Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives 2026 — Whale Sharks, Premium AI

Opened 1994 · Renovated 2009

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.

01 Villas· 02 Dining· 03 Inclusions· 04 Activities· 05 Reef· 06 Transfer· 07 Verdict·08 FAQ

Lux Pulse™Updated Aug 14, 2026How we score

Excellent & Consistent

325 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.6 / 5 from 7,630 total reviews.

+2% review volume vs. prior 6 months

How we score

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. Other Resorts

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

Reference resorts

@lilybeachresortmaldives79.7K followers

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 · 44% 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

90–182 sqm · Average size

Lagoon Villa90 sqmPool

Deluxe Water Villa126 sqmPool

Sunset Water Suite182 sqmPool

FamilyNo pool

Family Villas

From

$1,

136 sqm · Average size

Family Beach Villa136 sqmNo pool

SignatureAll pool

Signature Collection

From

$2,

225 sqm · 72% larger 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.

Packages From Get your secret price

$4,239 / couple

5 nights · Beach Villa · Full Board · Transfers extra

Check-in

Check-out

Adults

Children

Preferred room type

Lux Partner Rate

Save $2,476 per couple

5 nights in a Beach Villa with Full Board (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Upgrade to Beach Suite with Pool from $6,359 or Sunset Water Suite with Pool from $8,539 per couple. Speedboat transfers ~$313 pp RT extra.

From $4,239 $6,715 SAVE 37%

View full list of inclusions →

More inclusions than booking direct

Get a Personalised Quote

Quotes handled by Tym's team of Maldives travel professionals. 24-hour response.

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Be first to know when Lily Beach has a deal — exclusive rates and upgrades, sent only when there's something worth sharing.

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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.

Similar Resorts

LUX* South Ari

South Ari · Same atoll

SPECIAL $3,409 / 5 nights

Vilamendhoo

South Ari · Same atoll

SPECIAL $2,199 / 5 nights

Hideaway Beach

Haa Alifu · Remote luxury

SPECIAL $2,759 / 5 nights

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

AlcoholPremiumMinibarDaily

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

Sunset dolphin cruiseTraditional dhoni · spinner dolphins

Sunset cruiseChampagne and canapés on the lagoon

Big game fishingHalf and full-day charters

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.

Tamara SpaOverwater treatment rooms · couples suites

Sound healing sessions

Crystal bowl therapy

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

Shore entry · 10 access points · Drop-off 10–20m from beach

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.

PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.

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

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

Lux Special Inclusions

More inclusions than booking direct

Everything bundled into the package price above — taken directly from the package terms we'll honour at booking time.

5 nights staying at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our airport team at Male International Airport with Complimentary VIP lounge access at the Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane terminal for Sea Plane Transfers
Lily Maa main restaurant: sumptuous buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking stations, grill, BBQ (*Special menu option available on request for certain dietary requirements) Tamarind Specialty Restaurant: one a la carte dinner per person per week for a chance to experience a delightful fusion of Thai and Indian dishes
Selection of 80 premium wines from all around the world available in our restaurants and bars
The Spirit Bar: unlimited signature drinks, alcoholic & non-alcoholic cocktails, selection of coffee blends, variety of juices and soft drinks
AQVA Bar: a la carte menu option for lunch, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, variety of juices, soft drinks, selection of tea and coffee blends
Vibes Bar: live entertainment weekly, a la carte menu option for lunch, unlimited cocktails and signature drinks, fresh juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee blends
Four brands of cigarettes available in all bars
Premium mini bar, replenished daily with beer, wine, soft drinks, water and snacks
Complimentary beach side cooling box with a free access to assorted chilled non-alcoholic beverages -
Complimentary snorkelling equipment and non-motorized water sports - Complimentary fitness classes including aerobics, aquatics, yoga, Zumba - Free access to the sports complex: tennis court, gym, volleyball playground and all indoor games
Three complimentary excursions per person per stay to be selected from available options: coral garden snorkelling, sunset fishing trip, sunset cruise, trip to the local fishing village Dangethi
Complimentary internet access in all Villas and resort public areas (excluding highspeed internet).
Turtle Kids Club for various activities and surprises for the youngest guests.
For a minimum stay of 4 nights honeymooners will also receive a Bottle of sparkling wine, Special heart shape cake, fruit basket, A Special 04 Course Romantic Candle-light Dinner on the beach for the couple, Voucher of 50 USD per person @ Tamara by Mandara Spa (on treatments, except Pedicure and Manicure), In-Villa Bath ceremony and Bed decoration. For a minimum stay of 7 nights receive 1 Balinese massage of 50 mins for the couple @ Tamara by Mandara Spa instead of the spa voucher. *Honeymoon should not be more than 12 months after the date of the wedding and a copy of the wedding certificate will be required upon check-in.(Honeymoon Benefits are subject to Change)

Pricing by travel date 4 travel windows · $4,239–$6,659

Travel window	Beach Villa	Beach Suite with Pool	Deluxe Water Villa with Pool	Sunset Water Suite with Pool
1 May – 30 Sep 2026	$4,239	$6,359	$6,479	$8,539
1 Oct – 23 Dec 2026	$5,099	$8,849	$8,009	$10,409
8 Jan – 11 Apr 2027	$6,659	$9,359	$11,049	$16,119
12 Apr – 30 Sep 2027	$4,359	$6,539	$6,679	$8,679

5 nights per couple. Extra-night rates shown beneath each price. Transfers are quoted separately — ask us and we’ll confirm the exact total for your dates.

Why Book Through Lux Atolls

More Than Just a Booking

What you get with us vs. booking direct or through a generic OTA

Book with Lux Atolls

Best rate guarantee on partner resorts — we match or beat what you find elsewhere

Exclusive package inclusions negotiated through our direct resort relationships

Transparent pricing — transfers, taxes, and meal plans quoted upfront, no hidden fees

Personal trip advisor — villa matching, meal plan guidance, and honest recommendations

Maldives-only expertise — we know every reef, transfer route, and seasonal sweet spot

Direct resort contact — if something needs fixing, we call the GM, not a call centre

No booking fees, no hidden charges — the price we quote is the price you pay

Book Through Others

Published rack rate — no negotiated extras

No package inclusions beyond the standard rate

Transfer costs and taxes added at checkout

Generic customer support with no local knowledge

One-size-fits-all recommendations across dozens of destinations

Issues routed through a ticketing system, not a person

Hidden fees and service charges added late in the process

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.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Lily Beach vs. Other Resorts

Choose Your Villa

4 Restaurants

Dining Inclusions

Your Days on the Island

Family-Friendly Features

House Reef & Underwater

Shore entry · 10 access points · Drop-off 10–20m from beach

Transfer from Malé

Who This Resort is For

Ideal for

Consider elsewhere if

More inclusions than booking direct

More Than Just a Booking

Lily Beach Resort & Spa — FAQ

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