTA
Book with Lux Atolls
Best rate guarantee — avg. 11% below OTAs
Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability)
Welcome bottle of champagne on arrival
One complimentary 60-min couples spa treatment
Early check-in / late checkout (subject to availability)
Personal trip advisor — villa matching, transfers, meal plan guidance
Direct resort relationship — we resolve issues in real time
Book Through Others
Standard rack rate
Room type as booked — no upgrades
No welcome amenities
No spa inclusions
Standard check-in/out times
Generic customer support
No direct resort contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Lily Beach Resort & Spa — FAQ
What is included in the Lily Beach Platinum Plan?
Everything. All meals at four restaurants, 80+ premium wines, Taittinger champagne, daily minibar refill, three excursions (including whale shark safari), non-motorized water sports, snorkeling gear, kids club, and daily yoga. There's no cheaper plan — Platinum is the only option.
Is Lily Beach good for snorkeling?
Exceptional. The house reef is rated 8.8/10 with 10 shore entry points. A sloping wall drops to 40m within 10–20m of the beach, home to reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, mantas, and 100+ fish species. South Ari also offers year-round whale shark encounters with around 80% sighting success.
How do you get to Lily Beach Resort?
A 25-minute seaplane from Malé (~$500 pp roundtrip). Seaplanes operate during daylight only, so late afternoon arrivals require an airport hotel overnight. The resort arranges everything.
Is Lily Beach good for families?
Yes. The Turtle Kids' Club runs daily for ages 3–12, included in the Platinum Plan. There's a treehouse playground, children's pool, and shallow lagoon. Under-5s stay free. Babysitting is available at $15 per hour. The Family Beach Villa offers two interconnected villas with 136 sqm of space.
Can you see whale sharks at Lily Beach?
South Ari Atoll is the world's most reliable location for whale shark sightings. Lily Beach runs regular safaris with around 80% success rate year-round. Three excursions are included in the Platinum Plan, and whale shark safaris are one of the most popular choices.
Pricing
Secret Price
Custom package · Your villa choice · Meal plan · Transfers
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